Chapter 1 | Part III

The Mall- Jason

1:21 P.M.

"I thought you said we were gonna shop for school clothes," I said to Caiden as we took a turn down a wing of the mall that did not sell any clothes.

"We will," he replied.

"I thought we were looking for some girls," said Raymond.

"We will," Caiden said again. "I just want to stop by the game store first."

"Well, I'm going to the food court," I said. "I'm starving!"

"You should be," said Raymond. "You haven't eaten since Thursday night."

"Well let's split up now and meet back up around two," said Caiden.

"Alright," we agreed.

Now I know you're probably thinking that it couldn't be that easy for us to roam around the mall unnoticed. But actually, it is pretty simple. Most people are so glued to their phones that they don't notice right away, or even at all when we're in our disguises. But if things get out of hand, we do have our bodyguards with us—not right up on us, obviously, but we have at least one stationed at every wing of the mall, just in case.

On my way to the food court, the name of a store caught my attention, but made me sad at the same time: P.R.O.M. It was the formal-wear store for teenagers—usually where all the kids get their prom attire from. It made me sad because I wondered, would I even be able to attend my prom? I know Raymond couldn't attend his senior prom due to a show. He says it didn't bother him because he has everything else he's ever wanted, but I know it still hurts. He did, however, get to attend his junior prom, but they crowned him Prom King due to his fame, and most everyone spent that night begging him to perform.

Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted. I had sat down on a bench after I noticed what store I was walking by to gather my thoughts. I didn't realize that I was still looking into the store until I saw a girl walk out of a dressing room, showing off her dress to her friends. Wow, I thought, she's really pretty. Everyone in the store, at one point or another, had stopped and stared. Even people passing by stopped for a split second. Wow, I thought again. She's probably the most popular girl at her school. Not that those kinds of girls were my type. My type is more laid-back and not really into stuff like that. But still, I can't help but to notice a beautiful girl.

Finally, I got up and headed towards the food court.

Tamia

1:24 P.M.

I stepped out of the dressing room. Morrissa and Vie were speechless. Oh no, I thought. Is it that bad? The dress was gorgeous, but it may not have been gorgeous on me. It was a beautiful long, black chiffon dress. It was also pretty low-cut, so I wasn't too sure about it.

Finally, I couldn't take their silence anymore. "How bad is it?" I asked.

"Bad? What?" said Vie, sounding genuinely confused by my statement.

"It's absolutely beautiful!" exclaimed Morrissa. "Yes, this is the one!"

"Yeah, you look amazing in it!" said Vie.

"I don't know, y'all," I said hesitantly, "this isn't really my style."

"Exactly!" said Morrissa. "It's time for you to branch out!"

"Yeah," Vie chimed in, "it wouldn't hurt to change up your style— at least for prom."

I turned and looked in the mirror. I couldn't help but let out a little smile. It did actually look good on me.

"And look," Morrissa said, walking up to me, "I've noticed some guys and girls stopping to take a look at you. You'll definitely turn heads at prom!"

"But I don't want to turn heads," I said.

"But, Mia, you look so good!" Vie exclaimed.

"And maybe you'll at least turn Larry's head so he can stop drooling over Starr," Morrissa muttered under her breath.

I ignored her comment, but I had to admit, I really loved the dress, and I was able to afford it with the money I had saved up. We were stationed towards the front of the store, so I noticed some passer-byers stopping for a second, pointing and smiling at the dress I was wearing. And they were genuinely smiling, not "laughing-and-teasing smiling"— trust me, I know the difference. The only thing was, was I ready to have this new amount of attention drawn to me?

"Fine, I'll get it!" I finally said after a pause.

"YAY!!" Vie and Morrissa both screamed.

As we were paying for my dress, Morrissa looked down at her phone.

"Oh no, I'm almost late for my nail appointment!" she exclaimed. "Later, babes," she said as she trotted off out the store and all the way to the other end of the mall.

"Later," Vie and I both called as she left. Vie had decided not to get her nails done this time. Instead, she needed to head to the athletic store for new shoes.

"Do you want to take your dress now, or pick it up later?" the saleslady asked.

"Later," I said. I really wanted a pretzel from the food court, and I didn't want to lug my beautiful dress around the mall while Morrissa and Vie were still shopping.

"Okay," she said, "Here's your receipt, and I'll just need a phone number to contact you."

After we were done, I told Vie that I'd meet up with her later and I started off towards the food court.