THE MALL

My alone time didn't last long as Ray came back into the room. He didn't say anything when he came in and it made me brace for the news that they wanted me gone. That emotional display from earlier could have just been an act.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"We're going shopping. We can't buy you clothes if you don't come along to try them on."

"I think your parents don't want me here anymore."

He became quiet, a silence I think means I'm right.

"I don't need them to waste money on me if they will ask me to leave later."

"What are you talking about? They were just wondering if we would find nice and we'll fitting clothes for you." he explained.

I didn't respond and just sighed. Moments later we heard a knock at the door and Ray went to open it.

"Mom and dad are looking for Dee." I heard Michelle say from the door.

I did not wait for Ray to relay the message and got up from the bed and walked to the door. I walked out of the room following Michelle closely until we ended up in the garden that I was yet to explore. Mr and Mrs McGuire were standing next to the low fence talking to some elderly man who I assume is usually lying down because of his pale skin and shriveled up skin and crooked smile. I walked closer to the trio and greeted the old man first.

"Good evening sir." I said and it had the man's smile widen.

His eyes were a gentle shade of grey and held wisdom in them. I involuntarily ended up smiling back at him as if something in his eyes had compelled me to. His teeth were surprisingly all there and healthy looking.

"Evening." he responded,"How are you fitting in? Must be nice to be getting a new family."

"It is but I don't think I'll be staying too long." I said letting my smile fall from my face as I looked down at the ground.

I saw Mr McGuire turn around to look at me while Bella seemed to be shaking.

"Why so?" the old man asked still smiling but this time his smile seemed a little bit more thoughtful.

"I'm not a child so I'll have to move out soon to start a new life, won't I?" I answered with a fake smile.

"Children never really outgrow childhood in the eyes of their parents son. They just got you and here you are already changing into your big boy pants." the man said clicking his tongue and I noticed how his eyes became a shade darker.

Not knowing what else to say I nodded and looked at my new parents.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Mhhm.... we're supposed to go shopping remember?"

Bella was the one who answered. She seemed afraid for some reason and not the kind of fear elicited by fear of death or harm but.....fear that any normal parent would have; the fear of losing a child. I am not sure if I should be feeling glad because they have accepted me quickly or if I should be afraid because of how unnatural it is.

"Yes. I remember."

"We'll see you later Mr Tris." Mr McGuire said smiling at the old man standing on the other side of the fence.

Mr and Mrs McGuire turned to face me completely and started walking towards the house. I took one last look at the old man and then followed the McGuires into the house. They got in the house just to go back out through the front door and I quietly followed behind them. We exchanged no words even when we got in the car and I was somewhat grateful for the silence because it gave me the opportunity to listen to their heart beats. They were anxious; no doubt because of me. We drove through a series of roads that I quietly memorized and then we stopped in front of a heavily cemented structure that I suppose is the mall. I waited for them to get out before doing so myself.

If it wasn't killing nature I would have thought it was a beautiful place. There were very few tree that had been strategically planted and they were all palm trees.

"Say something Dee." I heard Bella say beside my ear.

"What?" I asked back.

"Your silence is making us anxious." she said barely in a whisper and I'm sure Mr McGuire didn't even hear her words,"Sam and I, we are worried about you son."

She sounds sad and her heart beat tells me she isn't lying about it. I nodded my head and saw her nod her head. I followed her and Sam into the mall while looking around and I'm certain I was looking like a child. The mall is much bigger than I had anticipated and the people around were dressed up and in a frenzy. I noticed how the girls and women were barely dressed in the name of fashion and I shook my head in dismay. Bella took my hand in her own and at the same time I saw a mother walking by with a boy, who I assume is barely seven, and she was also holding his hand the same way Bella was holding mine. I felt embarrassed not because of Bella but because of myself. I did not shake her hand off but just followed her.

"I hope they'll have things your size.....and your type." she said sounding a little bit happier.

I nodded my head knowing fully well that she had not seen me nod because she was looking in the other direction. If I had come here with Sam I would already be lost because he was walking quickly as if he had not come here with anyone.

"On your feet kiddo." I heard him say and I quickened my steps inturn making me appear to be dragging Bella behind me instead of the other way.

We came to the machinery I believe is called an escalator and I gulped down some saliva that I was unaware was building up in my mouth. I looked at Sam and Bella and they smiled to me knowingly. If I mess up getting onto the escalator right now I do not think I'll be able to handle the embarrassment.

"Just one step at a time son." Bella said,"The first step and the last step are what is important so don't be scared. I actually fell down the first time myself, at this very mall."

I want to believe her but it almost feels like she's making it up to make me feel comfortable. I moved closer to the first step and braced myself making sure to take that first step cautiously and quickly so that I would not end up tipping over. I was successful and it made me happy. Bella and Sam got on behind me and together we made our way to the top. I got off with ease and felt that I was a very lucky fairy to not have fallen. We made our way to the clothing section and my eyes widened at the wide array of clothing available but unfortunately most of them weren't to my liking. I walked ahead of them to take a look at the clothes until I came to a section with casual wear.

My first pick was obviously a black-and-white combo then black and some other dark colors in different shades. I made sure to pick XXL for everything. Most of the shoes were white, black and some grey.

"You'll need some formal clothes as well kiddo." Sam said.

"For what?" I asked as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

"Date night, prom and family dinners out somewhere....and other stuff.

"Date nights and prom are things I'm not going to partake in." I said smiling,"I can get some for family dinners and the other stuff."

He frowned, deeply frowned and sighed. He shook his head slightly and I saw Bella look away from me.

"Are you gay or something?" Sam asked suddenly after a momentary silence.

"Yes. I'm always gay." I responded and their eyes snapped wide open,"Happy. Gay means happy, doesn't it?" I added as an after thought,"Not the other meaning."

They both sighed in relief and I subconsciously rolled my eyes at them. Sam accompanied me to the section where they had some suits but Bella told him not to pick for me.

"Face it Sam. You have poor taste in suits. Don't go make Dee look like a seventy five year old retired manager who still wears suits he wore when he was overweight." she said slapping away his hand from a grey suit that I don't like.

"Oh come on sweet Bee. I am always praised by my colleagues for my taste in suits....."

I smiled at the bickering couple and looked at the suits myself. For suits I think I want a tighter fit and I'll need formal shoes as well. The sun had set long ago and it had become a few degrees colder. I only got two suits, not wanting the bill to sky rocket when I wasn't staying on earth for too long.

"That's it?" Sam asked.

"Yes sir....."

The words were barely off my tongue when he grabbed my shirt by the neck. The people around us were startled and mothers held on to their children reflexively.

"I mean yes dad." I quickly corrected myself with my hands raised.