Once Upon a Push

Chapter 5

“Where are you going?” My mother asked concern on her face.

"Those stores over there, text me if you need me.” I said, grinning at her. She nodded her head slowly looking at the store then back at me, handing me a few bills. I shoved them into my pocket, not even bothering to count them.

“How about this one?” Lucas asked, handing me a navy green shirt with neon polka dots on it.

"How about no?” I asked, with a fake smile on my face. Who makes stuff like that? Matter of fact, who buys it?

“Just trying to help, jeez.” He said, shoving it back onto the rack.

“I like this!” I said, pulling out a long sleeve, plain black shirt.

“That’s the same one as this one!” He said, shaking the sleeve of my other bag that hung off of my arm.

“Oh.” I said, frowning.

“Why not this?” He asked, pulling out the same replica of the black shirt, but in purple. I looked at the shirt, frowning.

“Why not?” He asked, swinging it slightly.

“Because I don’t like the color. And I don’t have shoes to match.” I said, shrugging.

“You can always match it with the vest you bought. It has black in it and black matches everything right?” He asked, grinning at his fashion expert advice. I nodded, giving up as he shoved it at me. Curse him and his fashionable expertise.

“Here, take this one.” He said, grabbing a red short sleeved collared shirt with buttons until the mid-chest. I switched it out for a medium and took it, examining it.

“Pretty.” I said, honestly. I purchased my 4 items, 3 shirts and one pair of jeans before walking out of the store.

“That’s 3 outfits you bought now, the two jeans from that girly store down there and one pair of jeans and 3 shirts from here.” Lucas stated, smiling. I nodded.

“Just 2 more.” I said, looking at the money in my hand. It was enough for 5 if I really wanted to, but I don’t. So I won’t. I hated how freely my mom gave me money; I didn’t have to work for it which angered me.

Most people would just take it and joyride- but I didn’t like taking money from my mother. Not that she didn’t have it- no; she had way more than enough. She runs a business that her great, great grandfather owned, giving it to her great grandfather, then her grandfather, then to herself. She’s the first woman to own it and it’s doing better than ever. I hope she doesn’t plan on placing the job on me because I think it’s too much responsibility personally.

“Let’s go here.” I said, pointing to a*****e that had a wide selection of clothes that seemed to suit me.

2 hours later, we walked out of that store- with a few more outfits than I needed, okay 11 more outfits than necessary, and then 4 pairs of shoes. Lucas was carrying almost everything as I carried one bag which was my purse.

“So… how’d you meet Aria?” I asked, grinning. He smiled dumbly as we approached the foot court, where our mothers agreed to meet us.

“She and I were in the same Home Ec. Class, and she burned the food, so she was assigned to work with me- the fabulous chef. So we ended up going out on a few dates, then I asked her to be my girlfriend.” He said, grinning at the memory. I grinned as well.

“I’m so happy for you.” I said, smiling widely.

“Me too.” He said, sighing.

__

“But I don’t want to leave!” Lucas said, frowning. He was behaving childishly but it was the truth, I didn’t want to leave.

“Fine.” His mother said, dismissing his whining.

“Take your car.” She said, sighing. I glanced at him.

“I was already here.” He said, shrugging. I nodded my head.

“Put that stuff in the car. You look like a pack mule, Luke.” His mother said, smiling playfully. We nodded, laughing.

“Do you guys need any more money?” My mom asked, smiling towards me and Lucas. His mother held her wallet as if she was going to toss it to us

"No thank you, Ms. Perkins; No thanks, Mom.” Lucas spoke, smiling as I replied.

"No thanks mum and Ms. Harp.” Our mothers placed their wallets away and then grabbed their bags. She nodded, hugging me tightly before leaving. Lucas and I walked to the parking lot, placing the bags into the backseat of his car before going back into the store.

__

“Kids from my school are going to start arriving soon.” I scowled, watching from the rising elevator as a few familiar cars pulled into the parking lot. Lucas gave me a sad look as he watched the cars pull in over my shoulder.

“Ew, that’s Miranda’s car.” I remarked, pointing at a bright pink mustang that pulled in smoothly.

“Miranda? The girl that’s been bothering you since freshman year?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. I nodded my head, yes.

“Why don’t you just punch her?” He asked, leaning against the wall of the elevator. I shrugged.

“I don’t like violence.” I replied.

"Why not?” He asked.

“Because it just intensifies things... and you could get arrested.” I retorted.

“Not if you hit them one good time in the temple or in the throat. You just have to find a place to hide the body.” He continued with a joking smile as the elevator dinged. At least I hope he was joking, I don’t need my best friend to be a murderer without my knowing. I’m already out of the loop.