The Mall

We drove thirty minutes to the mall, then we started looking around.

"What are we looking for," I asked.

"A good shoe store," Mrs Young said. "Those shoes are horrible."

I blushed and looked down at my shoes. They were cheap, black Walmart shoes. They started getting holes two months ago.

"You need snow boots and proper sneakers."

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you want to buy me so many shoes."

Mrs Young looked at me. "Of course. I don't want your feet going cold."

We walked around and soon found a shoe store.

"So, what's your favourite meal?"

I looked at Mrs Young and laughed. "What?"

"If I'm going to be cooking for you, I need to know what you like eating." She handed me a box of Sketchers. "So, what do you like?"

I handed back the box. "I hate Sketchers. In terms of food, I like pasta. Any kind of pasta, really, I have no preference. I can't eat tons of milk all the time, because I'm lactose intolerant. That and I hate milk."

Mrs Young nodded and put the box back. "That makes sense. Do you like rice, or any soup?"

I nodded. "My mom used to make this nice rice dish that was rice, salsa, and scrambled eggs. She'd make it for me for breakfast because I hate cereal."

Mrs Young smiled. "Maybe I'll have to try it."

We tried on all the shoes. The last pair we tried on fit like a glove. I smiled. Black and white Converse. My dream shoe.

"Alright, time to pick out winter boots," Mrs Young said with a smile.

I groaned. "I just found sneakers."

Mrs Young laughed. "Please?"

I sighed and submitted. I tried on all kinds of boots they all had this weird thing at the heel that cut into my foot. Then I found something amazing! It was so edgy, I had to have it! I found the perfect pair of combat boots! I smiled and slid them on.

"Those go with your look," Mrs Young said with a small laugh. "Walk around a little."

I walked the length of the isle, making sure I tried out every walk I could think of. I felt like I was recreating this old skit my dad showed me. The Organization Of Silly Walks.

"They're perfect," I said with a grin. "These will go great with my Nirvana shirt!"

Mrs Young smiled and picked up my tattered shoes. She took the tag off of the combat boots, then walked over to the cashier. I admired my boots in the mirror one more time, then ran over to Mrs Young. She had just finished paying for all the shoes.

"Can you throw these out please?" Mrs Young handed the cashier my old shoes.

The cashier smiled and nodded. She put them under her counter and Mrs Young walked back over to me.

"Next up is coat shopping," she said excitedly. Mrs Young pulled me into a coat shop.

We looked around, and I tried on a few coats here and there. I decided on a galaxy jacket that I could easily wear with my sweaters.

"Where do you want to go next," Mrs Young asked.

I shrugged. "I'm not sure."

"Well, what do you like to do?"

"I like to read," I said. "I also like to sketch and paint."

Mrs Young smiled. She held my hand and began pulling me down a long hallway filled with stores. We stopped in front of the last one in the hallway.

I looked at Mrs Young. She smiled and walked into the bookstore. I followed hesitantly. I had never had a good experience at a bookstore.

The store was well lit and colourful. There were canvas paintings of open books and stacks of books along the walls. There were book shelves all around. Every shelf was crammed with books. Some were old, some new. There were books in other languages and books from every genre.

Mrs Young smiled at me. "Well, go pick out some books, we'll meet at the front table when we're done."

I nodded and started wandering around. There were a few people wandering from isle to isle. There were a few isles in the back dedicated to bookmarks, paintings, and pillows. I saw a few comic book isles and framed posters that were displayed here and there.

As we walked among the shelves, Mrs Young turned towards me.

"Gabriella, Nathan didn't mean to offend you." She stopped walking and put her hand on my arm to stop me. "Sometimes he says things without meaning to. Could you please forgive him?"

I sighed. I didn't want to talk about Nathan, and how he thought my parents were abusive.

It was all your fault.

I shook my head and sighed. "Can we not talk about this anymore?"

"Please," Mrs Young asked. She sounded tired and stressed. "This matters a lot to us. Jay and I would like you both to get along."

I sighed. "Fine, I forgive him."

Mrs Young smiled. "Good, because Nathan is going to watch over you after school everyday."

I looked at her shocked. "Why? I'm old enough to look after myself for a few hours."

"Jay and I just want you to have someone to talk to. We don't want you to be lonely." She sighed when I rolled my eyes.

"I'm almost fifteen," I said. "I'm CPR certified. I took classes at the Red Cross on how to look after a child. I think I should be fine on my own."

"You don't know where anything in town is yet. I would feel better if you hung out with Nathan after school."

I sighed. "You're not going to budge, are you?"

She shook her head. I sighed and picked out a few books. When we were done, we went home. Nathan was pulling up in front of the house, when we pulled into the driveway. I sighed and went straight inside with the bags I could carry. Nathan held the door open for me.

"Hey, Gabby," he said as I passed. He had a large smile. "How's everything going? Did you have fun?"

"It's Gabriella," I snapped. I went up to my room and slammed the door.

I didn't need Nathan. I didn't need the Young's. I didn't need Abbey, or my parents. I didn't need anyone. I could survive on my own.

You pushed them all away. I started scratching at my arm. You're the reason Eric beat you two up. You're the reason your parents died in that car crash. You're the reason Justin hates you. You don't deserve to be with people as kind as the-

Someone knocked twice on the door. I stopped scratching my arm as Nathan opened the door. He smiled.

"Just wanted to know if you needed any help?"

I looked at him as I pulled my sleeve down to cover my lower arm. "I was thinking about what to draw. For that, I don't need any help."

"You sure," Nathan asked. "I'm great help with this stuff. I give my girlfriend ideas for her drawings all the time."

"Good for her," I said sarcastically. "I don't need your help. I can do things on my own."

Nathan sighed.

Well done, Gabriella. You pushed another one away. How many more people are you going to push away? Everyone. Because that's all you do. All you're good for is pushing people away.

I looked at Nathan. This guy was supposed to be my new brother. His parents were supposed to be my new parents. I didn't want a new brother, or a new family. I wanted Justin. I wanted my family. I sighed and looked away from Nathan.

"Wanna watch TV? That might give you an idea for your drawings."

I sighed. "Why can't you just leave me alone?"

"Because I don't want to. I want to be your friend. You look like you could use some new friends."

I looked at him. He was smiling at me. He nodded his head towards the door. I sighed and flopped on my bed.

"I don't feel like doing anything!"

Nathan walked over to the bed. "Then I can't be blamed for my actions." He picked me up and slung me over his shoulder.

"What the hell are you doing," I yelled. "Let me down!"

Nathan sighed and began walking out of my room. "Such filthy language," he muttered as he walked down the stairs.

"Mrs Young, help me," I called as we passed the kitchen.

"Nathan, what are you doing," Mrs Young asked.

Nathan turned to face her. I could feel the blood rushing to my head. I was getting light headed.

"I just want to spend some time with her. We're on our way to the couch, where we will eat popcorn and watch TV."

"No popcorn. It's almost dinner time."

Nathan sighed. "Fine! Just TV." He turned back around and set me on the couch.

I sat up and flipped him off. Nathan chuckled and grabbed the remote, then sat next to me. I crossed my arms and faced the TV.

"I hate you," I muttered.

"Fine, but by the end of the week, we will be acting like brother and sister. I promise."

I glared at him. "You know nothing about me. What makes you so sure of yourself?"

He smirked. I wanted to punch him. "Trust me," he said. "I may not know you very well, but you're my new sister now, so we have to bond."

"We don't have to do anything."

"Fine, I want to bond. Get over it."

I rolled my eyes and stayed in my spot on the couch. Mrs Young was in the doorway, drying her hands with a dishtowel. She looked kind of nervous.

"Gabriella, do you have everything packed for school? I have extra notebooks and pens?"

I sighed. "I think I have everything."

Mrs Young nodded. "I'll put some things on your bed. If you have them, keep them anyway, just in case."