The mall..

VIOLET

School hours seemed to fly by. It was less dull today and somehow I couldn't help but sneak glances at Ryan who only showed up for one class today.

“You touched Ryan Jenkins’ dick??!” Ashley's eyes widened as we made our way to the study lounge.

With test week approaching, we had planned to stay late and study for a bit.

I sent Ryan a quick text, letting him know that I’d be staying behind, and told him to go without me. Luke had his car with him today and had kindly offered to give me a ride home

“Shh, you’re way too loud!” I whispered, glancing around. Thankfully, everyone else seemed too wrapped up in their own business to notice.

“So? What did it feel like?” she persisted, completely ignoring the fact that I just told her to quiet down.

Luke groaned.“Why do you even want to know?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at Ashley, who didn’t respond. For someone who's been friends with her for three years,of course I am not surprised.
I was accustomed to her bluntness

“It felt like a dick of course” I replied, ignoring the part that it was hard and for some unexplainable reasons,I didn't regret touching it.

The thought of it alone sent a thrill through me.

The rest of the walk was silent as we each seemed to retreat into our thoughts. When we finally reached the lounge, we started studying, though most of the time was spent listening to Ashley complain about not understanding anything. Luke ended up stepping in to help her.

Three hours later, we were done.

“Ugh, school sucks,” Ashley groaned dramatically as we packed up to leave

Luke shook his head, stuffing his books into his bag.

"Tell me something new" He muttered, exhaustion plain on his face. I was just as exhausted.

"I swear,if I have to read one more formula,my brain might actually melt" She added again, letting out a lazy yawn. "Okay, enough about school. Let's talk about something that doesn't want to make me cry"

I glanced at her suspiciously. "What are you thinking?"

"Well" She started,her eyes twinkling. "I was thinking maybe we could hit the mall. I need to grab a few things and I seriously need a break from all the studying"

Luke snorted. "By 'a few things ' she meant leaving the store with about thirty bags"

I chuckled and Ashley shot him a glare. "Well, I can't help it if I have a great taste Luke. You in?" Ashley asked, directing the question to me.

"I mean, I'm down" I said with a shrug. "I could use some distraction too"

"So,mall trip? What do you guys say?"

Luke let out a resigned sigh,his lips curving into a smile. "On a condition that you won't make me carry your stuffs this time"

"No promises." Ashley said already on her feet.

I laughed as their bickering went on till we got to the car. And when we did, Ashley and I spent almost ten minutes arguing over who’d take the front seat. At last, we asked an already frustrated Luke to choose, and to my delight, he picked me.

“Oh, come on!” Ashley groaned as she slumped into the backseat. “Why’d you get the seat? It's totally unfair”

*Because Luke chose me” I stuck my tongue at her, pissing her off further.

“He's only nice to you because he likes you” she muttered. “Traitors”

“Or maybe I'm just trying to avoid another ten minutes of your argument” Luke replied as he started the car.

“You could have just chosen me” She huffed.

"Oh it’s perfectly fair, Ash” I teased. "Besides, didn’t you say you wanted to relax today?"

“Yeah but not this way” She pouted, leaning back with a pout. “I better get something in return for being treated like a chauffeur. You owe me Violet” She grumbled.

"Deal. As long as it doesn't involve me carrying your bags. I'm fine with it” I said, glancing at her in the rear mirror

“Oh sure, I'm saving that for Luke” Ashley grinned and I could already tell she had plans to make him pay for choosing me.

The mall wasn't really far from school, so we got there quickly. Ashley and Luke immediately got into a full shopping swing while I lingered behind, struggling to find something I liked.

Shopping is one of the worst relaxations ever, unless it's browsing the shelves of a bookstore, and Ashley isn't into that kind of shopping.

“I need a new pair of joggers. I'm going to find some”
“Oh,I love this shirt”
Grabs,grabs, grabs,she kept grabbing.

I eventually found a cute skirt and decided to try them on for fitting but groaned when I discovered the long line at the fitting room.

“Out of the line, Vi” Ashley whispered as she pulled me away.

“Uh? I need to try this” I flicked the skirt towards her

“There is a fitting room at the back of this store. I use it often” She said, her voice slightly above a whisper. Nothing about the way she talked screamed legal. I was so pretty sure it was above the board, totally not allowed.

“I’ll show you” She directed me to a back corner with a pile of pants draping over her arm. “I still need to get some things. So come find us when you're done”

She scurried away and I found myself staring at the brown door with a sign inscribed on it..”OPENED FOR STAFFS”

I knew there was something off about it. But beats waiting at the line though. I glanced around, making sure no one was watching before I slipped inside. I can't afford getting caught.

I pulled off the joggers I was wearing and slipped into the skirt quickly. It was a bit tight—not loose enough for me to feel comfortable in it—so I made a mental note to return it. As I was changing back into my joggers, I heard soft giggles from the room next to mine.My breath caught up in my throat and I froze In shock

“Stop..” The voice moaned softly. The sound was so light and quiet but I knew it belonged to a female.

“Argh! Fuck..take it slow” it moaned again,a bit louder. There were sounds of lips smacking. Or skin and lips. I don't know but my stomach churned in disgust

Making out in a store really?

I cocked my head to the side and let my eyes fall to the floor. They might not be able to see my feet, but I could certainly see theirs. Red heels and black-white kicks.

“Ryan..” The girl moaned again. I don't know what it is they were doing but the name Ryan and the black-white…it all kicked in immediately..
Oh no.

I remembered seeing him on it this morning. That was my stepbrother.

Without a second thought, I grabbed the skirt and moved toward the exit. Just as I reached the door, I accidentally kicked a chair

“Fuck.” I managed to suppress it but it was too late.

I heard the female voice ask, “Who’s there?”?”

The door to their room slightly creak opened, revealing a tall lady with red disheveled hair. Her cheeks flushed with color as she glanced at me.

“Uhm..”

Ryan’s head appeared next to hers. His expression shifted from surprise to recognition.

I bit my lips,I don't know why I felt embarrassed when they should be.

“Ever heard of privacy?” He asked,his brow slightly arched and anger rose in my chest.

“Ever heard of not making out in a store fitting room?” I shot back.

“The hell are you even doing here?” Ryan asked again, locking his attention on me. His eyes fixed on me for some seconds and I shivered

“Trying on clothes” I replied. “Which is a normal thing to do in a fitting room”

“Apparently,” he replied with a shrug.

The red-haired woman, who had been silent up to this point, began trailing her fingers over Ryan’s chest and I almost threw up.

At that moment,I heard Ashley’s voice from outside.

“Are you still in here, Violet?”

“Coming out now?” I shouted, enough for her to hear.

I shot one last look at Ryan, who had already pulled the woman back into the room and slammed the door in my face.

A pang crawled up into my chest- it was unusual and strange. Why do I feel this way seeing Ryan making out with another lady?

I shrugged it off but the feeling still lingered as I stepped out of the fitting room and it was still there even when I got home.