I obviously hadn’t come down off my high yet. My feet moved towards the closest escalator. The closer I got to Mimi the more my head raced. She was being escorted by a mall security guard through the mall getting worse stares than I would ever get. Tucking my elbows in I uttered apologizes to the people I pushed out of the way.

            Mimi’s arm was still being held tightly while I caught up. My feet were on her heels, her eyes turning slightly to see that I was still behind her, finally having her back. The cop and her disappeared around a corner heading towards a door that said “security”. I watched while they hide behind the door

           Taking a deep breath I stood at the door the black letters staring me in the face. There wasn’t time to think. My hand pressed open the door and I stepped through.

            “Hi, I’m looking for my bag. I lost it and they sent me here to find it,” I forced my voice to sound innocent and sweet.

            The gentleman turned around setting the phone back down on the receiver. Mimi sat in a chair off in the corner, her arms crossed. She glanced up looking at me with a smile but I shock my head.

            “No ma’am that kind of thing goes through the info center down stairs,” He spoke into a video monitor barely looking at me.

            I waltzed towards where he was standing. Lifting myself up I sat on the counter getting over close to him. He raised his eyes glancing at me taking a second glance.

            “See,” my hand extended touching his shoulder—“I’ve been to the info center and they sent me everywhere in this building until I got here. So I was wondering if you would just take a look for me.” Batting my eyelashes had never got me so far.

            “I can, take a look.” His checks blushed before he started to search for the bag that I knew very well was sitting in my car on the passenger seat.

            He barely took notice to Mimi who still sat pouting on the chair. He dug through boxes and boxes eagerly looking for his opening. Letting out a large sigh he returned approaching me with a sad look. He seemed late twenties, tired from being stuck at this job.

            “Thank you very much for looking,” I told him but instead of getting up and leaving I stayed swinging my legs back and forth.

            “Hold old are you?” I asked watching Mimi stifle a smirk.

            “I’m twenty seven,” He looked nervous.

            I bite my lip and twirled my hair giving him all the wrong impressions—“I really like a man in uniform,” I reached out touching his collar watching his eyes grow wide.

            “If you’re free sometime I’d love to get together,” My own voice twisted in my stomach.

            “I get off at four thirty,” He whispered trying to avoid Mimi hearing any of this conversation.

            “I was thinking, Now,” I smirked looking over at Mimi—“But I think you might be busy,” My smirk turned into a frown.

            “No that’s fine,” Scratching his eyebrow he walked over to Mimi muttering a few words before grabbing her by the elbow and escorting her to the door.

            “But,” I spoke up realizing that I had put myself into a worse position than Mimi was already in—“I need my bag. It has something in it,” I bit my lip and it was obvious how eggar he was.

            “I’ll go look for it. You just wait here,” He told me while retreating opening the door and walking briskly out of it.

            The room was silent with him gone and I knew I needed to get out of here quickly before he comes back. I hoped off of the counter, the high wearing off while I started to come to my senses. What I did was wrong and I knew it, but at this point it didn’t matter.

            Pushing open the door I say Mimi standing there waiting—“Let’s go,” I told her pulling her arm.

            Everyone carried on like nothing had happened. The world wasn’t looking at me any different, none of these other people knew that Stella was about to ruin all of our lives. Both of our eyes were on the lookout for the mall cop, if he saw both of us together he would but the puzzle pieces together.

            Together we made our way to where we last saw Stella. The girls had disappeared but movement was heard behind the partition walls. We circled it waiting to find an open. Nancy stood in front of the curtain blocking the entrance.

            “Just in time,” She grunted writing something down on a piece of paper.

            Pushing the curtain out of the way, I saw how elaborate Stella was doing this party. There was a small cat walk running down the center. Rows of chairs lined both sides. Stella stood on the stage facing the group of girls. Awkwardly we both walked up, Stella turning to see both of us returning and she looked displeased.

            “I underestimated you,” Stella hissed her nails digging he forearm.

            “Finally everyone has made it here. There were only a couple fatalities, so sad.” She sounded upset but there was an amused look on her face that turned into rage when she looked at us.

            The rage she had for me only made my smile widened.

            “We all need to get ready for the show.” Every girl disappeared behind the stage, knowing nothing better to do we followed the rest of the girls.

            There were a couple of chairs and circle curtains used as dressing rooms. Girls fought each other trying to get into those rooms. Sandra appeared a head set attached to ear.

            “Eden.” Sandra approached Mimi and I with concern—“Every other girls knows what the challenge is and Stella would kill me if she found out I told you. So all I'm saying is that I hope for your sake you stole a lot of clothes.” With that useless advice she took off.

            All the other girls were changing into another set of clothes but I didn’t see any laid out for us. The sound around us increased while I heard chairs move and people mutter. Getting curious I lurked around the end of the stage looking to see what was going on. Boys and men filled the chairs. Nancy was taking money from the men before they came in. They were actually charging them to come here and do what?

            Sandra came onto the stage with a microphone in her hand—“We have a special show for everyone tonight.” Her acting skills were astonishing, she wasn’t scared and her voice never stuttered.

            “We are having an auction today. All the proceeds go to our graduation so bid high. We have the graduating class of Regal High, plus a few extra volunteers. They each represent a store from this mall. The person that bids the highest with win a date with the lucky girl, tonight.” Turning her head she must have sensed someone watching her. She winked at me and my heart continued to sink deeper into my stomach.

            “So everyone had their bid ballot. Now when you want to bid for just hold it up in the air but don’t bid everything right away, we have saved the best for last, now without further ado, let’s begin the show.” Turning around sharply she headed back to where the chaos was still raging.

            She headed straight before me grabbing my shoulder—“You have to wear the clothes that you stole. When you hear your name and brand name you have to walk out on that stage, if you don’t you’re out. Stella gave you Victoria Secret because she wanted to see you fail but I think you could win better with this. You want to get the highest bid, Eden you need it.” Before I could ask her any more questions or pick my jaw up from the floor she headed back out onto the stage.  

            Both Mimi and I looked at each other with disbelief. She at least had a full outfit that covered her arms legs and stomach. I would be walking up their completely exposed. Mimi went into the change room to fix her clothing. After a few grunts she emerged in skin tight yoga pants and tank top. She was covered in the Lulu Lemon symbols.

            After she left I snuck in swinging the curtain fully around myself.

            I was about to be forced to walk on that stage barely wearing any clothes. The thought hit me in the chest. Nothing seemed to scare me more than knowing all these people were about to see me almost naked.

            “Eden.” Mimi struggled with the curtain.

            I hadn’t changed. My pants and t-shirt were still on. My arms fully wrapped themselves around my body to hold them there—“Are you ready?” She asked but I hadn’t calmed down yet.

            “No,” It came out in a sob.

            “Let me in,” She flailed around trying to find the opening.

            “What’s wrong?” Mimi spoke through the divider.

            “I’ve never been that exposed in my life!” I shouted—“How am I supposed to walk out there like it isn’t bothering me when my legs and hands haven’t stopped shaking.” Tears stung the corners of my eyes but I refused to let them fall.

            “Have you ever been so pissed off that you just do something? Like you don’t give a crap anymore about what happens next? You need to find that hatred for Stella and use it. You need to prove to Stella that you aren’t afraid of her and hiding in there like a scared little baby is you letting her win. You and I both know that if someone doesn’t put her in her place she will show everyone where she thinks there place is. I’m sick of being called a hick because I live on a farm and I’m sure your sick of being called a virgin just because you are,” The encouraging speech was able to get me to come out of the comfort of my change room.  

            Considering everything that happened to me over my high school years it was safe to say that I had enough built up hatred; a hatred that hopefully would grow into courage. I wish I could shove everything into Stella face but in order to do that I would need to put on a brave face and own it. Mimi looked hopeful. I readjusted my garments underneath my clothes.

            I had decided that I would go onto that stage with my regular clothes and just give enough of a show to perk interest. There was a stereo somewhere playing music and I knew everything was going to start. Heading back to the edge I looked into the crowd.

            Zack and Wayne were in the front row.

            “Good luck,” Mimi grabbed my arm tightly.

            I was going to need all the luck.

            “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s start it off with a big warm welcome for our first contestant showing off clothes from H&M,” She spoke clearly everyone clapping their hands.

            “This lovely senior is Beth, She is captain of the cheerleading team and would not mind wearing her uniform for your date tonight.” Quickly people were throwing out numbers and the number paddles were being thrown into the air.

            Beth, being one of those popular girls strutted herself well I took notes on what to do. She stuck out her hips walking up and down winking at all the boys, cat calls were heard all around.

            “We are at three hundred dollars, going once, twice, sold to number 39 in the green shirt,” She exclaimed Beth exited the stage exhaling deep breathes.

            For the rest of the girls I watched keeping an eye on Wayne and Zack. All the names went by so quickly. Mimi went shortly after Beth and Wayne’s number waved in the air wildly. I guess Mimi was a good kisser because the total went up to five hundred dollars.  

            This was going to be the most expensive date I have ever heard. Mimi being a fair player even blew a kiss towards Wayne before walking off the stage. My brain wouldn’t stop whirling. None of this was familiar to me anymore; I wasn’t the type of person to do this.

            “We have said the best for last because she is going to be our valedictorian. Everyone welcome Eden wearing some sexy pieces of clothing from Victoria Secret,” She introduced me just the same as the others.

            I moved towards the entrance taking in a deep breath I took of my shirt, wrapping the slinky house coat around my body.

            I flung open the curtains spreading my arms wide before placing them on my hips. The dramatic entrance was enough to gain a loud applause from the crowd. Looking at Zack I watched him put his fingers to his mouth and let out a loud whistle.

            Putting one foot in front of the other seemed more difficult when everyone was watching you. Eventually my feet started to walk forward with I took small steps trying not to fall. Once I got half way I released the tie holding my house coat closed. It opened enough to reveal the sexy bra I had under it. The crowd erupted in shouts. Continuing to walk I let the silk fabric fall of my shoulders exposing more.

            Cheers echoed through the room. I wondered if everyone knew my heart was beating out of my chest and my head was getting lighter and lighter with every step.

            “Eden,” Sandra sounded very surprised about my actions—“Enjoys mathematics and AP classes. She is also a—“Sandra’s voice cracked for a second before rethinking her statement—“A virgin.” She must have been weighing the option of telling everyone or not.

            Once I reached the edge of the stage I pulled my head out of my ponytail letting it fall loose around my shoulders. Suddenly numbers were being shot into the air. During around I left the silk fabric fall to the floor. Walking away I let everyone stare at my bare back and shoulders.

            Reaching the very end I saw Zack throw his number in the air. It seemed as if I was little red riding hood amongst a thousand hungry wolves .The breeze was starting to give me goose bumps up and down my body.

            “We have a buyer on the phone,” Sandra pushed her head set further into place.

            A giant smirk appeared across her face as she returned my smile.

            “The buyer on the phone is bidding one thousand dollars.” A gasp came from the crowd.

            No one was going to match one thousand dollars. Angered mutters came from all the girls behind the curtain. My job was done and I walked off the stage behind the safety of the curtain. My chest heaved.

            Mimi brought me a sweater, most likely one that she stole. Nancy told us all to wait where we were until everything was sorted out and all the guys left. So all we did was sit around in chairs staring at each other.

            “This is crazy,” Mimi jumped with excitement.

            “At least you know who you’re going on a date with. This is killing me. How did someone call in a bid?” The look on her face made me wonder why she had a crazy smile of her face.

            Her eyes trailed past me behind my shoulder. She rolled her eyes.

            Someone cleared their voice behind me. Butterflies grew in my stomach threatening to climb up my esophagus. I stood up slowly trying to figure out who was behind me.

            “Hey, Eden,” Was all they said.