ROSES & THORNES

Better than expected

Hanging out with Jeb actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We saw many scenic mountain and visited cute little shops. He even brought me some cheesy shirt with a wolf howling at the moon. By the time we headed back to my car, the sun was setting. We were eating our ice cream as I unlocked the door.

"Hey, Jeb...thanks. I had a lot of fun today. More fun then I thought I could have in this hell hole."

We both laughed. "Ah, no problem, I show all the new girls around." I raised a brow. "Um, yeah...that came out wrong."

I felt my eyes role in their sockets. "Anyway, I better get home. My parents are probably wondering where I'm at."

"Yeah, you should." He said quietly.

We both stood for what felt like hours. "Yeah, this is the part where I leave." I laughed shakily.

"Right." He scratched the back of his head before smiling and turning to walk back towards his car. My stomach was doing this weird fluttery thing that was foreign to me. I exhaled slowly before climbing in and driving off.

******

"You might as well get rid of those long sleeves." She tossed item after item into a bin marked "too hot to wear."

"Okay mom, I think I have more then enough space for new clothes. This closet is pretty big."

She sighed. "I know, I know I was just making sure."

"Great, now can we go shopping?" I held the car keys out to her.

"Right, right. To the mall it is."

******

"Well, that was...something." My father had just pulled out of the outlet.

"I found a few things." My voice was as positive as it could get.

"I say it was a bust." My mom sulked in the front seat. "I wanted to find you a whole new wardrobe! You know, start over fresh."

"I'm sure I can find many ways to mix and match tees and tanks." I grinned.

"Where to guys." My dad was playing chauffeur. I think he was just happy that he wouldn't be carrying too many bags.

I yawned. The day had been tiring. I was pretty sure my feet would start barking at any moment. My arms hurt after holding up garment after garment for my mom. I also had heartburn from bad food court food. "I say we just go back to the house."

"I seconded it!"