"Get that thing away from me," Scarlett shrieked, stepping back with a look of panic on her face.
"Oh, come on, he's adorable," I cooed, running my thumb through the cold, scaly skin as the 24 and some inch snake twirled it's delicate body around my wrist.
"I swear Lucille, if you don't put that thing back..." Scar threatened, practically hyperventilating.
"I'm getting it," I declared happily.
"I'm moving out," Scar stated, walking towards the exit of the small pet store that was centered in the middle of the mall.
After eating lunch, Scar and I continued our trek through the mall while leaving AJ behind to do whatever AJ was doing. I had asked if he wanted to come with but he only gave a brief shake of his head before turning back to his new device. As we walked, I noticed a display with the typically cute puppies and immediately went inside to pet them. One thing led to another and my eyes landed on the most beautiful Doug Mong I'd ever seen. It's red, black, and yellow stripes struck out compared to the other ones.
"Hi, can I get this one?" I asked the cashier as if I were purchasing a pair of shoes.
"Sure, bring it over," She said brightly.
"Have you picked out other things like a cage, food, etc.?" She asked me as I watched the snake bites on her lips move about.
"No, uh, I don't know anything about that," I replied sheepishly, handing over the wiggly little creature.
"Well, on the far right are some cages. You should pick something like this one cause it has a small cave he can rest in, a water bowl to bath, and plenty of space to move around," Becky, which was written on her nametag, explained to me.
"Yeah, sure, I'll get all of it," I agreed before processing and making the final purchase. Carrying the cage and materials in a bag in one hand and my new little pet in the other, I walked out the store.
"No! You actually got it?" Scar said in absolute terror as I walked towards the chair she was sitting on.
"Sure did. Don't worry, I'll keep it locked it my room. You won't even know he's there," I reassured her.
"But-but you can't just do that. We live in the same house. We should've talked about it. Roommates discuss changes," Scar spluttered defensively.
"You can get one too if you want," I teased her.
"Fuck you, friend," She spat, turning on her heel to walk away.
We continued in silence, back to the food court. Many people gave me all kinds of looks as we passed them. I wasn't exactly sure if I was allowed to walk around with a snake wrapped around my hand through a public mall but until a security guard actually told me otherwise then that is exactly what I would do. Scar continued to ignore me and just as I was about to speak out to her my eyes stopped, noticing something, or someone.
It was Mason. He was by the large fountain, surrounded by a group of people, friends. Looking down at my phone I noticed the time was four. Time had gone by so quick. I swore it was just noon. His game probably ended around one or two but I thought he was supposed to stop by after. Maybe he meant later. But as I continued to watch him, I didn't want him to stop by now, later, or ever. He was sitting on the ledge of the fountain and wrapped around his arm was a pretty blonde girl with big, bright green eyes and a smile that made me want to sew my mouth shut. I would've figured she was his sister but they seemed to be a little more intimate than that.
"See, karma for getting that abomination," Scar suddenly spoke into my ear.
Jumping I turned towards her and noticed that she was watching the same thing I was. Before I could do further damage to myself and see them, God forbid, kiss, I put my head down and walked faster. I felt absolutely pathetic and completely embarrassed. Here I was practically throwing myself or giving myself away to this stranger I barely knew. I was like a dog with a bone around him while he had a life and a girlfriend. I wasn't mad or anything considering we had no commitment, but it still didn't change how disappointed I felt.
