Chapter 7: Shopping.

(A/N: Last for today. 3 more tomorrow.)

-Dunphy's House-

Haley walked to the kitchen counter where Alex was sitting after returning from school.

"So, I heard a boy confessed his love to you in class today?"

From afar, Luke made some smooching sounds.

"No, HE'S NOT!" Alex replied defensively, making Claire turn her attention to the talk. She walked to the kitchen while holding a basket full of laundry in her hands. "Alex, is that true?"

"NO. DON'T LISTEN TO HER!" Alex yelled. "He was just messing with me!"

"I heard he ignored the teacher and told Alex that he loves her right in the middle of a presentation. My friend has a brother in the school and told me all about it." Haley adds, pouring oil into the flames she's grilling her sister on. 

Edward's scandalous action had spread through the school's gossiping squad and reached even the elementary and high schoolers in the town. It was a time before social media took over people's lives, so gossip spread easily.

"Who is he?" Haley demanded to know. The gossip was so twisted that the boy's name was already lost when it passed through the third person.

"I'm not talking to you!" Alex picked up all of her books and ran away to get to her bedroom.

"Alex. We're going shopping- Oh, she's gone." Claire yelled from afar, but Alex slammed the door when she got into her room, letting her know the answer to her question before she could even ask it. She wanted to ask Haley more about the details, but Haley, as usual, had already gotten lost on her phone.

Haley needed a ride to the mall to meet her friends there, so she had to wait for Claire to finish her work.

Haley suddenly read a vital text, widened her eyes, and ran toward Alex in their room. "You cannot date that guy! HE'S A JERK!"

"I may need to get in the middle of that," Claire muttered while picking up the landline phone.

"Phil, where are you?"

In his car, Phil replied, "What? We are going to the mall, right?"

His car had already pulled up to the mall parking lot.

"Yeah. So, where are you? I'd been waiting for you to come back for a while now." Claire said, still holding the laundry basket in one hand.

"Wait. I thought you were meeting me there?! I am already here." Phil said nervously.

"PHIL. Seriously?!" Claire scolded in anger.

"I really thought we were meeting here!" Phil defended himself anxiously.

"…Alright. I'll bring…Luke will go with me and go there in the minivan. HALEY, WE'RE GOING!" Claire shouted to her daughter and hung up the call. "Alex! Don't open the door for strangers!"

From afar, Alex replied, "What am I? Luke and Haley? Just go." Claire nodded and took the key to the minivan before driving off with her family.

…

-Shopping mall-

Edward POV.

*Zrrkkk* The dressing room curtain was pulled, and I walked out with a new pair of clothes I was testing on. My new haircut was a textured-fringe haircut with a fade on the side. The hairstylist was so satisfied with the work that he took my picture and put me on the walls of his saloon.

"Hmm…I look good." I said as I saw my reflection in the full-body mirror. A chequered shirt with a green and black pattern, a simple white t-shirt on the inside, and brown khaki pants. My shoes were black Converse, so it fits with every teenager's daily outfits.

'This is the best I could do with limited options.' 

I could only spend some of my dad's money on outfits when he's struggling financially. I need to consider his situation too.

"That looked good, but are you sure you don't want to try a suit?" Pepper asked.

"Well, the important thing is to wear it confidently," Cam added beside Pepper. "Also, I LOVE you. Don't second-guess your style. You don't even need our opinion. I wish I had your confidence at my age."

"Can you be more of a kiss-ass?" Pepper sniped at Cam. "What?" Cam asked in confusion.

"You're only buttering him up so that he'll say nice things for you later," Pepper said as he saw-through Cam clearly.

"Don't worry, Cam. Your style is pretty nice today. Your outfit only suc- not that good yesterday."

"You want to say suck, don't you? I'll let you know; my outfits are based on the latest issues of this month's Vanity fair. So, who has bad taste now?"

I replied casually. "You."

Cam was a bit stunned while Pepper chuckled at him.

"B.T.W., do you know where I can get high-quality fabrics for cheap?" I asked as I planned to create my own outfits from now on. 

"Well. Our friend Longinus ran a boutique. I'll ask him for you. But why do you ask?" Cam responded.

"Are you thinking of making your own outfits? I got to warn you. It's not that easy." Pepper added. He snarked, "It's not like Britney after a few drinks."

Cam giggled, and I chuckled a bit.

After buying a few outfits, I asked, "So, where's Mitchell?"

"Well… he's supposed to be here by now," Cam said in concern as he turned to look around the mall. "I'll call him." He walked a few steps from the group for a personal conversation, leaving me alone with Pepper Saltzman.

"So Edward-"

"Ed… is fine. We're friends, right?"

Pepper beamed with a smile and replied, "Yes. We're friends…I guess. So, Ed. Do you… have any interest you're currently into? Sorry, it's the longest time I'd ever talked with a high school boy…even in my teenage years…."

He's terrible at the straight talk, but I'll let the matter go, as he has helped me a lot today.

"I play many instruments and even wrote a few songs. I'll play it to you once to pay you back for the haircut."

"Once? Your songs must be expansive." Pepper snarked unconsciously.

"You have no idea," I muttered with a grin. Pepper smiled as if challenging me about the matter.

I don't know why, but Edward had written songs similar to the ones I'd heard in my past life. It made me wonder if the original soul was a transmigrator too, or if my existence had come here even earlier than I regained my memories.

There weren't any feelings of discomfort at all with the two memories merging with each other or me getting into Edward's life. 'I am inquisitive about this. Maybe I can write a letter to Afterlife Corp to get an answer in the next lottery.'

"Ed. Come back." Pepper said while snapping his fingers in front of my face.

"Yeah. What?" I said, snapping out of my deep thoughts.

"We lost you there, Ed. What are you thinking about so deeply?" Cam said, already returning from his call.

"Nah. Just thinking about what song I'm going to play for you guys after."

"Wait... You're serious about that?" Pepper said. Cam got excited, "Well. I played drums, and I was a music teacher before this. I can give you some tips for your song."

"Okay. Deal." I replied.

"Our friends Steven and Stephan ran a café on the lower floor. It usually has a live-music performance every Tuesday night, but I think there's equipment there. You can show us your song in the café." Pepper suggested. "Of course. You don't have to do it if you don't want to."

"I want to," I said decisively. "There's not a lot of adults who'd take a second look at me, especially bringing me around to play. You got the privilege to be my first fan because of that."

"Huhuhuhu. Fan huh. You're really confident about this! Let's go!" Pepper said.

"Wait. Mitchell is parking the car. Let's wait for him before we go there." Cam said. Mitchell came huffing his breath a few minutes later.

"I'm here. I'm here."

"Mitchell, how could you," I said in fake sadness. Pepper and Cam almost giggled as they were the ones who planned this.

"I'm really sorry. I'll show you...Oh, you're already bought the pants..." Mitchell saw the pants I was wearing now. I even posed for him to let him look at it better.

"I'm sorry. I need to finish a lot of work as we're going to…a holiday? Wait. You already know. To Vietnam this Wednesday. I'll need to finish it. Otherwise, my boss will chew my head off." Mitchell explained.

"It's okay. Pepper had much more style than you anyway." I said. Mitchell's mouth opened a bit. His heart was broken by that statement.

"Stop stating the obvious, Ed. Let's go. I'll get us the best seat in the house too. You'll only have fun when you're friends with Pepper Saltzman." Pepper took the lead, and we walked to the café.

[Mitchell and Cameron Commentary.]

Cam: "Oh my god. I didn't expect hanging out with a 14-year-old boy would be so fun. Edward is such an old soul. He can-"

Mitchell: "Well… Don't make it a habit. Or else the only place you'll make new friends is behind bars."

Cam was silenced by the statement. So, he tried to start again. "A 14..."

"Don't." Mitchell stopped him immediately.

"Well… He's great." Cam said. "It's kind of sad that he's always alone."

Mitchell turned to Cam, showing some interest. "How did you know about this?"

"Well. I texted Haley. And she told me all about him. About their fight too."

Mitchell said in shock, "They FOUGHT!?"

"Yeah. Ha-ha. It's very teen drama-like." Cam said while giggling.

[Commentary ends]

We reached the café after a while. While Pepper was talking with his friends Steven and Stephan, Cam asked me, "Do you want me to hold the drums for you? I'm very good."

"Maybe after some practice. Not now. You'll only ruin the song now." I said. "That's true," Mitchell added, his arms crossed, and he rolled his eyes at Cam's obsession to be in the spotlight.

"Well…Just so you know, I'll be a critique if you suck at it." Cam growled.

"I'm so scared." I teased. 

I would be quaking in my boots if this was the normal me. The new Edward wanted nothing else than other people hearing his songs. In fact, he was obsessed with it. I was very fortunate to have been removed from my anxieties in this life. Now I could do things that I'd never thought I would do in my life.  

(A/N Warning. Cringe ahead. Do remember he is still in his bad luck phase.)

"The stage is all yours, Ed," Pepper said after returning. Steven and Stephan waved at our group from afar, then sat at a special table just for the VIPs to watch the show. 

"Thank you, Pepper. Make sure to record this. You won't get another experience like this later." I said confidently and walked up to the stage. I sat on the Piano and tested it for a while. Once I confirmed there was nothing wrong with it, I grabbed the microphone.

The cafe was half empty, mainly consisting of mothers who were thrown by their teenage daughters as they embarrassed them while shopping and teenagers who'd just finished school.

"Hello, everyone. My name's Ed. And today, I'll share two original songs I made with everyone here to thank those who spent some time with me today. The great Pepper Saltzman, the Has-Awesome-Style-Now Cameron Tucker, and the 'Don't care about the time' Mitchell Pritchett."

Cam giggled while sitting at the seat nearest to the stage with Pepper and Mitch. Mitch lowered his head in shame while Pepper had a very proud expression as he was called 'Great.'

"Are you recording it?" Pepper asked Cam.

"Of course. I'll make sure to pinpoint every mistake he made after this." Cam said menacingly.

"Cam," Mitchell called his life partner out. "He's a kid…(whisper) but do that…"

"I know. I won't discourage him. But if the song is not good. He needs to know." Cam said.

Edward didn't say much after that and started pressing the key in the Piano, playing a soft piano intro.

"Well. He is skillful." Pepper complimented. He'd played the Piano growing up, so he could recognize Edward's hard work in training for the instrument. 

-3rd Party POV-

"Phil. Where were you? I'd been looking for you forever." Claire said after finally meeting with Phil after 20 minutes. Her hair was tied up in a bun with multiple strands loose. She wore a simple white, chequered t-shirt that a boy would wear and jeans. 

"Hey. You made it." Phil said excitedly, running lightly to Claire and Luke. Sporting a blazer and simple slacks, Phil hugged Clairewho's, carrying multiple bags in her hand from shopping alone. 

"Where were you?" Claire squinted her eyes in suspicion.

"I was…just…(slowly) in a magic shop…"

Before Claire could nag, she heard a voice coming from the café nearby.

Sounds from afar; "…. Cameron Tucker, and the 'Don't care about the time' Mitchell Pritchett."

"Mitch and Cam are here?" Phil asked. 

"Let's take a look!" Luke ran toward the café, Phil following him from behind right after. 

"Phil! LUKE!" Claire widened her eyes in disbelief and walked toward the café too reluctantly. They could only stay there for a short time as Alex was alone at home now. 

Even though Claire was sure that Alex wouldn't even move from her desk by the time she got home, she still couldn't bear leaving her alone in the house, even for a few hours.  

(Lucas Graham. 7 years.) 

♬♪♬♪♬♪♬♪♬♪

Sitting on the Piano, Edward started to sing. 

Ed:♬♪ Once, I was seven years old, my mama told me, "Go make yourself some friends, or you'll be lonely"♬♪

♬♪"Once, I was seven years old…♬♪

"It's good." Cam complimented. "The lyrics are a bit childish, though. But I guess he can't help it being a teenager and didn't have much life experience-"

Pepper: SHHHH! 

"Just listen." Pepper scolded. 

Ed: ♬♪It was a big big world, but we thought we were bigger. Pushing each other to the limits, we were learning quicker. By 11, smoking herbs and drinking burning liquor. Never rich, so we were out to make that steady figure.♬♪

"He did WHAT!" Claire almost yelled as she heard and saw Edward playing on the stage. Phil quickly closed her mouth from behind like a kidnapper and sat her down on the table nearby.

Edward:♬♪ Once, I was 11 years old, my daddy told me, "Go get yourself a wife, or you'll be lonely."

"Once, I was 11 years old….!!"♬♪

♬♪"I always had that dream like my daddy before me. So, I started writing songs, and I started writing stories. Something about the glory just always seemed to bore me. 'Cause only those I really love will ever really know me."♬♪

The audience became hooked by the singing, even the critical ex-music teacher, Cameron.

♬♪"Once, I was 20 years old, my story got told. Before the morning sun, when life was lonely. Once, I was 20 years old. "♬♪

♬♪"I only see my goals. I don't believe in failure. 'Cause I know the smallest voices, they can make it major. I got my boys with me, at least those in favor. And if we don't meet before I leave, I hope I'll see you later.♬♪

♬♪"Once, I was 20 years old, my story got told. I was writing about everything I saw before me. Once, I was 20 years old."♬♪

"He's 14, right?" Pepper asked in a whisper. "Yes," Cameron replied, his expression both in disbelief and excitement as if he found the new Justin in this era. Mitchell leaned forward as he immersed himself in the song. 

Ed: ♬♪"Soon, we'll be 30 years old, and our songs have been sold. We've traveled around the world, and we're still roaming. Soon, we'll be 30 years old."

"I'm still learning about life. My woman brought children for me. So I can sing them all my songs and tell them stories."♬♪

Phil suddenly realized it. "It's…his dream." Claire turned to Phil and then looked back at Edward, opening her ears to understand the lyric better.

Cameron couldn't help but comment, "His beat becomes slower at age 30, signaling that his life is slowed down from his 20s. It's brilliant."

Ed:♬♪ Most of my boys are with me. Some are still out seeking glory. And some I had to leave behind, my brother. I'm still sorry.

Soon, I'll be 60 years old. My daddy got 61. Remember life, and then your life becomes a better one.♬♪

Pepper said, "So. He only has one more year to live. Like his dad." He couldn't help but take out his handkerchief to wipe his tears.  

Ed:♬♪ I made the man so happy when I wrote a letter once. I hope my children come and visit once or twice a month.♬♪

Phil looked at Luke, tears in his eyes. He thought about his dad in Florida. Although he just called his dad this morning, he's really missing him now.

Ed: ♬♪Soon, I'll be 60 years old. Will I think the world is cold? Or will I have a lot of children who can warm me? Soon, I'll be 60 years old.♬♪

Most of the audience thought in their mind. 'What will the future hold for them?'

Ed:♬♪ Soon, I'll be 60 years old. Will I think the world is cold? Or will I have a lot of children who can hold me? Soon, I'll be 60 years old!♬♪

[Piano]

♬♪"Once, I was seven years old, my mama told me "Go make yourself some friends, or you'll be lonely." Once, I was seven years old."

"Once, I was seven years old."♬♪

{song ends.}♬♪♬♪♬♪

Edward POV.

I finally reached the end of the song. However, the café was in total silence afterward. I turned to the crowd with beats of sweat on my forehead. I had sung the song with all my efforts like the previous kid would've wanted. 

"So…How is it?" I used the microphone to ask while wiping off my sweats. 

The crowd was eerily silent after my question. Suddenly, they cheered and applauded!

From afar, Phil shouted, "Way to go, EDWARD!"

Cameron ran to the stage and hugged the artist. "Oh my gosh. That's such a beautiful song."

"Yeah, Yeah, Keep it in your pants. I still have another song to perform." I said dismissively. 

"Oh, right!" Cam said in realization and released me immediately. I stood up from the piano seat and took a guitar this time.

"The previous song is called 7 years."

The crowd applauded again after hearing the name of the song. They couldn't wait to listen to another, as I promised them two pieces today. 

I didn't realize it, but the crowd inside the café had doubled. Some of the customers were standing to hear me singing. Even a certain doe-eyed teenage girl hitched a ride with her mom to the mall.