The Shift

19

Cat wasn't at school again today, and I was fine with that. The less I had to stress, the more I could enjoy my newfound relationship. 'Chan!' My mom yelled, snapping me out of my thoughts. 'Yeah' I said. 'Are you ready, we're going now' She said. I pulled Justin's sweatshirt over my tank top and left my room. He had left it in Johnny's room, and it still smelled like him. So, I took matters into my own hands, claiming it. I jogged down the stairs to find my mom and Beth staring at a Real Housewives of Atlanta episode on tv.

'Really?' I asked them. 'Record it' Beth said, which my mom did. I rolled my eyes. 'So, do you want to go anywhere in particular?' My mom asked. Sliding my Ray Bans onto my face, I shook my head. 'I can get bikinis anywhere' I said. 'Let's just go to the mall and go from there' Beth said. 'Where are you guys going?' Johnny asked me. 'Shopping' Veronica said. 'Can you get me stuff I need for Greece?' He asked as I rolled my eyes. Beth and I left for the car while Johnny listed out things he could damn well get for himself.

'That one's really cute' Beth modeled a white spaghetti strap bikini. 'It's not leaving much to the imagination' Veronica said. I shook my head as I left the fitting room. Going back out in the store, I continued looking for shorts. 'Don't do those' Someone said. I turned around to be faced with a six foot three, tall and tan guy with brown hair and green eyes. 'What?' I asked. 'Here's a tip for guys. The more ripped your shorts are the more we assume you want us to see everything' He said. 'Well you're straightforward' I said, placing the distressed shorts back where I found them.

'Well you have to be when you're trying to talk to a pretty girl' He said. Oh my he had dimples. I felt my cheeks get hot, I'd received more attention than this lately, but I'd never been picked up in an Urban Outfitters. 'I'm Chris' He said. 'Chan-dler' I said. I almost introduced myself as Chan, the nickname Justin and everyone else called me, especially Justin, my boyfriend. 'Chandler' I said. 'Well, Chandler you wouldn't be busy anytime soon. I mean a girl like you is probably busy all the time' He said. 'I'm sorry Chris, I'm not really available' I said. 'Not really?' He asked. 'I'm not' I said. 'Ok, no harm in trying' He said and I smiled.

'Look, Chandler. I work here okay, so you can always stop by if you ever become, available' He said. I just watched him as he winked at me, and then walked away. He helped another customer, and I was by myself again. 'Wow' I mumbled. I ran a finger through my hair, letting the faint scent of Justin's musty cologne seep from his sweatshirt. I instantly forgot about Chris, my mind was circulating around Justin again. The guy that I just spent over one hundred dollars getting a birthday present for. I picked a safer choice of shorts, and then took my clothes to the fitting room.

After getting Veronica and Beth's approvals, we left, new clothes in hands. 'I want a smoothie' I said. 'I could go for one too' Beth said. 'You two go, I need to run in here. Johnny wants a bucket hat of some sort' She said. 'Oh my god, mom' Beth said. 'Go' She said before she left us outside the store. 'She's his bitch' She mumbled. 'So, quick question' Beth said. 'Have you thought about Greece with Justin?' She asked. 'What do you mean have I thought about it, aren't we shopping right now?' I asked. 'No, really thought about it. Like you and him, no distractions. Alone time, no parents' She continued.'Cat' I said. 'I've got her taken care of, now you know what I'm getting at' She said.

'I don't know if I want to sleep with Justin yet' I said. 'Oh' She said. 'Why?' I asked her. 'No reason' She said. 'Bethany' I said. 'It's just, he could be very much expecting it' She said. 'Are you rationalizing for the male penis?' I asked her. 'No, it's just. It would be a romantic place to have your first time together' She said. 'It would be, but just because we're dating doesn't mean I'm on that level with him yet' I said. 'Oh you're on that level. Have you seen the way you two are around each other, touching, smiling, longing stares' She said. 'You want to be on top of him as much as he wants to be inside of you' She said as we passed a group of 10 year old girls.