Great Big White World

Chapter 8 - Are You The Rabbit?

Chapter 8 - Are You The Rabbit?

{2007}

Lily POV

I laughed freely for the first time in ages as I watched my friend Jackson spin his girlfriend around and around. As he finally set her down, my gaze wandered briefly over our setting. The mall didn’t have nearly as many people as it usually did...maybe there was something happening. I sighed and turned back to my friends. I didn’t really care anyway.

Jackson looked behind me at something and then grinned. “Icecream?”

“Yeah, coz we’re fucking five!” Tessa, his girlfriend laughed.

“He did just pick you up and spin you round like a rag doll…” I smirked then laughed as she shoved me playfully. “It’s hot day anyway...I’m having some...then we’ll find that dress you’re after, Tess.”

“Okay.” she grinned and stood, pulling me to my feet as well. “Icecream and shopping! Girls’ best friends.”

"Thought those were diamonds.” I laughed, dodging Jackson as he attempted to pick me up too. “No, not this time Jacky.”

“Oh, really?” he snickered as his arms ensnared my waist and he lifted me off the ground.

I squealed and he put me back down. We got our ice cream and began wandering around the mall, relishing the air conditioning. I spied a shop called ‘Ensnared’ and, intrigued, dragged Tessa inside with me. She immediately went off to the change rooms with fifty different things to try on and I chuckled lightly as I continued to browse the clothes racks...they actually had some pretty cool stuff…

And that’s when I heard it...his voice…

I turned slowly on the spot and, sure enough, there stood Marilyn. His back was turned towards me, so he hadn’t seen me yet. I let the coward in my control my next actions. I slipped quietly to the back of the store and hid in one of the dressing rooms, listening intently until his voice faded away to nothing.

With a relieved sigh, I stepped out of the change room and knocked on the door to the one Tessa was in, making sure she was okay and didn’t need help...she didn’t. I don’t know why I hid really… he hadn’t seen me...if I’d kept my back to him he probably wouldn’t have recognised me even if he did look my way. I sighed sadly and ran a hand down my face. Why did I still love him?

“Lily? What do you think of this one?” Tessa asked as she stepped out for me to appraise her outfit.

I smiled. “That colour really matches your eyes, Tess...you look lovely.”

She giggled. “Thanks.” she looked at me curiously. “You gonna get anything?”

“Na,” I shrugged as I looked around myself. “Nothing tickled my fancy this time.”

“Okay, I’ll be out in a minute.” she assured me as she vanished back into the change room.

I sighed. “I’m gonna go find Jackson...make sure he’s not found the  puppies or something.” I called out to her as I went in search of Jackson. I found him by one of the jewellers...staring at a rather pricey ring. I snuck up behind him and jabbed his sides lightly. “Boo!” I laughed as he jumped slightly.

“Oi!” He glared at me then smiled.

“So, that time is it?” I asked, a smug smile plastering itself on my face.

“Well… we’ve been together four years.” He smiled sheepishly. “Never found the right ring...til now.” He pointed at one of the rings.

“My God...it’s perfect!” I grimaced at the price. “That’s a lot of money…”