a day at the mall

. ✧ ・゜. +・o ✧

 The bus swayed slightly as it made its way to Starcourt Mall, which was, according to Max, where they were going to have fun. Alina found herself a little apprehensive about this, because she didn't think they were going to watch a movie there. She might have to brave the clothing stores she'd never set foot in, which scared her, just a little bit. Even though Linda was usually the furthest thing from her mind—she didn't deserve to be tormenting her, didn't deserve to have root in her brain—Alina found herself going back to her old ways as she stared out the window, remembering all of the uncomfortable shopping trips she'd been forced through. Squeezed into tight dresses, being chided for sitting the wrong way or itching her swollen legs. Those days, Alina became her mother's doll, something to merely look pretty perched atop a shelf, nothing more.

"Max," her voice came out a lot shakier than she would've liked. "Are you sure going to the mall is a good idea? I mean, what if we went swimming or something instead?"

"Alina, everything's going to be okay," Max reassured. The two were sitting together, while El sat across from them, not seeming to be paying attention to this conversation. Like Alina, she'd never really had her own style before—right now, she was wearing a plaid shirt that looked about three sizes too big for her. "We're not going to make you try anything on. You can find what you like, and if you decide not to get anything, we won't judge you."

Max knew about Alina's mom. She'd told her last year, on a day where everything had rushed through her all at once. Her dad, the possession, the scientists, all of it. Max hadn't said anything, she'd just listened, chewing on her lip, and after, she hadn't claimed to know what Alina had felt or anything, but just told her about her own dad, who she'd left behind in California after her parents divorced. He'd been a wonderful person, way better than Neil Hargrove—Billy's father—and she missed him every day.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," said Alina, twiddling with her braids. "It's pretty stupid of me, isn't it? To get nervous and everything. When I know she's gone. When I've been trying to forget about her."

"It's not stupid at all," said Max. "Now, c'mon. This is our stop."

Max, El, and Alina were not the only ones to get off the bus when it reached Starcourt Mall. In fact, they had to wait behind a whole crowd of chattering people who were also making this their destination. Thanking the driver, Alina stepped off, still a little nervous, but also eager to alleviate some of her stress. She'd had a nightmare in the early hours of the morning, of her dad and Bob's blank stares, and although she'd managed to fall back asleep, to pleasanter dreams (including one where she and Lucas had a picnic in the sky), she wanted to wash away the remaining dregs of it.

But it seemed El was a little nervous, too, as once the trio stepped off the bus, she stared up at the mall, apprehension on her face. It wasn't lit up during the day, and looked dull, even, compared to the glow of the night, but it was still quite impressive, even to Alina, who had been there dozens of times.

"So, what do you think?" Max asked El, before noticing her look. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Too many people," El explained. "Against the rules."

"Seriously?" Max asked. "You and Al have superpowers. What's the worst that could happen?"

El frowned less at this, and she seemed to be slowly coming to terms with this idea. Alina took her friend's hand. "Come on," she told her. "We're going to have fun."

And, their hands linked, the three girls made their way into Starcourt Mall, for what they hoped would be a day without boys. Well, that's what El and Max were thinking, anyway. As Max had always been the third wheel, she was probably glad to not have to endure Alina and El's constant talk of their boyfriends. And, of course, El needed a break from Mike, who she was constantly attached to. But Alina? Well, she and Lucas hadn't been fighting. In fact, they were doing really well right now. Sometimes they would fight, but they usually made up. Lucas was good at apologies. It was one of the many things she liked about him.

It's okay, Al, she found herself thinking, as she was led into the mall. You don't have to spend every single day with Lucas. I'm sure he won't mind.

When they reached the epicentre of the bustling mall, El looked overwhelmed again. The smell of Hot Dog on a Stick met Alina's nostrils, along with whiffs from the other fast-food stands, and the chatter of everyone nearly drowned out the sound of the girls beside her. Soft music piped from speakers, and as Alina gazed around, she realized that the mall was a lot bigger than she thought.

"So," Max said, "what should we do first?" Neither El or Alina responded, too busy taking in the enormity of this place, and Max let out a laugh. "You've never been shopping before, have you?" she asked El. "I know Alina hasn't for a while." And at the shake of El's head, Max grinned. "Well, then I guess we're just gonna have to try everything. Ooh, come on."

Grabbing her friends' hands, Max lead Alina and El into the clothing store the Gap, hurrying in just as Mike, Lucas, Will and Gabe also made their way into the mall. According to Lucas, the best way to make up with your girlfriend was to apologize, and sprinkle in an I'm Sorry present as well, so that was what they were doing. But the mall was hot, and Gabe sweat under the baseball cap he was wearing. He'd finally exchanged his typical button-downs for a tank-top of Will's, so at least it wasn't stifling, but he kept thinking longingly back to Mike's basement, where there was a D&D board, just waiting to be played.

Will looked about as glum as Gabe felt. After both of them had been forgotten about, they'd rushed to catch up with their friends, who, thankfully, had been heading back inside to get them, and then they'd made their way here on their bikes. Of course, it was annoying that they were yet again thinking about their relationships, and Gabe hoped they could make this trip quick. If not for his sake, then at least for Will's.

"I just... I don't understand what we're looking for," Mike was saying.

"Something pretty and shiny that says 'I'm sorry,'" Lucas explained.

"What, just something that literally says 'I'm sorry?'"

"No!" Lucas rubbed his temples.

"He means something that will show El that you're sorry," Gabe explained, adjusting his hat. "Like... what kind of things does El like? Makeup? Perfume?" he turned to Will. "Do you know what she likes? Or what any girl likes, for that matter?"

"Well," said Will thoughtfully, "Al's really into Star Wars stuff, but I don't think El's seen any of the movies. Oh, and she also really likes sneakers. I don't know why. But El... she's a bit harder."

"Yeah, I guess being in a lab for most of your life will do that to you."

In the Gap, Alina was looking around at all of the clothing options. There were so many that they almost made her dizzy to look at, springing out of her in every colour. She barely knew where to start, but El seemed to know what she was doing, so Alina followed her, watching her feel around the different fabrics before stopping at a mannequin wearing a blue shirt with rainbow stripes swiped on.

"Do you like that?" Max asked, noticing El's awed look. The girl turned to her.

"How do I know... what I like?"

Max shrugged. "You just try things on," she said. "Until you find something that feels like you."

"Like me?"

"Yeah," confirmed Max. "Not Hopper. Not Mike. You." El smiled at that, and Max turned to Alina, who was still looking around like a lost puppy. "See anything you like?" she asked.

Well, considering this store was free of comic t-shirts and Star Wars merchandise, no. But if El was going to go out of her comfort zone, Alina might as well, too. She shrugged. "Not yet," she said, looking down at the current shirt she was wearing—the big, baggy one of Jonathan's. "I guess I'll just have to try things on, too."

Max grinned. "Don't worry, I'll help you." She took a step back, scrutinizing Alina. "Hm. It looks like red, purple and blue would all be good colours on you... I'll be right back."

She then strode off, leaving Alina and El behind, the latter still admiring that blue shirt. Alina tapped her foot, feeling uncomfortable and hoping no salesperson would come up to them, but luckily, Max came back only a few moments later, her arms piled with clothes. "Now," she said. "Let's try things on."

Moving to the mannequin El was staring at, Max tugged off the blue shirt, taking a couple more articles of clothing off the hangers nearby. When she saw that neither El nor Alina had moved—both of them just staring at each other, dumbfounded—she let out a laugh. "Come on. Don't just stand there, you two."

"I didn't know you were such a fashion expert," Alina remarked, following Max to the fitting room. "You don't seem like the type."

"Are you calling me unstylish?" Max asked, pretending to be affronted as she stared down at her outfit—which, Alina had to admit, she looked good in. Alina chuckled and shook her head.

"No! I'm just saying, you didn't really dress up for the Snow Ball, so..."

"I know what you mean," said Max. "Sometimes people surprise you. Now, here." She thrust a lavender shirt, a belt, and shorts into Alina's arms. "Go try these on."

"Oh, uh, okay."

Max handed El the shirt she'd been eyeing along with some other clothes, and she and Alina separated into fitting rooms, where Alina pulled on the outfit Max had chosen for her. It wasn't her style, but as Alina tucked the shirt into the navy-blue shorts and held it up with the belt, she had to admit she didn't look bad. The shirt was splattered with paint splotches, in blue, yellow, and green, and it made Alina's eyes pop. She twirled in the mirror, sliding her hands into the slick pockets, and then made her way out to show Max and El.

They were in front of the nearby mirror already, El wearing the shirt along with yellow pants held up by suspenders. They both turned, grinning at Alina, giving her thumbs-ups, and then Max handed El a yellow beret to match her outfit. After Max helped her adjust it, El stared at herself in the mirror, snapping the straps of her suspenders with a giggle. She seemed to really be enjoying herself, and Alina was also feeling significantly less awkward now.

Max high-fived her. "Looking good!" she said. "But take out your hair. Trust me."

"I do trust you," Alina assured her, pulling out her braids. Her curls were more tame than usual, and she barely had to adjust them to make herself look less like a lion. Blowing a stray lock out of her face, Alina jiggled her shoulders, sticking out her tongue in front of the mirror. This made both Max and El laugh.

Gabriel Burton, meanwhile, was getting more miserable by the minute. They were in some expensive jewelry store to look for a gift for El, and although Gabe didn't think he'd have enough to afford anything here, Mike insisted on looking at each and every item. Finally, he seemed to find a gold bear charm that looked promising, and asked the man how much it cost.

The employee stared at him, correctly assuming that all four boys put together wouldn't have the cash to afford that little thing. Gabe didn't even listen to the price, he just tapped his fingers on the counter, looking at Will, who was also growing more despondent. Sidling over to him, Gabe asked, "You alright?"

"How much longer do you think they're going to take?" Will asked, watching as Lucas and Mike simultaneously opened their mouths once the price was given. "I mean, I don't want to be rude or anything, but we were supposed to play D&D. And now that Alina's with El... we still need at least one person."

Gabe shrugged. "Dunno. But I can't stand much longer of this, either."

Mike and Lucas seemed finished here, at least, as they ushered the other two back out into the mall, still complaining about the (reasonably) high prices. "Three hundred?" Lucas was saying, his eyebrows raised high. "Three hundred."

"I should've shoved that teddy bear right up his ass," Mike was spitting. And Gabe was wishing he had never agreed to come here in the first place.

. ✧ ・゜. +・o ✧

a/n: i'm so sorry, i literally forgot to update, remembered, went on a walk, and then forgot again. but anyway, we're here now, and we're at the mall! alina/el/max is another TRIO and they honestly just deserve the world, i loved writing their friendship in this book bc they're just so cuteee. gabe/will/mike/lucas? not so much. but we're getting there. hopefully.

honestly gabe kind of goes off in the next chapter and i love that for him, and am excited for you guys to see it ahaha. there's also a character from mad'ouk that appears and gets what they deserve ;)

'till next time!