Her Given (Editing)

Chapter 14 - The Mall and Almost Kisses

Ashton's POV

Avelyn seemed extra giddy today. Which is always good. When she's happy, I'm happy. That is, until it was time to leave for our shopping expedition. As a last effort, she tried convincing us that it was unnecessary to buy her things, saying, "you already do too much for me." Little does she know, I'd buy her the world if I could - just to see her ocean eyes sparkle like the sun's rays glistening on the water at daybreak.

She gave up, though, once she realized there was no persuading us on this decision.

I can't wait until her birthday. I know we're already connected because technically she's our Guardian Angel, but I can't help but hope she's also my mate - our mate.

When we arrived at the car, I opened her door for her. Xavier was carrying her bag, and Cole was holding her hand. He stopped once she stepped inside the car, though. Now, I'm driving, Xavier is sitting shotgun, and Cole is in the back with our angel, their hands reunited.

We're discussing which store in the mall we want to go to first.

"Forever 21, obviously. Their clothes are cute. Plus, I'm envisioning her in a cute crop top and high waisted jeans. We'd definitely find that there," Cole suggests, more like demands.

"Alright Cole, you are the fashion expert," I sigh.

"You're fucking right there, buddy," he says proudly. I roll my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't let it go to your head, big guy," Xavier grunts. Avelyn giggles at that, which makes my heart gleam elatedly. Maybe my poem should be about her. But let's be honest, there're enough sappy, love poems to last a millenia. Though none describe my babygirl perfectly enough, not like she deserves.

When we pull up to the mall, we leave our bags in the car and exit the vehicle. Avelyn's eyes are almost bugging out of her head. She looks like she's never even seen a mall.

"Babygirl, what's got you so flabbergasted?"

"I-I've never been to a mall before," she admits sheepishly, her head parallel to the parking lot concrete.

"What?! You've never been to a mall before? What kind of teenage girl are you?" Cole seems so shocked, it's almost comical.

"The one that was never allowed to leave the house," she deadpans. Right, I forgot about that.

"That must really suck. Having a nice ass car and not being able to show it off," Xavier says with sympathy. Kid really loves his cars. I chuckle at his childlike behavior, Cole and Avelyn do, too. And instead of replying to his comment, we just walk into the mall, Avelyn's hands clasped in mine and Xavier's.

We make our way to Forever 21. I'd never been before, but I'm always up for trying something new - especially if it's with my brothers and our angel.

~~~

Xavier's POV

After we've gotten Avelyn some clothes at Forever 21 - which wasn't an easy task, considering Cole made her try on just about everything in the store - we go to the shoe store. Not any place specific, just a random store we found that, you know, sells shoes. My brothers and I are carrying the bags. Lots and lots of bags. Avelyn tried to insist on helping carry some, but her attempts were as futile as Ashton and I trying to make Cole wear underwear on a Saturday - that's just never gonna happen. He insists on "being free" at least once a week, and he picked Saturday, specifically, to do it. What can I say? He's a strange kid.

As with the other store, Cole makes her try on just about every shoe. We end up getting her about 5 pairs of shoes. Cole urged, and Ashton just wanted a reason to spend his money on our angel. I realize that I don't really have anything to offer her. Ash can buy her anything she wants, and Cole is so creative and artistically talented - he could bring so much life and creativity to a potential relationship. But I'm just me. Plain old, boring Xavier. I have nothing going for me. I'm broken out of my stupor by Cole's voice.