vexatious (infuriating sequel)

chapter seventy-three

"the mall or kfc? last call," katrina calls out as she pulls into the parking lot in between julia's favorite fast food restaurant, and the mall. i have argued with julia about it the entire drive here. i'm not hungry, so i know if we go out to eat first, i won't eat until i get home. julia insists we can't go shopping on an empty stomach, though. she is one of the most stubborn people i've ever met, so arguing with her at this point feels useless.

"kfc first!" julia calls out, filling katrinas car with her voice. i giggle and nod in agreement, not protesting anymore. the look on her face when i stay silent tells me she didn't expect to see me go down without one final fight, but she's already convinced me with her persistent ways.

the entire time we are at the silly restaurant, all i can think about is being at mcdonald's with colby, the night he asked me to be his girlfriend. i can't get the memory out of my brain, and i am zoned out beyond belief by the time the girls begin cleaning up the table and gathering their belongings. it feels as if we just entered the place, and my mind went into an oblivion until it was time to go.

"andro, you okay?" julia asks while katrina takes her trey of half eaten food to the trash. i blink a few times, focusing my thoughts at once.

"yeah, why?" i snap my head up to her. her features carry concern, and her hands are clasped together behind her back.

"you haven't said a word since we got here... are you sure?" she asks once more and i only nod in response. of course i'm spaced out, i just miss colby. there's nothing bad about that, right? is this the unhealthy part?

"ready to go shopping?" katrina returns, her hands now empty. i smile and lift myself from my spot. "let's go," i assure the girls that i am not going to pass out and die right here, since the worry in their eyes makes me think they're convinced i will.

the walk through the parking lot passes by a little too fast, and the cold air from inside the store slaps me in the face. i once again regret not grabbing a jacket this morning before i left. colby would never let me forget. if i had a dime for every time he reminded me only minutes before walking out the front door, i'd be rich.

"what first?" katrina asks, and i watch as julia points to a small store with mannequins lining the only visible wall inside. the clothes they are wearing are revealing and dark. i wonder if they expect me to be able to wear those things.

"really?" i ask, worry clear in my voice. i know they can tell these clothes aren't my style.

"you're gonna try some of it on," katrina grins at me devilishly. i roll my eyes, being nothing less than dramatic and in agony. i know she's right, because i won't argue with the two of them, but that doesn't mean i want to try on any of these provocative clothes.

"you seriously think i could pull that off?" i point to one of the many black shirts hanging up on the wall, all the way to the ceiling. there are several holes in it, conveniently placed so that the only skin that doesn't show is what can't show. "of course! you've got the body for it," julia compliments. i don't know whether to thank her or to fake a gagging noise. she is so wrong, i could never wear something like that. i would be so conscious of my skin being exposed to the world. i can handle a crop top, but i wouldn't want my entire torso on a runway.

"here," katrinas voice is hopeful as she hands me a different shirt. it is a dark shade of maroon, and the holes in it are smaller than the ones in the black shirt. it's tight, but it doesn't seem too tight. this whole store is just so grunge. my mother would shame me if she saw me wearing this, tara would compliment me, and colby would want to have sex with me.

"i don't know..." i zone out, looking at the shirt. i can't imagine myself being the kind of girl to wear this. "yes! and with these!" julia holds up a pair of ripped black jeans, patches littered all over them. my eyes go wide, and my jaw is practically on the concrete floor in this weird edgy store.