MASKED

Chapter Seven

When Mark parked in the parking lot of the Mall, Lexy's mouth was aching from gaping to long at the extraordinary mansions and skyscrapers of Dannexville.

"Here we are, Lexy," Katie announced. "This is where we'll do today's shopping. Theo's sister works here. She's really cool."

Katie took Lexy everywhere possible in the mall; from the Chinese and Italian restaurants, to the bakery, game centers, library, snack bar, Ice Bites, Katie’s favorite ice-cream parlor where she caught a brain freeze from trying out one ice-cream too many, and even the stationary shop where she bought a journal and a pack of glitter pens for herself and Lexy. Despite her protests, Katie also got Lexy some dangly heart shaped earrings and a necklace. The lady at the makeup counter was just so pleased, she gave Lexy an extra lip gloss for free. It seemed that Katie was very popular at the mall: for wherever they found themselves, someone waved or called.

She had the time of her life.

The last stop was at Fashion Diva, the clothes store were Theo' s sister worked.

"Oh hello there, Katie. How've you been? And who's there with you, come over you two. We have so much to talk about; very ear tickling.", she spoke very fast in a sing song voice. Rolling her eyes with a grin, Katie responded,

"Lady, this is Lexy. Lexy, meet Lady. She's Theo's sister like I said earlier."

"Hey, what have you been saying about me, Katie. Something positive i hope.", Lady nudged her.

"I've said nothing that isn’t the truth, Lady", Katie batted her eyes innocently.

“You better. Nice to meet you, Lexy."

"Nice to meet you too, Lady.', she replied shyly.

"So this is the famous Lexy, huh. Theo's always talking about this new girl in town who happens to be his sitting partner at school. And from what he's been telling me, he wasn’t wrong in the least.", she winked; just like her brother often did.

"He's been talking about me??",Lexy blushed.

Katie interrupted abruptly, having been surveying the shop up to that point.

"Quit chattering, Lady. I want to see all the new stuff you've got already."

"Yes ma'am," she replied sarcastically. "Lexy, I must say; your hair is so amazing. Theo wasn’t exaggerating when he said 'blue'. Green eyes too. Nice combination. Come on, I have special something for you."

With that she marched off into the shop.

"She's just like Theo.", Lexy commented.

"Uh-huh," Katie was too absorbed in the clothes around her so Lexy decided to take a look around herself. The clothes were beautiful and of the latest fashion. Some looked too glamorous to actually wear. Expensive too. She knew that a year's savings couldn't buy the cheapest skirt here. Lexy sighed inwardly.

Katie, flashed her a million dollar smile when she saw the look of awe on her face. "Don't worry, Lexy. I've got it all covered. Pick out whatever you like."

Before Lexy could protest again, Katie left her side and was busy picking out some tops and not even giving her a listening ear.

Lady showed them around the place, giving them the tips on the latest editions and letting them try on anything they wished.

"Lady, do you think this dress fits me?"

"It's perfect, Katie".

"But its yellow, ugh!", she whined, taking a twirl and looking at herself in the mirror.

"I think there's a silver one somewhere, lemme check. Give me a minute girls".

Lexy however just looked around, afraid to touch anything lest she ruined it.

"Come on, Lexy. Why are you standing there like an alien? Let’s get you something to try on".

Katie hauled her around, making her blush as she kept on complimenting her and saying she looked awesome no matter what she tried on.

In the end, Katie bought her a suede jacket, sleeveless black dress, leather pants, and turtle neck sweater with an 'L' imprinted on it which Katie spotted almost immediately.

As Lady punched the figures, she asked,

"Won't you two be going to the party? That’s what been circling around for a while now."

"Oh no, we won't be making appearance at Leo's party today. I've had enough of punch and DJ's."

Lady laughed rather loudly.

"Really?? Well, it's a choice after all. Thanks for shopping at Fashion Diva today. We hope you enjoyed our services. Come again soon." She added professionally.

"You know I would always shop for my clothes here, Lady." Katie gave her a little hug.

"Of course you will. Well, here comes another customer. Gotta go, see y'all later. And Lexy, I know I've said this a million times but yeah, I just dig your hair.", she added; giving it a little ruffle.

As the duo exited the shop they heard her say in her usual sing song voice;

"Welcome to Fashion Diva, ma'am. What can I help you with?"

Grinning to each other and weighed with shopping bags, they headed for the mansion.

"What next, Katie?", Lexy asked as she settled on the cosy chaise longue in Katie's bedroom.

"Let’s just relax and enjoy the rest of the day, shall we?"

As Lexy sat up from the sun lounger, peeling off the slices of cucumber from her eyes she almost fainted from sheer satisfaction.

"Oh my gosh!!, Lexy. You’ve got such an amazing tan", Katie exclaimed; removing her shades.

"Really? Thanks Katie. Yours is not so bad.", Lexy beamed.

When she got up Katie said,

"I hope you're not leaving yet, Lexy. Let's have dinner first."

Of course she couldn't refuse, this was Katie she was talking to.

They met Katie's parents on balcony.

"Mum! Dad! You're back!", she ran to hug the pretty young woman who smiled when she heard her daughter's voice.

"We just arrived, sweetie. You looked like you were enjoying some sun so we decided not to bother you."

"Hey, how come I didn't get a hug?", a tall equally good looking man complained, folding his arms like a child throwing a tantrum.

"Oh come on dad; I was saving the best for last ", Katie turned to give him a hug too.

Almost immediately, Lexy knew where Katie got her good looks from.

"Oh; I see what's going on here.", Mrs. Sam said; a jealous streak to her tone. "Who's your friend over there, Katie?"

"This is Lexy, my friend from school.", Katie disentangled herself from her father's bear hug.

"Lexy, meet my mum and dad.", she said proudly.

"Oh so this is Lexy. You must be a very good friend of my peach's because you're practically the only one she talks about in the house. We haven’t heard anything else since", Mr.Sam grinned.

"Daddy!!!"

Before Lexy could figure what to say in reply;

"I hope you’re joining us for dinner. We’d be pleased to have you", he inquired.

The dinning table took more than half of the entire room. The cutlery was vintage-like; seeming to have been passed on from generation to generation. It looked as if it belonged in a museum.

Dinner consisted of sauteéd potatoes with a touch of parsley and stewed stake. The fruit cocktail was just excellent. In fact the whole course itself was a sight to behold; yet homely. Lexy had never seen a smile so wide as the chef's when she complimented the meal as the best she had ever seen and eaten so far.

Katie's parents were very friendly, involving themselves whole heartedly in the conversation. They didn’t probe too much into Lexy's background. They kept the conversation strictly about school and her personal preferences.

Katie looked like the exact replica of her mother, they could be taken off as twins with both having silky raven black hair.

Mr. Sam on the other hand was quiet but funny and he shook them with laughter with his witty jokes. After the meal he fetched the guitar and began playing, much to Lexy's delight.

Finally, it was time to leave.

"It was nice meeting you, Lexy. We hope you make this place your second home.", Mrs. Sam said with a wave at the door.

"Thank you very much, Mrs. Sam; Katie, you too. I really appreciate everything you’ve done today. Mr.Sam, that’s some really great skills you've got with the guitar."

"Glad you enjoyed my music, dear. And please, call me Toby."

"Don’t mention , Lex. What are friends for after all. Don't forget your stuff though. And you can have the denim jacket; I packed it into your bag already."

Katie walked her to the car. Suddenly, she turned to Lexy with a shy smile. “I’m really glad you came over today. I had such a great time.” “Oh Katie, I should be the one saying that. Thanks a lot for everything. I really had fun today with you.”

Lexy opened the door to an empty house. She signed, turning on the lights to shatter the lonely darkness. She turned to wave at Mark who was standing outside by the car waiting till she got into the house. He gave a salute before driving off.

Her mum was not at home. These days she hardly was. Lexy slowly trudged to her room and without bothering to turn on the lights or change clothing, threw herself on the bed.

Minutes later, her phone beeped and she saw that she had received a text from Katie.

Katie: Hey, Lexy. Mark just got back. Hope you’ve gotten home safe.

Lexy: Yes. Thank you again for today.

Katie: My pleasure. I had fun. Let’s do this again sometime. :)