Once Upon a Neighbor

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Declan

What made Declan decide to hang out at the mall was Jamie. Even though he was "grounded" his parents didn't care if he went out or not. The only restrictions he had were no Xbox 360 for 2 weeks, and his curfew of 10 p.m. unless they allowed him to spend the night at a friend's. He wanted to go home and sleep or play with his dog, but when he saw the hopeful expression on Jamie's face when he was unsure, and leaning towards leaving, he narrowed his eyes and said he would stay.

Why does she hate me? He wondered, but in the back of his mind, he had an idea. Dec, you did insult her. And text her without her knowing who you were. You were creepy and rude, no wonder you aren't her favorite person.

Declan's thoughts raced as he stared at the girl of his current confusion. Do I like her? Still? Man, what the hell. I don't like her. Well, I don't want to. Damn, why does she look so good today? Those shorts really show off her legs. Ugh, man, shut up. Stop it and get a hold of yourself. You don't need or want her.

When he finally regained focus, he saw Jamie staring right back at him with an annoyed glare. He winked at her in the heat of the moment and saw her eyes roll in return. A grin spread across his face while she just looked away and back at Thatcher.

"So where are we gonna go, Thatchy Poo?" She teased Declan's best friend lightly.

"I don't know, Jamie Poo." His friend cooed back.

An idea seemed to hit the focus of his attention because she gasped, turned towards Miriam and squealed, "We need to go to Bath & Body Works!"

Declan glanced at Miriam and saw her whole face light up at the demand-like suggestion.

"Yes, OH MY GOD! ANOTHER BRIGHT IDEA JUST HIT ME!" Miriam shouted, drawing attention to herself. People, old and young, looked to her with a confused look on their faces before shaking their heads and looking away.

"OH MY GOD WHAT IS IT?!"

"VICTORIA SECRET AND HOT TOPIC AND OH MY GOD CHARLOTTE RUSSE!"

"HOLY SHIT I CAN'T WAIT!"

"Guys, do ya think we could at least leave the theater first?" Thatcher asked with an amused smile.

"Oh.... yeah, I guess." Jamie replied.

"Woops." Miriam giggled.

Victoria Secret... Was the only thing that lingered in Declan's mind the whole time. The four of them walked out, Jamie and Miriam in front of the two guys, talking, laughing, and making weird hand gestures.

"Sooo... where do we fit into all this?" Declan asked his pal.

"Well, I'm pretty sure this is the part where we get to carry their bags and then follow them around like freaking- LAP DOGS!" Thatcher shouted the last part to get the girls' attention.

The pair in front of them whirled around, Jamie with a fake glare, and Miriam with a grin.

"Oh, you know you'd make an adorable poodle!" Jamie teased Thatcher openly. Declan couldn't help but feel envious of his friend. There were hardly any sparks or any kind of teasing between him and Miriam. And Jamie and Thatcher had something that everyone else could see. Something that Declan wanted.

"Dude, how bout we just meet up with them after they go to their... um, lady store, then regroup." He suggested awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh, okay." Thatcher said, his face falling a bit. "Oh! Let's go to Game Stop then!"

"Sounds good to us." Jamie pitched in, shrugging her shoulders at Miriam.