Letting Go

Chapter 11

Coming to the mall was a mistake. As soon as we stepped foot inside, I felt extremely out of my comfort zone. There were so many people inside, walking around with shopping bags big and small and either talking to the person next them or on the phone. People were coming in and out stores with more shopping bags they had before or more people with them than before. Everything about this place is overwhelming.

"Cartier?" A hand waving in front of my face brought me out of my thoughts and bringing me back to the reality of Elson and Emerson taking me to the mall. The nearest mall is a hour away from town, so I'm going to assume Elson and Emerson must have planned this outing in advance. It's a Saturday morning and I'm spending it bright and early at the mall with two boys who are going to make me play dress up. Everything about this makes me anxious. I normally wear sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt. I also only wear two colors, black and grey, and that is solely based on preference. Rather than spending my money on things that will go out of style, I buy a few of the same things and rotate. As for the color, grey and black complement each their well and the comfort of my clothing is important to me. I don't go anywhere important so it's not like I need anything else.

"Do you know what size you are in clothing?" Emerson is looking down at me waiting for me to reply. Now thinking about it, everything fits me pretty big, even my sweatpants. I looked down at my shirt taking notice on how big it is and I shrug my shoulders. A small gasp escaped from Elson and both of them looked at me wide eyed. Elson was the first to break the moment of silence by whispering,

"Do you really not know what size you are?"

Slowly shaking my head, Emerson let out a puff of air I didn't notice he was holding. Elson immediately grabbed my hand and dragged me into the nearest store I couldn't quite catch the name of. Taking a look around, I took notice of all the different colors of clothing in the store. When I buy clothes, I normally order online and filter what I am looking for. It makes it easier to just get what I want and not have to be constantly reminded of the body standards expected by society. I will never be able to look like the models on screen.

Nudging my arm, Emerson smiled at me and pointed at Elson. Elson was talking to a sales women and frantically using hand motions that I could not possibly be able to translate. Smiling a bit myself, it was entertaining to watch Elson be so invested in describing what he wanted from the sales lady. Today will be interesting.

~7 hours later~

If my bank account was lake, it would be dried up. After taking me to eight different stores, I lost count at how many other stores we walked into. When we walked into the mall this morning, it was nine. When we left it was three thirty. Now we are in the middle of my living room surrounded by an ungodly number of bags of different sizes and colors. Elson, Emerson and I are all sprawled out on the floor with our feet throbbing and our heads pounding from the insanity of being in the mall for seven hours. Closing my eyes I took in our moment of silence. I can't believe I spent so much money on clothes, shoes and makeup. I hope my dad won't be upset. Sighing I rested my arms over my eyes and concentrated on my breathing. At the mall, Emerson and Elson bought some stuff too, which I was thankful for because everytime I would swipe my card I felt guilty for not spending anything on them. I offered to buy them lunch, but they took my wallet right when I took it out to pay for our food.

"Cartier! I am not letting you pay for our food." Elson had my wallet hanging over my head and every time I would jump up to grab it, he would raise it higher.

"Elson, please give me my wallet."

"No way."

"Elson"

"Cartier."

Narrowing my eyes at him I crossed my arms and sighed, "Elson. Please."

"Not happening. I am going to pay." Smiling proudly I rolled my eyes at his statement. Just because he is a guy does not mean he should feel proud for paying for our food. I know that Elson is not like that and he just wants to be a good friend, but they took me to the mall and they are helping me pick out a whole new wardrobe. The least I can do is pay for their food.

"Guys," Emerson was signing a little piece of paper and handed it to the waitress who took it and left giggling, "I already paid. Let's go."

"DUDE" Elson and I both yelled at Emerson.

Crossing his arms and turning away from Emerson, Elson pouted "I can't believe you paid."

"And I can't believe you still have sauce on your lip."

Licking the sauce off his lip, Elson smiled at Emerson "And I can't believe you have sauce on your cheek."

Immeditly reaching up to his cheek, Emerson began to rub his face."

"Just kidding" Elson put his arm around Emerson shoulder and they both laughed together. Emerson playfully pushed him off and Elson pretended to go flying back.

"Lets go Cartier. I don't want to catch the banana head disease." Smiling Emerson helped me by grabbing some of my stuff and we both started walking away from Elson and our table.

"Hey wait up!" Elson jogged towards us and grab the rest of my stuff from my hands and put his arm around my shoulder. "Allow me to also help my dear Cartier. Emerson is only trying to swoon you away from me." Sticking his tongue out at Emerson, I saw Emerson roll his eyes but smile at Elson's childish action.

"Whatever"

Moving my arms away from my face I stared up at what I thought would be the ceiling. Instead I find Elson's face a few inches away from mine and upside down. Elson grabbed my face and mushed my cheeks together slowly moving my head side to side. What is he doing.. Despite his oddness at the moment, I could feel my heart skip a few beats. He's so close.

"What are you thinking about bunny?" 

Excuse me?

Flicking Elson forehead, Elson let go of my cheeks to rub his forehead. "Oww what did you do that for bunny?"

Before I can respond to him Emerson step in for me, "Where did bunny come from?"

Elson smiled a cheeky smile and looked at me. "Becauseee of when she was jumping to grab her wallet, she reminded me of a bunny."

"That was one time!"

"And when you got your food, you were bouncing up a down in your seat."

"No.." I might have.

"Yess. And every time you found a coupon you would jump up and down. That's most I have ever seen you excited."

Behind me I can hear Emerson laughing at the last thing Elson said. "He's right about that one."

"Whatever." I got up from the floor and moved to sit on the couch, but Emerson and Elson got there before I did. Rolling my eyes and I moved to sit next to Emerson, but Elson grabbed my arm and pulled me to sit next to him. I put a couch pillow between the both of us and crossed my arms. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Elson smiling and I couldn't help but smile a bit myself. Emerson moved to grab the television remote and put on Netflix. Grabbing the remote from his hand Elson scrolled through a few movies and shows and chose Hercules. My leg started bouncing a bit as soon as the very first few words of the the first song came on. I was seconds away from bursting out the lyrics. I guess they are going to be discovering a new side of me today..