*
The first place they went to was the mall, just as Aiden promised. Bella was not so eager to step out of the car once they got there, and she saw the multitude of people roaming about. They looked like ants scattered across a colony, and even watching them started to make her head spin.
“You’ll be fine,” Aiden said, taking her hand and squeezing it gently. “They’re just people. And if you think about it, they’re all so lost in their own thoughts that I doubt they’ll be watching you.”
But Bella wasn’t convinced. She could feel herself starting to tremble, and she could tell that she was going to have a panic attack. But Aiden held her hand tightly, and when she looked at him, his eyes were reassuring towards her.
“We can go back if you’re too nervous,” he said. “I’m not going to jud
