Chapter 17 Chapter 17

Chapter 17 Chapter 17

Skylar

It was early in the morning when I got a notification from Troy; it read: Get ready; we are going out. I am coming to pick you up by eight. ”,

I sighed and turned the screen off. I still felt terrible, and I sure as hell didn't want to get out of bed.

It felt safer here. Susannah had inquired what was wrong yesterday, but I wouldn't open up. I didn't want her to know I was having a hard time in school.

She had wanted me to study abroad, have a life, see the world, and have lots of loves. Actually, she had used the word "lover," which was gross.

I didn't want a line of men; I wanted one boy. We would date and finally get married and have kids, but anytime I told Mom that, she would insist I go to la-la land since I wasn't ready to grow up.

And I would scoff at her frowning like our dog Rosie; she had died two years ago of cancer, and I had cried so much that I actually got sick afterwards.

I rolled round the bed; sleep wasn't coming anymore, and that was when it dawned on me: he had said eight, which meant the doorbell could be him ringing.

I jumped out of bed, running into the bathroom. Yeah, I was a last-minute person sometimes, but educationally speaking, I wasn't. My electric toothbrush buzzed as I moved it round my teeth and then my tongue. In minutes I was done and running into the shower.

While bathing I had to think of what to wear. It was so hard picking clothes for myself. I could wear one of those faded polos and jeans, baggy to be precise, or my knee-length eyelet black dress, or ….

Gosh, I couldn't think; my head was blank. I was out in minutes and headed to the closet. The first clothes that actually caught my eyes were a sweatshirt and skirt that would go.

I didn't bother washing my hair since it would take most of my time, and moreover, I washed it yesterday.

For today I thought leaving it in a braid on two sides was better, so I hastily got to work, and in minutes I was done and good to go.

Troy was sitting on a couch downstairs, and my mother was serving him one of her cookies. When she saw me, she winked, her eyes dancing like that of a kid. I had never brought a guy home before, so I didn't really blame her.

Troy had taken a bite when he saw me, then smiled; it was one of those smiles and I returned it. He stood as I alighted the stairs.

“Mrs. Walter, thanks for the cookies,” he exclaimed, but my mom won’t hear any of it.

“Just call me Susan,” she said, brushing her hands in the air. She preferred to be called by her name, and I knew why.

It made her feel young, like she hadn't aged a bit, which was a complete lie, but if it made her feel good, then what is the big deal there?

“Thanks, Susan,” and at this she actually beamed like a kid. I felt the impulse to laugh, but that would ruin the moment.

We both left the house. Today was a free day for Mom, and since it was Saturday, I had promised to be home on time so we could watch a movie like old times.

“So where are we headed?” I asked, clasping my seat belt.

“You will see ”,

“I hate surprises, Troy.” I argued,

“What did we say about giving me a week of stuff?” he asked, and I grimaced. He was really getting on my nerves, but I agreed anyway, “Fine,” to which he winked at me, and I sized him up, but truthfully I wanted to laugh because it was really funny.

We were always being around and always looking for a reason to tear each other apart.

We drove past Tyler's, the stamping shop, and the flower shop before getting to our destination.

I rolled my eyes when I saw the inscription on top. He didn't say anything, just stepped out of the car, and I followed suit.

“What are we doing in Shein?” I asked about not getting a hang of things.

“You will see,” he replied, taking my hand in his; it was a gesture I was going to get accustomed to soon.

We walked in, and the smell of new clothes and exquisite humidifiers hit me; it was nice.

“So what type of clothes do you prefer?” I asked, rubbing my hands together excitedly.

“Actually we aren't here for me; the shopping is for you.”

I nearly choked at his words, “Me.” I said, my hand on my chest as though the pronoun wasn't passing the message already.

“What for? I have clothes,” I argued.

He rubbed his lips together, possibly so as not to say whatever that was on his mind.

“Okay, Sky, listen,” he said, getting my attention, his hands on both my arms.

It seems he shook me a bit.

“I am listening. ”,

“You said we weren't from the same world, so I thought, why not bring you to my world?”

“And your world is shopping,” I shrugged.

“Quit it, Sky, you know what I am talking about.”

“Do I?”

“Of course you do. ”,

“Fine!!!” I complied, and we started going through the racks and picking out clothes that he believed would make me look ‘cool.’

It was even an odd word, the way he kept saying it.

I first picked a cherry pink gown. “No, that is too short,” I argued.

“Nope, it would fit just fine,” he said grinning. I didn't like that smile; it had mischief in it. But I gave in anyways; I was tempted, and I wanted to really know what it would be like to actually be associated with the word ‘cool.’

And Troy, on the other hand, had dated Chantel from the cheerleading team; she was really pretty and had nice curves. Then I heard he made out with a hot college student when we were still in high school. Not like we went to the same school, but I still kept tabs, and the news had been everywhere, like a paparazzi or something.

So yeah, he was the best person to go shopping with. Now it was time to test the clothes, and this time I really felt nervous; I kept biting my bottom lip as I fumbled with the hem of my sweatshirt.

He rubbed his palm on my back.

“I know you can do it; now go get changed,” he cheered.

I entered the dressing room; it wasn't that big but okay to go.

He had insisted I try out the cherry gown first, and that I did; it was so short my thighs were on display.

I didn't know if he would like it; I didn't even know if I liked it as well.

“Sky, cat caught your legs. You know it doesn't take more than fifteen to try out one dress. ”,

“What if I looked stupid?” I shouted from the dressing room.

“You aren't going to look stupid; now come out before the mall closes.”

“Fine!!! ”, I really did; he was really reading something on his

phone when I did.

The minute he looked up, his jaw dropped; he blinked twice as I swirled around.

He didn't say anything and just kept st
aring, and that made me feel really shy; it was either good or not.

I just prayed it was the former.