(8) Damn Threats and Getaway Ends

Most people would realize that after shopping with Elle Jansen on one occasion, that it is not a pleasant experience, and is a memory that is not one to be looked forward to again.

At least that's any sane persons opinion.

Yet, here I am. Being forced into stylish (not comfortable) clothes again, being dragged around the mall again, and for what? Oh my.

"The guys will love it." Elle gushes, holding a floral top up to my face.

"Okay, first off, do you not realize what happened the first time we went shopping, and second, why do I want to date the guys?"

Elle laughs, "To answer your first question, half the girls at our school already think you slept with Mase, so why not go through with it?"

I slap her arm lightly, "Gross! If you want to sleep with fracking Boxer Boy, go for it, he's all yours. I'm actually surprised he hasn't teased me about that." I chuckle.

Elle smirks.

I raise an eyebrow, "Funny, you're not denying Mason."

"What if I said I've already had him?"

My eyes widen. Dang.

"I'm kidding!" She laughs, "I mean, when we were younger we were close and I thought I loved him like one of those cliche books where the boy and the girl are best friends and fall in love, but that's just not true. I made out with him a few times, but that's the most of it."

"Wow, I figured he wasn't the dating type." I chuckle.

"He isn't. Mainly because he intimidates most of the girls with his jawline, but after getting to know him, he's more than just his face."

"Agreed. He also has his ego."

She rolls her eyes, "He's actually nice."

"Nice? If he's nice, what am I?"

"A hoe?" Elle questions, a teasing grin on her face.

"No." I scoff jokingly.

She gestures towards my hands that've been sorting through the clearance rack half heartedly for the past five minutes. And they're currently resting on a lingerie set. Oh my.

Elle laughs and I take my hands off the hanger, put it back, and keep sorting through the clothes with a light grin on my face.

"You should buy that."

I turn and flip my hair over my shoulder, "Why the frack do I need to buy a stupid lacy looking thing?" I chuckle.

"It's only $19.99! You have to try it on at least."

I glare at her.

She smiles innocently.

Aren't mall trips simply the best?

-

Six hours later, we're leaving the horrid place, our clothes smelling like a strange combination of overpriced juice and feet.

I rub my arms, that are currently in a loss of circulation due to the eight bags on them.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for starting a shopping hate page on Instagram, I'd co own it 50/50 if you would like, but when someone gives me money and says buy yourself stuff, I mean, what would you do?

"So is it really true Mason pays for everything?" I ask Elle as we haul our bags back into the cabin. It's strangely quiet. Hm, I guess the boys are out.

Elle nods, "Well not him, but apparently his dad isn't involved much so instead of the $20 in a birthday card once a year approach, he just hands out credit cards like they're party favors at a five year old's birthday party or something."

"Wow."

"Wow is right." She chuckles, "Anyways, what are you wearing for tonight? Parker told me its outside, but that's all I know."

I hold up a tribal patterned romper and black flip flops, "This?"

Elle nods, "Add these." She tosses gold colored hoop earrings at me.

I catch them.

By those three words, I clearly mean that since I caught two earrings at once I should definitely start working on my highlight mixtape of all my skills and also apply to every NBA school in the country. Why? Because I'm just that talented I guess.

I take the outfit and walk into the bathroom and try it on. Not so bad.

I guess this is what Kim Kardashian feels like.

-

"Lex, they're back!" Elle yells as she finger brushes a lock of hair before tucking it sophisticatedly behind her ear.

I grab my clutch and head down the stairs.

Immediately I'm met with a pair of arms around my waist and I jump.

Turning around, I look up to see the joking glint in Jared's eyes as he chuckles and backs away.

I wag my finger back and forth at him and spontaneously run at him. Fortunately for me, I catch him off guard and I manage to get his hands together and pinned to the wall, "If you, ever, do that again, I will strip you of all forms of your muscularity."

"That a promise Lexi?" He smirks at me.

"It's a damn threat." I chuckle and let his hands drop. The door cracks open as his hands are being released from mine and I turn, looking to see Mason standing there.

He clears his throat, "If you're done now, and it wouldn't be too bothersome  of you, Jared, Parker could use some help outside."

Jared smiles, "Not a problem at all, and what's to be done when nothing was ever started? Of course, if I was actually doing Lexi here, you wouldn't be fortunate enough to see it."

I slap him.

Mason looks me in the eye and in that moment I swear I see a slight side smile from him. The second it appears, it's gone, and then it's Mason slapping Jared.

"Trying to scare away the new girl already JJ? Her poor, innocent, little eyes would get scarred in that completely unrealistic situation."

"No they would not!" Jared defends himself.

"Okay both of you," I interrupt, "Maybe instead of trying to act superior over one another in compensation for your tiny dicks, you could go assist Parker."

Jared chuckles and mock bows at me before leaving.

Mason gets closer and I gulp.

He walks right next to me and stops for a moment before speaking in a low, calming voice, "You know damn well it isn't little."

And then he's gone, and I'm left with a hint of a smile, and Elle's come down the stairs. Let the party, begin.

-

"Oh my god guys this is amazing!" Elle squeals, practically jumping up and down in excitement. The entire pontoon is covered in Christmas tree lights, and there are a bunch of Chinese floating lanterns on board. Near the hull of the large boat is a messy collection of blankets and pillows to prevent from the coolness of the summer night from seeping in.

I grin along with Elle, and my smile spreads even wider as Parker finally makes his appearance. He holds out a hand for Elle and helps her on, before doing the same for me. I feel his large hand gently squeeze mine before he releases it, and helps himself onto the boat too.

The night flies by quickly, the sun goes down, yet the grins never leave our faces. Aside from a few healthy glares from Mason of course, I'd be worried if there weren't any.

We light the paper lanterns and let them float up to the sky, after wishing on them of course.

Eventually all good things must come to an end, and so they do. The sun goes down, and rises again, leaving the end of a perfect weekend.

Aye, that rhymed. Modern Shakespeare, once again.

-

Thanks for 13k reads. ❤️

Questions:

Where should the squad go for the next month? (If your remember, once every month they do something fun and special)

Also if anyone is good at covers I'm looking for a new one! Dm my insta @prollywriting if you've made one for me!

-tinylighthearted