Truth and False

5

(*Quick announcement, this is a tiny update because I'm balancing school, home responsibilities, and family stuff all at the same time so please be patient with me. Thank you- Burning Willow*)

         After some explaining and some haggling with the store cashier, I find myself sitting in the men's clothing store with a snoozing Nikolai and two guys busy changing into some clothes from the clearance bin of the store.

        "Oi flower bit-!"

        "Cammy you tiger douche!" He frustratingly sighs as he begrudgingly says my name.

         "Cammy, why are you helping the kid? I thought people in this country were seclusive." (I'm just giving a random description of any country)

         "That kind of a racist, blondie." A little bit of silence was between us until I broke it with sincerity.

         "The mall can be hectic and people can be horrible, but that doesn't mean I can't show compassion. That's like saying all Russians do is drink vodka."

          "Hey!" I chuckled bitterly at that, but only to disturb Nikolai a little. Thankfully he only grunted and shifted his face me. I saw his gentle face scrunch up into a pitiful expression, his tiny hands holding onto my shirt as if for dear life.

         ". . . please . . . I don't . . . want to go." He mutters in his sleep. In efforts to comfort him, I pat his back in a rhythmic manner until I feel his hold on my shirt and his mutters stop, but I keep my hand at the base of his neck and rub soothing circles on his shoulder blades.

          "Hey, Blondie. Nikolai was talking about going somewhere, but where and why doesn't he want to leave?" Plisetsky emerged from the dressing room with some slightly faded, black skinny jeans, his normal tiger t-shirt, and a rust colored long sleeve sweater. It looks like it's made for a woman, but you can find anything in a bargain bin.

         Mochi emerges with a green flannel shirt loosely buttoned to reveal the tank top underneath. He also had a pair of bleached ripped jeans and a fedora to complete his look. He flashes me a wink to which I roll my eyes at. It wasn't long until I met Plisetsky's icy stare as he answers my question before putting on his sunglasses.

         "Mind your business." I give him a passive-aggressive look, but go up to the cashier and thank him for letting the boys wear their clothes on their way out. We mostly walked in silence and I could tell that Mochi thought this whole situation was the most hilarious thing on the planet and wanted to laugh badly, but I suppose holding Mikolai as a sleeping baby prevented him . . . Thankfully.

         "Okay, Blondie-"

        "You know I have a name-" I immediately pinched his lips together and narrow my eyes as if to say 'shut the fuck up. The baby is sleeping'. He slightly growls at me for my actions but complies. I let go of his lips and speak in a softer tone than before as I say,

        "I imagine the lot of you were traveling and stopped here to sightsee. So if I'm right, you are all staying at a hotel nearby."

        "Yes. Those idiots wanted souvenirs before going back to Russia, but look where that got us." I roll my eyes only to land on Mochi for some assistance. Thankfully he nods and takes over with the questions.

       "What Cammy is trying to say is, if we can get to the hotel you all are staying at, you could call Victor and Yuri." Plisetsky turns on his heel to face both of us and spats, "And risk you two leaking where we are all staying? Not a chance." I was getting angry and Mochi could sense it, so he dropped the fluff and got straight to the point.

        "Look. If we tell the mall to make an announcement, the Yuri's Angel's will be after you again and I'm definitely sure that Cammy won't pay for a second disguise . . . On top of that, I'm pretty surprised she hasn't punched you yet." They both look at me as I reply, "It's true. The only reason I haven't beat your ass yet is because of him." I patted Nikolai's back as to say who I was talking about.

        Plisetsky huffs but ponders on what we said and finally gives us his response.

        "Fine, but I will find you guys if you tell anyone else where we are staying." If I could roll my eyes any harder than physically possible, this would be one of those times. Mochi took a hold of Plisetky's neck with his arm and excitedly leads us in the direction of the center of the mall.

       "What the hell you giant piggy look alike!? let go of me!" Mochi gives his signature goofy smile and says cheerily,

        "Well, we gotta check in with the Information station for the little guy's dads, besides you need to lighten up. Onwards to Gladis!" Mochi's strength is evident when it came to dragging Plisetsky towards the center of the mall with a string of profanities to follow them. I follow behind with a certain amount of distance in hopes to dapper the noise fr Nikolai, but that proved false.

         Nikolai stirs and rubs his tired eyes as he looks to me and asks,

         "Big sis Cammy? . . . is it time to go home?" He shifts his sleepy eyes to me and I smile softly to him and say gently,

           "Don't worry Kiddo, You'll be with your dads soon. Just get some rest." I shift him to my other shoulder and begin to pat his back once again as I make even strides after the two guys in front of me. I couldn't help but wonder why he was so sad when he mentioned leaving his parents and I knew I wouldn't get anything from that tacky tiger uncle of his. I also couldn't help but think,

Where was he going that seemed so far away? Even if it isn't far away, he seems a little too young to go anywhere on his own . . . 

. . . You're a strong boy Nikolai and I wish I could help you with whatever you're going through.