Mindless Romance

Chapter 1 The Mall

My eyes fluttered open to the annoying sound of my alarm clock next to me. It read “8 o’clock” I slowly rolled out of bed and pulled a light jacket over my shoulders. It was the first day of spring and the house was unusually cold. I wandered into the living room and found a note that read “I left for work early. Be back after dark dinner is in the fridge. -Dad.”It had been a little over eleven months since mom died. They had always said the first year was the hardest. I wandered to the kitchen and grabbed a few pieces of toast to eat while sitting down on the couch to watch tv. After a few minutes of scrolling through movie lists, my phone chimed.

Alex- Hey Mell we are all going out to the mall today. Want to come???
Me- Sure, I need to get my dad a gift for his b-day anyway so see you in about an hour?
Alex- Yeah that's fine see you then.

    I turned off the tv and jumped into the shower, grabbed my favorite pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, and headed out the door making sure to grab my wallet and lock the door. I hopped into my car and headed towards the new mall that had opened up a few streets away. I pulled into a spot that was near enough to the door and walked inside waiting for my friends to get there. They walked in a few minutes later and I headed over to walk with them and saw a new guy standing near Alex. “Hey dude! What’s up?” Alex spoke loudly, “Oh by the way this is Josh he is new in town and has been at school for about a month now.” Alex said “Hi.” I said giving an awkward wave. “Oh, you’re....you’re the guy that does the morning announcements and does dad jokes and the end. That is my favorite part of the day!” Josh said excitedly. “Uh...yeah I am.” Flustered from the attention I answered.

    All five of us walked around the mall for a while till we got hungry. We stopped at a small cafe inside the mall to grab some coffee and cakes. “So… are you dating anyone Josh?” Milly asked. “Well…,” Josh went red in the face, “Well there is this one person.” He quietly spoke. “Oh, who is she?” Someone else said “Well, he lives in California so we are trying…” Josh was cut off by another person in the group. “You mean she right?” “No I mean he, anyway…” He was cut off again by Milly, “That...that is what, do you mean you can’t date a guy.” She said, sounding grossed out. Milly, Alex, and Justian all got up grossed out by the thought of Josh now. “Come on Mell let’s get out of here,” Alex spoke up. I got up and started to walk out of the building before turning back to see tears already rolling down Josh’s face. Alex pulled my hand forcing me to look back at him. “Dude, I have no sympathy for anyone that comes from his lifestyle,” Alex said, laughing. I stayed silent and looked at my feet feeling guilty for walking out on him.