Daughter of Aphrodite

Chapter Five: Shopping Spree

When Jonah suggested that we went to a WalMart, I let out a laugh that was louder than I intended. No, if he was going to be dressed by the fabulous Charlie Maine, we would not be going to some hoe-dunk convenience store. "To the mall, please," I instructed the taxi driver I called, passing him a twenty. He took it and started down the street, and within ten minutes we were in front of the Blue Lights Mall. I eagerly grabbed Jonah by the hand and dragged him into American Eagle before turning around and really looking him over: his blond hair was still a little sooty from the accident, but his eyes glowered, reminding me of a dragon from one of Paris's old fantasy games. I patted his arm. "Don't worry, Jonah, you're in good hands with me. Just relax."

His sneer wasn't fixed. "I've put up with your type before, not buying that bullshit."

I recoiled. My type? I let out an easy laugh. "I'm a little different from other girls, I don't have a type." All of my previous boyfriends said so. One even admitted, "I usually tell a girl that they're one in a million, but damn, you're one in seven billion."

I started by looking for simple outfits; t-shirts in an assortment of colors, jeans, and shoes. I let him worry about the other things he needed. It was easy at first, with a word or two of a complaint before trying on each article of clothing. By the time we got to a green shirt, he was groaning. "Charlie, this is the fifth t-shirt I've tried on, and it fits the same as the first. So why don't you let me pick the ones I like and we can get the hell out of here? I'm starving."

I glared at him. "This does not fit you the same as the first shirt. For one, it is a lot looser on you than the white t-shirt, which fits you like a glove, by the way. For two, green is certainly not your color; it completely throws attention from your eyes."

"Why do I care if people are looking at my eyes? I actually don't want them seeing me," he spat at me.

I nodded, noting this. "Well then, white was a good choice, it blends easier. So go back to the changing room and put the white shirt on, and then bring the baby blue, dark blue, black, and red."

Jonah sighed, going back into the changing room. "Daughter of that gods-damned...." He let out a frustrated groan, and I heard a bang from the inside. He probably hit something.

"Are you okay?" I asked tentatively. I remembered days when Paris got annoyed when his life around him got unbearable, and for some reason, he always was able to confide in me. We both knew I was the best at keeping secrets, especially with the latest Percy fiasco. When he didn't answer for a minute, I knocked on the changing room door. "Do you want to talk about it?"

The door opened a few moments later and Jonah stared at me for a moment. "I hardly know you, why would I tell you about anything that's bothering me?"

"Because it's therapeutic," I informed him, taking the shirts from his hands and taking the tag from the white shirt. Jonah's eyes widened and he went to take it back. "What the hell, girl? You can't just go and steal from a place like this!"

I stopped in my tracks for a moment, turning and giving him an incredulous look. "First of all, do not go assuming what I'm up to. Second, don't tell me what I can and can't do. If I wanted to, I could steal whatever I wanted from this whole damn mall."

"Of course you could," he sighed, following me to the register. I tried to hold in my annoyance until we were rung up and left the store. When we were going down an escalator to the main level, I turned to look at him. "What the hell is that supposed to mean, of course, I could?"

He shook his head. "It's the same thing with all you high-class girls. Just bat your lashes and daddy's giving you a car."

"My dad is too busy to worry about getting me a car," I sighed, pulling my bag higher on my shoulder, "And besides, I don't need a car. I have Paris."

"Is that your chauffeur's name?" Jonah chuffed while we went to the food court. I stopped and scanned the options.

"Paris is my best friend. Now choose what kind of food you want and I'll show you that if I wanted to, I could get away with anything."

His eyes changed to something that seemed more of disgust than curiosity and sighed. "Let's go to that pizza place," he mentioned, gesturing to the shop with an older man with glazed eyes. "He's so high that even if he reported us, no one would believe him."

How cheap. "Fine." I lead the way to the man, who seemed to shape up a little bit since he had customers. "What can I get you guys?"

I straightened up and gave the man my prettiest smile. "Yes, my friend here just got out of the hospital and we are absolutely famished. Could we get a large pepperoni pizza to go?"

"Uh, yeah, sure" the guy said, his eyes even more glazed. "We got one fresh out of the oven, actually." He started back to get it and I turned back to Jonah, a confident smirk on my face. "How you like them apples?" Jonah just rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the counter. I continued my haughty facade until the man came out with the pizza.

He only had one eye, and was massive. The pizza box was almost crushed under his grip and he handed it to me. "Here ya go, miss."

I couldn't take it,my hands wouldn't even move. "Wh-what the hell are you?!?" I shrieked.