I'd like to crawl into a dark cave and cry myself to sleep. After having decided on, "dates," Zander and Patrick finally took the hint that they were overextending their stay and left at nearly three in the morning; a disregard for social cues will be boldly stated on both their profiles, I feel sorry for the poor girls stuck with either one of them in the near future.

Having the recent, 'chaos,' of my life leave, I couldn't help but glare openly at my best friend but unfortunately, I missed the chance to wring Celia's neck for coercing me into something ridiculous as she fled before I could get one decent profanity out of my mouth.

And now here I am, hours later with crankiness up my ass and a sour expression on my face as Celia flings shirt after shirt in my face.

I spent all night contacting clients and organising portfolios, I was even lucky enough to make a few matches and mail out emails for the next phases of the Matchmaker contract. But being a night-owl has a price, and that price was sweet unconsciousness because I was up till seven before finally deciding enough was enough.

To my horror however, Celia showed up four hours later and dragged my pathetic, zombified body out of bed and onto the floor, where I now lie. I'm sleep deprived, cranky, lazy, and most of all, hungry. A deadly combination which no shopping partner or retail employee wants to deal with. I was in no mental or physical state to be leaving the confines of my bedroom let alone go to a mall with a rambunctious Zander.

"Why do you not have anything decent!" Harrumphing, she stomps a foot out of frustration and if I had a quarter of the energy she did, I would tell her to get out and begone.

"Because our definitions of decent aren't the same," I drawl out monotonously, not even fazed by her semi-insult.

"Do you want something floral?"

"No."

"Coral?"

Rolling my eyes at that suggestion, I can't hold back the frown that sets on my face. She should know better than that. "No."

"How about -"

"No."

Fuming, she starts wringing her hands, her actions bringing me internal happiness. "Catherine Lewis!"

"Celia, I am not going to the mall! You can't drag my sorry ass there!"

"Why not?"

"Because I was up all night trying to make a living, duh!"

"This is work, technically speaking."

Narrowing my eyes, I glance up at her in disbelief, "no it's not, and I'm not going to some overcrowded, loud, and stinky mall where the people linger."

Sighing, her lips press together before she resumes her futile search among my 'indecent' clothing. "Cat, it's not a prison and besides, this will be good for you."

"No."

I'm taken aback when she whirls around, a mixed array of emotions brimming in her eyes, "for the love of your damn cupcakes, you need to interact with other humans. How much longer do you want to cage yourself in here and hide?"

"Uh, forever?" I declare dismissively, not liking the moisture pooling in my own eyes and I have to look away and blink a few times to remain calm. Frustration was already turning me into an emotional biological hazard, sleep being the only thing I need at this moment.

"Cat, you're twenty-one, you need to start forgetting about what happened to you when you were seventeen and move on with life. Look what it's doing to you, you're letting those bitches win and I hate it. You might be okay with all this, but I hate what they've done to the current you."

She's right, she's absolutely right, but what can I say? I was scarred, a part of myself fragmented and lost but I was okay, I really was. Closing my eyes, a shaky breath leaves my lips before I rise from the floor, looking at Celia with a sad smile, "all right Cel, you win."

"Oh no, don't make that face! I feel guilty now." Hugging me, she inhales a deep breath and pats my arm lightly before motioning for me to sit on the edge of the bed, "don't cry beautiful, I can't stand to see you cry. Now I'm going to make you look gorgeous since making you look drop dead gorgeous would take far too long so hurry up and take a shower."

Raising a questioning eyebrow, I'm not even upset by her remark since the atmosphere in the room has shifted from excruciatingly heavy to friendly and light.

With a dramatic sigh, I haul myself off the bed and drag my feet to the bathroom. Setting a timer for fifteen minutes on my phone, I quickly scrub my skin raw and deeply shampoo my hair before turning off the shower tap. The timer goes off and I hastily grab a towel to pat my skin dry, then wrap it around my hair and throw on a clean sweater.

Walking back into my bedroom, I want to run right back into the bathroom and pretend as if I cease to exist. "What the hell is that?" I ask, pointing at the clothing sprawled on my bed.

"The outfit you'll be wearing."

"Why is it so cute and when did I buy such clothes?"

"Cat, it won't kill you to look cute. In fact, cute suits you."

ignoring her statement, a frown forms on my face as my eyes take in the two articles of clothing. "A pink collared top with lace and baby blue jeans?"

"Would you rather wear a skirt and heels? Because I can easily arrange that."

"I'll pass," throwing up a hand to stop her from turning this nightmare into a sick, horror story, I shake my head furiously and give her a forced smile.

"Then it's settled, now change and I'll do your hair."

"Whoa, whoa whoa! My hair? Who said anything abut hair?" I ask indignantly, who said anything about a spectacle? The makeover should end with just an outfit.

Her eyes narrow into slits as she crosses her arms, "you're not keeping it up in that bun."

"It's my signature look, it's what makes me, me." Pathetic, but I didn't want to give Zander the impression that I went to extreme lengths to look nice for him. I'd rather be my drab self and look horrendous next to his god-like glory.

Interrupting my train of thought, Celia's accusation-filled tone cuts through, "Catherine Lewis, before we have a full out brawl, go change and sit your ass down on this here chair and let Celia do your hair because I refuse to let you walk out of here without working some magic."

"Okay, okay, I get it." So much for looking drab.

Snatching the clothes picked out for me, I change and slowly walk back, hesitating momentarily by the doorway only to have a hand grab me by the wrist and shove me down into a chair. "No need to be so violent," I mumble out grumpily.

"I'm sorry, but your lack of enthusiasm is slowing us down and we're running out of time. I told Patrick to come here in an hour and it's almost twelve."

"Why so early?" I whine out tiredly.

"Because with those two, their hyper meters increase when day turns to night. I can't handle that in a public environment, we might actually get arrested from something they'll do. Besides, they need to be far apart for either one of them to behave. So your participation to babysit is vital."

Someone hand her the award for creating by far, the most logical excuses in the history of mankind. She had a point but whether I'd be babysitting or running for the emergency exit, will all be revealed in due time.

"There, finished. You look beautiful, even without makeup. Now take off those glasses and wear these contacts I gave you for Christmas." My eyes widen from shock, leave my glasses behind? Groaning, I fulfil her demands and once I've placed the second contact in my left eye (with a heck of a lot of difficulty), I turn around and wait for her approval.

"Perfect. And just in time." The sound of a knock travels through the apartment and we both grab our Parkas and handbags. Celia beats me to the door and opens it wide to let the both of them in, not bothering with a 'hello' just yet, I frown at the shoes aligned against the wall.

"Celia, don't tell me you had shoes picked out too."

"Your wearing those white ones, there." Scanning the shoes, my eyes rest on a pair of white trainers, my hand hovering over them for a fraction of a second. They were a little thin for cold weather but if we're going to be indoors then why not? Shoving my feet into them, I turn around to see three pairs of eyes blinking at me, two of them wide in disbelief.

"Well damn Cupcake, don't you just take...the icing on the cake." My best friend's face becomes sour and I can only shake my head in agreement. 

"That was awful," I reply lazily, still too exhausted to even feel the slightest bit of embarrassment from such a cringeworthy comment. 

"Well what am I supposed to say?" Patrick counters, shrugging sheepishly. 

"That she looks hot, right Zander?" Celia prods, attempting to draw Zander into the conversation. Now our eyes shift towards Zander who hasn't said a word but whose never averted his gaze from me since I became the centre of conversation.

"She looks lovely."

Blinking, I shift uncomfortably before rummaging for my keys, playing with them. I get it, I look nice but as Celia so subtly stated before, I wasn't drop dead gorgeous so neither one of them should try to give me a boost in self-confidence.

"Um, thanks. Can we go now?" I ask hastily, my voice conveying my discomfort. 

Throwing on my parka, I wait for Celia to walk out the door before shutting it closed and locking up the apartment; it's been ages since the last time I ever did that; seeing my own set of keys feels odd. So maybe my best friend had a valid point, my whole world is my apartment and a change of scenery won't do me harm.

Filing into an elevator, we take it down to the underground parking lot and locate Celia's car near a concrete pillar reading P4 with little difficulty.

Halting suddenly, realisation seems to dawn on Patrick's face which stops the rest of us dead in our tracks. "Wait, we can take separate cars. Zander, you have yours and I have mine, why didn't we think of that before?"

Celia shakes her head resolutely, "Erm, I think it's better if we carpool, and besides the mall is on the way to the aquarium."

"She's right," I pitch in quickly, covering for her. What she really meant is that we'd rather die first than have the two of them behind the wheel.

Patrick seems to buy this after considering it for a minute while Zander stays quiet, he hasn't said a word this entire time and not seeing his over friendly personality is rare but what do I know? It's only been a few days, I was in no position to act like I knew the guy.

Getting into the backseat, I stare out the window as Celia and Patrick fight over who has driving rights, Celia winning in the end. We finally exit the underground parking lot, leaving the complex behind. Having wasted enough time, Celia takes the ramp that converts onto the express highway to avoid traffic and the journey towards hell begins.

Sighing, I rest my head against the window my eyes begging to shut as they'd be red rimmed soon with these contacts in place.

"So..." Glancing at the driver's seat I realise what the awkward 'so' was for. It's uncommonly silent in the car, a feat I didn't think Zander and Patrick were capable of accomplishing.

"Cat..." Celia said in a strained voice, mild panic evident from her wide eyes through the rearview mirror. Scoffing, I merely turn back to the window and gladly welcome the entrance sign to the mall. Might as well get this damn thing over with so I can go back home and cuddle with my pillows in bed.

Unbuckling our seat belts, both Zander and I get out as Celia drives up to a curb directly in front of a blaring yellow store sign. "Call you guys when we're done," she offers before driving off. And just like that, the two of us stand bitterly, dreaming of fish tanks and algae instead of the honks in the lots behind us. 

I turn to Zander who nudges me towards the doors and we walk through the revolving doors to find the mall packed and bustling with busy shoppers; this was the worst place to visit during the dead of winter.

Feeling the heat already, I peel my parka off and clutch it in my hands. "Let's go find a coatrack," Zander suggests, advancing forwards with purpose. Startled, my eyes widen from the five words spoken and I merely follow Zander's slumped back. We manage to find an information counter and hand over our jackets before walking over to a layout of the mall, the directory confusing with all its numbers and colours.

"Where do you want to go?"

"I don't want to be here anymore than you do," I bite out defensively, having sensed his lack of enthusiasm, I can't mask the disdain on my face. I'm finally looking at him openly and register the coloured lenses and baseball cap as his eyes shift searchingly around us to discern any comprehension from the people flocking about. 

Completing his surveillance, Zander raises an eyebrow and scratches his chin confused, "I thought your friend said you liked shopping?"

"No, I don't."

"Then..."

"My friend lied because she didn't want you seeing the fishes." Shocked, his jaw drops before curses fill the air and I must admit, I find it really amusing but become exhausted within seconds. I know what I need to feel better.

"Can we get some coffee?" I ask, with an air of desperation in my voice.

Scanning the directory, he points at a yellow block, "there's a coffeeshop in the food-court, we can go there." Nodding in agreement, we take an escalator down to the food-court, horrified by the mobs of people lined up at different fast food chains. Getting in line, I have to shift my weight from one foot to the next to make sure my feet didn't get numb from the long wait but thankfully the Baristas were miracle workers and the line moves relatively fast.

It's finally my turn, and the weary Barista glances at me smiling, "hi there, what can I get you?"

"I'll take an iced mocha latte with a double shot of espresso." I had plenty of time to scan the menu, I needed something strong if I was expected to stay awake for the next several hours.

"And the gentleman?"

"I'll take the same."

 Pulling out my wallet, I swat Zander's arm away and pay for the both of us. "You paid last time, it's only fair," I say firmly. Not giving him a chance to comment, I walk off to the side counter and wait for our drinks which doesn't take long and with our coffees in hand, we walk off in search for a quiet corner.

Scanning the food-court, a definitive frown sets on his face, "this is a nightmare." And for once, we're in agreement since my expression is just as grim. The bustle and volume of the food court is deafening without a vacant table in sight. 

"Maybe we should just go to the bookstore on the second floor," I suggest, grimacing as a family of about nine, shuffles past me to fight for a nearby table.

"If there's less people and a place to sit, I'm all in."

Ditching the overcrowded escalator for the stairs, we manage to find the fairly large bookstore and a deserted table designated for readers.

"Finally!" My exclamation of joy catches the eye of a few people around me, and a blush creeps onto my face from embarrassment. And here I thought I was the 'low profile' master. Glaring at me for my lack of awareness, the few shoppers annoyed by our presence turn back to bookshelves and continue to scan the titles.

Zander takes the seat across from me and slumps low in his chair, "damn Cupcake, what are we going to do later? I mean look at us, we're running scared."

"We aren't doing anything if you continue to call me that in public," I hiss. Glancing around, I hope no one's overheard him but I see a few wandering eyes looking directly at me.

Grinning slyly, his satisfied smile unsettles me. "Oh? You want it to be a private endearment? Got it."

"Just call me by my given name, you even promised you would! I don't want to be on the receiving end of any weird stares, I already feel like I've gotten a few," I admit worriedly, my body already clinging to the wall.

"That's not them staring because of anything I've said. Think about it, I only called you Cupcake now."

He's right but what other reason could there be for their stares? "I don't get it, but that rule still stands."

"All right, fine. But what do you want to do?"

"Um..." Looking around me, I blurt out the most rational thing, "read?"

"For five hours?"

Almost dropping my coffee, my eyes widen, "we're going to be here for five hours?"

Grumbling, he glances away, "most likely."

"I thought they'd be gone for two hours only!" I exclaim, setting my coffee down so I don't spill it on either one of us.

"It takes two hours just to get there."

"What?" Now I really know what I've spiralled into, I really am spending the ENTIRE day with Zander.

Groaning, I release a sigh of defeat, "Is there anywhere you want to go?"

"Your asking me? I feel touched." Raising an eyebrow, I wait for him to answer. I've inflated the ego by giving this tiny amount of attention and I'm already regretting it yet somehow, I prefer this Zander to the quiet and sullen one.

"Hmm...toy store."

Yup. Not surprised in the least.

"Don't give me that look, there's something I need to check there."

"At least it gives us something to do." Finishing my coffee, I mirror Zander's actions and throw the cup away in a nearby trash bin then follow him out of the bookstore. We find another mall directory and locate the toy store which isn't far. After walking for about two minutes, we see a massive Toys 4 U sign and enter mayhem.

Children were carelessly screaming and running, while some cried in corners and others had tantrums demanding toys that cost a fortune - I could feed myself for at least five days with that kind of money. Forget creepily proportioned dolls, someone should feed the hungry if they're wasting money on cheap plastic dolls that'll no doubt be defiled in the future.

"What are we looking for?" I ask, scanning the signs above each aisle. 

"Transforming robots." Fast-walking past several aisles, we halt at what appears to be the correct one and after skimming the walls, we find the right toy. I have my eyes on an amusing toy that lights up and talks when a kid runs into me, "Hey raccoon eyes, watch it!" Sticking his tongue out, he scampers off and leaves me in shock.

Swerving around, I point at my eyes and pout, "are my bags really that bad?"

Looking up from the description written on the box, Zander's lips press together as he scrutinises every corner of my face, "Nah, your eyes make up for everything."

"What does that mean?"

"Seriously Catherine, I have to be blunt in order to get my message across?"

"I can do subtleties to an extent."

"That extent not being very wide."

"Fine, I'm an ignorant baboon. Happy?"

"I wouldn't go as far as calling you that, but hey, you said it not me."

I'm about to retaliate when someone taps my shoulder and I nearly yelp but remind myself I'm a grown adult.

 "Excuse me?" The person asks.

"Yes?" Looking up, I see a young high schooler who looks like he's in his second year but that's just an educated guess. In this day and age, you can never predict how they're going to develop.

"Would you be willing to participate in a fun, interactive game?" Making a 'huh' face, my eyes finally take in the small sticker-like name tag. An employee was asking us to do his job?

And no I would not! I am the very definition of un-fun and un-active!

"We're short on staff, and the employees in charge for this segment ate something bad and went home with upset stomachs. You're just the two people in the whole store not accompanied by children who could do this. It won't take much of your time, we'll even let you pick out a toy for free." My face remains impassive from disbelief while Zander's lights up.

"What do we have to do?" Zander asks happily, considering this an opportunity.

Oh no.

"You just need to dress up in these costumes and..."

My life is surmounting to a series of self-degrading acts.

"Let's do it Cat."

With a scowl, my eyes glare at Zander's eagerness, "why?"

"Because this toy costs fifty bucks and I'd be saving a whole lot of money. And you'd make a little Nolan cousin extremely happy."

I can't decline an opportunity to bring a child happiness. "Fine."

Relief spreads across the employee's face, "Thank you so much! I have a chicken costume and a pig one, which one would you like? Ladies first of course."

"Of course," I repeat sarcastically. This is a new level of pathetic, I didn't think I could sink any further than being forced to go to the mall like a two year old but this is just bad.

Sighing, I decide to go with the chicken, "I'll take the chicken then."

"Great! Just follow me to the back room and you can change into the costumes." 

Groaning, I'm tempted to escape while they have their backs to me but demand my feet move forward. Entering an 'employees only' room, we change into the large, sweat induced costumes. I can barely see where I'm going, and it takes about three minutes to finally adjust to the wretched thing.

"Now all you have to do is dance along to Old Mc'Donald for the kids," the young employee enunciates, as if our intellectual capacities have decreased to the animals we're posing as. 

We walk up to a small stage placed in front of a gathered crowd, a different employee dressed as a lion already set to perform and start dancing awkwardly as soon as the music turns on. I'm doing a decent job till a lion's paw smacks me in the face, almost knocking me over.

Is that jealousy I detect? Oh no, they didn't. Unamused, I strike back with a chicken karate chop which makes all the kids giggle and applaud. This in turn, starts a battle and Zander seems upset to be left out and jumps in, a derisive and ferocious 'oink' is heard before the pig proceeds to pull one of my chicken wing's and the lion's mane.

We're at each other's throats, a mixture of harsh clucks, roars, and oinks occupying the stage as the song was long forgotten till a manager has to rip us apart and calm the crowd of chanting kids who've made bets with candy on the line.

"What is wrong with you three?" Taking off the costume heads, the three of us look at one another sheepishly, the employee on the verge of tears at the sight of his manager's fuming face. Yeah, this is definitely his last shift at Toys 4 U.

"Do I still get the toy for free? I did help." Elbowing Zander in the gut, I try conveying with telepathic gestures that we're lucky for not damaging the store.

The manager's beady eyes stare at him for some time before coming to a decision, "no sir, you will not. But since you did help out, we can give you a fifty percent discount instead."

"I'll take it!" Quickly purchasing the toy, I have to drag Zander out of the store since the idiot didn't want to part with the pig costume.

"Now what do we do?"

Sniffing my top, I make gagging sounds before answering, "can we please go to Bath Beauty? That costume was a hundred years old and reeks of sweat!"

"In other words, you stink."

"You stink too!" I reply tartly. 

"Yeah, but I don't care." Wrinkling my nose, I give him a look of disgust which makes him chuckle.

"Okay, we'll go to Bath and Booty...wait no, Bath Boobie!"

"Don't even try. It's Bath Beauty."

"Yeah, whatever." Rolling my eyes, we enter the strong scented store and with lithe fingers, I grab a bottle and spray myself multiple times while the store employees weren't looking. I wasn't actually interested in buying the stuff, I just needed to drench myself with half a bottle.

"Hi there!" Speak of the devil.

"Um hi," I say shakily, nudging Zander towards the doors, we need to back away and get out of here fast before she starts thrusting promotional coupons upon us.

"Would you like to try our latest lip gloss? If you try it in stores we'll give you one for free," the employee adds, her voice dripping in honey.

What is with stores and freebies today?

Noticing my lack of interest, she tries to lure me in with another tactic, "it's an eight dollar value you'll be getting for free."

Shaking his head, Zander bends down to my level and hisses into my ear, "Just try it Cat, then we can leave." 

I glare back up at Zander who's now frowning at the display of spray bottles, "these are all different?" Mumbling under his breath, he picks up two different bottles and smells each, visibly revolted by one and pleased with the other. 

"Why's this one called Red Mimosa? The fluid is clear."

Embarrassed by his little display, I glance back at the female employee, "All right, I'll give it a try." Smiling at me, she hands over a lip gloss tube and proceeds to hit me with a verbal description of the product. Ignoring her entirely while pretending to be listening, I apply the gloss and smack my lips once I'm done.

"Don't you just love it? And it gives off a wonderful shade of red. I'm sure your boyfriend thinks so."

Here we go again.