Rhenna

TEN

         Mandy was staring at me like I had suddenly grown two heads and a tail.
She repeated what I had just said, "You want a job? Here".

"Yeah".

"Ventis stop paying your bills?"

"I'm not living with him anymore".

She raised her brow, "Rhenna's staking it out?"

I was growing agitated. I just wanted to know if I could work here or not. I didnt need Mandy trying to worm her way into my personal business.
"Can I get the job or not?"

She shrugged and set down the glass she was drying. "I can talk to Simon about it".

Mandy Fished out her phone,opened the contacts, and slid it towards me. "Give me your number".

I typed in my digits.

"I'll contact you when I get an answer".

I knocked on the counter and slipped off the stool. "Thanks Mandy".

She gave me a funny look then presumed her duties. Now that that was out of the way I found that I had nothing to do.

I was boringly free.

I eventually walked back to the company building. The foyer was crowded when I entered. Men and women in matching suits were hastily rushing about. I was a bit curious. Like, what do they do all day?

I noticed "Pam" the receptionist glance my way.

I might've gone over and petrinised her if not for the sudden appearance of Conn.
"Hay kid".

"I'm not a kid".

"Come on". He gestured for me to follow him. I didnt comply. It took him a few moments before he figured that out. He stopped and started back towards me, "What's wrong?"

"I dont want to go with you". I said, nonchalantly crossing my arms.

He wasnt neccesarily shocked, but he did look confused. "Why?"

"Dont know where your going?"

"The mall". He scratched the back of his neck , and smirked. "I wanted to suprise you".

"I hate suprises". I responded coolly.

"I'll write that down".

But serously, why was he going to the mall? It was early afternoon. Didnt he have work or something?

"I figured you could use some more clothes". He said.

"I'll buy my own clothes".
I didnt want his charity money. I'd get everything I needed after I started working.

He waved me off, "Pay me back later".

It took Conn five more minutes of persuading, before I finally gave in and went with him. I wasnt happy about it, but he seemed stoked.

-------------

"Where too first?" Conn asked, rather too joyous about all of this.
I glared at the mall. I hated shopping. It was boring, crowded, and took up way to much time.

"Like I give a shit". I remarked.

"American eagle?"

"No". It was overpriced. A pair of Jean's alone cost over thirty bucks.
I wanted something more subtle.

"Rue 21?"

"Again...No!"

"Your difficult".

"I'm on a low budget".

"Your actually not-"

I walked away before he could finish that sentence.

A blast of cold air hit me when I entered the mall. I shivered and tugged on my sweatshirt.
"Cold?" Conn asked.
"No".
"Your shivering".

"I am not".

I guided us through the first floor of the building. I wasnt sure where I was going nor did I care. I just felt like walking...away from Conn.

"We could check that place out?" Conn proposed. He was pointing towards a grungy little shop.

"No thanks".

"Really?" He seemed taken aback, "It looks like you".

"Why?"

His eyes travelled down my body, "Your wearing all black".

"Black could be my least favourite colour". I responded. I had an urge to mess around with him.

"You were in black yesterday, and at the Galla".

"That was a suite. It doesn't count".

He paused before asking, "What is your favourite colour?"

"Black".

I led us to the escalators and waved Conn ahead of me. "Ladies first".
He didnt seem offended (on the surface).

He got on, not bothering too check if I was following. I was not.
Instead, I turned away and started in the direction of the food court.

Boy is he gonna be suprised.

The court was huge. Like a high school cafeteria, but louder. There was a child playstation right next too it.
It was like elementary all over again.
I had no idea how teachers could do their jobs.

I ran over my choices and eventually decided on a small Hawaiian themed smoothie shop.

I got the days special then sat down at a secluded table.

----------

"I'm starting to get the impression that you dont like me very much". Conn grumbled. He let out a long sigh then collapsed in the chair across from mine.

I didnt answer, instead I just slurped away the last of my smoothie.

"I scowered this place for a good twenty minutes".

He didnt sound mad about it.

He chuckled while leaning back in his seat. "I guess I needed the exercise".

I grunted and stood up. Clothes or no clothes I wanted to leave.

"Where you going?"

"Bathroom".

He gave me a weary look, "M'sure you are".

"I probably wont be back".

I tossed my empty drink in a nearby garbage.

"Hold on". Conn called, once I had turned to go.
He scrambled out of his chair and quickly caught up. "What about your clothes?"

"Dont want any".

"That's the reason we came here".

I shrugged. I didnt want to come in the first place.

Conn pinched the bridge of his nose, while slightly shaking his head. I knew he was trying to hold it together.

"You are impossible!"

It probably wasnt the smartest thing to do. I mean, Conn was sheltering me. He was giving me a place to stay.

While all I could do was piss him off.

"Let's just get the clothes". I hissed. I hated everything about this.

His mood took an upward pivot real fast after that. "Where too?"

I tossed my hands in the air. "Nebraska for all I care".

"That's a long drive". He joked. Conn had a way of taking my sarcastic comments and twisting them into some lame teasing method.

I was not enticed by it. Not at all.