Avoiding the plot line

I

"Bye, Mom. I love you," I say as I finally leave her suffocating embrace.

"Be safe, sweetie," she replies. "And don't take candy from strangers!"

"I won't." I roll my eyes.

"Oh! And don't sit with strangers at the food court!"

"Okay."

"Don't talk to stranger either!"

I turn around and put my hands on her shoulders. "Mom. Let's just say that I won't do anything that involves strangers. Okay?"

Her mouth then makes an "O" shape. "Alrighty. Gotcha."

"Good. See you."

"See you later, kiddo. I love you." My fingertips work their way to the doorknob and I twist it open. "Oh! Shizuko! I almost forgot don't forget t--"

The door clicks shut and I pull up the hood of my Black Butler sweatshirt onto my head, hiding the bun on the side of my head. I click the unlock button and my car beeps in response. I open the car door on the old junker and put the key in the ignition. The car starts loudly. The brakes screech as I back out of the driveway.

I turn my satellite radio on and switch it to the Broadway station. I listen as I hear Sierra Boggess sing Phantom of the Opera with Ramin Karimloo. I sing along with Sierra until she does the really high vocalizing. I'm not going to risk stares for something other than my other abnormality.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the radio says fizzing with static as I pass under trees. "Can you sing?" I think so. "Can you dance?" A little. "Are you interested in show business?" Hell no. Are you insane? "Good! Well, today, ladies and gentlemen is your lucky day. The Tigerr Lane Theatre is casting an original musical. We're looking for someone with--"

I switch the station to Lithium (the rock and metal station) and I listen to Nine Inch Nails for a little while.

When I get to the mall, I pull into the closest parking spot I can. I open the door of my car and get out. I pull the hood over my head some more to make sure I look half normal despite the fact that it's April and I'm wearing a hoodie (it gets hot in April. Just saying).

I get under the first roof of the outdoor mall. I ignore all of the other stores and go straight for Hot Topic. The lady greets me and I wave back with a slight smile then go back and pretend that no one noticed me. I go over to the band area and look at the Pierce the Veil shirts. Nothing that I don't own. I then wander to the anime section to look at the Ouran High School Host Club and Shingeki no Kyojin merch. I find a t-shirt with all of the OHSHC members with Usa-Chan and some cakes. I also see a black shirt with all of the Titan classes on it. I pick up both of them and look at the other merch. I pick up a Deadpool SnapBack and a really cool button sets. That's all your allowance money for Hot Topic this week, Shizuko, I think. Stop looking and pay. Now. I roll my eyes at myself and shuffle over to the register. I pay for my stuff and walk towards the counter. After she tells me the price I hand her my debit card. She swipes it and hands it back to me. I nod to her and leave for the food court.

I reach the cylinder that is filled with people and decide between four places. I eventually choose the Chik-Fil-A and grab myself a sandwich, fries, and a cookies and cream milkshake. I put my bag and cup on the table and start to eat my food. I grab a fry and dip it in my milkshake. As I stick it in my mouth, I realize that I forgot to get ketchup. I push my chair back and start walking towards the condiments area. I look at the ground to ignore any stares I get. I see the counter. My pace starts to slow.

BAM!

In a split second I find myself on the cold, disgusting floor.

"Hey, are you alright?" Someone asks. I look up. The first thing I see is blue. My focus is sharpened and I see a boy holding out his hand. I nod.

"I think so," I say. Although my focus stays on him, I hear footsteps and whispers of people.

"Mommy, why does she have pink hair?" A little girl says loudly.

"So vibrant. What dye does she use?" A man whose probably a hairstylist says.

"Oh my God. We need to get her to the Tigerr Lane Theatre for the audition."

I realize that everyone's crowding around me, and their focus is my hair. Immediately, I get up and pull my hood back up.

"I'm sorry," I mutter and hide my face with my hand and I walk towards the exit. I realize that I forgot my merch and my food. I turn around and run back to my table, get my stuff and get out of the damn mall.