Fairy Rock

Chapter 4: Rock and Sparkle Go To The Mall

The sun is shining brightly on this windy day in the Fairyville Woods. Rock comes out of the portal, and it instantly evaporates. He smells the fresh air as the sun shines below Fairville Mountain and by the valley where he and Sparkle stand. He feels the young fairy sitting on his shoulder, and her face awes in joy as she gapes at the graciously clear blue sky.

"Um, um, I-I have never seen anything so magnificent. Is this h-how Fairyville always looks?"

"Yes."

Rock carries her as she smiles at the lovely squirrels and chipmunks nibbling on the acorns by the Oak Trees. The young fairy claps her hands, watching the mockingbirds flutter out of the leafy, green apple trees with pieces of sweet fruit in their beaks.

Rock strolls with his head held high and a massive pep in his step as he moves through the high, clover weeds.

Sparkle sniffs some of the pollen in the air.

"Achoo! Achoo!" she sneezes.

She takes a deep breath and exhales, blowing all the dead grass and dirt off Rock's pricey outfit and shoes as the two leave the forest.

**

They reach the city, and Sparkle flies into Rock's jean pocket, remaining undetected as the two cruise down Main Street. Rock grooves through the hordes of people crowding the red brick sidewalk. He points his finger, showing Sparkle the young children running around the water fountain, splashing each other as they laugh in joy.

"Wow!" Sparkle rejoices.

Some people text on their tablets, and others talk on their cell phones as they enter the newly constructed department stores.

Sparkle's nose twitches after inhaling cigarette smoke from the citizens walking past them.

"Ahem! Ahem!" the young fairy coughs.

Rock chuckles at the flabbergasted Sparkle, gawking at cars, jeeps, and semi-trucks driving down the black tar-paved road.

"This is so wonderful!" she chants.

Rock and Sparkle reach East Tech Mall and enter the crowded establishment.

Rock goes through the automatic doors. This time I'm going to get it right.

He sways his shoulders and hips with a swagger like he owns the place. As they pass each department store, women stare at the perfectly aligned goatee on his handsome face, and they catcall at him.

"Mmm, who's that guy? I've never seen him before," one of the shoppers says.

"He is so cute," another shopper says.

Rock winks at a group of women tooting at him outside of Brenda's Nail Shop. "What's up, ladies!"

The women redden, showing him the rosiness in their cheeks.

He rolls up the sleeves of his silk shirt and flexes his muscles showcasing his fantastic biceps.

A third shopper cools herself with a plastic fan. "He's incredible! I need some air!"

**

He visits Pam's Bar inside the mall and sits on an orange leather barstool at the main counter.

A husky bartender notices Rock's chiseled chest and tries her best not to peek. "What can I get you to drink?"

Rock rubs his dreadlocks, pushing them back, and snaps his fingers. "Hey! I want a club soda. No, make that an ice-cold club soda!"

The bartender takes a step back from the confidence in his voice. "You can have the club soda for free."

A middle-aged woman wearing a pencil skirt suit sits at a barstool near him. She removes her wedding ring as she feasts her attention on him.

"Excuse me, sir! Can you buy me a drink?" she asks.

He shrugs his shoulder at her. "No, but you can buy me one."

The woman sighs, and she orders two shots of whiskey.

Rock downs the liquor as if it is water, slamming the glass on the wooden counter, leaving a scratch. He gets up and starts to exit.

The woman blows a kiss at him. "I didn't catch your name."

"Don't worry about it," Rock replies.

The woman sips her drink, smearing her lipstick on the crystal glass, and eyes him down from head to toe as he leaves the bar. "What a gorgeous man."

They stop by the mall's eatery and sit at a round silver table. Rock stares at a reflection of himself in the eatery's big windows. He smiles at the tightness of his unique long dreadlocks, thin eyebrows, and Nubian nose. Man, I look good.

"Um, um, Rock.

L-look over there I-I can sense Serenity in here."

"I see her, fairy."

Daniel and Serenity argue with each other at a table across from Rock.

"Daniel, you're too controlling, and you're insecure. For the last time, I'm not seeing anyone else!" Serenity shouts.

Daniel bangs his hand on the table. "Give me your phone. I'm checking your messages!"

Daniel snatches the cell phone out of her hand, and Serenity shoves him as she attempts to get her phone back.

Rock gets up out of his seat, making his move. He yells at the top of his lungs. "Hey, everyone! Get your cameras out. Let's make this go viral."

Sparkle feeds red pixie dust into Rock's body. Red electricity spreads inside of him, strengthening his muscle fibers as his ability to fight increases. He gets to the couple's table, seizes the phone from his hand, and Daniel punches him. Rock dodges it and uppercuts him in his stomach.

"Umph!" Daniel falls to his knees.

People are filming the incident with their cell phones. He grips Daniel's arm and twists it. "How does it feel, punk?"

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" Daniel whimpers.

Rock pins him face-first into a puddle of spilled cola. "If you ever bother this young lady again, next time will be worse."

Daniel's face grimaces as he clutches his sore arm.

Serenity has her hands over her mouth, remaining speechless. Her eyes are glued to Rock as if he is her knight in shining armor. She sweats uncontrollably, licking her lips as Rock gives her the phone back.

"Thank you," she says.

Rock leaves the mall.