Willa

Chapter 1

The mall was very crowded this Saturday.  So many people rushing around, getting ready for the summer.  Fifteen year old Wilhamenia or "Willa" as her family and few friends called her was people watching from her assigned kiosk.  Mr. Kaplansky decided the watch band stand would get a larger turnout near the movie theater.  Willa hated that spot because she was always laughed at by the various teenagers that came to purchase their tickets.  "Oh boy" Willa muttered under her breath as she saw the two boys approach her stand.  "She looks kinda young to be working this stand." said the dark haired boy to his red-haired friend.  "Well she looks dorky, so maybe she works for dad, the old man.  Obviously she has no friends or we would have seen her before." said red head with a smirk.  He should talk . With  a face full of pimples and braces he should be grateful he has a friend willing to hang out. Willa thought to herself.  Willa looked around the mall thinking of how to handle these two and where the heck was mall security when you need them?

The two boys walked up and started looking over the watch bands.  It was obvious that they had no intention to purchase and Willa was hoping they did not try to steal any.  Her legs were still rubbery after dance practice this morning and she was in no mood to chase anyone.   Before the two knuckleheads could start harassing Willa, three teenage girls walked up.  "Todd, don't you have something better to do than to harass hard working people this afternoon?" inquired the petite blonde with curly hair and pretty chocolate colored eyes.  Willa took this opportunity to get a good look at the three.  The petite blond-haired walked and spoke with the confidence that she would naturally be obeyed.  The other two that flanked her side were equally beautiful. One was slightly taller with long black hair and green eyes.  She was slender with large breast.  The other had thick wavy brown hair and hazel eyes.  She was the tallest of the three with a nice curvy shape.  All three were very pretty and Willa concluded that they must be the popular girls at school, especially the way Todd and his pimply buddy was responding.  "I was just checking out the watches Clarissa. No need to flip." responded Todd with a small frown on his face.  The blonde or Clarissa turned to Willa. "Where they bothering you?"  she inquired while glaring at Todd.  Willa turned with a smirk, and an over exaggerated sigh.  "Unfortunately yes.  While I normally love to play connect the dots" she looked at the redhead pointedly; "I do need to finish my shift, so if you would be so kind as to shorten the leash and walk your dogs further away, I can help actual customers."  The other two girls snickered while Todd and his pimply friend were outraged.  "Did she just call me a dog?" he yelled.  He took a threatening step towards Willa.  Clarissa stepped in between.   "I advise you to walk away.  You really don't want Peter or Sam to approach you.  After all, you started it."  she reprimanded.  That seem to take the wind out of Todd's sails.  He exhaled, shot a glaring eye to Willa that was full of promise and walked away..

All four girls watched them leave.  Willa let out a huff after exhaling.  "whew! I thought for sure I would have to defend myself,"  "Can you?" asked the green eyed girl.  "Sure! If you count running away or curling into a ball to deflect the blows." chirped Willa.  That sent all three girls into fits of laughter.  "What is your name?" asked Clarissa after calming down.  "Willa, and I know you are Clarissa because I heard him call you that."  "Well these are my friends Sidney" she pointed to the girl with the wavy brown hair and golden skin. "and this is Mindy" she pointed to the black haired girl.  "I don't remember seeing you here before and we come here often." said Mindy.  "Well actually, I was just helping Mr. Kaplansky.  He had to go to the rest room and didn't want to leave the kiosk unattended."  Who is he to you?" asked Clarissa.  "My neighbor who I help sometimes.  I was just passing through and he called me over." responded Willa.  "Oh, good, so when he returns you are free to hang out with us?"  Willa was taken aback.  They wanted to hang with her?  They just met her!  With a large smile she shook her head up and down.  "ok, well we are going to purchase our tickets.  We will get one for you so we can all sit together." said Carissa.  Willa frowned.  "I'm sorry.  I don't have money for the movies today."  "Did I ask you for money or did I say I was buying your ticket."  said Clarissa.  The other two just smiled.  "Don't pay Clarissa no mind.  She is like that."  said Sidney soothingly as she grasped Willa's hand.  "Ok, your money."  resigned Willa with a shrug.  

Willa waited on the three girls to return after leaving Mr. Kaplansky's kiosk.  He took his break and lunch knowing his cart was in good hands with Willa.  She glanced to the left and smiled when she saw them approach her carrying bags from various stores in the mall.  Sidney studied the tall slender girl with long auburn hair and blue-grey eyes.  "I think Willa will be a great friend". she whispered to Clarissa as they approached the smiling girl.  "Oh, I know she will.  She seems a lot of fun...for a human."