Fallen

Chapter 12. The mall [Caleb]

M is staring out the window with wide eyes.

I can't help but sneak a peek.

He's taking in all the little things. The things that I never give a second thought.

The houses we speed by, all the other cars, people and so much more.

It's those simple things I drive past on my bike every day. Stuff I desperately try to avoid driving into with my car as well.

It's strange to think all of this is new to M. I can't wait to see his face when we reach the mall. All the stores, the different places to explore, and foods to taste.

Now that we're going there, we can just as well make an experience out of it. Try and take M's mind off of all the bad stuff. Maybe only for a few hours.

I see the familiar two-story building up ahead.

I reach the area of the mall's parking lot. There's not a lot of cars. Which is to be expected on a Sunday evening after all.

I take the first parking spot I see. It's close to the entrance.

I set the car in park. Turning the key and the ignition turns off. Instantly, the sad rattling sound from the motor stops. And it cackles one last time. It's probably something I need to get checked out, but that can wait.

It's time to begin operation make-over time, or whatever to call it.

We exit the car. I have to push my door and extra time before it opens. The same for Lucy.

She huffs a sign of breath and smacks the door close in frustration.

"This car sucks," She says, kicking the back tire.

I can't help but agree.

We both look over to the passenger side. M is sitting in his seat. The seatbelt still fastened.

I go over to his side, opening the door.

"You click on the red button," I point down to his side, where the belt is connected to the buckle.

He gives me a blank look. One that I haven't seen before.

"I know that," He says. "It's stuck."

I click my tongue.

"Here," I scooch over him. "Let me try."

Bending over the seat and M, I forcibly click on the buckle. True to his word, it doesn't budge.

I start to pull on the belt. It gives out. Relents to my pulling.

I should have seen it coming. It's my greatest mistake.

I'm obviously exaggerating. But it still doesn't stop me from grumbling and reaching for the back of my head, where I hit it up against the top of the door. It throbs but goes away just as kick as the pain kicked in.

Lucy starts laughing. It's like the cherry on top.

My cheeks turn red.

"Yeah, just you laugh," I say, pointing at her over the hood of the car. "At least I'm the one actually helping."

I stand back so M can get out.

For good measure, I smack the door shut harshly. As if the car can feel my anger towards it. I hope it does. A scrap of metal is all it's worth. Stupid car.

Lucy leads the way to the entrance. M and I are right behind her.

The first thing we face is the sound of a lively atmosphere. Then the speakers of the mall playing some forgettable pop song.

To the left are rows of small stores. Everything the shopping heart desires. To our right is the obnoxiously loud clicking sound of the mechanical escalators reaching the second floor. This is where there are usually more food places and restaurants.

I make a mental note to let Lucy and M choose a place after our clothes hunting. Mainly Lucy. M probably doesn't know what half of the restaurants even offer.

"So, where to first?" I ask.

M peaks up.

"What about over there," He says, pointing over to the closest store. There are creepy mannequins outside the store. Posing in weird ways, clothes wearing the dolls instead of the other way around.

"Looks like threads to me," He then says.

We make our way over there. The worker, greeting us right away when he spots us. There's a fake smile pasting itself on his face.

He eyes M with a frown. Taking in the wonderous lack of fashion.

I would laugh out loud if it isn't inappropriate.

It is, though. And I don't want to make M self-conscious. Not that I think it would bother him the least. After all, I did meet him only in a pair of shorts. Leaving little to the imagination.

I shake the memory off.

Instead, I just drag M over to the pile of sweatshirts in the corner. Away from the judging eyes of the bored employee.

Lucy follows suit. Unusually quiet. I don't point it out.

I look down at all the different colors of sweatshirts. M is at least a size large, probably. But I guess we just have to try our way forward.

Lucy grabs a stack of shirts and pushes them into M's grasp.

"Try these," She says, delving into another pile of shirts laid out on a table.

M looks at the shirts in his arms, looking a little lost.

I point M over to the changing room. I don't want to repeat another 'shower incident.' Especially not in public.

He hesitantly goes inside and closes the curtain.

While he's away, Lucy and I look at different pairs of pants, as well as other sections.

"How much can we buy?" She asks.

I shrug.

"I don't know, some pants, shirts and a pair of shoes," It's simple. "Our parents are paying for it either way." I flash the card in front of her with a smug smile. Seeing it as a sort of repayment for them leaving us. Weighing their vacation higher than taking care of their actual children.

The curtain draws, and M steps out.

"How do I look?" He asks, pointing to a simple dark red sweatshirt.

It's the perfect size for him. Fitting snugly against his frame. Highlighting yet hiding pure muscle underneath the wooly fabric.

"It looks good," I tell him.

Lucy gives him a thumbs up. Walking over to him with even more clothes to try.

"We should find you a new jacket also," Lucy initiates.

There's a small smile playing on my lips. Seeing both struggle around with bundles of new clothing.

This is going to take a while.