Abandoned

chapter twelve.

94 days until I turn eighteen.

The next day I fell back into the routine of living at The Bieber House. Pattie drove Rose to school while I rode with Justin, then I forced myself to get through the day and he drove us back to the house. This time around I have my own car, but when I pointed that out Justin argued that it's better to carpool and there's no point in taking two cars.

When we got back from picking Rose up from school, Pattie called us into the living room where she was watching some reality show about snobby women.

"Ray, I want you to take Rose to the mall." She said as she dug through her purse, finally pulling out a credit card. "And take this with you."

"Uh, why?"

"I want you to buy a phone, so there's no communication worries. And buy the two of you some new clothes while you're there. Whatever you like."

"No, I- I couldn't ask you-"

"Ray, please. Just get a reasonably priced phone and a few new things shouldn't cost over $100 each. It's not a big deal, hun." She stuck the card out at me and I hesitantly took it.

"Okay...um, I don't know anything about phones." I said, having no idea what reasonably priced would be. I've never owned a cell phone in my life.

"Well, Justin can help you. I'm sure he wouldn't mind tagging along." She smiled and turned to him.

"Nope," he said with a devious smirk. I'm sure he just can't wait to somehow ruin my day in one way or another. Why is she so oblivious to the fact that I strongly dislike her son?

"Actually, I think I can figure it out."

"Oh, that phone place is so chaotic. They'll be trying to sell you things left and right, Justin will know what he's doing." She said, surely over exaggerating. But I sighed and agreed, not at all looking forward to this outing.

After listening to both Justin and Rose bicker about the radio station, we finally pulled into the mall parking lot.

"Okay, phone first." Justin said as we walked inside. I haven't been in this mall for years, so Justin led the way as Rose and I followed behind him.

We got to a sprint store and Justin started to mess with all of the phones sitting out on this big table. "You like this one?" He asked, pointing to a phone that looked just like the rest of them.

"I guess." I shrugged, poking the screen. Apparently I opened the camera because Justin and I appeared on the screen, from probably the worst angle possible. Although, of course, Justin still looked as attractive as ever. Not that he needs to know that.

"Ew," I said instinctively in response to the image of myself, moving out of the frame. "Can't I just get like a flip phone or something?"

"No." Justin shook his head, laughed, and walked over to the counter. I followed and watched as he ordered the phone and got everything set up that needed to be. I admit, I wouldn't have been able to figure this out on my own.

Once the phone was bought we pried Rose from a game she was playing on demo and started walking again.

"Who wants pizza?" Justin asked as we approached the food court. Rose started to jump up and down and chant 'Pizza! Pizza!' and there was no stopping that girl from getting pizza by that point.

So we each ordered a slice of pizza and a soda, then sat down at a table after Justin payed. I nudged Rose, looking from her to Justin.

"Thank you!" She smiled and bit into the cheese pizza.