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Amani stepped out of the subway train along with the crowd and headed towards the passage to another station. Her heels clacked against the tile floor as she walked in quick steps.
She wasn't in a hurry actually, just wanted to stay in subway as little as possible. With those... ordinary people.

That's right, Amani, a 22 year old student of African descent was quite an arrogant one. Especially for a person who struggled to pay her university and housing bills just half a year ago.

But she was born under a lucky star after all. During her trainee program in the corporation she was noticed by one of the directors. Some smalltalk, a couple of smiles and compliments... And the boss, who had an affection for exotic ladies, fell victim to the dark-skinned girl's charms.

And there was something to fall for. Amani was not only tall and slender leggy girl but she possessed a certain sense of style, often absent among the girls of her generation. While they often wore hoodies and sneakers, preferring comfort over ability to impress, Amani used opportunities presented to her by her unusual appearance up to the max.

She sported dresses with multi-colored African prints that looked natural on her but not on any other girl. She wore Loboutin heels with thick platforms, often ending up taller than any other woman around. She chose accessories wisely to go along with her style. All this made her a magnet for guys looking for company.

And, oh boy, Amani was even more handsome nearby that at the distance. Her full sensitive lips were just asking to be kissed and she didn't hesitate to further emphasize them. And her large black eyes presented her as lively and smart person.

She didn't possess a large chest (just B-cup) or an ample bottom though. But strangely this went completely unnoticed by most of her admirers. Probably because all her body parts were toned-up and fit well to her slender figure.

Unfortunately as much as she was handsome from the outside, she was unattractive inside. Kindness and empathy were certainly not among her virtues. She quickly learned that hard work is not the shortest way up to success. So since childhood she never hesitated to play dirty to achieve her goals.

Being a cunning person, she made short-living alliances. And then changed sides and backstabbed when the moment was right. The downside was that she never had any true friends. But it's not like she needed them at all.

Still Amani had to hide her true nature at least to some extent through her whole life. But not anymore.

Today was the first day after she got promoted to a position in the middle management. She understood that her new lover just couldn't give her a higher position without drawing much attention to such steady career growth. But she was content with what she had for now. Her new boy seemed like a key to the gates of success. She just needed to be patient.

Some two-three weeks - and she will have a driver's license and a new car. No more subway with those ugly, smelly and loud people who were moving in different directions, chewing, screaming, laughing and completely refusing to accept her superiority. Then her boy will dump his hag eventually and she will move to his place to live like a goddess. And after that...

Amani almost closed her eyes and showed a smile full of joy and delight, thinking about that and listening to the beat coming from her earphones. Her green Loboutin heels with golden spikes clacked as she descended the stairs towards the passage between stations. She got so lost in her dreams and completely neglected to watch where she was going.

Suddenly she felt something soft and shaky under her foot and her ears were disturbed by an abrupt cry of pain. She instinctively lifted her leg, took an awkward step and almost fell down.

Looking around for the cause of the incident, Amani discovered another girl dressed in red saree nearby. She was standing on one leg with her foot lifted up and held by both of her hands. Hissing and muffled swearing could be heard as she rubbed it trying to ease the pain. The African girl didn't bother to look further.

"You should have watched where you were going."

Amani threw this phrase in a nonchalant manner. The girl in a saree lifted her face full of anger and turned it towards the African girl.

"It was your fault, you careless idiot!"

"Woah, woah, watch your mouth here. Peasants should watch out when there is Goddess around."

Amani let out a loud laugh, turning around and continuing towards her destination. Praising herself for that last witty phrase that made her opponent to shut up. This seemed just a mere incident that haven't affected Amani's mood at all. On the contrary, it was boosted by a lively tune and her thoughts about the way she has handled the incident. She didn't see or heard what was coming...

...Amani felt a hand grabbing shoulder, followed by a strong pull that half-turned her. Causing her to lose balance and almost fall. After regaining her footing she saw already familiar red saree.

The girl was looking upwards right into Amani's eyes with her glance full of wrath and whispering angrily

"I think you should apologize."

The way the girl was dressed and her facial features along with a bindi dot on her forehead suggested that she came from India or was of Indian origin. She wasn't tall but was probably chubby at least a little bit - it was hard to tell because of the cloth wrapped around her body. Her long black hair were tied in a braid that reached her waist. As Amani's glance went downwards, she noticed girl's toes peeking from under her long garment

The girl didn't have any footwear on, even flip-flops. Nor she was carrying any in her hands. Her light brown skin on the upper part of her feet and toes was slightly stained with dirt. But her toenails were in great shape and painted in shiny black color. Several toerings adorned her toes. Amani didn't want to look at those dirty Indian feet any longer.

It was obvious for Amani that the girl is some sort of subway beggar. She really wanted to say something insulting to her for that shoulder tug but decided that talking to her would be just a waste of precious time. The African girl turned around...

...Only to be turned back by the Indian girl in the same manner as in the first time. That was more than Amani could bear.

"Listen here, you! If you touch me one more time, I'll stomp on your foot with my heel and leave you crawling on the floor. A couple of months without walking will teach you not to touch other people. Especially like me."

"Just apologize and go. I forgive you for the words you've just said."

Amani couldn't believe her ears.

"A mere street beggar forgiving me? That's laughable! You're wrapped in some piece of cloth and you even have no shoes, lol!"

Despite those words, it was obviously seen that anger was abandoning the Indian girl, her face becoming more and more apathetic in comparison to Amani's, who showed her temper more and more.

"Ok, in order. Firstly, this is not cloth, it's Indian silk. Learn something about fashions, oh "classy one". Secondly, I have plenty of shoes, I just rarely wear them. Thirdly - I still haven't heard that apology. "

Amani was surprised by the calmness of the girl's voice. As well as by steel overtones in it, especially closer to the second half of the statement.

"Will you quit with that apology thing already? Everything wouldn't have happened if you had worn shoes like me!"

"Nah, I'm comfy the way I am."

With those words she lifted her foot, showing her sole. It collected quite a layer of black dirt from the subway floor and this unpleasant sight caused Amani to wince in disgust and look away.

"Don't like it? But maybe it would be better for you to go like that. The lack of sole protection certainly would teach you to watch where you're stepping in a swift manner. "

"There's no way you'll see me like that on the street. It's degrading. So as I've said, just watch your step and remove your feet quickly when I'm coming. I've said everything and don't want to repeat anymore. "

"Ok, no apology then. And your last words even suggest that you haven't understood anything at all. Guess I'll have to teach you a lesson and take away your shoes until you learn your mistakes. As it looks like my foot wasn't the last one you've stepped on."

"Take my shoes? See that policeman over there? I dare you to try! You'll find yourself locked in a cell in a second. And don't you try following me!"

With those words Amani started to walk away. She expected the barefoot girl to grab her shoulder again and was ready to punch her right in the nose.

After some 15 steps she cautiously turned her head to look back but the Indian girl was nowhere to be seen. She sighed in relief. This conflict really started to annoy her.

The dark-skinned girl took a deep breath. And as soon as new beat started to play in her ears, she smiled and begun to mumble the words of the song. Her mood again started to get better with each step and soon she returned back to dreaming.

She imagined the moment she will come in her lover's house. Not as a guest but as a hostess. How she will kick off her shoes and walk through the place, examining everything that now belongs to her as well.

Under her feet she could feel soft handmade carpet followed by exotic wooden parquet and then - by Italian tile. But each surface felt surprisingly cold. Even the carpet.

Amani shuddered lightly and made a couple more steps. Her feet were feeling cold and it was not a dream! It really felt like she was going... Barefoot!

A quick look down proved that it was correct - instead of familiar green and gold she saw dark skin from the top of her feetsies. But where did her loboutins go? They couldn't just disappear!

Amani looked around and let out a sigh of relief. Her shoes stood on the floor some 10 meters back. Like she just stepped out of them and went further without noticing. But how could this happen?

People were passing by and some of them showed interest by looking at abandoned heels and Amani. So without wasting any more time the dark-skinned girl tiptoed to them and inserted her right foot into the shoe without looking.

Or better to say - tried to insert. Instead of soft leather her toes met a barrier, sliding on its surface.

"Whoops, I missed. Silly me!"

Continuing to smile awkwardly, Amani tried again with the same result. Moreover she felt that she was standing on elevation of sorts instead of the floor.

Looking down, she let out a cry of surprise - her foot was floating over the shoe with less than a centimeter left between them! There was no visible hindrance, nevertheless Amani felt her sole being supported by something. She pushed against the "support" to convince herself that she was not dreaming.

She was not! It felt like her shoe had an invisible "roof". Amani moved her foot a little to the right - and it slapped on the floor.

Still trying to figure it out, the African girl was pushed aside. And again. A mass of passengers from the recent train was heading towards her and she was standing in the middle of the passage. Grabbing her loboutins, Amani started to run away from the crowd, trying to find a place where she could stop and finally put on her shoes.

She could feel the coldness of the floor with each step along with some jingling sounds. But she didn't bother to pay attention. Seeing a small niche, she rushed towards it and sat on a protrusion sticking out from the wall. Catching her breath, she could see people passing by her shelter.

Now, time to put on those shoes and leave this place! Amani leaned forward, grabbed the loboutin and... This couldn't be happening but despite Amani pushing in like crazy, her foot would just hit something again and again without going in!

Amani attempted to put her hand in the shoe - it went through. Tried the foot again - failure.

She tried the other one. Sweat drops of stress appeared on her forehead. She could see the inside of the shoe and her foot approaching it. But despite her best efforts, her red pedicured toes kept hitting the unseen wall.

Wait a minute! Red? Pedicured? Amani never bothered painting her nails. She detested to walk barefoot and even open footwear wasn't her thing. Because she just couldn't get rid of impression that everybody kept staring at her feet and toes. Maybe she was right after all - there was something to see.

The dark-skinned girl stared blankly at her now painted toenails, trying to figure it out where the f*** did this come from. But as her glance slipped a little to the side, she was struck by another blow. There was a shiny bracelet around her ankle. Amani's hands quickly rushed for it to inspect.

The anklet was a pretty thick band of metal that looked like gold. It was between 2 and 3 centimeters wide with its outer surface a little curved and decorated with colorful stones and intricate patterns. Round bells were attached at regular intervals to the lower edge of the band. And they sounded even at the slightest movement.

Despite its tight grip, Amani was able to turn it around her ankle with little difficulty. And that's when she saw a massive round clasp that was even wider than the bracelet itself.

Amani screamed in surprise when she saw a similar bracelet on her left ankle. Moreover - her wrists sported golden bands as well! God, how could she missed them?

She moved her left wrist closer for inspection. The bracelet was similar to anklets in some aspects - same band of golden metal (just narrower), intricate patterns, small bells around the lower rim.

There was no visible clasp though. Amani thoroughly searched the hoop for any hinge or joint and came to a conclusion that the opening was right between two engraved objects that looked like...

...footprints of bare feet. With their heels looking at each other and toes - in the opposite directions. The African girl pushed one of them, being convinced this will open a hidden clasp. But it didn't happen. She tried the other foot and then both but with the same result.

Amani grabbed the bracelet tightly and pulled, twisting it at the same time. But the tight hoop refused to go farther than hand's base. She struggled for the whole minute and then tried the other hand but all this ended with nothing more than pain and minor scratches.

The girl already had a bad feeling about this when she put her right foot on the lap and scrolled the anklet to the clasp. The massive circle was split in two halves by a visible connection line. But it refused to open despite all Amani's pushing and pulling. Needless to say that each half was decorated by a familiar footprint. The girl already started to detest it.

She let go her leg and it landed on the floor with bells ringing. This was too much for her so she just sat in prostration with her head held in her hands and not even bothering to try the other anklet. Thoughts raced in her mind as she tried to gather pieces of the puzzle. At first that crazy Indian girl. Then something strange with her shoes. And finally those adornments appearing out of nowhere.

But this sitting didn't last long as all of a sudden Amani felt an electric shock in her wrists forcing her to scream in pain and rise with a spring. Her bottom slid from the protrusion, making her to land on the floor.

Growling aggressively, she reached for the bracelet on the right wrist to pull again but stopped with her jaw dropped. Before her eyes letters started to emerge from the patterns, forming words and phrases.

Finally Amani could read "Hi, my name is Nisha."

Then it went to pieces, and formed "I will use these bracelets to communicate."

At the same time her left wrist was painlessly jerked, forcing Amani to move her glance to it and read "How do you like your new adornments?"

Holding both hoops before her eyes, the African girl watched quietly at lines appearing one after another.

"You'll have to wear them for while. At least until you apologize. It would have been easier if you had done it back then. But you choose a harder path. Now the choice is up to you. You can try to find me and beg to take them off. Or you can keep my little present."

"I think you've noticed footprints among the patterns. Tell me, do you like to walk around in bare feet? If yes, then congrats - those are "Barefoot Bracelets" around your ankles. As long as they are on, there won't be any shoes on your feet. Exciting, isn't it?"

Amani almost choked from horror as she read the last words. Her vision went blurry and she would probably faint if her bracelets didn't shock her again. Snapping her out of it and forcing back to reading.

"It's a pleasure to imagine your soft tender soles stepping on hot concrete, rocky trails and cold floors. To see how your bright sole skin collects dirt and dust step by step, turning into black, grey or brown. And how you scrub hard trying to wash it off. Thanks to those bangles I'll be with you, savoring every such moment, feeling every emotion - disgust, hatred, pain, frustration and finally - acceptance."

"Honestly, you shouldn't have hidden you feet in those high heels - they are divine. And the world deserves an opportunity to evaluate them. Because of that I attached bells to your anklets. No matter how carefully you'll be stepping, they will jingle. Hope you are prepared to be the center of attention."

"And please watch your step. Or else a careless girl might stomp on your foot. Bye-bye, enjoy your barefoot life! "

Letting out a moan of despair, Amani begun to pull at the anklets again. She kept breaking her nails in an attempt to open the clasp but just clenched her teeth harder and went on. Tried to tip-toe the foot and pull off the golden band but the heel kept hampering those attempts. Turning more and more desperate Amani begun to hit the clasp against the floor, filling the surroundings with sharp ringing sounds.

Tears were coming down her cheeks as she understood that all her attempts to get rid of the bracelets and anklets are vain. Now she was just sitting on the floor and sobbing. Until someone's hand touched her shoulder.

"I heard you crying. Are you Ok?"

Amani raised her eyes full of tears and saw a uniformed female janitor. The last thing she wanted now was to explain something to another person. So she tried to pull herself together and stood up.

"Yes, I'm. Just received a bad call on my phone. I have to go now, need to get to that train."

The janitor looked down at Amani's bare feet, causing her toes to curl from embarrassment.

"I'm afraid, I can't let you in without footwear. You better put it on."

"I... I can't. They... are new and hurt as hell, can't take it anymore."

"Rules are rules, I'm afraid. Better use some other transport then. The exit to the surface is just to the right. "

Amani picked her shoes and made some very careful steps. Nisha was right - her ankle bells kept jingling no matter what. She noticed the janitor watching this with curiosity.

They were leaving the niche when she said "Oh my, your feet are so pretty! Just, couldn't keep myself from telling. So sorry you've stained them - I haven't washed the floor in this section yet."

The presence of passengers around, made Amani to want to disappear. Almost every passer by threw a glance down, being attracted by sounds made by Amani's steps. Making everything to shrivel within her from shame and embarrassment.

At last she begun ascending the stairs. She was in the middle of the trail when a voice reached her from below. "Look at those barefoot girl's soles! Damn your cellphone, quick, take a picture until she gets away!" Stumbling and jingling Amani broke into running...

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

Amani stepped out of the subway train along with the crowd and headed towards the passage to another station. Her heels clacked against the tile floor as she walked in quick steps.
She wasn't in a hurry actually, just wanted to stay in subway as little as possible. With those... ordinary people.

That's right, Amani, a 22 year old student of African descent was quite an arrogant one. Especially for a person who struggled to pay her university and housing bills just half a year ago.

But she was born under a lucky star after all. During her trainee program in the corporation she was noticed by one of the directors. Some smalltalk, a couple of smiles and compliments... And the boss, who had an affection for exotic ladies, fell victim to the dark-skinned girl's charms.

And there was something to fall for. Amani was not only tall and slender leggy girl but she possessed a certain sense of style, often absent among the girls of her generation. While they often wore hoodies and sneakers, preferring comfort over ability to impress, Amani used opportunities presented to her by her unusual appearance up to the max.

She sported dresses with multi-colored African prints that looked natural on her but not on any other girl. She wore Loboutin heels with thick platforms, often ending up taller than any other woman around. She chose accessories wisely to go along with her style. All this made her a magnet for guys looking for company.

And, oh boy, Amani was even more handsome nearby that at the distance. Her full sensitive lips were just asking to be kissed and she didn't hesitate to further emphasize them. And her large black eyes presented her as lively and smart person.

She didn't possess a large chest (just B-cup) or an ample bottom though. But strangely this went completely unnoticed by most of her admirers. Probably because all her body parts were toned-up and fit well to her slender figure.

Unfortunately as much as she was handsome from the outside, she was unattractive inside. Kindness and empathy were certainly not among her virtues. She quickly learned that hard work is not the shortest way up to success. So since childhood she never hesitated to play dirty to achieve her goals.

Being a cunning person, she made short-living alliances. And then changed sides and backstabbed when the moment was right. The downside was that she never had any true friends. But it's not like she needed them at all.

Still Amani had to hide her true nature at least to some extent through her whole life. But not anymore.

Today was the first day after she got promoted to a position in the middle management. She understood that her new lover just couldn't give her a higher position without drawing much attention to such steady career growth. But she was content with what she had for now. Her new boy seemed like a key to the gates of success. She just needed to be patient.

Some two-three weeks - and she will have a driver's license and a new car. No more subway with those ugly, smelly and loud people who were moving in different directions, chewing, screaming, laughing and completely refusing to accept her superiority. Then her boy will dump his hag eventually and she will move to his place to live like a goddess. And after that...

Amani almost closed her eyes and showed a smile full of joy and delight, thinking about that and listening to the beat coming from her earphones. Her green Loboutin heels with golden spikes clacked as she descended the stairs towards the passage between stations. She got so lost in her dreams and completely neglected to watch where she was going.

Suddenly she felt something soft and shaky under her foot and her ears were disturbed by an abrupt cry of pain. She instinctively lifted her leg, took an awkward step and almost fell down.

Looking around for the cause of the incident, Amani discovered another girl dressed in red saree nearby. She was standing on one leg with her foot lifted up and held by both of her hands. Hissing and muffled swearing could be heard as she rubbed it trying to ease the pain. The African girl didn't bother to look further.

"You should have watched where you were going."

Amani threw this phrase in a nonchalant manner. The girl in a saree lifted her face full of anger and turned it towards the African girl.

"It was your fault, you careless idiot!"

"Woah, woah, watch your mouth here. Peasants should watch out when there is Goddess around."

Amani let out a loud laugh, turning around and continuing towards her destination. Praising herself for that last witty phrase that made her opponent to shut up. This seemed just a mere incident that haven't affected Amani's mood at all. On the contrary, it was boosted by a lively tune and her thoughts about the way she has handled the incident. She didn't see or heard what was coming...

...Amani felt a hand grabbing shoulder, followed by a strong pull that half-turned her. Causing her to lose balance and almost fall. After regaining her footing she saw already familiar red saree.

The girl was looking upwards right into Amani's eyes with her glance full of wrath and whispering angrily

"I think you should apologize."

The way the girl was dressed and her facial features along with a bindi dot on her forehead suggested that she came from India or was of Indian origin. She wasn't tall but was probably chubby at least a little bit - it was hard to tell because of the cloth wrapped around her body. Her long black hair were tied in a braid that reached her waist. As Amani's glance went downwards, she noticed girl's toes peeking from under her long garment

The girl didn't have any footwear on, even flip-flops. Nor she was carrying any in her hands. Her light brown skin on the upper part of her feet and toes was slightly stained with dirt. But her toenails were in great shape and painted in shiny black color. Several toerings adorned her toes. Amani didn't want to look at those dirty Indian feet any longer.

It was obvious for Amani that the girl is some sort of subway beggar. She really wanted to say something insulting to her for that shoulder tug but decided that talking to her would be just a waste of precious time. The African girl turned around...

...Only to be turned back by the Indian girl in the same manner as in the first time. That was more than Amani could bear.

"Listen here, you! If you touch me one more time, I'll stomp on your foot with my heel and leave you crawling on the floor. A couple of months without walking will teach you not to touch other people. Especially like me."

"Just apologize and go. I forgive you for the words you've just said."

Amani couldn't believe her ears.

"A mere street beggar forgiving me? That's laughable! You're wrapped in some piece of cloth and you even have no shoes, lol!"

Despite those words, it was obviously seen that anger was abandoning the Indian girl, her face becoming more and more apathetic in comparison to Amani's, who showed her temper more and more.

"Ok, in order. Firstly, this is not cloth, it's Indian silk. Learn something about fashions, oh "classy one". Secondly, I have plenty of shoes, I just rarely wear them. Thirdly - I still haven't heard that apology. "

Amani was surprised by the calmness of the girl's voice. As well as by steel overtones in it, especially closer to the second half of the statement.

"Will you quit with that apology thing already? Everything wouldn't have happened if you had worn shoes like me!"

"Nah, I'm comfy the way I am."

With those words she lifted her foot, showing her sole. It collected quite a layer of black dirt from the subway floor and this unpleasant sight caused Amani to wince in disgust and look away.

"Don't like it? But maybe it would be better for you to go like that. The lack of sole protection certainly would teach you to watch where you're stepping in a swift manner. "

"There's no way you'll see me like that on the street. It's degrading. So as I've said, just watch your step and remove your feet quickly when I'm coming. I've said everything and don't want to repeat anymore. "

"Ok, no apology then. And your last words even suggest that you haven't understood anything at all. Guess I'll have to teach you a lesson and take away your shoes until you learn your mistakes. As it looks like my foot wasn't the last one you've stepped on."

"Take my shoes? See that policeman over there? I dare you to try! You'll find yourself locked in a cell in a second. And don't you try following me!"

With those words Amani started to walk away. She expected the barefoot girl to grab her shoulder again and was ready to punch her right in the nose.

After some 15 steps she cautiously turned her head to look back but the Indian girl was nowhere to be seen. She sighed in relief. This conflict really started to annoy her.

The dark-skinned girl took a deep breath. And as soon as new beat started to play in her ears, she smiled and begun to mumble the words of the song. Her mood again started to get better with each step and soon she returned back to dreaming.

She imagined the moment she will come in her lover's house. Not as a guest but as a hostess. How she will kick off her shoes and walk through the place, examining everything that now belongs to her as well.

Under her feet she could feel soft handmade carpet followed by exotic wooden parquet and then - by Italian tile. But each surface felt surprisingly cold. Even the carpet.

Amani shuddered lightly and made a couple more steps. Her feet were feeling cold and it was not a dream! It really felt like she was going... Barefoot!

A quick look down proved that it was correct - instead of familiar green and gold she saw dark skin from the top of her feetsies. But where did her loboutins go? They couldn't just disappear!

Amani looked around and let out a sigh of relief. Her shoes stood on the floor some 10 meters back. Like she just stepped out of them and went further without noticing. But how could this happen?

People were passing by and some of them showed interest by looking at abandoned heels and Amani. So without wasting any more time the dark-skinned girl tiptoed to them and inserted her right foot into the shoe without looking.

Or better to say - tried to insert. Instead of soft leather her toes met a barrier, sliding on its surface.

"Whoops, I missed. Silly me!"

Continuing to smile awkwardly, Amani tried again with the same result. Moreover she felt that she was standing on elevation of sorts instead of the floor.

Looking down, she let out a cry of surprise - her foot was floating over the shoe with less than a centimeter left between them! There was no visible hindrance, nevertheless Amani felt her sole being supported by something. She pushed against the "support" to convince herself that she was not dreaming.

She was not! It felt like her shoe had an invisible "roof". Amani moved her foot a little to the right - and it slapped on the floor.

Still trying to figure it out, the African girl was pushed aside. And again. A mass of passengers from the recent train was heading towards her and she was standing in the middle of the passage. Grabbing her loboutins, Amani started to run away from the crowd, trying to find a place where she could stop and finally put on her shoes.

She could feel the coldness of the floor with each step along with some jingling sounds. But she didn't bother to pay attention. Seeing a small niche, she rushed towards it and sat on a protrusion sticking out from the wall. Catching her breath, she could see people passing by her shelter.

Now, time to put on those shoes and leave this place! Amani leaned forward, grabbed the loboutin and... This couldn't be happening but despite Amani pushing in like crazy, her foot would just hit something again and again without going in!

Amani attempted to put her hand in the shoe - it went through. Tried the foot again - failure.

She tried the other one. Sweat drops of stress appeared on her forehead. She could see the inside of the shoe and her foot approaching it. But despite her best efforts, her red pedicured toes kept hitting the unseen wall.

Wait a minute! Red? Pedicured? Amani never bothered painting her nails. She detested to walk barefoot and even open footwear wasn't her thing. Because she just couldn't get rid of impression that everybody kept staring at her feet and toes. Maybe she was right after all - there was something to see.

The dark-skinned girl stared blankly at her now painted toenails, trying to figure it out where the f*** did this come from. But as her glance slipped a little to the side, she was struck by another blow. There was a shiny bracelet around her ankle. Amani's hands quickly rushed for it to inspect.

The anklet was a pretty thick band of metal that looked like gold. It was between 2 and 3 centimeters wide with its outer surface a little curved and decorated with colorful stones and intricate patterns. Round bells were attached at regular intervals to the lower edge of the band. And they sounded even at the slightest movement.

Despite its tight grip, Amani was able to turn it around her ankle with little difficulty. And that's when she saw a massive round clasp that was even wider than the bracelet itself.

Amani screamed in surprise when she saw a similar bracelet on her left ankle. Moreover - her wrists sported golden bands as well! God, how could she missed them?

She moved her left wrist closer for inspection. The bracelet was similar to anklets in some aspects - same band of golden metal (just narrower), intricate patterns, small bells around the lower rim.

There was no visible clasp though. Amani thoroughly searched the hoop for any hinge or joint and came to a conclusion that the opening was right between two engraved objects that looked like...

...footprints of bare feet. With their heels looking at each other and toes - in the opposite directions. The African girl pushed one of them, being convinced this will open a hidden clasp. But it didn't happen. She tried the other foot and then both but with the same result.

Amani grabbed the bracelet tightly and pulled, twisting it at the same time. But the tight hoop refused to go farther than hand's base. She struggled for the whole minute and then tried the other hand but all this ended with nothing more than pain and minor scratches.

The girl already had a bad feeling about this when she put her right foot on the lap and scrolled the anklet to the clasp. The massive circle was split in two halves by a visible connection line. But it refused to open despite all Amani's pushing and pulling. Needless to say that each half was decorated by a familiar footprint. The girl already started to detest it.

She let go her leg and it landed on the floor with bells ringing. This was too much for her so she just sat in prostration with her head held in her hands and not even bothering to try the other anklet. Thoughts raced in her mind as she tried to gather pieces of the puzzle. At first that crazy Indian girl. Then something strange with her shoes. And finally those adornments appearing out of nowhere.

But this sitting didn't last long as all of a sudden Amani felt an electric shock in her wrists forcing her to scream in pain and rise with a spring. Her bottom slid from the protrusion, making her to land on the floor.

Growling aggressively, she reached for the bracelet on the right wrist to pull again but stopped with her jaw dropped. Before her eyes letters started to emerge from the patterns, forming words and phrases.

Finally Amani could read "Hi, my name is Nisha."

Then it went to pieces, and formed "I will use these bracelets to communicate."

At the same time her left wrist was painlessly jerked, forcing Amani to move her glance to it and read "How do you like your new adornments?"

Holding both hoops before her eyes, the African girl watched quietly at lines appearing one after another.

"You'll have to wear them for while. At least until you apologize. It would have been easier if you had done it back then. But you choose a harder path. Now the choice is up to you. You can try to find me and beg to take them off. Or you can keep my little present."

"I think you've noticed footprints among the patterns. Tell me, do you like to walk around in bare feet? If yes, then congrats - those are "Barefoot Bracelets" around your ankles. As long as they are on, there won't be any shoes on your feet. Exciting, isn't it?"

Amani almost choked from horror as she read the last words. Her vision went blurry and she would probably faint if her bracelets didn't shock her again. Snapping her out of it and forcing back to reading.

"It's a pleasure to imagine your soft tender soles stepping on hot concrete, rocky trails and cold floors. To see how your bright sole skin collects dirt and dust step by step, turning into black, grey or brown. And how you scrub hard trying to wash it off. Thanks to those bangles I'll be with you, savoring every such moment, feeling every emotion - disgust, hatred, pain, frustration and finally - acceptance."

"Honestly, you shouldn't have hidden you feet in those high heels - they are divine. And the world deserves an opportunity to evaluate them. Because of that I attached bells to your anklets. No matter how carefully you'll be stepping, they will jingle. Hope you are prepared to be the center of attention."

"And please watch your step. Or else a careless girl might stomp on your foot. Bye-bye, enjoy your barefoot life! "

Letting out a moan of despair, Amani begun to pull at the anklets again. She kept breaking her nails in an attempt to open the clasp but just clenched her teeth harder and went on. Tried to tip-toe the foot and pull off the golden band but the heel kept hampering those attempts. Turning more and more desperate Amani begun to hit the clasp against the floor, filling the surroundings with sharp ringing sounds.

Tears were coming down her cheeks as she understood that all her attempts to get rid of the bracelets and anklets are vain. Now she was just sitting on the floor and sobbing. Until someone's hand touched her shoulder.

"I heard you crying. Are you Ok?"

Amani raised her eyes full of tears and saw a uniformed female janitor. The last thing she wanted now was to explain something to another person. So she tried to pull herself together and stood up.

"Yes, I'm. Just received a bad call on my phone. I have to go now, need to get to that train."

The janitor looked down at Amani's bare feet, causing her toes to curl from embarrassment.

"I'm afraid, I can't let you in without footwear. You better put it on."

"I... I can't. They... are new and hurt as hell, can't take it anymore."

"Rules are rules, I'm afraid. Better use some other transport then. The exit to the surface is just to the right. "

Amani picked her shoes and made some very careful steps. Nisha was right - her ankle bells kept jingling no matter what. She noticed the janitor watching this with curiosity.

They were leaving the niche when she said "Oh my, your feet are so pretty! Just, couldn't keep myself from telling. So sorry you've stained them - I haven't washed the floor in this section yet."

The presence of passengers around, made Amani to want to disappear. Almost every passer by threw a glance down, being attracted by sounds made by Amani's steps. Making everything to shrivel within her from shame and embarrassment.

At last she begun ascending the stairs. She was in the middle of the trail when a voice reached her from below. "Look at those barefoot girl's soles! Damn your cellphone, quick, take a picture until she gets away!" Stumbling and jingling Amani broke into running...