Revenge

Chapter 4

We got to the house, and I got out of my car, put my backpack in the house and got into my car. Then my mom backed out of the driveway. So, where are we going, I asked her? You will see when we get there, she said. Can you give me the hint I asked? There was almost three," she said. That does not help, I said. Will that be all you get till it's there," she said," and then turned up the radio. Shania Twain, whose birthday has a good fit under turned on. We were both singing and getting lost in the song when we pulled into the mall parking lot. No, not the mall, I was thinking to myself. I hate the mall. It is always crowded when we go and by the time I get to the close I want there out of my size.

Ray, I said smart but like. What does my mom ask me? Before I could answer, I saw a sign that said it was closed from 2 P.M. to 4: 30 P.M. so I looked at her and said, Will, I guess we cannot go there. What’s plane b? She just smiled and parked right up front. Go out of the car and look around. What are you looking for?" I asked her. You will see, she said. A few seconds later, I saw my brother and a few people bickering. Then I really noticed that Derek was there too. See, Derek has been my brother Jethro's best friend since they were born. They were even born on the same day, and I have had a crush on him since I can remember. The sad thing is he never really showed he feels the same.

As I was lost in my thoughts, my brother grabbed my shoulder, You are OK, sis'. I snapped out of it and looked at my brother. Yes, I am fine just thinking about stuff," I said. " Don’t think too hard smoke might come out of your ears, he said, joking, will elbow me in the side. Haha, I said back to him. My mom sounds little mad. I told your dad you can all be there to help but do not get in the way of us having your mother daughter’s day she snapped. Sorry, my brother said. Mom, I said,", and she looked at me in a strange way. Like she just yelled at my brother. Sorry, she said smart like," and then locked arms with me. Let us go, she said.

We walked up to the door and there was a security guard sitting outside the doors reading a book called Moby d**k by Herman Melville. I looked at his name tag saying Gary, which is a terrific book, is not Gary," I said to him. Yes, it is good, it is nice to see you find a young lady like you appreciate some fine old classic books, he says. Things I said: I have read a lot of classic books. I would have to say he is one of my favorite authors. That is great, said Gary, mine too, but I am sorry to tell you guys that the mall is closed. Then he looked to my left and there were some bikers. His: Oh, you must be Tara Carnell. We have been waiting for you, please do come in, he said as he unlocked the door and pulled it open as we walked in.

Out of nowhere, a lady appeared a few seconds later. A couple of ladies and some gentlemen right behind her. Welcome, my name is Amanda. Welcome to the mall. These gentlemen and ladies are here to help you," she pointed to the people who were standing behind her. I looked at my mom and said," I do not understand how you got them all for 2 1/2 hours for just the two of us. I talked to your biological dad. We got along, and he helped me hook them up. He says the mall owner owes him a favor. I do not go into details, I just know we have a mall. That is cool. Thank you mom, and the bikers are here for asking. They are here to take the stuff we buy to the car," she said as she waved her hand next to her head like she was trying to shoot them away. Honestly, I am surprised they are even here and, to begin with, it must have been one of my dad's situations for my mom to buy them all for 2 1/2 hours.

My mom locked arms with me again and asked, “Shall we go? Where shall we start? They looked around, and I saw the store crossing. Let us go in there," I said. I want to start there first. Let us go and off we went shopping. After a while, I decided to go to the Hot topic store. One is one of my favorite stores and two my mom hates that store, and I wanted a break from her. As I was walking into the store, I yelled, Going to forever twenty-one meet you, her in 30 minutes," she said. Yes, and then I walked all the way in to the store, took a deep breath, then began to look around.

Jethro came up behind me with a soft “hey,” and I nearly jumped out of my skin. When I spun around and saw it was him, he was already smiling like he had been waiting for my reaction. “What’s going on?” he asked, tilting his head a little, like he could read every thought on my face. “Nothing much,” I said, trying to sound normal even though my heart was doing its own thing. “You?”

“Nothing,” he shrugged. “Just thought I’d come talk to you… if that’s okay.” His voice dipped a little at the end, almost shy, almost teasing. Before I could answer, he added, “And hey—congratulations. Getting into Harvard Law? And being valedictorian? I knew you could do it.” The way he said it—quiet, proud, like it meant something to him—made my cheeks warm. I tried not to show it. “Thanks,” I said, hoping my voice did not betray me. “You’re welcome.” His smile softened, and then he reached up, slow and gentle, and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers barely grazed my skin, but it was enough to make my breath catch. For a second, I wanted to lean in. Just a little. Just enough. But I held myself together. “Thanks,” I said, keeping my cool. “It was in my face.” “Anytime,” he murmured, like he meant it. Then he gave me one last look—half friendly, half something more—and walked away. Later, I stood there, pretending I was still not feeling the ghost of his touch.

After looking around and shopping for a couple more minutes, I went out and met with my mother." Are you ready to go? She asked yes. I said Let us go, she said, and we headed to the front door. Where to next I asked as we were getting into the car? You will see mom saying and that is all she would say. We sat in the car silently the rest of the way.