21.

shopping

"CAN WE JUST go shopping?" I asked.

"Yes Daesyn," Emery replied, grinning widely. "I'm waiting for Caelum to come back from his run."

"When is he coming back?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

I couldn't believe Emery. She literally came over to my house at exactly 10:00 AM and dragged me to her car. It was a Saturday, so the least she could do was let me sleep.

"I don't know, soon?"

"Why does he even follow you to the mall?" I asked. "I don't think any guy likes shopping. Especially with his sister and her friends."

She shrugged. "He only started tagging along recently," she said. "The first time we went to the mall together was the first time he came with me."

"What?"

She bit her lips, as though trying to stop herself from spilling the tea. "I told him I invited you to come to the mall with me, and then he said he was coming too."

My eyebrows furrowed. "I'm confused."

"Don't ask me!" she yelled, running into the kitchen.

My jaw dropped at her reaction, but I decided not to push it.

"Ugh!" I groaned into the pillow when she came back.

"What is it again?" she asked.

"I can't believe I haven't spoken to my mother since she arrived."

Emery snorted. "Well, you need to do it soon."

I glared at her. "I know Em," I said. "It's just that I don't know how."

"Well, I don't know how either," she retorted. "Maybe you should give her a chance to explain herself."

I nodded at her statement. I could give her a chance to explain herself. Honestly, I didn't think any explanation she gave would change my mind about her easily, but I could at least give her a chance.

"I'll be back, I'm going to dress up," Emery said and walked up the stairs.

A while later, I heard the front door open and I wasn't surprised when I saw Caelum.

"Do you ever leave?" he groaned immediately he stepped into the house.

"Hello to you too," I greeted.

"Who even let you in?" he asked. His voice sounded rough like he hadn't talked for a while and I figured he needed water but I decided not to give him any.

"Emery obviously," I replied, standing from my position on the couch.

"Well, tell her you don't want to come here again," he said, walking to take the bottle of water from the table.

"Please." I snorted. "We both know you wouldn't survive without me."

He glared at me, dropping the empty bottle. "If you'll excuse me, I need to go take a shower."

"Ugh!" I told him. "You really need to shower, you stink!" It was a lie. I couldn't smell him from where I stood but I felt like messing with him.

He narrowed his eyes before widening his arms like he wanted to give me a hug. I quickly stepped backward, avoiding his sweaty hug. He looked at me for a second before chuckling and walking towards the stairs. I couldn't help but smile at his retreating back.

"You're creeping me out Daesyn," I heard Emery call from behind me.

I ignored her, lying on the couch.

"I heard somebody come in," Emery said. "Caelum?"

I nodded, still smiling.

"Did you guys talk?" she asked. I nodded, my grin widening.

"You're impossible," she muttered.

I ignored her, letting out a small squeal. Caelum talked to me without an attitude and he even smiled at me. We'd made so much progress, I couldn't even.

Melanie and Clara were already at the store when we arrived. It was a costume store and apparently, the girls thought shopping for costumes two weeks before Halloween was a great idea.

Unlike me, they considered Halloween a big holiday. I rarely ever celebrated Halloween and the last time I did celebrate it, Father was still alive. Thinking about it now, I hadn't visited him in such a long time. I had been so immersed in my life that I didn't think about visiting my father.

"Daesyn!"

"Huh?"

"I've been calling you since forever," Emery said, a concerned look taking over her face. "Is something wrong?"

I tried to make my fake smile believable. "No, I just zoned out."

She nodded like she didn't believe me, but she didn't say anything else. I sighed in relief when Clara dragged her to the other side of the store.

"She didn't believe you."

I groaned silently as I turned to look at Caelum. "Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?"

He shrugged. "Maybe you should keep your voice down next time."

I ignored his jab. "I know she didn't believe me."

He looked confused for a second before replying. "She cares about you."

"I know," I sighed.

The silence was becoming uncomfortable, so I decided to change the subject. "What are you going as?"

He leaned back against the chair, crossing his arms. "What?"

"For Halloween," I explained.

"I don't know," he said.

"Me neither."

The girls came back from their search a while later with several costumes in their hands.

"Guess what?" Melanie asked, a huge grin on her face.

"It's time to go home?" I guessed and she shook her head.

"We get to take all these cool costumes for free?" Clara chirped in and I smiled.

"No, silly." Melanie giggled. "I have an idea."

"Okay," I drawled, clearly not interested in the conversation.

"Caelum and I can wear matching costumes!"

"Okay, Melanie," Emery said. "Caelum can't wear matching costumes with you."

Melanie furrowed her brows. "What? Why?"

"Uh... because Caelum and Daesyn are already dressing to match."

"We are?" both Caelum and I asked at the same time.

"Yes, you are," Emery said, grinning triumphantly.

Standing from my position on the chair, I dragged Emery to the other side of the store. "What was that?"

She shrugged. "Me saving my brother."

"You completely threw me under the bus!"

"Caelum doesn't want to go with her," was her response.

I groaned into my hands. "Then who says he wants to go with me?"

"Me," she replied as the grin reappeared. "I said so."