We drove up to the front of Lakeview Mall. All the teenagers hang out here. Eating, shopping, gossiping, or scoping out their crushes occupies their time. Since its a Friday, it's really crowded with kids from our school.
" What if we see someone we know?" I shudder.
" Then we'll talk to them. What else would we do?" Carter asked questioningly.
I look at him, shocked. If we saw someone, they would know that Carter and I hang out. That could ruin both of our reputations. Well...I don't actually have one,so it would just affect Carter.
" But, what if we see one of my," I say pointing at myself," And your friends." I said pointing at him.
Carter scratches his head, thinking about it." I don't know, we'll just decide what to do when it happens." He says shrugging.
He turns around and walks toward the doors, but I grab his shoulder and he flips around.
" What?" He asks annoyed.
" What do you mean ' when it happens '? We need to have a plan!" I say nervously, tucking my hands into my sweatshirt pockets.
He sighs and grabs my shoulders which makes me calm down a little.
" You need to learn to go with the flow, El'. Nothing terrible is gonna happen. Now come on, we need to get you some clothes." He says, dragging me towards the doors.
***
" I hate it." I say, pulling at the tight fabric thinking if I pull hard enough it will stretch.
" It looks great." Carter says as he sits in a waiting room chair, sipping a Starbucks coffee that we got a few minutes ago.
We've been here for 1 hour and have not found a single outfit we agree on. I want something sensible but nice, but no no no...as Carter says we need a tight, skin showing, provocative, hot outfit that Kara would like.
Now that I think about it, we've been to at least 5 stores with bleached blond, rich girls buying hot pink crop tops and high heeled platforms.
I'm now wearing a navy blue crop top with a black body-con skirt, black heels that I've already received blisters from, and a black studded clutch. Obviously Carter chose this one.
" If you really want me to find an outfit that would impress your girlfriend, then I get a say in it. Do you understand?" I say seriously, putting my hand on my hip.
He sighs," Yeah, I guess I am taking a lot of charge over this. Go ahead and find an outfit that you like and Kara will like, and I'll give my say on it." He says, shooing me with his hand.
I walk around the store and find a dark red skater skirt with hearts on it, a knit top, a white tank, and brown booties. ( outfit above )
I walk over to Carter and show him my outfit.
" I'm gonna go try it on." I say as I walk to a changing room.
After I get everything on, I look into the mirror.
I gasp. I really like the outfit on me. I even feel a little more...I guess proud of how I look. I've never felt like this in any of my over sized sweatshirts and and jeans before. I wonder if Carter will like it.
Once I walk out to the waiting area, Carter gasps.
" What, is something wrong?" I say nervously as I study my outfit.
He clears his throat and his expression turns calmer," Umm...nah. I think the outfits fine. Let's buy it and get some lunch." He says standing and dusting off his jeans.
Huh. I kinda wish he had more to say.
***
The food court is super crowded with people getting food and searching for an empty table.
Me and Carter decide on a Japanese place and find a small table in the back.
" So you ready for tomorrow?" Carter says, popping a piece of sushi in his mouth.
" Still a little nervous I guess." I say, picking up a dumpling with my chop-sticks and popping it in my mouth.
" You'll do fine." Carter says sweetly, grabbing my hand from across the table.
Sparks felt like they were flying in the sky. His warm hand colliding with my cold hand. It felt like a blanket over my skin.
But then he snatched it back.
" Hide." He whispered urgently.
I tipped my head to the side, puzzled.
" Huh?" I questioned.
He looked aggravated that I didn't understand.
" My friends from the team are right behind you. Hide behind the trash can or something." He said urgently, his back to me so the guys didn't see me.
I gasped as I saw the buff teens walking over to Carter, raising their hands in a 'hello'. I jumped out of my seat quietly and threw myself behind a trash can, a stench of rotten noodles and old meat wafting through the can. Eeewww.
" Sup guys!" I heard Carter say to his friends. I saw them do the ' guy handshake ' as I tipped my head to see what they were doing. They walked to a table together and got comfortable.
Ugh. Do I have to stay h...
" Elissa? Is that you!!!" I hear someone sob behind me.
I turn my head around.
It's Kathy. She is sobbing, tears all over her face, and she looks like a raccoon with mascara staining her face.
She sobs," Er...Eric cheated on me."
YOU ARE READING
Coffee Meetings
RandomElissa Johnson is a girl who is never looked at in the hauls and is never talked too. She has one friend who is either making out with her boyfriend or talking about him. She is what you would call a nobody. Carter Mount is a star football player wi...
