P O L Y C H R O M A T I C
adjective [pol-ee-kroh-mat-ik, -kruh-]

Having or exhibiting a variety of colours.

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You strolled through the exhibition, swinging your hand bag slowly and trying to maintain a look of fascination on your face. It's not that you weren't enjoying the event, you love style and innovation but you felt a little... left out. You're best friend [y/bf/n] was keeping an eye on you often but you didn't blame her for being completely engaged into picking out every opportunity to learn more about the industry.

You're at a fashion exhibition with your friend who is currently in her last year of studying for her bachelor degree in fashion design. You admire her creativity and you love working with materials to create something new but at the moment you feel like you belong somewhere else. Though you just tagged along with her to help the boring weekend pass by.

You stopped by a shoe stall that specifically specialised in heel designs for women. You examined every one of them with a smile on your face, they all looked so glamourous and pretty. You imagined wearing them to a party, they all seemed fit for a celebrity on the red carpet.

You picked on shoe up with a little of the front opened up and asked the attendant, "Is this a peep toe?"

"Yes it is, we have a brilliant collection made of different colours and materials..."

She went on but you zoned out a bit, walking away and looking at another shoe-

"You know that wasn't actually a peep-toed shoe."

You jerked slightly in fright. Someone spoke over your shoulder and you turned around immediately.

"Sorry about that, I didn't realise I'd frighten you," A young man apologised, then showed you another heeled shoe, "This is a peep toe. That one was an open toe."

You took a moment to process the situation then smiled, "Um... wouldn't the attendant know better?"

He chuckled and looked to the ground, while putting the shoe back,"N-No actually, this is in fact an open toe and-"

"How would you know that?"

"Well um... because an open toe has a much more 'opened' front, whereas a peep toe just you know... peeps," He explained and licked his lips nervously while putting his hands together behind his back. The man immediately picked up another shoe that sparked up a different explanation, "N-Now this is a special one. It's a D'orsay because of the cutaway sides but it's also a-"

"Peep toe?" You said after he pointed to the hole in the front. He smiled widely and nodded his head with enthusiasm.

"Yeah! Spot on," He commented and you ran a hand through your hair awkwardly. He shook his head and rubbed his face after putting the shoe back on display.

"I-I'm sorry, I'm horrible at social skills. Whatever I say sort of... blurts out," He chuckled, "My name is Barry and I don't mean to be nosey."

He put his hand out and you shook it. "Barry... I'm [y/n] [y/l/n]," You responded and he nodded his head.

"Mrs. [y/l/n]-"

"Miss," You corrected and he bit his lip. You decided to change the topic, finding something comforting about talking to Barry. "Hey so... Mind helping me understand what you're wearing?" You asked and grinned, while analysing the fascinating choice of clothing he had on.

He scanned his clothes and laughed, "Alright well, I've got cotton sweat pants with an amber... It's actually darker than amber, more of a maroon, varsity jacket. Some people call it letter or baseball, I like varsity. I've got a black and white plaid shirt inside with buttoned cuffs and..."

He stopped talking then sighed, watching your expression of bewilderment sadly. "I should stop talking," He mumbled and you shook your head and placed your hand on his arm.

"No no no, I enjoy hearing you talk. You explain things so... well!" You encouraged and he smiled. Barry started walking ahead and you followed beside him.

"You see fashion is something of my passion and I love learning and talking about it," He explained then stopped, "I'm so sorry [y/n] if I'm boring you to death!"

"Of course not Barry, I'm happy that you found me. I was actually kind of left out here. I've come with a friend who's studying fashion but I think it was a bad idea,"You rubbed your neck then shrugged your shoulders. You spotted your friend in the distance and pointed her way, "That's her over there."

Barry smiled sadly then put his hands in his jacket pocket, "Great! I'll uh... leave you to it then. I anyways need to get going-"

You grabbed his arm as he walked away and pulled him back to you. "Wait, where are you going?" You questioned, "Please stay... I mean, I don't have anything to do and my friend's busy. Barry... if you don't mind me hanging out with you, that is."

He smiled brightly, "It would be a pleasure to have your company." You chuckled and started following him forward, walking by various clothing and design stalls with colourful displays and fascinatingly intricate detail.

"Alright, I'm going to test your knowledge Barry," You smirked and rubbed your hands together, then stopped at a table with handbags, picking up one and asking, "What is this one?"

He raised an eyebrow and licked his lips, "That's my friend is a baguette, with a buckle on the front and rectangular body. It's probably called that because it resembles a baguette, the French bread."

You raised your eyebrows then nodded your head, "Very well, I shall challenge you then." You looked around for something tricky but interesting and finally found a cloth design, "What is this called?"

"Ah that is well, one of the check design variations! It's an Argyle, and you usually find it on those classic v-necked and sleeveless dad sweaters," He laughed and you smiled. Barry moved forward and scanned the entire display on the stall, "In fact all these designs are checked ones. That's a harlequin check, with diamond shapes and colours. This one is the classy shephard's che-Oh wait, nope sorry this is a gun club check. I always mix them up!"

You bit your lip and watched him in awe. He was so enthusiastic about fashion, you loved it. He had this ever-growing facial expression but when he talks about fashion it intensifies, making you feel the same enthusiasm too.

He scanned your physique then smirked, "You know the blouse your wearing, with the long butterfly sleeves, actually has one of my favourite designs."

"Oh really?" You stepped closer to him and raised an eyebrow, "What's that?"

"Paisley, a design originally on shawls in Kashmir and now used all over the world. I love it and there's so much freedom in colour choice!" Barry answered and you smiled, "That and your beautiful variation belt."

You placed the loose strand of hair behind your ear and looked deeply into his eyes. "You know... If you'd want my fashion opinion, you'd look stunning in an off-shoulder, empire dress with an ombre shade of blue, that has an assymetrical bottom, and on your feet a pair of beautiful light blue-"

"D'orsay's?"

He laughed and smiled, "I was thinking stilettos but d'orsays work too!" You both stay silent for a few moments then you smile softly.

"I'm sure it would look pretty, thanks Barry. You're really... nice," You complimented and he watched you shyly.

He took a deep breath then said, "Hey [y/n] would you... would you accompany me for dinner tonight? It's just that I really enjoy talking to you and I don't have anyone to talk to normally..."

You frowned a little, "I don't know Barry..."

He nodded his head understandingly, " No issues [y/n], I thought I'd ask. Anyways, I should be going now. It's getting late."

You shook his hand then he left suddenly. You felt lonely immediately, feeling empty inside. You spotted your friend sitting at a table with two well-suited men who looked like corporate individuals and you smiled softly.

You turned back and frantically looked for Barry, who you spotted near the exhibition's exit. You ran towards him then called out his name, making him turn around.

"Barry I... I would love to go out with you for dinner, if that offer is still open," You said, a little breathlessly.

He smiled widely, "It's always open!" You started walking by his side and bit the inside of your cheek to hide your happiness.

"Now [y/n], I wanted to ask you something... What do you think about bell-bottoms?"