The Fighter that He Swore to Save

Chapter 24

            

Gunner

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I ran a hand through my now shorter, but still crazy, red hair.  I only took off a little bit and you can barely tell any difference.  It just looks neater now, which isn't very much neater because it's still an insane mess of curls.

I sighed and looked at the next item on Vi-Vi and Tristan's to-do list for me.  What in the world was this?  Why did they want me to buy a cake?  I shook my head and stuck the slip of paper back in my pocket but paused when I noticed something.

Oh crap, that can't be good.

I forgot to mention that the barbers was in the middle of the mall.  I know, weird, but whatever.  The problem right now was Vi-Vi was sitting a few on a bench outside a clothes store reading what looked like a magazine.  I say reading, but I know my sister well enough to know that she hates magazines for some reason.

What is she up to?

I decided to walk over to her and sit next to her on the bench.  "What's up?"  I said and she groaned and set the magazine down.

"Was I that obvious?"  I nodded and she sighed.  "Well I need you to do one quick thing for me before you get that cake, okay?"

"Um, sure.  Wait, what's the cake for anyways?"  She bit her lip.

"Nothing..."

"Fine, don't tell me.  What do you need me to do?"

"See, I left my bag in the store."  She pointed to the clothing store behind her.  "Could run in and grab it for me?"

"You've got two legs."  I said she gave me a death glare.  It may just be me, but I swear the lights shifted casting weird shadows across her face.  I subconsciously scooted a few inches away from my sister, slightly terrified.

"Go and get it, Gunner, it's somewhere by the shoes."

"Yeah, sure, I'm going."  I said and she smiled sweetly before going back to 'reading' her magazine.  Remind me not to get on her bad side.

I quickly walked into the store and cringed.  I hated shopping, especially in these kinds of stores.  Just find the bag Gunner and get the heck out of here.  I went over to the shoe section and I internally committed suicide when I saw there were about thirteen aisles of shoes.  I am going to kill my sister.

I sighed and started walking up and down the aisles till about the ninth aisle I saw the bag lying on the floor.  Okay, why the heck did she leave her bag on the floor in a public shopping mall?  I reached down to grab the handle but when I my hand grabbed another hand instead.

I looked up and my eyes met bright blue ones.  We both froze looking at each other and one name popped in my head.  Tristan, the queen of perfect timing.  They totally set us up, not that I was complaining or anything.

Everett looked down at the bag we were both holding and seemed to realize we were also holding hands.  Her eyes widened and she dropped the bag, letting it fall to the ground with a thud.  Hope Vi-Vi didn't carry anything fragile in there.

"Um, hey..."  She said awkwardly, and there was something a little different about her.

"Hey."  I said and I don't think this can get anymore awkward.  "So, what are you doing here?"  I asked, trying to break the silence.

"Shopping."  She replied.  Way to go Gunner, you officially an idiot.  And now to add to my stupidity I realized what was different about her.

"What are you wearing?"  She looked down and groaned.

"Your sister will be the death of me, I look like a clown."  She crossed her arms over her chest and pulled herself close as if hoping she would just melt away.

"No, no, you look good, really good.  It's different, but I like it."  I said trying to cover for myself.  I really am stupid. 

She bit her lip and I forced myself to look at her eyes instead.  She was wearing my sister's peach colored top and green shorts.  It was a really cute outfit, but it was clearly making her uncomfortable.  I can image why, she's always wearing sweats and hoodies.

"Wait a minute."  Everett said looking up me.  "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I'm sure you've figured this out, but Vi-Vi and Tristan set up this whole."  I said and she nodded.  "I've got a whole list of stuff they want me to do and I'm almost positive my to-do list and your agenda overlap."  I held up the crumpled piece of paper Vi-Vi gave me earlier this morning when...

"Oh."  Everett said.  "Um, about that, Gunner.  There's something I need to tell you."  She said.

"Um sure."  I said stuffing the paper back in my pocket.  "What's up?"

"Well."  She took a deep breath.  Wait, why is she so nervous all of a sudden.  Hold on, I think I may know where this is going, at least I hope I do.  "Well, actually it's more of a question, but, Gunner, do you..."

"Gunner Eldred, is that you?"  I cringed at the high-pitched voice of Tina and I felt her arms loop around my neck.  "I didn't expect to find you here."  She exclaimed.

"Um, hey there Tina, what's up?"  I said and I noticed Everett start to back away.  I wanted to tell her to wait, but Tina cut me off.

"Gunner, I need you."  She pouted and I looked at her.

"What?"  I asked and she started to tear up.  I swear she did that on command and that's actually really impressive.

"Mark just broke up with me."  She cried and I raised an eyebrow, but she didn't notice.  Everyone knew she had been cheating on him, why was this a surprise to her?

"Um, well..."

"I need company, get an ice cream with me."  She pleaded, but it wasn't a question, more like a command.

"Um, I got to get this to Vi-Vi, I'll catch you later Gunner."  Everett said shyly and I shot her a pleading look.  No, please don't leave me, I can't deal with this girl right now.  And she's gone.  I looked at the crying Tina and sighed.

"Let's go," I said half-heartedly, and she smiled.  "But I can't stay long, I've got an errand list to do."

"Oh, that's fine."  She said without a hint that she had just been crying.  "I know a great place."