Shopping Encounter

[Sunday, Afternoon]

"Why am I following you around, Bella? Can't you have gone by yourself?" I said as my sister dragged me around the shopping district shortly after lunch.

"I wanted you to come shopping with me. Think of it as family bonding time."

"Whatever."

Sunday afternoon, My sister, Bella; has forced me to go shopping with her. I was just idly doing nothing all day but she barged into my room and forced me to go shopping. What a horrible world. I'd rather be playing games or studying than helping my sister.

"Ethan, is there anything you need to buy?" She asked.

"Not really, you only dragged me along so I can pay for it all."

Why did I have to have a job? Our parents give her money every month. Is that not enough for her to survive on?

"£45 for just a shirt?" I said looking at the price tags. Now I know why she wants me to pay

"What are you talking about? You can't complain about the prices when you also buy clothes like this."

I can't argue there. I do often like to look 'the part'. Unlike Owen who just wears hoodies and jeans all the time. Even in 100-degree heat, he will be wearing a hoodie. If he ever questions why girls don't like him he should start with his fashion sense.

"Ok. So I want this one, this one, and this one. Oh and this one. This one looks nice. I like this. I want this as well. This looks cute. Do I look cute? I know I'm cute."

Bella was running around the shop picking out every single item she saw, ignoring the price tags on each one. I can hear my wallet crying in pain.

"Ethan? Is that you?"

Whilst Bella was running around a familiar angelic voice sounded from behind. Kaylee appeared behind me in a cute coat and skirt combo. I was blinded by her pure light, I thought I was going to go to heaven but I managed to snap back and become blessed with Kaylee's presence.

"Ah! Hello. It is I, Ethan." Aw crap, how awkward can I get.

"Yes, hehe. I am aware that it is you."

Aw, what an angel. I could feel my heartbeat so fast out of pure excitement. If I died now I would be happy.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Probably the same thing as you. Clothes shopping."

"Ah, I see. Obviously." Damn, I'm so awkward. Why is Owen rubbing off on me? I wish he would keep his infectious awkwardness to himself, or maybe I infected him first. Which one of us was awkward first? That's a good question. No, wait. I'm getting distracted. I need to focus on my 'failing love life' or at least that's what Owen and Sean would call it.

"Hey, Ethan! Do you think this will look good on me?" Bella had finished running around and returned to find me talking to Kaylee. I had mentioned Kaylee multiple times but they've never met in person before.

Bella wasn't breaking eye contact. She dropped the clothes in her hands and gave off an ominous intent. The store was completely silent, Kaylee and Bella stared at each other across the room. If there ever was a time for an epic fast-paced action battle this seems like it will be it.

"Hi, You must be Kaylee, I'm Bella, Ethan's SISTER." Bella's emphasis on the word sister was unnecessary. I don't know why she is asserting her dominance, Kaylee wouldn't harm a fly. She is an angel. I could also see she was tightly gripping Kaylee's hand in a very awkward, but firm, handshake.

"Ah! You're Bella! Ethan has told me great things about you."

"Eh. he has!" Bella said as she released her grip in shock. "What has he said? What's he like at work? What's he like at school?" Talk about a flip personality. One minute she wants to kill her now she is best buds. I wish I could get rid of her so I can spend time with Kaylee.

"Bella, why don't you go and buy whatever you want? my treat."

With this, she'll easily be out of my way.

"Hmm. no thanks. I wanna spend time with Kaylee. We are already best friends."

WHHHHYYYY? Why won't she leave?

Bella ran up to Kaylee and hugged her like a mother protecting her newborn child.

How could you? I've been betrayed by my sister. To be able to hug such a delicate creature without it coming off as weird. WHY! WHY WASN'T I BORN A GIRL? GOD DAMN THIS CURSED EXISTENCE! IF I WAS BORN A GIRL I COULD SPEND MORE TIME WITH HER!

"Errr. why don't we all go and get something to eat since we are all together." Kaylee suggested, only a true goddess such as herself could come up with such a brilliant idea I would be a fool to deny such an invite.

"Sure! Let's all go." Bella was easily going to agree, eating with not only me but also her new 'best friend'. Turns out she is useful after all. I'll take back one of the times I called her adopted. Regardless of lunch, it seemed that Bella was able a second stomach just to spend more time with Kaylee.

# # #

"This is the cafe we were in before, right Ethan?" Kaylee said.

"Yeah. With Ruby and Owen."

"Tsk, with that weirdo?" Bella said under her breath but we all clearly heard it. Not that I don't agree with her.

The three of us sat down at a table and ordered, Bella had brought more clothes than I wished so we didn't have much room under the table as that was where we were storing the bags.

"So, how is your weekend so far, Kaylee?" Bella asked before I could say anything.

"Not bad. I worked yesterday, we had a few customers but it was about as empty as usual so it wasn't that bad."

I see. From what I gather she works Saturdays, I should book a shift then so I can see her.

"What exactly is your relationship?" Bella asked a dangerous question out of the blue. She wasn't playing games. I need to turn this around into a situation where I can profit from it.

"Bella, she has a boyfriend. We are just friends and nothing more." As much as it hurt to admit, it was true, she does still have a boyfriend and we are just friends.

"Yeah. Just friends. hehe."

"I see." Bella looked at me, she seemed almost happy, but sad at the same time. It was strange and hard to work out what she was thinking. She always seemed like she cared too much about me or just wanted me all for herself but recently that doesn't seem to be the case. She's almost like a poorly written-character in a romance novel.

"What exactly do you like about my brother?" She suddenly asked.

"Huh?"

"Bella you can't just ask things like that." What was this girl doing? It's like she is planning something.

"Why not?"

"Because..." I had to pretend to tell her off. I secretly was glad about her confidence, I also wanted to know the answer.

"It's ok. I don't mind answering it." I was surprised to hear that she would answer it. I should let Bella buy some more stuff.

"I shall tell you, Bella and only you. Ethan can you go toilet and wait for a few minutes." Kaylee's smile was an infection. I could only smile back as it intimidated me.

Damn, I knew I wasn't going to be able to listen in. I'll just have to question Bella about it afterwards. WHY! IF ONLY I WAS BORN A GIRL! WHY WHY WHY!

"Ok. I'll be back in 2 minutes."

# # #

I waited in the bathroom awkwardly for 2 minutes standing in front of the mirror and looking at myself, stressing out about what they were talking about. My heart was pounding whilst my stomach felt sick. I tried to control my breathing, closing my eyes so I didn't need to see myself. With them closed, I was invisible to the world, I didn't exist.

I didn't want to leave the bathroom but everyone was looking at me and I don't know what to do.

Eventually, I left and noticed that Bella was sitting alone at the table.

"Where did Kaylee go?" I asked.

"She left, said she had something to do."

"Oh. I see. So, what did you talk about?"

"Nothing, just girl things. If I told you it wouldn't be interesting, would it?"

"Oh ok... I see." Well, I guess this is going to be another sleepless night for me.

On the way home I carried all of Bella's bags for some unknown reason. On the way back she didn't talk to me at all.

She didn't look at me. Not even a slight glance. Her pace stayed steady but occasionally slowed down.

Something about her seemed distant but everything went back to normal that night when we ate dinner. Perhaps we just didn't have anything interesting to talk about on the way back. Maybe I'm overthinking again.