Modern Magic

Chapter One Part 2

                My parents didn't notice anything different about me, so maybe I was hiding my nervousness well, either that or they really weren't paying attention. It was a Saturday so they didn't have work, I didn't have school but there wasn't anything planned to do today. Jack and I had made plans a few weeks back to visit the mall, as a pseudo celebration.

                The morning went by with nothing more than breakfast and the low hum of the T.V., tuned to the news, of which, no one was watching. My mom was going through the mail while my dad busied himself in the garage. For myself, I was in my room, door open, waiting for my world to change.

                "So we still goin' to the mall today?" Jack asked over the phone. Of course I was still going to go. Maybe the dreams were just that, dreams, why should I let it bother me on my first day of summer vacation. Right?

                "You know it! You get your allowance from your dad yet?" I asked, trying to sound more excited that I was.

                "Yea, I got thirty. He hasn't gotten paid yet this week so he said he will give me the other twenty when he can." Jacks dad worked pay check to pay check, but he always made sure he could provide for his only son. I assumed Jack was given a rather large allowance due to his fathers subconscious guilt for raising his son in a single parent household.

                "Cool, then I'll see you here in a few?" I hung up the phone and began looking for my shoes, my room wasn't the cleanest of spaces. After located a pair of sneakers from under my bed, I slipped them on and went through the pre leaving routine. I opened my wallet to make sure my money was there and my mother hadn't 'borrowed' it again. My mom would occasionally borrow small bills for her morning coffee run. Once I was sure I had everything, I told my mom goodbye and walked out the door.

                "Right on time. You drivin?" Jack asked as he rose from under our tree in the front yard. I had my license and he didn't so I usually drove.

                "Sure, we could just walk you know?" I knew he wouldn't want to walk but that was just because he was lazy.

                "Its so hot outside and you want to walk? Your crazy." He mused as we took our seats in my white cobalt.

                It was a ten minute drive on a good day, but seeing' how it was the first day of summer vacation, it was fifteen. Once we got to the mall, the parking lot was full until the very back row.

                "Really? They should have a shuttle for people who have to walk from the back, I mean seriously, who does this by choice!" Always the advocate of laziness, Jack would complain if he had to grab the remote. In his defense, the parking lot was nearly at full capacity, leaving parking only in the rear most portions. This didn't bother me so much as it did him. I typically parked in the back regardless.

                "I'm pretty sure you'll live. Where do you want to go first? I was thinking the Sam Goody's, see what new music came out." I walked briskly, pushing Jack to walk just as fast.

                "Well if I in fact make it there alive, lets get something to drink. Its bloody hot!" That much was true.

                "Deal, then the music store." We made it inside and walked our way into the food court. From there, Jack had too many choices, but ultimately he chose Jamba Juice.

                "That's more like it, now I could shop with a clear mind." Jack joked as he gave himself a freeze headache.

                "To the music store then?" I asked full well knowing that's where we were going.