I text Talie back telling her that I'll be waiting outside in front of dorm building C. Not finding it necessary to wear something extravagant for the mall, I simply wear white shorts, a tight tube top, and flip flops with gold hoop earrings. Being that it's late August, it is still very hot out and I need to dress as comfortable as possible. In other words, not reveal too much to look like a slut and not wear too much that I perspire to death.
I haven't bought clothes here yet, so I figure I might as well do it tonight. Most of my clothes are either behind at home or I gave them to my younger sister. I check the balance in my checking account to making sure that I don't spend over too much on this shopping spree. I have to admit, I'm a little excited. This is my first time shopping in Los Angeles, and I don't know what to expect.
I head outside at 6:30, surprised to see Talie in the passenger seat of Axel's car. Dammit, Natalie! What's up with these surprises? I have to save the scolding I was going to give her for later.
Or not.
Needing to get out of this heat, I quickly step into the car and shut the door behind me. I'm pleased to find that Axel has the air conditioning on high; almost instantly I've cooled down and I'm not on the verge of sweating anymore. Natalie's sassy, yet cheerful voice greets me the moment I close the door behind me.
"Esme!" she chirps, "I haven't seen my best friend in forever!"
"Hey Tal," I say back. Much of my annoyance disappears when I see how excited she is to see me. "Hi Axel."
"Hi Esme." I see the corner of his mouth begin to tug upward into a smile. "You never texted me to let me know when you were free so I decided to take matters into my own hands."
"Oh, uhm yeah sorry about that," I attempt to apologize, "I was really busy yesterday and today, yaknow with the first two days and stuff."
"I'll forgive you this time Esme," he teases as he puts the car into drive. That English accent is to die for.
"How were your first two days at UCLA? Not as bad as you thought originally?" Talie turns around in the passenger seat to face me as she's talking.
"No, it wasn't that bad," I admit. "People on campus are actually willing to help me find my way around so I haven't really been struggling."
"People like Pierce?" She puts me on the spot, and I quickly attempt to dodge the topic before it has a chance to grow into something more.
"That was only once to bio class! I've been getting help from everyone. Axel actually drove me to campus once," I start, "Who you never, by the way, told me went to England!" I glare at her with accusing eyes.
"Oh, that," Talie glances sideways to Axel, "that's nothing."
She lifts a perfectly manicured hand and simply waves it off as if it doesn't matter. Axel chuckles to himself in the front seat.
"So?"
"You also forgot to mention that Axel goes to the same freakin school as me," I cross my arms over my chest.
"Honest to God, it slipped my mind. Does it really matter Esme?" she asks. "It's not like you would've never found out."
"Because you, as my best friend," I raise my finger to point an accusing finger at her, "should remember to tell me these things."
"Sorry May," Talie raises her hands in surrender, "from now on I'll tell you even the little things," she promises.
"Thank you, that's all I ask." I say, satisfied.
"Now, you and Pierce?" she squeals excitedly. "Ohmygod, tell me all the deets!"
"What do you mean? There is no me and Pierce," I state matter-of-factly.
YOU ARE READING
Fifty Shades of Average
Romance{Fifty Shades of Grey spin-off} Passion. Adventure. Love? One fateful night, Esmeralda Chambers finds herself in the hands of a mystery man who she can't seem to get her mind off of. He screams danger, but that makes her all the more attracted to hi...