Dusk Until Dawn

Chapter 9 - Crushed

Today was the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Also known as Black Friday.

I sometimes make a list of what I want to get but I usually don't even buy anything because I'm too lazy to go to the mall.

But this year, Ivory and I want to raid the mall.

So that's what we're doing.

When I woke up, my phone had 2 messages and a missed call.

Both of which were from Mason.

Mason: good morning

Mason: are you up yet?

I smiled slightly. 'Good morning'.

Me: no, I'm not. I'll let you know when I am though

Not even a second later, Mason responded.

Mason: okay text me when you're up

Should I call him? I did miss a call from him...

Eh, sure. Why not?

I called him and patiently waited for him to pick up. Within a few seconds, he answered.

"What?" he said drowsily.

"How's your ankle?" I walked to the kitchen.

"Terrible, thanks for asking."

I scoffed. "You know, my back was in enormous pain because of you."

"I think you should exercise more, then."

I shouldn't have called him.

"How did you even sprain your ankle?" I grabbed an apple and took a bite. "My back wouldn't have been in pain if you didn't get hurt."

"I told you. I got carried away while I was practicing."

"How? How did you get carried away?" I took another bite of my apple.

"That's confidential." He remarked. "I have to go. See you never."

And he cut the call. I'm confused; why was that confidential??

I pushed the thought away and switched to Ivory's contact.

Me: come in 10

Ivory: on my way rn

I turned off my phone and went to my room to search my closet. I found a pair of corduroy pants, a white shirt, and a mint-colored lantern cardigan. Once I got dressed, I waited outside for Ivory.

Today's going to be diverting.

-

"Holy smokes, it's crowded." Ivory remarked.

The mall was packed. Like insanely packed. Almost all the shops that we went to were so full we'd have to wrestle everyone to get through.

So much for raiding the mall.

We didn't leave the mall, though. We drove for an hour to get here; we aren't leaving anytime soon.

Ivory and I wandered around the mall to see if there were any shops that weren't crowded, but every inch of every shop was full of people. So were the spas. And for some reason, the pharmacies were all full, too.

The only place that wasn't full was the food court. It was only 8AM, so it somewhat made sense.

Ivory and I ordered sundaes, and then we sat at a booth table.

We didn't even buy anything, yet we were drained.

Ivory sighed out of exhaustion. "How in Tom Holland's left lung can the mall be this crowded? People just buy things online nowadays, so how could this happen?"