Reconstructing Amelia (unedited)

Chapter 69

December 14th, 2019

We crowded inside the mall, our giant group of ten already attracting attention, let alone the fact it was all nine Adams siblings plus two. It made me slightly uncomfortable, and I move closer to Alan to hide.

"Okay, are we ready to split up?" Cato asked, glancing around at us as we murmured in agreement. He'd made organised lists of everything we needed to buy for Javi and me. Everyone else seemed more excited than I did. I'd never done much shopping for myself before, and definitely not like this.

"Xander, you're with Calvin; Eli and Cayden, you're with Javi; and then Alan, you're with the girls,"

Janie squeezed my hand, smiling at me.

"And where am I going?" Colton asked, folding his arms.

Cato smirked. "You're coming grocery shopping with me,"

"What? No! Why do I have to go with you?"

"Because you're still grounded for sneaking out and getting yourself shot," Cato answered.

Colton rolled his eyes, muttering a string of profanity under his breath.

Everyone dispersed into the designated groups, each heading off towards opposite sides of the mall.

"This is gonna be so much fun!" Janie exclaimed, dragging me towards the first store.

I felt so awkward, all I wanted to do was go home.

"Okay, Mia, what looks good to you?" Janie asked, gesturing to the dozens of clothing racks.

I blinked in confusion. "What?"

Janie sighed. "Girl, you can't wear sweatshirts and leggings for the rest of your life,"

I watched Alan fight to contain his smile. "Why no?" I pouted. That's what I always wore. I liked it. It hid me.

"Because you need proper clothes, Mia," Alan reminded me gently. "Cato will literally kill you if he finds out you're not buying stuff,"

I bit my lip. "That feels like a waste of money,"

Janie gave me a teasing look. "You're rich now, you could probably buy the whole mall,"

"It feels wrong," I state again.

Alan pulled me aside, a concerned look on his face. "I promise you, this is exactly how Cato would want to spend our money. If there's anything he truly cares about, it's taking care of you,"

"But-"

"No buts, Mia. I know you don't want to do this, but you've got to take care of yourself. It won't do anyone any good if you freeze to death in a scrappy sweatshirt,"

I frowned. "You're wearing one too," I pointed out.

Alan rolled his eyes. "Not the point," he told me. "Besides, you can't tell me you've never dreamed about going on a shopping spree. Girls love that shit,"

I smiled reluctantly. "I have thought about it,"

Alan flashed me a grin. "See? So go take Janie and buy whatever you want, okay?"

I nodded. I knew he was being honest with me, so it felt less weird when we went back to Janie, who already had a stack of clothes with her.

"I found a few things I think you'd look just gorgeous in," she exclaimed cheerfully.

"A few?" I asked with a laugh, as Janie tugged me towards a dressing room.

Once we were both inside a room, she began handing me item after item, and I basically forced to try it on.