Fly Like A Hawk

Chapter 105 - Shopping With Robby

I woke up the next day, my phone pinging on the table. I rolled over and checked it, the cracked screen finally lighting up after getting some charge. A contact that hadn't been used in ages popped up, Robby smiling goofily, 'Hey, U free today?' I read the words aloud. I typed back a response, I didn't have any plans yet. 'Great. Mall?' I raised my eyebrows, surely he remembered I had no money. 'No money, something you need?' I questioned but his response brought a smile to my face. 'My treat.' With a smiley emoji, 'Just want to catch up.'

I laughed out loud, rolling over onto my back and holding the phone above my head, 'Ok sure, but haven't you had enough of me?' I joked and Robby's only response was a laughing face and a time.

I got up and got dressed, coming down the stairs and finding Demetri gone. I helped myself to breakfast then packed a bag and headed to meet Robby at the mall.

It was busy when I arrived, people were milling about with their friends and chatting about what they wanted to buy. I spotted Robby by the food court and skipped over to meet him, smiling excitedly as he offered me a smile back.

"So what are we shopping for today?" I asked, coming to a stop before him.

"Not much, I need some new shirts." I nodded, tucking my hands behind my back and scanning the shops around us.

"Casual? Dressy?" I quizzed and he laughed.

"Casual." He pointed over at a shop to the right of us, "And I might need to get something from there."

"Oh?" I asked, eyeing up the jewellery store, "For a special someone?"

"Yeah, Tory. I meant to bring her something back from Mexico but with everything I forgot."

"Oh so a gift from Mexico from the mall?" I laughed and he nodded.

"Ok well-" I set off towards the shop but Robby didn't follow.

"Hang on. Is there anything you need first?" He asked and I thought about it then pulled my phone from my pocket to show him the cracks.

"A new phone screen." I laughed then dug into my pocket, "But I brought some money for th-"

"It's fine, I'll pay. I told you I would."

"Really Robby, you don't have to. It's fine."

"Nope, I promised I would pay so it's on me."

"Well, thank you," I tucked my phone away then pointed to the jewellery shop, "But let's get your stuff first." He nodded in agreement then followed me towards the shop.

We browsed through the jewellery on offer first, then we crossed round the back of a counter and I pointed something out. A small silver bracelet with shiny sun charms dangling off of it. Robby's face lit up immediately, he looked at me excitedly then back down at the bracelet.

"It's perfect." He mumbled, looking up at the attendant.

"It's $138 dollars." The attendant replied and I saw Robby's face drop a little.

"Ah." Was his only response and I could tell by the look that he didn't have enough.

"Robby, it's ok, I don't need my phone screen fixing, get the bracelet for Tory." He shook his head.

"No, I'd rather help you fix your phone."

"Robby," I mumbled, staring right at him, "Get Tory the bracelet. My phones fine." He sighed then looked at the woman and nodded.

"I'll take it." He said as the woman fished it out and packaged it in gift wrap. Robby waited by the counter while she wrapped it and I browsed another part of the store. As I was doing so a shadow blocked the light behind me.

"Browsing for yourself?" They asked and I sighed.

"Nope. Waiting." I didn't want to give him more than a few words.

"For what? Don't tell me you've actually bought something here?" I turned round and frowned angrily at Eli.

"I'm waiting for Robby." I nodded in his direction. Eli flipped round so fast that I barely noticed until he was angrily stepping forwards.

"What the hell is that-" I grabbed his arm, turning him back to face me.

"Leave him alone. He's my friend. Not that you would know anyway." I could feel myself getting angry at him.

"Your friends with him?" He was focusing on the wrong thing.

"Eli! I don't care about that! I care about the fact that you ignored me! You ignored me after I left! You never even tried to call!" I was yelling now and I could see Robby come in over, the gift wrapped box in his hand.

"Are you ok? Is he bothering you?" He asked, standing tall beside Eli and looking down on him with concern for me.

"I'm fine, let's just go." I mumbled, dragging Robby away by his arm and leaving Eli there without an explanation of why he was there. On the way out I stormed past Demetri and Miguel, they turned and looked after me with confused looks on their faces.

I makes sure to enjoy the rest of my shopping trip with Robby, helping him pick out some new shirts and even coming home with a trinket for myself, a cheap shirt with a sun on it to remind me of the Mexico trip. Robby bought it for me and gifted it to me with a smile. By the time I'd got home, I'd had a great time and I was well on my way to becoming good friends with Robby again.