Survive

Chapter Twenty Nine

Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

October 21, 2022.

Andrey Butler's Point Of View.

I walk out of a clothing store carrying a few bags with my mother. I had an appointment today and after I left it, my mom wanted to come to the mall to shop, so I came with her.

I took advantage of the fact that I was already at the mall and bought two matching jackets for Mad and I to wear.

I know that these things of wearing matching clothes with your partner are kind of tacky, but I think it's a cute tacky, so I hope she likes it.

"Let's eat, Andrey. I'm starving," my mother speaks and we start walking towards the food court.

We stop at a snack bar and place our orders. I order a hamburger with a glass of soda and my mother orders a large portion of fries with cheddar and bacon, also with a glass of soda.

We chose a table and sat down at it to wait for our snack to be ready. I reach for my cell phone to see if Mad has texted or called me, but I see that she has done neither, which has me worried.

I know she only went to school today to take that idiot Alexander's test. Ashley told me she was going to miss class today, so Mad must be alone in that room, which annoys me, because if it were up to me, she would stay well away from him.

"After we leave here, if we still have time, let's go to Amour? Which is Mad's mother's confectionery shop," my mom agrees.

"How is she?" She asks and I take a deep breath.

"Her life hasn't been very easy, so let's say she's surviving," and she agrees.

"Then bring her over to our house again, so we can have dinner together and she can sleep over," and I smile at the idea.

My mother met Mad a few weeks ago and loved her, because according to her, Mad is a girl who is not only beautiful, but educated and elegant.

"I will do that."

My cell phone rings and I think it's Mad, but when I see it's Ryan, so I answer it anyway.

Call On

"What's up, Ryan?"

"Hey, what's up?" He says and gives a short pause. "I'm in need of your help."

"With what?"

"Do you think Ashley will prefer a bouquet of roses, orchids or frangipanis?" And I smile.

"You finally found the right time to ask her to date you?" I mock and he cusses me out.

"Shut up."

"Okay. I was going to give my opinion on the flowers, but since you want me to shut up..." I tease some more and hear him snort.

"Help me Butler, in a little while I have to go meet with her," and I laugh with his desperation.

"Uhmm.. I don't know what flower is that is called frangipani and I can't remember what the orchids look like. So take the roses anyway, which are the classic ones and at least as far as I know, all women like them."

"Okay then. I'll hang up now. Thanks for the help."

"For nothing. Good luck to you, bro."

"Thanks. I will need it."

Call Off

"Who Ryan is going to ask to date him?" My mom asks.