Bionic Chaos [Leo Dooley]

Chapter Twenty Three

The mall is full of people today. I'm not really sure why, and I'm not going to ask why because I'm actually out of the house for the first time since my grounding, doing normal teenager things. I won't even complain that my parents are here with me at the mall, shopping for who knows what. It's just great that I'm out in the real world with my parents' permission instead of sneaking out. I feel great right now.

"Where do you want to go next, Maggie?" Mom asks me as we stroll through the mall together. Dad left us a few minutes ago to check out the sporting goods store even though he absolutely hates sports. "We could check out the electronic store you used to work at."

"Tech Town?" I ask with disgust. "I hate that place."

Mom shoots me a look, and I shrug at her. "I thought you would want to see if there's a new camera that we can buy for you to film your mini movies," she tells me. "I guess I was wrong."

I wrap my arms around her, squeezing her tight. "I never even thought of that!" I tell her as I let go of her. "Thank you so much, Mom!"

"You're welcome, honey."

We both start heading toward Tech Town together. I actually can't believe that she's willing to buy me another camera. Maybe she's actually trying to get closer to me, and this is her way of doing it. A warm feeling spreads through my chest at that thought. Though our relationship has come from a terrible thing I did to Leo, I still wouldn't change a thing because I actually feel seen from my parents. That's one of the best things to come out of the explosion.

As we approach Tech Town, I notice that Leo is in there. That's definitely bad because I am really not ready to see him again. However, there's no point in not trying because maybe he's changed his mind about me. Besides, I think Bree's working today, so I can talk to her, too.

"You better go find Dad," I tell her with a nod. There's no way I want her to go in that store while Leo is in there. It would be devastating if she started talking to him, acting like we were friends. I would die. "You know how he wanders. It will be bad if he decides to buy another snowboard. Remember the last time he used it?"

Mom's eyebrows dip slightly as she remembers. "He broke his leg," she says gravely. She steps away from me, nodding twice. "I better find him. Stay here, alright? You're still grounded."

"I know, I know. I promise I'll stay right in Tech Town."

"Soon you soon."

I don't bother saying goodbye to her. Instead, I make my way into Tech Town, trying to stay out of Leo's sight by pressing myself close to the right wall. I'm also glad that Scott isn't looking my way, either. I definitely don't want to talk to him at all, especially because I quit working here. However, one person does see me.

"I hate that you quit Tech Town without me," Bree hisses at me as she walks over to me. She takes me by the arm as she leads me to the backroom as quickly as possible. "I'm trapped here with Scott, and you know how much I like Scott. I also worked a 12 hour shift the other day because you left me here."

"I came here to see Leo," I tell her with a nod.

"Thanks. My best friend isn't even here to see me."

"Best friend? I'm touched."

The two of us laugh together. This feels great, having her as my friend again. I at least salvaged one relationship out of the two that I ruined, and I'm glad to at least have her. But I really do want to try to get on Leo's good side again, to see what could have been with him.

"I'm surprised your mom let you out of the house," Bree says, grinning at me. "Soon enough, you're going to spend as much time in your room as I did in the basement of my house."