Once I arrived at the swirly black gates that surrounded the school, I leaned against the brick wall attached to it. I only had to wait a few minutes before I saw Cassidy fast walking toward me with a big smile and car keys.
"I wish I knew how to drive…" I sighed sadly.
"I'm not letting you drive Estella, I don't feel like dying today."
I put a hand over my heart and gasped dramatically. "That's so mean, Cass! You've wounded me!" I slid a finger down my cheek in the gesture that says I'm crying on the inside. I hid my giggle to look more convincing.
She rolled her eyes, knowing I'm faking.
I sighed and walked over to the gate's entrance, to the tall, muscled man gazing off in the distance. "Hello, I'd like to pass through here with my friend."
"State your business," he grumbled from his likely uncomfortable spot in the sitting booth.
"We are going shopping, we don't need a car because she knows how to drive." I pointed back at Cass, and she blushed at the mention of her name.
I rolled my eyes subtly. She loves attention from everyone, it seems.
"Fine, you may go, but come back by sundown or we will come looking for you," he grumbled out roughly, his dull blue eyes roamed over our bodies as we walked by. I sneered, rolling my eyes at his audacity.
The gate swung open, and we walked toward the student/visitor parking lot.
We peeled out of the parking lot, and I grabbed the handle above my head.
"Jeez, and you think I'm a bad driver," I said as I shook my head incredulously.
She cackled maniacally and kept her eyes on the road, at least she did that. The ride was loud as we sang to the music on the radio, banging our heads to the beat. By the time we reached the parking lot at the mall, my head hurt, but at least I wasn't frightened for my life anymore.
I opened the car door, and the music abruptly stopped, leaving it dead silent. I looked over at Cass, and we both burst out laughing.
Entering the mall was like taking a deep breath after almost drowning. Finally, the change of scenery I needed.
"Where do you want to go first?" I said quietly, slightly in awe of the big building that has changed so much since I was last here.
"Let's get food first, I'm so hungry I could eat a house!" Cassidy exclaimed, just as excited as me to be off the school grounds.
The food court was bustling with loud conversations, kitchens, and there was music coming from somewhere. Where I wasn't sure. I knew it had to be a radio because the station was playing the newest songs but the connection was spotty and every so often the music would cut out and play a station close to it.
I scanned the room for any familiar faces. I used to come here a lot and had many friends outside the school. I admittedly also had many more than friends and enemies.
Huh. That's a new face.
Sitting in a chair a few tables down was a dark haired blue eyed man that didn't seem to fit in with the crowd. He sat by himself with earbuds in and he glared off into space like the air offended him. His strong jaw was tight and he looked overly uncomfortable. He was very handsome and very tempting. Very tempting indeed..
Then I felt Cassidy shaking my arm. I looked over with a questioning look.
"What?" I said, my voice vibrating with how hard she was shaking me.
"You were just staring at that guy while I was talking to you." she pouted slightly but then her eyes followed my gaze.
"Oooh, who is that handsome man? Have you met him?" she perked up instantly to tease me.
"I don't know who he is, never seen him. I was just looking for familiar faces to see who I could spend my night with." I smirked a little at the end knowing but not wanting to focus on the complicity in that statement.
Cass slapped my arm lightly, "Stel, you know I hate when you do that! Why is it so hard for you to be in a regular relationship instead of sleeping around?"
"Sleeping around involves no emotions and no commitments, Cass." I rolled my eyes. "What do you want to eat? There's Sushi, Mexican, Bourbon Chicken, DQ, and Mcdonalds."
She glared at me but looked around anyway.
"You know. I'm in the mood for bourbon chicken. You?" Cassidy looked back to me expectantly.
"Same, let's go." I said brightly even though that was exactly the opposite of how I was really feeling. I briefly looked back at the mystery man, he was slouched back in his chair with his legs spread out and his fists clenched. I wondered what irritated him.
Maybe some other time. I might have to come here by myself to get a guy, or girl for that matter.
After ordering and getting our food we find an empty table, towards the middle of the food court. Plopping down in my seat across from Cass I started piling the Bourbon Chicken in my mouth. A movement from the corner of my eye caught my attention. The guy I saw earlier was looking around while standing and stretching.
Our eyes locked. I was lost in the endless ocean of his eyes. I bit my lip slightly not wanting to look away. In the back of my mind I could tell that my appearance changed to my real form. For once in my life I felt like myself. Then he seemed to realize where we were and he looked away, walking away. I didn't want to admit it but I didn't wanna see him leave.