Scared of Falling in Love

Shoe Shopping and Explaining

"Giselle. Let's go. The mall doesn't stay open all day." I grab my bag off of my bed, do a quick check that my phone, book, and spare cash is in there, and do a quick check in the mirror before rushing to the front door. When I get to the door, my mom is already in the car, waiting. "Don't forget to lock the door", she shouts out of the driver's seat window. I lock the door and jump in the car, sitting shotgun.
"My goodness. Why do you take so long to get ready", she says, putting the car into reverse and backing out of the drive way. When I don't give her an answer, she continues. "Did you have your TV on again while you were getting ready? I already gave you this talk, Giselle. You're always making everyone late because the TV is a distraction", she says.
"Okay. Its not my fault that my favorite show was playing at the exact same time that I was looking for something to wear", I say, laughing. "Whatever. Just don't let it happen again. The next time you make us late, I'm taking your phone, laptop, and TV away. And I mean it this time", she says, stopping at the red light.
"Hey do you want me to pick up Allison on our way to the mall. She can help us pick out-"
"No", I interrupt, loudly. She gives me confused and suspicious look.
"I mean no, no. She's busy at, um. Her grandmother's birthday party", I say. Wow. That makes two lies this week. I want to tell her everything that had happened between us, why Allison is acting so weird. But knowing how my mother is, she would just get too involved and make things worse.
"Well okay then. I just thought she'd be a great second opinion when we pick out your homecoming shoes", she says excitedly. "Yah about that. I just don't see why I can't go in my converse. I think they would match well with the dress", I say looking down at my 2 month old converse, admiring them. "Yah. I don't think so. This is your first homecoming dance. You are not wearing those things with the beautiful dress Allison gave you ", my mom says, chuckling. I suddenly remember. Allison. The dress. She gave me the dress. I can't wear that dress after what happened. "You know mom. There are a lot of cute dresses in that one dress store at the mall. Maybe there's a dress nicer than the one Allison gave me", I say, hoping that she'll agree. "Giselle",she says with her motherly voice. "Allison payed for that dress with her own money and you want to buy a new one instead? Friends shouldn't be like this with each other", she says keeping her eyes on the road. "You have no idea", I mumble. She doesn't say anything so I'm guessing she didn't hear what I said, luckily.
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The first store we walk into is Payless. "Ooooh. These are so cute. Here, try them on", she says handing them to me. I raise my eyebrows at the heels in my hands. "You want me to wear these? Do you want me to break an ankle", I ask sarcastically. "C'mon. You'll look cute in them", she says smiling really big. "Yah. Unless falling on my face is cute, I don't think I will", I say handing the shoes back to her, but she pushes them back into my hands. "Stop being so stubborn and try them on."
"Okay okay. Im going", I say sitting down. I take off my converse and my socks and put on the death machines. Once I put them on I stand up in them, struggling to balance. "Okay now walk up and down the aisle", she says, cupping her chin with her forefinger and thumb. "Are you kidding me? Did you not see how hard it was for me to stand up", I ask. "Walk", she says, totally ignoring my comment. I take a deep breath and start taking slow steps. After 3 steps of not falling, I turn my head back towards my mom. "Hey this isn't so bad", I say right before falling down and knocking down a couple boxes of shoes with me.
"Spoke too soon", I say, face on the floor. I sit up, take off the shoes, and stand up. "Are you satisfied", I ask walking back to the chair. "Very", she says, laughing. "Here try on these instead", she says, handing over 4 pairs of flats. "Thank you", I say gladly taking them from her as she puts the heels away. "Okay now tell me what really happened between you and Allison", she asks putting a hand on her hip. "Whaaaaat? Psh. What are talking about? Me and Allison are- you know-just-." She's looking at me with that 'I know' look. "Alright alright. I'll tell you", I say letting out a sigh. "Awww. You thought you had a choice. Now spill", she says sitting down next to me. I tell her everything that happened between me and Allison, including why I think she's acting like this. I even include the part about Jaden cheering me up. I then beg her not to get involved, and she agrees. Thank goodness. "Okay. This is pretty normal for a teenage girl. She'll put her boyfriend first and defend him no matter what. And Giselle. You cannot let her get to you. You don't need a boyfriend to be happy. Right now Im not liking how Allison is acting, but I am liking this Jaden kid. He seems sweet", she says. "He is", I say, remembering how we just talked until lunch was over and how he called me after school to make sure I was okay. "Now that's the kind of friend you should be happy to have. I know Allison. She's a sweet girl, and she probably feels terrible for what she said to you, but until she apologizes, be glad that you have Jaden. In fact. I would like to meet this boy. Invite him over for dinner next Saturday. Okay?", she asks smiling. "Um. Sure. Okay. I guess that'll be okay", I say shrugging.
"Good. Oh and as for the dress. I think Allison would still want you to wear it", she says clapping her hands together.
"Oooooh try on those!"