Gentle Acclimation

*2* MALL RAT

***(Here's the part I dreamed about. Also, disclaimer: I don't promote vandalism of any kind. I am not originally from the US, and do not understand some pranks that are normalized, but in fact are vandalism. I am mentioning one such practice here. I don'tlike it, though.)***

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Two months later, a group from the drama club went shopping for supplies for their latest play, a stage adaptation of the 1980s dark comedy movie, Clue.

Sol had tagged along, but used it as an excuse to meet up with a guy she'd been seeing. Friends at the mall had gotten separated, and the guy decided to make his move. They were in a secluded area of the mall, he kissed her, and again, he tried for more, and again, she said "not here" and he calmly walked away and left her. It was closing time for the mall, and she was now alone, separated from her group, no ride, and no money for a cab.   

She tried a few people from the club, but they had already left, so she texted him, apologetically asking if he was still at the mall, and could take her home, which was in the opposite direction of his dorms. He responded with a simple "yes".

The mall area was relatively new to him. She was local, he was from out of state, and he didn't go to the mall often. She called him when she realized he wasn't passing by.

"Do you know which exit I'm at?" She asked.

"No, not really." His emotionless voice said.

"I'm at the back, I have PeiWei and California Pizza Kitchen in front of me." 

"Ah, okay. I know now."

A cold front had just come in. It was cold. She was wearing a skirt with boots. She was not ready for the weather. He saw her shaking, blowing warm air into her hands, and looking pitiful. 
 
He got out of the car and opened the door for her, handing her a blanket for her legs. 

He returned to his side of the vehicle and began driving off. "What happened to lover boy?" He teased.

He left me stranded. 

He pulled into a parking spot, put the transmission on park, and pressed on the emergency brake and looked straight ahead. "Why?" 

"Same old, same old. I wouldn't make out with him, so he left." She said looking out the window.

"He didn't even check if you had a way home? Who does that!?" He said this looking at her this time. Her gaze in the distance, almost disassociated. 

"Nope. He didn't even say anything. He just said he'd be right back, and then never came back."

Seungmin was speechless, which usually meant he was angry. He sighed, and began driving again. He thought "that brings another meaning to the term Mall Rat!"

She noticed he took a slight detour. "Where are we going?"

"Baskin Robbins. We're getting ice cream, and watching a movie. Is that okay? I mean, we have no school tomorrow." He shrugged. 

"You're so awesome! We can watch it in my projector room. My parents are on an overseas trip for the next two weeks, so we won't bother them."

"Okay. We have a plan." He said matter-of-factly.