Invited

Chapter 9: Shopping Spree

"Minerva, how much longer until we finish shopping?" Devon dragged himself behind Minerva, readjusting the bags he had in his hand.

"One more place. I want to get Layla new headbands." Minerva stopped in front of a brightly lit store, peering into the window to examine the products on the other side.

Devon came to her side, also looking through the window to see what the store offered.

"One question, how much is too much when it comes to the amount of accessories a girl can have?" Devon meekly spoke behind Minerva.

Quickly, she turned and gasped at him. "Too much? Do I even know you? Who are you, and what have you done to my boyfriend? A girl can never have too many accessories, Devon. Each outfit requires an accessory to enhance the look. Have you learned nothing from dating me?"

Sucking in his breath, he awkwardly followed Minerva as she happily skipped into the store.

She strolled around, inspecting each headband that seemed to be special enough for Layla. An array of styles and colors covered every inch of the store. Every color that she came upon was compared to an outfit that she had in the bags, judging each tone and shade of the colors against each other.

Carefully, she narrowed it down to five differently colored headbands. Placing each one on the table next to the register, she motioned for Devon to come over.

"Should I get all five of these?" Minerva pointed to the ones laying in front of them.

Devon watched as she further inspected the detailed work surrounding each of the designs. He nodded, agreeing that she could get the ones she had picked out.

"If you like them, you should get it." He said.

"The boyfriend has spoken. We are getting all five." Minerva collected the headbands, and walked them over to the cashier.

As she paid for the items, Devon hastily added that new purchase to the ones in his hand.

Once Minerva was handed her receipt, she turned her way out of the store with Devon following close behind.

Reaching a map, Minerva scanned each store listed. A list of restaurants caught her eye.

"Why don't we eat out tonight? It seems like we spent more time shopping than I thought we would." Minerva asked, looking at the map in front of them listing the stores and restaurants available to them in the shopping center.

"I'll say. If we went home to cook food after getting groceries, it would be considered breakfast." Devon joked, earning himself a glare and chuckle from Minerva.

"I guess you'll be having ice soup for dinner. Wonder which restaurant serves air as an appetizer too?" Minerva continued to look at the list, covering her mouth to suppress her laughter as Devon loomed over her.

"Ice soup sounds delicious. I hope they have a two for one deal on couples." Devon pointed to one of the restaurants. "How about our usual?"

Minerva glanced over to the restaurant he pointed at. "Sure, but first, I think we should put the gifts in my car. Seems like you are struggling to carry the bags with this shopping spree of mine."

Their eyes met with agreement, slowly leaving the area to the parking lot.

"How long will you be gone?" Devon asked, nudging Minerva's shoulder as they walked.

"To Vesta?" Minerva looked towards Devon before turning back to the pathway in front of them.

"Yes. How long does the Council Selection last?" He reached for Minerva's hand with the sprained wrist.

"A typical Council Selection is three months long." Minerva replied, staring off in the distance in wonder. She gently accepted his hand, careful not to hold on too much for fear of hurting his already injured hand.

"It will depend on how Judah plans to keep me around as a guest." She added.

"I'll miss you when you go to Vesta." Devon faced her to show his playful sad look.

"Do you want me to bring something back for you? I could ask Basilisk, Saber, or Summer to get it." Minerva continued to walk as they looked for the exit.

"I'm fine with anything."

Devon watched Minerva stroll besides him as the exit came near. They reached the doors and headed straight for her car. Minerva shuffled through her bags, finding her purse and pulling out her array of keys.

When they arrived at the vehicle, Minerva unlocked her backseat once more. Placing all the bags she had in her hands closest to her, she turned to take the ones also in Devon's hands.

Closing the door after loading her shopping spree into the car, she pressed her key to lock it again.

"Dinner?" Devon asked, hope in his eyes.

"Dinner." Minerva placed her keys back into her purse, pulling Devon closer to her as they headed to the restaurant hand in hand.