Water Tower

Chapter 26

"So, I planned on we all can go shopping and walk around." My mom says, laying a plate down in front of me.

"That sounds good mom." I say, grabbing a fork and shaving a piece of pancake into my mouth.

"Where's Michael?" My mom asks. 

"Probably still asleep." I say, looking down at my plate, trying to hide the smile that's making it's way to my lips.

"Does he sleep this long all the time?" She asked.

"I don't know. Sometimes." I say, taking another bite. "Do you want me to wake him up?" 

"Yes please. I want to hurry and get a move on this morning." She says, finishing making Michael's plate. I get up and walk into Michael's room. 

"Michael." I say softly. "Michael, it's time to get up." I say, standing next to his bed.

"I don't wanna." He says, groan and covering his face with a pillow.

"Come on, Michael. My mom wants to hurry and get today started." I say, shaking him lightly.

"I want to lay here. You kicked my ass last night." He says, peaking from the pillows, looking up at me and smiling. 

"Michael. Please just get up." I say, looking at his neck. "I made my mark I see." 

"What?!" He says, getting up and looking in the mirror. "Damn, you were rough." He turns around and looks at me. "Looks like I did the same."

"No." I say, looking into the mirror. Sure enough, there was a mark on my neck. "I've been in the kitchen with my mom all morning." I say, covering my hand over it.

"Shit. Do you think she saw it?" He says softly.

"Yeah, I saw it." My mom appears at the door, making me jump.

"Mom." I say, sitting down on the bed. 

"I'm not mad. Trust me, I was your age once." She says. "Just don't leave any evidence next time." She smirks. "Now Michael, come and get your breakfast. Unless you want something else to eat." She smirks.

"MOM!" I say in shock.

"I love your Mom!" Michael laughs, he walks out behind her and goes into the kitchen.

-----------------------

"Would this look good on me?" I ask, holding up a dress in front of me.

"Yeah." Michael says, not looking up, but looking at his phone.

"Michael, you didn't even look at me." I say, walking over to him. "What's so important on your phone?"

"Nothing. I got this new game and I need to beat Luke's high score." He says, putting his phone away. "I'll be looking now." He smiles.

"Michael." I say, looking at him.

"Trust me. You now have my full attention." He says, smiling.

"Mandy, here's some more stuff." My mom says, carrying clothes over to me.

"Mom, I'm just buying a couple, not the whole store." I laugh.

"I know, but I want you to try on some many. I don't know." My mom mumbles.

"Thanks mom." I say, taking the clothes from her and going back into the dressing room. 

About hundred dresses, tops, skirt, and pants later, I finally found the one that I really want. 

"How's this one?" I say, walking out of the dressing room and a black dress, not too long, but not too short. Also, not too tight, but not to lose. It fits perfectly.

"Wow!" Michael says, staring at me.

"Honey, it looks beautiful on you!" My mom says, coming over to me. 

"I love this dress." I say, running my hands over it. 

"Then, we're getting it." My mom says. "Michael, doesn't she look amazing?"

"She looks, beautiful." He says, walking over to me.

"Thanks." I say, blush rushing to my cheeks. 

"I'm going to go put some of these back." My mom says, grabbing some clothes and walking away from us.

"So, you like it?" I say, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"More like love. I was just imaging what it would look like on the floor of this dressing room tho." He says, shoving us into the dressing room.

"Michael." I half whisper, half shout.

"What? Just a little quicky." He says, kissing my neck.

"Mi- Michael, we can't." I say, closing my eyes.

"Come on. Haven't you ever wanted to do something outrageous?" He says, pulling away and looking me in the eyes.

"Yeah, but not when my mom can come back any minute." I say.

"Pretend she's not even with us." He says, going back to my neck. "Like, it's only us in the store." He says against my neck.

"As much as I would love that," I say, pushing him away, "and I would love to do it right here, right now, I just can't do that to my mom Michael." I say.

"Alright. I'll be out here then waiting." He says, storming out of the dressing room.

"Michael." I say, opening the door. An old woman standing next to the door, giving me a dirty look.

"Just get changed Mandy. I'll be in the car." He says, knocking over a display. I look over at the employee. I run over and him pick up the display.

"I'm so sorry about him." I say, picking up a shirt.

"It's alright. We get a lot of angry boyfriends coming and going through the store." He says, laughing.

"I don't even know what got him to upset." I say.

"It's alright." He says, picking up the last of the display. He looks over at me, "That dress looks great on you." He says, pulling the bottom out. "It would look great with a pair of black wedges and a white handbag." I look at him for a minute. 

"Wow." I turn into the mirror and try to picture the items he mentioned on me. "You know, I can see that and it would look amazing. Thanks." 

"No problem, Mandy." He says, I look at him in shock. "It's me, Travis."

"Oh my gosh." I say, wrapping my arms around him, "I didn't even recognize you." 

"I've changed a lot." He smiles. "I haven't seen you in ages." 

"Yeah, I moved back to Indiana a few months ago." I say. 

"Really? I thought you were still here." He says.

"Nope, I'm just here visiting my mom." I say, "and getting clothes, her choice." I say.

"Had to be. You were never the type to go shopping a lot." He says. "I was shocked seeing you in that dress." 

"I'm kind of shocked that I'm wearing it." I smile. "I better go be getting dressed. It was great to see you again Travis." I say, hugging him once more.

"Great to see you again too Mandy." He says. I walk back to the dressing rooms and get dressed. I'm about to open the door, until someone is already pushing it open.

"Who the fuck was that?"