Innocent

When everything's out of reach

* Elliott *

Taylor's interview ends soon enough, although it wasn't quick enough for my liking. It's not like I have much of a choice of what I get to do with my life while I'm on a mission, but I'd rather not have to spend it sitting in a small room, watching a celebrity speak to her millions of fans. Although, now that I think about it, it's not like I get much of a choice of what to do with my life when I'm at headquarters either. So I guess it wasn't much different. Still, it wasn't the most exciting thing I've ever done in my life.

Taylor comes into the little room backstage where I've been staying during her interview, and smiles at me when she sees me.

"Hi, Elliott!" she chirps. I still think she's much too happy. The happiest person I've ever been around before Taylor is Callan, and even so, she knows how to put on her serious face for about half of her life.

"Hi," I reply. My reply seems quite dull when compared to Taylor's. Not like I really care that much, though.

"I hope you weren't too bored here," Taylor says. Sometimes I swear this woman can read my mind, and it freaks me the fuck out.

"I wasn't," I reassure her. I totally was, but that's beside the point.

"Oh, good," Taylor says, a relieved smile making its way onto her face. I don't know why I care so much that I'd rather have her smiling at me. She's not one of my parents, or someone important at the Association. Although those people never smile much, come to think about it.

"I was thinking that we should go shopping, if that's okay with you," Taylor says.

No. No, it's not okay with me. I have absolutely no interest in shopping, let alone shopping with Taylor. But it's not like I have much of a choice. Plus, I hate to say it, but spending more time with Taylor could help me on the mission.

"That's fine," I say.

"Yay!" Taylor exclaims. "I know so many great shops here that would be fun to find clothes for you!"

Wait, what? Who ever said we're shopping for me?

"What?" I ask.

"We're going to go get you some new clothes," Taylor says.

"Oh, uh, okay," I say.

"What're your favorite places to shop?" Taylor asks. "Or what's your style?"

"Uh, I've never gone shopping in my life," I say. As pathetic as it may sound, it's true.

"Oh, that's okay," Taylor says. "We can just go to a few stores and pick out anything you'd like."

"I have no idea what I like," I say. "The Association has always provided my clothes for me."

"Well, now's your chance to figure it out," Taylor says. "Getting new clothes will help you blend in with the rest of the city public. Even my other security guards don't wear all black."

I have to agree with that statement. A girl dressed in tight black clothing that makes her look like she's ready to fight probably isn't something that most people see on a daily basis in New York City. And she's right, her security guards wear jeans and button down shirts, from what I've seen so far.

"I guess so," I say.

"Plus, it'll be fun!" Taylor says, her eyes shining. "Who doesn't like shopping for a new wardrobe?"

Me, that's who. But whatever.

There is one question that I have for her, though. "Has the Association sent you the check yet?" I ask.