Chapter Twenty: Real Mature

For the next two weeks, I didn't speak to Griffin at all. I avoided him as much as possible. He didn't attempt to apologize, so I didn't attempt to start a conversation. If he wasn't going to apologize, I didn't have anything to say to him. He made me sound like such a nuisance, a thorn in his side. I'm not the one who chose to be in this situation.

When I got home from school, I got ready for my day out with my best friends. We were going winter shopping. I pulled on a peach shirt and blue jeans. I grabbed my black coat and white Converse. On my way out, I gave Mufasa a quick pat on the head. He had been affected by the situation between Griffin and me too. He was like a human child sometimes.

I shut the door behind me and took a deep breath. It was freezing. The sky was completely covered with clouds. They weren't gray, they were white which meant it would snow soon. I was so excited for the snow. Greyford really got into the winter season. We had festivals and people would decorate their houses and buildings they owned. Even Applewood gets decorated every year.

"How's it going with Griffin?" Kira asked the second I got in the car.

I sighed, "He's still a jerk, why?"

"You two are acting like an old married couple. What did he even do?" Indie peered at me through the rearview mirror.

I took a second to think of my answer. I couldn't say exactly why what he said hurt me so much because then they'd know he was the grim reaper and I'd die in a year's time. I had to change the story a bit to make him sound like a normal teenager.

"He basically called me needy-"

"Basically?" Indie repeated knowingly. "So, he didn't call you needy exactly."

"It was implied!" I shot back. "He said not all of his friends needed him at their side every second of the day like I do! He's the one who won't leave me alone! I didn't ask him to follow me around all the time like some sort of third parent! I was just fine before-"

"I'm sure you guys will get it together at some point. Until then, we're shopping," Kira cut the conversation short.

We all headed into the mall. It wasn't totally crowded, which was good. I wasn't in the mood to fight some girl over a sweater. I was hardly in the mood to shop. The thought of Griffin brought a sour taste to my mouth. Here I was thinking he was a nice guy who cared. Instead, he's a jerk who pretended to care about my life because it was his job.

I can be such an idiot sometimes.

That's why we have best friends. They're here for you even when you aren't here for yourself.

I smiled. That was the point. My best friends and I spending time together. I was done worrying about Griffin today. It was about time I spent more time with my girls. After all, my time is short. I don't want to spend the time I have left worried about some guy. He wasn't worth my time.

We flew through the first few stores, hands full of bags. Indie abandoned us by the second store. Since her family was pretty much rich, she headed off to the more expensive wing of the mall. Kira and I preferred not to spend too much on clothes. Half of the clothes in the bags I'd wear once or twice then either hate or forget about them. Plus, they were only good for one season. Once spring comes around, most of these clothes will be useless.

"So, the carnival's coming to town pretty soon," Kira said, looking through more clothes.

"I'm so excited! I can't wait to drink hot cocoa and ride the Ferris wheel-" I stopped myself once I reached a realization.

I'd be on the Ferris wheel alone this year. Indie and Bradley usually always rode together and Kira's afraid of heights. I was happy to be free from Micah, but riding the wheel alone wasn't as fun as having someone with you. Riding alone just makes it a boring and thoughtful ride. Who wants that at a carnival?

"I think maybe you and Griffin should work things out-"

"Damn that!" I barked. "If he's not mature enough to admit he was wrong and apologize, I have absolutely nothing to say to him!"

"Did I mention that I have a date?" Kira added smugly. "Which means you'll be fifth wheeling big time."

I groaned, "You suck, you know that?"

"And you swallow."

"Real mature."

"Thanks, I know."

I glared at her and she grinned back at me. Once we checked out, I decided I was done shopping. I was getting tired and the bags were heavy. We met up with Indie at the food court. I thought we had a lot of bags, but she was quick to prove me wrong. We all sat down at a booth. I was glad to finally put the bags down and give my arms a rest. I swear shopping will give me muscles.

"Did she tell you?"

"I'm tired of being the last to know things!" I whined. "I'll just find a date. There are plenty guys at Applewood."

Indie rolled her eyes, "Are you really that immature?"

"What is it with you two?!" I snapped. "Why do you keep bringing up Griffin?! We're not even dating! And we haven't been friends long enough for you guys to be this involved!"

"That's exactly why!" Kira sighed. "You've been acting so weird since the night of the bonfire. You're impatient and moody and it's annoying. You may not be dating, but that guy has a serious effect on you whether you like it or not."

I sighed and looked out at the food court. I didn't want to think about Griffin or my problems. I wanted to have a good time with my friends and forget about everything else. However, sometimes what you want isn't what you need. What I needed was a reality check and that's exactly what I was getting now.

Griffin's words may have made me angry, but I felt more guilt than anything. He was always with me. I may not be the reason he goes to school with me, but I am the reason he cut his day off short. I interrupted his mother's birthday. I also invited him to Thanksgiving dinner. I was equally at fault here and I knew it. It was always easier to blame the other guy for your own problems. That way you could at least pretend you don't have any problems and there isn't anything wrong with you.

"You're right and I'm sorry," I apologized. "I just-"

"Look at what we have here! The girl who caused me to lose my spot as class president!" His timing couldn't have been any worse. "Hey whatever happened to my phone, Mackenzie?"

He was with some of his friends. They were just as bad as him. I shot him a fake smile, "I have no idea what you're talking about, Micah."

"Bullshit. You destroyed it so the world wouldn't see your nudes."

His friends started cackling behind him. I just rolled my eyes, my smile never leaving my face, "You're so funny, Micah. You really think I'd stoop down to your level and steal your phone?"

He glared at me, "You're replacing it or else-"

I laughed. Actually laughed. I must've looked insane, but I didn't care. I couldn't believe this was happening. He was actually threatening me. There wasn't a hint of humor in his voice either. He seriously believed I was afraid of his threats. Maybe I would've been weeks ago, but not today. Not anymore. I was over him and his lies.

"I'm sorry it's just- you think I'm actually afraid of you, Micah? You're a wimp," I wiped away a tear.

"Excuse me?!"

"You heard me, Micah McCall. You're a fucking wimp. A real man wouldn't hit a girl just so he won't look bad in front of his friends. You're just a spoiled brat that couldn't handle the fact that his perfect reputation was in danger. And the best part is that it was your own fault. All of it. And now you're here threatening me! Wake up, Micah. You're your own worst enemy!"

Anger was written all over his face. He didn't like people talking down to him like that. Knowing this, I still did it. There was nothing he could do that would scare me at this point. I was more interested in what he'd do next. Hitting me in front of people wouldn't be a good move for him, so that was already off the table.

"You're such a child! You think you're so invincible! Let's see invincible you are when I-"

"That's quite enough."

I knew I should've been civilized. After all, I knew he wasn't totally at fault. Still, I couldn't stop myself. I still carried some sort of anger towards him. The minute I saw his face, all of that anger surfaced and I couldn't control myself.

"Aw look! Griffin's here to save the day!" I laughed once again.

"Mackenzie, perhaps you should-"

"Oh, you're not here to save the day, you're here to tell me what to do. Great," I rolled my eyes. "If that's the case, I might as well go back to talking to Micah. He loves giving me orders like I'm some sort of dog."

"Mackenzie, you're getting on my last fucking nerve-"

"Shut up!" Indie shouted over all of our arguing. "Micah, piss off. Mackenzie's over you so move on!"

"You can't just-"

Indie was on her feet in a flash. She grabbed a fistful of Micah's shirt and forced him down to her level, "Go away before I make you."

Once she let go, Micah straightened up and walked away. Very quickly, might I add. His friends followed closely after. She turned back to Griffin and me. She was heated. Her face was a small tinge of red. She grabbed Griffin by his ear and pulled him down to her level. Before I could enjoy his pain, she was pulling on my ear.

"You two are gonna get along and you're gonna like it. Kira and I are gonna go get us some food. When we get back, you'd better be the best fucking friends this world has ever seen. Got it?"

"But you're my-"

"That's what I thought. Kira! Let's go!" She called over to Kira, letting our ears go.

They both left and I crossed my arms. I had about a million things to say to him, but I had my pride. Sure, it was going to be my downfall eventually, but I couldn't help it. The way I saw it: I'm not eighteen yet, so I don't have to be completely mature. My window of time was running out since I'd be eighteen in twelve days.

"Mackenzie-"

"If the next words coming out of your mouth aren't 'I'm sorry' I don't want to hear it," I stated stubbornly.

He sighed, "That's the thing, Mackenzie. I don't know what I did in the first place."

I scoffed, "After all this time, you're just gonna act like you have no idea what you did. Wow, Griffin."

"I'm not putting on an act. I seriously don't know what I did or why you were so mad at me," He looked genuinely confused.

"What you said at the party about not all of your clients needing you every second of the day," I sighed. "Do you know how much that hurt? Being called needy? You made me sound like such a child and we're supposed to be friends."

He raised an eyebrow, "That's what you were mad about? My clients have all been elders who usually need me by their side all the time to help them get around. However, not all of them need me so much since some of them maintained a healthy lifestyle. I wasn't implying that you were needy."

I felt like an idiot.

Good because you are.

"I guess I'm the one who owes you an apology, then. I'm sorry, Griffin," I offered a smile.

My pride crumbled in that moment.

"If that's the only problem, I'll be going-"

"Wait." I grabbed his arm. It wasn't forceful, I just wanted his attention. "How did you know about the situation happening with Micah? I made sure not to say your name all day."

"Believe it or not, I was actually just walking around the mall looking for clothes," He shrugged.

"Reapers don't have their own malls?" I questioned, not quite believing him.

"We do. Andrew's been hanging out there lately, so I decided to come here instead of ripping his throat out," He said coldly.

He reminded me of what I said Thanksgiving Day. I wondered if he figured out what I told him. It wasn't some old riddle scientists spent centuries trying to figure out. It was actually quite simple. It was just Griffin's background keeping him from getting it. I knew I couldn't reverse his childhood or what he learned, but I hoped to reshape it a bit.

Andrew didn't deserve to be disliked for being different. It wasn't fair. Especially since he didn't choose his life. He had no say in his grandmother's decision. And his grandmother didn't deserve this treatment either. She can't help what her heart wants.

"Did you ever figure out my 'riddle' from Thanksgiving?" I asked.

He narrowed his eyes, "I don't know."

I sighed, "Griffin, Andrew and I aren't that much different from each other-"

"Yes, you are," He immediately cut me off. "Very different. The fact that you would even compare yourself to him baffles me."

"No, we aren't. Think about it. My parents are in an interracial relationship with mixed kids. Not everyone approves of that. Andrew's grandparents were in an inter...something relationship and had mixed kids. Reapers don't approve. I see where he comes from-"

"Mackenzie, you and Andrew are nothing alike. You don't know him like I do. If you did-"

"Griffin, be completely honest with me, okay? Does any of that spite directed towards Andrew have to do with the fact that he's part human?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. His eyes fell shut as he thought. He could answer honestly or not, either way, he would know the true answer. I knew the real answer myself. It wasn't necessarily his fault that he felt like that about Andrew. He was raised to look down at people like Andrew.

I thought about if I were a Reaper and asked him the same question. Would I get the same response? I understood we were different. My world and his. Reapers were here to assist humans when they go to their final resting place, not to form relationships. That's how he'd been taught to think his whole life. It was like a basic history lesson for Reapers.

It sucked.

People shouldn't be judged because of what they are or what they look like. The only thing that truly matters is who they are. Nothing else. We're all skin and bones in the end. Reapers may have powers, but I almost knew for a fact that if Andrew cut his finger, he'd bleed red just like everyone else.

"I think so," He finally replied.

I placed a hand on his shoulder and he looked me in my eyes, "You have so much to learn."

He frowned, "I'm sorry-"

"We still a have year together. We both have a lot of learning to do."

//

I don't really like this chapter. It's so... uneventful. This is really just a filler chapter, so I guess it's okay. Chapter 20! It's really been that long. Wow. And there's a lot still to come. A lot. It's like a meal. You're almost done with the appetizers. The very slow paced appetizers. Once you get the main course, it should get more interesting. Anywho, thanks for reading!

Tatty bye <3

EDIT: Hiya! I just want to apologize in advance if any chapters are late. Now that I'm almost a month into school, work is starting to pile up a bit, which means I haven't had much time to write. It also means I haven't been able to create covers either. However, I'm still going to work hard on keeping my schedule! And thank you for 200+ reads!!! Okay bye again :)