Vapor: The Tagaytay Timeline

Chapter 42

Chapter 42: A Day at the Mall

After the camping incident, Vapor’s ankle was on the mend, and he was eager to get out of the house. Luckily, Rosie had plans with her family that day, which left Vapor with an open schedule and a chance to hang out with his friend Miles. The two decided that a trip to the mall was the perfect way to spend their day.

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The Arrival at the Mall

As they arrived at the mall, Vapor’s eyes widened at the sight of the bustling crowd. People were everywhere—shopping bags in hand, kids running around, and the delicious scent of food wafting from the nearby food court.

"Wow, this place is even busier than I expected!" Vapor exclaimed, adjusting his crutches as he hopped slightly to keep up with Miles.

Miles laughed, glancing back at him. "You ready to explore? We have a whole day ahead of us!"

“Absolutely!” Vapor replied, feeling a surge of excitement. "But let’s skip the shopping. I’m not trying to walk out of here looking like a fashion disaster."

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First Stop: The Arcade

Without skipping a beat, Miles led Vapor toward the arcade, which was bright and loud, filled with the sounds of video game machines and the laughter of players. Vapor’s competitive spirit kicked in.

“Let’s see who can get the highest score on the racing game!” he suggested, pointing at a sleek racing machine.

“Challenge accepted!” Miles grinned, grabbing Vapor’s arm to guide him to the game.

After a few minutes of fiddling with the controls, they were off, racing through a digital landscape. Vapor, despite his injury, leaned forward, fully immersed in the game.

“Look out! I’m going to pass you!” Vapor shouted playfully, hitting the accelerator.

“Not if I can help it!” Miles shot back, her fingers dancing over the buttons. The two of them shouted in excitement as they fought for the lead, and after several intense laps, Vapor edged out a victory.

“Yes! I told you I was the best!” Vapor exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air.

“Okay, okay, you win this round,” Miles replied, shaking her head with a smile. “But next time, I’m totally going to crush you!”

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Second Stop: The Food Court

After the arcade, they made their way to the food court, where they were immediately hit with an array of delicious smells. Pizza, burgers, and Asian cuisine filled the air, making Vapor’s stomach rumble.

“What do you feel like eating?” Miles asked, looking at the different stalls.

“I’m definitely feeling pizza. You can never go wrong with a classic!” Vapor replied, and Miles nodded in agreement.

Once they secured their slices, they found a table near the window. As they dug in, they chatted about everything and nothing—school, their favorite games, and what they wanted to do next.

“I can’t believe how intense that racing game was!” Vapor said, wiping some cheese off his face. “We should come back again next weekend.”

“I’m down!” Miles laughed, taking a sip of her soda. “But maybe next time I’ll actually win.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Vapor teased, winking at her.

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Third Stop: The Clothing Store