Sofielle carried a heavy box through the busy mall hallway. She set it down with a thump. "This will be my shop," she said.
The doors swung open and the bell rang — ting-ling! But no one came in. A girl pressed her nose against the window and stared at the colorful bottles inside.
"Come in!" Sofielle called. The girl stepped inside. Sofielle squeezed some pink cream onto her hand. It came out as a big glop.
The girl stared at the blob and wiggled her fingers. Sofielle picked up a thin brush and swiped the cream into a butterfly shape. "Can I have one?" a second girl asked at the door.
The shop buzzed with chatter and laughter. More girls came in. Sofielle painted little butterflies on their hands, one after another.
She painted a blue one on the girl in yellow. Then a pink one on the girl in navy. Each girl looked at her hand and smiled.
The mall hallway filled with girls marching proudly past the store windows. Each one had a butterfly on her hand. Ting-ling went the bell again and again.
Sofielle watched them go and waved. Her empty box sat forgotten by the door. She smiled and rang the bell for the next customer.