LeeU's Story

"Nice work, as usual LeeU," THe head designer grinned at him and ruffled his hair with her long manicured fingers. HE just nodded back with a small smile on his face. His black hair was silky and styled in the latest fashion. His outfit was expensive and the center of everyone's attention. He had just designed another outfit. With the casual lace and the cool shimmery material, how could it not be a big hit? THe clothes had just been sent to stores but they were already sold out and demands of more had the company busy. Each and everyone of his desings had been a sucess. fashion was no longer fun. Because of his new attractive reputation, it didn't matter even if his designs were slightly out of style or not the most comfortable. They wanted to wear his name. Or something like that. It was ridiculous. Of course he put a hundred and ten percent of effort in each design but even if had just gave it fifteen percent, LeeU was sure that the civilians wouldn't matter. His stuff were even popular in the other districts!

Sure, at first he was honored and proud but now... now he was just bored and tired. Drawing and planning was no longer fun, now that it was no longer needed. HE could do whatever he wanted and everyone would just buy it blindly. It was designed by LeeU after all. He touched the cool sharp needle in his fingers and gazed at it. Everything was now just a chore. HE had even thought about retireing early. LeeU chuckled grimly. He certainly had enough money, even without all the taxes, the government had taken from him, he was quite rich for a young guy.

He suddenly remembered a quote from this book his mother used to read to him. A wave of pain struck him but he pushed it aside. What was it again?

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" The Korean boy murmured to himself. AFter hearing himself say the words outloud, he burst out laughing. HE was so filled with mirth that it tooka few minutes for him to calm down, and when he did, there were tears in his eyes.

"How ironic. If we said what we wanted to say and did how we wanted to, Those who mattered, would definitly mind." HE whispered to himself, sitting in his dark office. THe government would kill them

He sighed and turned back to his paper. A new idea stuck him and for the first time in while, he began to draw with excitement

It was the day to take a trip to the collection center. LeeU sighed, glancing uninterestedly at the rising sun. He had spent the last couple of days working on his new project, but something in his gut felt like it was a mistake. He touched the box softly with one hand, where it sat on the table beside him. All night long, he had folded and placed each shirt in the boxcarefully. His long fingers moving expertly. "It's another day today..." LeeU murmured to himself. He pulled on a black shirt over his head, lines of words in bright pink lettering on the front. It was comfortable and stylish. The slight sprinkle of sparkles on the front did not look girly but normal and stunning. It would look good on any body shape and suit anyone. It was casual enough for a Genie and Waterbug, fierce enough for the Fidgets, stylsih enough for the Prichetts, intelligent enough for the minks and interesting enough for the Hashers. The letters were bold and blocked, clear for anyone to read if they wanted to. He pulled on some black skinny jeans, a studded belt and a couple of silver chains. After that, he shrugged on a light black jacket. Guess he was going for the 'dark' look today.

His normally cheerful brown eyes were sad, designing used to be his passion but it seemed that he was losing his love for it. Sighing, he took the two boxes in his strong pale arms and started walking to the Collection Center. It was a short walk from his home and he knew he could use the fresh air after about a week from being cooped up in his room on his latest project. He shifted his arms. Who knew if his project would even be popular. Well, he liked it.

It was times like these that he wished he stayed a Fidget. That was where his whole family resided. Maybe he would see one of his brothers today? He knew that his mother and sisters didn't enjoy being in the company of the other careers. He missed them. Here with the Prichetts, it was fun, but there wasn't any family there. Nothing was closer than blood. The little breeze gave him some comfort. At least they were breathing the same air.

"LeeU!" A tall man though he was a little shorter than LeeU, came running up to the popular young designer.

"Samson," LeeU dipped his head respectfully. The thin balding man before him was one of the office workers at the comapny. "How are you sir?"

"Great, just great," Samson patted the younger boys back heartily and eyed the boxes interestedly. "A new design?"

"Yes, I guess so," LeeU attempted a grin. "I don't know how much the others will like it though. It isn't very similar to the other things Ive created."

"Nonsense! No one will care what it looks like. It's be the famous LeeU afterall." The man laughed loudly and LeeU felt his stomach sink. That was exactly it. No one would really care what it looked like. THey just wear it because of his Name. His effort didn't matter anymore.

"Tell me about it," Samson suggested. LeeU smiled weakly.

"Um well, It's pretty simple and well, there's some words on it." He said lamely. He would rather just show his work than to describe it. HE wasn't very good with words which is why he preffered art.

"Well, I'll see it later, we're here." Samson pointed and started jogging on a head. He pointed to the center. "That's where I set up your booth, Mingle first if you'd like but you can set up your clothes there. I've already reserved the spot for ya."

"Thanks!" LeeU called out to the retreating form.

He could mingle later. HE got to the center of the room, where the tables were and started opening his boxes. Carefully he wiped down the table before putting the neatly folded shirts down on the surface. After that, the designer took off his jacket, revealing a sample of his new product.

A simple style but standing out, with the words on the front in bright flourescent letters.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"

Sure enough. Some female Prichetts spotted him, shrieking and point him. Chanting his name. He grinned, as he always did. His eyes twinkling though he would rather go home and sleep the day away. People started surrounding him and soon, most of his shirts were already gone. But there was still a box left.

LeeU took a seat and waited for any more interested buyers.