~Chapter 7~

I strolled into the mall. Glancing around, I took in the different types of people. Some mothers with their children, couples, ladies, and gents { Author:cringeeeee}. Inhaling the fresh scent of newly stocked products, I allowed a chill to run down my spine. It's over a year since I walked into a store, talk more of a mall. It wasn't like I didn't like to shop, nope that wasn't it. Growing up in my tween and teen years I would shop till I drop. Target and Walmart were my life. I would work overtime, collect money from Jojo and beg my parents just to buy some expensive branded nail polish. I shook my head and smiled to myself as I reminisced about the best times in my life. No worries and no pain. I winced and drove the thoughts out of my head.

" Think about happy things" I reprimanded, muttering as I pulled out a paper from the back pockets of my jeans. A list of things I needed to buy. This would mean spending the entire money remaining in my bank account. I didn't want to go into debt from purchasing on credit. I definitely need a job, and quick. Not just any job but the one giving me the luxury of working from home.

" Mooooomm" A teenage girl whined beside me, gaining my attention.

" Stop whining child!" Her mother was hot on her tail.

" I'm not a child"

" I'm not your mother" She replied with delight twinkling in her eyes. Obviously, she remarked sarcastically.

" Mooooommmm"

" Yessss hon" She laughed and dragged her daughter along with her.

Well.. That was somewhat weird.

I was forced to think about my teenage years again. That looked like something my mother would do. She never took offense in anything, always joking around. Luckily for my parents, they had really good children. Or else they wouldn't have been able to raise us properly. They were both too lenient. Suddenly, everyone seemed to be staring in my direction.

' Woah, did I come to the mall naked? ' I panicked, with my breath hitching. I looked behind me, secretly crossing my fingers hoping I didn't become a joke for some reason.

My eyes caught a boy standing in front of a cosmetic store. His brown curly hair fell onto his shoulders, and his pale skin made the pink stand out. He was clothed in a pink tutu and ballet slippers. His reddened cheeks made the situation all funnier. Swirling a sign that had the words " WORLD'S BEST DANCER" inscribed on it, he plastered on a bright smile. I couldn't hold it back and joined the other shoppers to laugh out loudly. I've been a victim of terrible dares, but never this bad. At least, he was clothed. I was pretty sure it was a dare and checked if I would see any of his friends. I was right, they stood in a corner, discreetly taking pictures and snickering. Some other shoppers brought out their phones to take pictures or videos, making no attempt to hide it. I even spotted the mother and daughter I had seen earlier amongst the crowd.

The owner of the cosmetic store stormed out a few seconds later.

" What do you think you're doing? She squeaked, a little too loudly.

" Nothing," The boy told her, as calmly as ever.

" You're causing a scene" She huffed and crossed her arms. I wondered how the boy managed to keep his cool while the lady on the other hand was breathing fire.

" No, I'm not. I've dressed appropriately and carried a signboard. How's that a scene?"

Everyone around burst out laughing.

" You little act is stopping customers from coming into my shop. Hence, I'm losing sales. Move out of the way" She commanded, stomping her feet.

" I'm not affecting your sales in any way. Instead, I'm attracting attention"

Was this part of the dare too? Shouldn't he walk away with whatever was left of his dignity?

" Don't argue with me boy" She spat angrily.

" I'm not a boy, I'm 17.. Calling me a boy is a massive understatement."

" Urgh, you little brat" She swore profanities under her breath and ducked away into her store.

Everyone gaped at their interaction, unsure of what would happen next. We didn't know if that was the end of it all and the lady wouldn't do anything or if the boy would become overwhelmed by our stares. Obviously, we were all willing to find out. Nobody moved an inch, rooted to the spot.

The boy swirled his sign creatively, in various directions.

' People really don't have anything better to do with their time ?' my subconscious questioned. Sadly, I was part of these people. Tsk Tsk, the length we'll all go to for feisty drama.

Just like we had predicted, two security guards showed up and dragged the boy away a few minutes later. They informed him that he would be going to jail, Mall jail. Yeah, apparently that was a thing.

He yanked himself out of their hold and ran away. The " Cops" chased after him, out of the mall. The boy had the last laugh, although it was a hot chase. Angry lady / cosmetic store owner tried to buy the crowd over with a bright smile as she advertised some of her products. The displeased crowd murmured in disagreement. She was the one to burst that poor boy after all. The enemy in this scenario. With that, everyone dispersed just as quickly as they arrived.

I clicked my tongue and left with the crowd. Paying for the things I bought, those on the queue made sure it was as swift as possible. I doubted I would be coming back here anytime soon, online shopping would have to do for now.

****************

Settling on the couch, I placed my laptop on my leg. A cup of coffee on one hand and the other, scrolling my unread emails. I marked all the ones from Twitter and blogs as read, filtering the important from the unimportant ones. A particular one piqued my interest. It was a response to one of the emails I had sent out during my job hunt. More shocking, it was from R&C.