When Stuff Happens

Chapter Nine

Once Sue Ellen was satisfied with her parking spot as she wanted a spot near the mall entrance but close enough to exit and far enough from other cars. The woman was very particular of her parking spots, Ezra informed. The group exited the car eager to start their shopping. Amor placing her suitcase in the trunk was excited as well. It had been a while since she traveled to the mall so her hopes were high that this trip might distract her from Flora.

However, upon entering the mall she was reminded why she hasn't gone here in a while because of people. The mall was congested with person after person all whom bared their own scents and sounds. It was positively unbearable for her. After passing what had to be the twentieth pretzel stand, they found their way to Build-a-Pal. Emma squealed her little lungs out and plunged herself in the store before anyone could stop her.

Sue Ellen turned to them, "Okay I'm going to take Emma shopping for some new friends so I'll see you guys at the food court."

Ezra nodded, "Yes definitely I need to get new sneakers since someone used them for art in her next project."

Sue Ellen rolled her eyes at him, "I told those shoes were too distressed to be worn any more so might as well make them useful."

He sneered, "I could have duct tape them back together." She swatted him then hugged him and waved goodbye to them.

Amor was unsure what to do next, but Ezra seemed to take the lead, "Come on Amor let's go before Sue Ellen realizes the error of her ways." He motioned her the escalators and hopped on with him.

Curious of his attitude toward Emma's favorite store, "Any particular reason you didn't want to join Emma and Sue Ellen at the store." She asked him. He turned to her with a shocked look.

"You're kidding right?" He countered back she shrugged. "Amor that store is hell on Earth. It's wall to wall of children crying because they wanted the deluxe package instead the basic or medium." Now she was confused.

"They have packages?" She asked him as they walked off from the escalator to the shoe store.

"Yeah, the basic or first-time buddy, then there's best buds forever but the best and ultimate package is the never going to stop pals. Basically, the last one is what Emma and every other kid want. Since it guarantees the royal treatment from the staff and they get a bonus gift." He explained as they passed by each store.

"So, what you're saying is a corporation has found a way to attack a child's desire of friendship and companionship and use it for monetary gain." She answered and Ezra seemed pleased.

"Exactly. Every time we go there, I try to get to buy the best buds' package, but she always wants the deluxe and when she doesn't get her way. Well, all I have to say is I have mad respect and pity for those poor folks that work there because they seemed to have seen all kinds of tantrums." Ezra explained and Amor nodded. As they passed the bath and soap store, they heard their names being called out.

"Amor, Ezra over here guys." They both paused and turned to see Martha serving out what appeared to be fish eggs in the Bath and Soap store. They walked over to her each offering a friendly smile, but she appeared grim.

"So, guess what I heard," She motioned them to the corner of the door. "I heard that one of the old students went on TestMe and wrote down all the answers and questions for the first quiz last year." She revealed to them which surprised Amor, but Ezra appeared unphased.

He rolled his eyes, "Yeah I know you can find any quizzes or tests on the website, but some teachers change their tests."

Martha sneered back at him, "Yeah well some are too lazy. Trust me I've been at that school for nearly two years and I know my strict, change my quizzes every year professors from my lazy ass ones. And our professor is lazy."