The week had been mostly uneventful and boring. Well other then the ranting girl on the first day of school and meeting Sam's girlfriend, Mikaela. Along with that, she would meet up with Sam and Leo in between classes and after the days were done. That proved to be quite entertaining.
Her thoughts turned to the first meeting with Mikaela. The other girl was okay, a little stiff when she herself was around and hung all over Sam. Not that he seemed to mind really, rather he much enjoyed the attention. The fact that she was silently claiming him as her own and that she back off didn't bother her in the least.
Good thing she wasn't interested or looking for a relationship at the moment. She could admit, Sam was cute, but he was already committed and her past experience with love... seemed she needed a break. Her love life was crappy and she was not afraid to admit it either.
First there was Hojo. He was the cutest boy in school, in a boyish naïve kind of way. But his constant of being polite, all the smiles and what not made him boring. Watching her cat sleep was more fun, at least Boyou twitched or did something odd while sleeping. Plus it also seemed Hojo had some stalker like qualities. Then there was Inuyasha. Strong, protective, caring in his own way~ but brash, not all that great with kids and could be labeled as a necrophiliac. And Kouga, who was thankfully mated, was sweet and also strong, but cocky and showed he didn't care for promises if it meant something better for him to break them.
Yeah, the males in her life... she couldn't even think how to end that thought. Out of them all. The ones that didn't fail her or let her down were Souta and Shippo. Talk about sad. Jii-chan didn't count, he practically turned her into a walking talking disease back home. There were times where doctors came to study her.
If it wasn't someone she knew, it was some random stranger pulling shit. Like the non-Onigumo trying to steal her away because she looked like Kikyo. The ,Poison master' from the Band of Seven forced her to merry him. Wait, wasn't that ceremony completed? Did that mean she was a widow now? Damn it, she didn't care at the moment, she was sick of the bad guys thinking she'd make their perfect partner. That was an oxymoron and counter productive on their part. Really, she was an evil fighting priestess, she could practically end their existence. Had done so as well on some occasions.
So yes, she could honestly and happily say, that she wasn't looking for anything of the sort at the moment.
"Kag's."
"Wha... huh?" her eyes fluttered a few times as she came back to reality and turned to the one who call her.
"I asked you a question."
"Oh." as she tried to come up with an answer, her brows furrowed when she realized something. "Could you repeat it please?" a nervous laugh bubbled forth from the look she received.
"I asked if you have anything planned for tomorrow."
"Oh..." trailing off as she looked down at her hands. Well she did plan to meet with an old friend but that wasn't a sure thing as far as she knew, which kind of upset her. "Hmm, I'm supposed to meet up with an old friend that is in town for a while. Why do you ask?"
"Well, there's a a party or two that we could go to together. Sam's got Mikaela, we could be the next hottest thing! Whatta say?"
She whipped her head to face him fully, eyes wide. This was typical Leo. Always flirting, but he had yet to say such a thing. After a few moments where she floundered about for words, he spoke up again.
"No parties? Well we could always go to the movies, unless you want a romantic night for two. I'm flexible. Also Sam, Mikeala and my awesome-handsome self are getting together tomorrow. So why not make a double date out of it. With me of course."
"Of course."
"Cause, no woman can resist that, which is me."
Kagome's brain was still stuck on stupid for a few more seconds, as soon as it was functioning again she gave him a dead panned look. Weren't her thoughts from a few minutes ago stating how happy she was without a significant other at the moment?
"I'll admit, you got some good qualities... "
"What do you mean by only 'some'?"
"Don't interrupt me and you'll know what I mean. Yes, some. May I explain why to you without interruptions?" he gave her a nod and leaned back against the desk behind him to get comfortable. Wait, why was he in history? He didn't take this class. Ah, whatever.
"Okay, for some reason, you're the type of guy that most would be if-y about having you as a friend if they know you or just met you." she held a hand up to stop his protest. "You can be very embarrassing as a friend, but it's far worth it in so many ways. Your loyal, honest, dependable and can help ease tension in mere minutes, just to name a few."
"But? I fell a but coming on."
"Yeah, I'm not looking for a relationship at the moment. You're a great guy, but I've only known you for a week. Plus, I keep to my plans. Perhaps another time."
Once again he nodded his head. "I'm cool with that. How about tonight then? We're going for pizza, just gonna hang out, nothing else."
"Sounds good to me. Who's paying, or do we all pitch in?" she started to pack her things away and got up. Leo right beside her the whole way.
"To each his own."
"How romantic of you. Anyways, I got one more class and a big test in it, but then I'm free. So I can see you all afterward. So why are you in history? Couldn't you have waited till after my classes are done to ask me... out?" she ignored his stupid grin he gave her with the way she phrased the last part of her question.
"So you do want to go out with me!"
"No! Now answer the damn question." please not another Kouga... Kami-sama anything but another Kouga.
"So cruel, to toy with a mans heart."
"Leo... "
"Right. I was bored. Lover boy wanted some along time with his girl, so... "
"You came to bug me?" she lifted a brow, why was she the first thing he thought of when bored?
"Kinda, so why are you so interested in history? Can't do much about what happened in the past." a small fond smile appeared on her face, thoughts of her nations history, her past, running through her head.
"No, but one can lean from it." she scoffed at his ,no duh' look.
"I mean more then just the fact that it happened. One can learn not to make the same mistakes from the past in the present. Not to have history repeat itself. If you dig a little, there are so many angles and things you can learn. You just need to read between the lines."
"'Kay. What about your other classes?"
"What's with the interrogation?" she gave him a lopsided smile. If only she knew.
"Just want to know a bit more about you. You're just a little harder to understand than Sam and Mikaela to a point. They were more easier to come to terms with. And that was right after I met them. But you, you're unpredictable."
"Awww, do I scare you with my unpredictability Leo?" she cooed and teased him as they made way down the hallways to her last class.
"Kinda, just a little bit."
"What will people think if they heard that you, Leo, are afraid of little me?"
"NOT LIKE THAT! You can't go around and say things like that!"
"Why? Afraid it might scare off a potential girlfriend or something?" she had heard of the hunt as some of his lackeys had called it when they went to parties.
"Yes!"
"Whatever. You being yourself does that plenty enough." scoffing at the memory of some girls asking why she hung out with the two. Or how Sam even had a girlfriend. She just told them to ask themselves and not through her. Not a smart thing to do if she cared for her social life, which she didn't. The few friends she made, besides Sam and Leo, were okay with the fact that she hung out with the two.
"What's that supposed to mean?" growing suspicious when she became somewhat guarded all of a sudden, compared to her playful mood just moments before.
"Well~, some girls in a few of my other classes know I hang out with you and Sam." he motioned for her to continue. "Some think you're cute or find you attractive." she rolled her eyes at his smug smirk that started to grow, well he hoped it was a smirk of satisfaction and not surprise. That meant there was hope for him left. "But," well there went the hope. "... but they find you too freaky for their tastes." her tone sounded questioning on the term freaky, like she wasn't sure if that's how the girls had properly labeled him. "And they are very much against me being anywhere near the both of you willingly."
They stopped in front of her class. Looking up, she felt bad at seeing how he looked. "Don't worry, you'll find someone." she lifted her hand to try and give him a supporting pat on the arm. "Pizza's are on me tonight." that seemed to brighten his mood a bit. Shaking her head, she turned and entered her class. How college boys survive on pizza alone would be a mystery to her. Like how a certain hanyou could survive on instant Ramen alone.
Must be a male thing.
Once again, she was lost in her thoughts. Hanging around those two provided to be interesting and entertaining. She wondered though if Sam's girlfriend would loosen up when she should show up. The tension did ease up a bit during the week, but it was still there.
Speaking of tension, she noticed how whenever they hung out, it was always around Sam's car. The energy coming from it would always be on edge when she was around, it reminded her how a person or an animal reacted to someone or something new.
Another odd fact, where Sam's car was, it was always accompanied by another. She had asked if Leo or Mikaela owned it or a vehicle in general. Their reactions were interesting. Like they were caught with their hands in a cookie jar or in a lie. They denied it and mumbled or stuttered on trying to explain possibilities so they could move on to a new subject.
It was cute of them. Then again, it made her that more curious and it pointed out the fact they knew something. She shrugged her shoulders, she would most likely find out sooner or later. And she had a gut feeling it would change her life. Again.
Just like she promised, she showed up at Sam and Leo's room. The boys themselves were just getting ready to leave, so she took a seat one of the two beds and grabbed a near by book to look through while she waited. And men said women took to long to get ready. A mental snort... Inuyasha would wholeheartedly agree to that anytime if he was asked to give his opinion on the matter.
She focused on the book and quickly snapped it shut.
Damn it. It was just like her to grab one on physics.
She put it back with a light scowl and chose to look around the room instead. It reminded her of her brothers room. Game, movie and music posters covered the walls. Electronics, albums and games were surprisingly put away neatly in the shelves. Only because they were just that.
Kagome herself had ignored the other room. It was dark and had some occupants sitting at computers muttering about aliens or something. Leo took a strange sense of pride in his lackeys.
Yeah, it was best left alone, that room and those in it.
"Ya ready?" her head snapped up and out of her thoughts at the voice.
"Yeah, was for a while now. And guys say we girls take a long time." rolling her eyes as she got up.
They all went on their way to Sam's car, they were gonna pick Mikaela up and head put to a local place. It was said to have the best pizza, according to Leo. It was a peacefully quiet so Kagome started to doze off, it had been a particularly long day and she didn't get much sleep the night before.
Leaning up against the window, the warm seat, the motion of the car and the hum of the motor were helping to lull her to sleep rather quickly. Fond memories were what she saw behind closed eyes, causing her to snuggle deeper into her seat and a smile lightly.
The other two watched, somewhat fascinated, at how easy and quickly she fell asleep. She only needed to curl her feet up underneath her to give her a true image of innocence.
"I think she should meet them all. Leo kept his voice low and an ever watchful eye on her. He didn't want to talk about such a delicate subject matter with her around to hear it, but it was now or never.
"What!" Sam quickly whipped his head to look back with wide startled eyes, before he faced forward once again. How could his roommate even suggest such an idea? Bee himself was startled that he nearly drove them off the road. Nearly.
"Think about it. She's given us no signs to having knowing about – anything, but her life can be in danger from the Decepticons. Don't you think she should at least know something?" memories of how he panicked and ran out on them caused his face to pinch in on itself.
Sam could understand his point of view. He himself didn't exactly have such a great first meeting with them, from either side. And so far, she lost her home and moved across the world because the Decepticons may or may not know something about her. Well it was men from their side in a normal helicopter, but that was beside the point. She was practically on the doorstep of getting involved.
"Yeah, I understand. And I that, that after a week of nothing happening, a meeting would be best. We just gotta tell the others first." it was odd to think about how to go about that with the others. Especially with the subject of their conversation just a foot away from them. Strangely enough, Bee had yet to show any sign of his thoughts on the subject matter.
They were thrust into this world and war of aliens and powerful beings without any warning, and trying to find a way to ease another felt near impossible. It was, if one really thought about it. Once could just lead another to a car, watch it transform into an alien robot and say "Surprise!".
It was a sure way to something unpleasant.
"It should be interesting, that's for sure. I bet you she faints." only Leo could joke about something like this. Now that he wasn't in the spot light about such situations.
"She didn't when her house was the site for a crash landing... " Sam pointed out, but she may have been in shock at the time.
"Okay-, so she won't faint then. But she will go in denial, or freak out." Sam merely rolled his eyes, though Leo had a point. One really couldn't just meet a national secret as if it were an everyday thing. Leo smirked, knowing it was going to happen how he stated it.
Turning onto Mikaela's street caused Kagome to slide until she was leaning against Leo, who gave a somewhat perverted grin. Looking down, only to see if she was still asleep. Slowly so he wouldn't wake her up, an arm went to go around her waist. Only Bee went and jumped started his radio and near full blast.
Kagome jerked up, eyes still fuzzy with sleep. She leaned back from the warm body she was up against and saw dark hair and eyes. With her memories of the past still fresh in her mind, she mistook Leo for Miroku. Her hand went flying out on reflex from years of putting up with the perverted monk.
"Hentai!"
Sam once again whipped his head about, only catching the end of the slap and Leo looking like a fish out of water. He faced forward again, frowning as the radio was switching stations to suit the mood within the cab of the car itself.
"Wha... " her brows angled together when she still waking mind finally realized and relaid to her that she was in a car and not a clearing in the forest. Eyes widened when the sleep from her short nap cleared and her mind actually told her what just happened.
"Leo... oh god! I am so sorry!" her cheeks were flaming, much similar to the very visible hand print forming on Leo's cheek. His hand was softly rubbing at said cheek trying to sooth the pain.
"I'm so, so sorry... I spent to many years around a pervert, but that's no excuse to hit you like I just did." she kept glancing forwards as Sam was trying to fix his radio. Now both were watching as their friend was paying attention to both the radio and the road.
"Everything alright man?" Leo himself had yet to see Bee act in such a way, for Sam though it was not. Though that didn't stop him from near panicking into overtime ever time it happened, and always when someone who didn't know better was in the Autobot.
"Yeah, just gotta... " his hand slammed down on the dashboard, as if it would jump something beneath to make the radio work properly. ", fix if. It happens every now and then." his fingers were shaking and skittering all over as they tried to push buttons or turn nobs.
Kagome glanced at Leo, he looked just as confused at the panicked state Sam was in. She sighed, leaned forward in the space between to two front seats and turned the volume down. She raised a brow questioningly at Sam's shocked look. Was it really that surprising?
"Real easy there Sam, and keep you eyes on the road." she have him a smile, hoping it would get across to him that she was only teasing him. With that, she went and sat back down next to Leo, who shrugged his shoulders at her questioning look.
Soon enough, they were in front of Mikaela's apartment building. Leo and Kagome watching as he got out and rang the girls bell.
"Is he always so jumpy when it comes to his car?" even after a week, she had yet to understand the relationship between Sam and his car.
"Yeah, he's like that. It was his first car." Kagome looked back at Leo. Didn't this model of car cost a lot though? She started to scan the interior. Everything was sleek, masculine, and looked very expensive. Her hand brushed along the seat upholstery. It looked and very much felt like leather, but her years of traveling in the past taught her otherwise. She had become familiar with the many assortments of leather and their different treatments, along with new to well worn and aged leather.
The seats were not leather, but neither were they that plastic leather either. She could tell it was natural, just something she's never come across before.
"It must have cost him a pretty penny." her hand still absent-minded stroking and petting the warm seat. Her eyes scrutinizing all details now, though very much careful of Leo.
"How do you figure that?" he himself learned of Bee a week prior to meeting Kagome. He thought nothing of the Autobot other than being a cool ride his roommate had.
"Well, western... er I mean, American and European cars cost a lot back in Japan. Especially high end luxurious cars or classics. This model we're sitting now falls into the former. So it would be very- expensive back home. So it makes me wonder how much it would cost here." she glanced back out the window, Sam was still waiting, but a glance upwards showed a light turning off on Mikaela's floor.
"So you know your cars then, huh."
"A bit. It's just something I noticed when I first came over. Not only that, I want to get my own car and license, can't keep relying on Sam or my brother to drive me everywhere." she leaned back into her seat as Sam and Mikaela made their way over. Leo watched the Asian girl, truly interested in what she had to say.
"Any ideas of what you want if you pass your drivers?" maybe they could use the opportunity to get an Autbobot to pose as her car.
"Mmm, not really sure. My brother says I can look after I pass. All I can say is, I want something not as masculine as Sam's. It's a handsome car, don't get me wrong, but all I want is something to get me from point A to B without falling apart."
"Handsome? Masculine? You're not just saying that cause Sam owns it, are you?" his voice was teasing and he threw a smirk at her. Sam and Mikaela paused briefly when they heard Leo's comment.
"No!" Kagome huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. She turned away to hide her blush and pout. Things weren't easy enough between her and Mikaela to begin with, she didn't want the other girl to think her a stalker or something. "I said handsome and masculine because there's no way a car like this can be a she." she still didn't get why people referred to modes of transportation as a she. Nature yes, cars and planes, no.
Just then the radio was switching through stations till it landed on a song, Temptation by T
he Tea Party. All turned to the radio and then to Sam. His eyes on the road, his hands tightly grasping the wheel and not even bothering to mess with the radio again to fix it.
"I don't know... but I'm starting to think you radio has a mind of it's own Sam." she tilted her head slightly when said boy, near jumped out of his seat and the others flashed wide eyes at each other at her comment. There it was again, they were acting like they were hiding a nation secret.
"Yeah~ anyways, let's get going." Mikaela commented after turning the radio down. Kagome shrugged her shoulders, she understood of they were hiding their own secrets from her. Look at herself, she was a time traveler and knew of a whole hidden world of mythical beings She knew of secrets and how to keep them.
The drive to the pizza place was more lively then the one to pick Mikaela up. Seemed the other girl had found some amusement at to what happened to Leo, even more so when he asked what she had called him just before slapping him. A few more apologies were uttered in embarrassment, to which he said it was alright. She still felt bad about it, but at least she didn't knock him out like Sango would have if she were present.
"So, I never did ask you, but do you even like pizza?" Mikaela rolled her eyes at Leo's question when the arrived. Typical Leo.
"I don't mind it once in a while, other wise I wouldn't be here now would I?" she sent him a teasing smile. "But I do prefer a home cooked meal over fast food any day." getting out when Mikeala and Sam did, both standing to the side to wait for them. The air was warm, but there was a slight chill in the breeze, making Kagome glad she had brought a light sweater. She was sure that by the time that they left, it would be cold.
"Okay. You're paying right?" it wasn't ofter one paid for everyone's meal after only knowing them for a week.
Kagome laughed at the hopeful tone in his voice. "I promised didn't I? I never break my promises." she smiled at his goofy happy face, like an eager kid getting a treat.
"Never huh, what happens when you have to?" it was a little hard for Mikeala to believe the other girl. People made promises all the time, only for them to break them.
"Then something of an outside influence caused me not to keep it. I always make up for it though." her answer was full of confidence. She sounded so sure of herself, like she did it everyday.
As they entered the restaurant, Kagome took their orders and went to counter while they found a deat.
"Leo thinks it's time for Kagome to meet the Autobots. Nothing happened during the week, it might be best to let her know."
"Are you sure that it's really such a good idea?"
"I'm not sure myself, but with what happened in Tokyo, we can't know if she's somehow being targeted by the Decepticons or not. I agree with Leo and think it would be safer if she met them."
"we'll have to talk to Simmons first, and he isn't gonna be happy."
"Better safe than sorry." their conversation came to and end as the subject of it came walking up to them, carrying their supper.
"You sure you can eat all of this Leo?" she looked down at the large pizza box that was holding three smaller ones that was balanced in one hand and a small tray held a large cola with three smaller ones in the other.
"Are you kidding? How can I not? They make the best pizzas!" he eyed the large box as she placed the tray on the table so she could hand out all the food. She rolled her eyes, his face had such an expression on it. She was sure he was acting if he were receiving a holy and revered object worthy of worship. Honestly, men and their weird food obsessions.
Kagome was having a great time, listening and chatting normally among people. Not that she minded doing so with demons and such, but they always had that ever present threatening aura. Maybe threatening wasn't the right word, more like it being along the lines of wild and very powerful.
As Kagome was about to take a bite out of a slice of her pizza, her cell went off. She quickly put the slice down, cleaned her hands and fished for her cell from her jeans pocket. See she remembered to keep it there for a while now.
"Moshi moshi."
"Hey, it looks like I may or may not be an hour late or so tomorrow. His Lord Fluffyness needs me to work on something. Just thought it would be best to let you know now instead of finding out at the last minute." at the mention of Sesshoumaru being called His Lord Fluffyness she nearly chocked on the sip of her drink. The others looked at her with concern, she just smiled and waved it off. He was gonna be one hurting kit it the top dog ever heard him call that name out loud.
"Okay Shipp, thanks for the heads up. Should I still go according to the plan for time and place?" the others were watching silently. Fascinated in a way to hear her speaking in Japanese.
"Yeah, that would be best.."
"Okay. If anything should happen, you have my number." she leaned back into the booth bench and her fingers messed about with her drinks straw.
"Will do. If not, I'll make it up to you. Love you."
"Love you to." she hung up and thought over what her kit just said. Seems Sesshoumaru wanted something important done. Even thought Shippo was younger than Kouga, he had more trust. It could have been very well caused by Sesshoumaru raising the kit after the final battle and she went home.
"Kag's." her eyes cleared as she came out of her musings and looked up at the others.
"Ah, sorry. It's just seems that my friend maybe a little late tomorrow, work. Nothing to worry about." she smiled and waved her hand about lightly in front of her.
"Oh. And what about earlier?"
She was momentarily confused to what Sam meant, till her eyes widened in realization. Chuckling lightly and scratching a blushing cheek, "Oh, that." she muttered before clearing her throat to she could explain.
"Yeah. Ah, well he called my older brother something. That's all." she shrugged her shoulders and went to grab her forgotten slice of pizza, hoping to change the subject.
"And you nearly choking on your drink because of that because... " Leo dragged the question out, as if to persuade her into sharing. Seems they were more interested in her brother. Sighing, he would never let up until she lost her temper or shared. Since they were in a public and family restaurant meaning kids were around, she went with the latter.
"My older brother is very strict, proper and traditional in many aspects of his life. To be called by anything other than his name, even if it's a shorter version or nickname, pisses him off to no end."
"Is that all?"
"No. He likes to punish those who don't respect his... wishes." ever since the Jewel fiasco, the word wish had become a personal taboo for her. "Cruelly. Like by forcing you to train to his hellish standards, or work and study to his demonic ones. Like I said, he's very strict." a slight shiver ran through her body at her own personal punishments she suffered at the very beginning of training with him. Pure hell. And she'd been there, twice.
She was grateful they let the topic drop in favor for another. Cars. Sam and Leo, she understood their interest, but not Mikaela. So after asking, she was shocked and excited to learn the other girl worked as a mechanic. Like she had thought earlier, the two didn't get along very well, but this was something that interested her.
Before her Grandfather, on her mothers side died, he worked on cars. Old, new, he turned them into something that many desired. It was with the money he had left behind for Mama that they hadn't gone under and lost the shrine.
Sam watched as Mikaela and Kagome traded tales, it seemed his girlfriend finally found some common ground that didn't involve him. Though they were all surprised at how much Kagome actually know about classic cars, it just seemed it didn't apply with models of today, and that the girl was full of surprises.
The drive back was more easy and not as tense. Kagome had asked it was alright if she could drop by the garage and see what Mikaela did. She had missed hanging out in a garage and watching the work being done. It was always amazing to she her grandfather turn old forgotten cars into amazing jewels, and just to hang out in a similar setting would be nice. Not only that, it could help clear up some things between her and Mikaela. Mikaela said she'd ask her boss first to see if it would be alright, but didn't think there would be much trouble for an hour or so.
Like true gentlemen, Sam and Leo even walked her to her dorm room at the end of their night out and were saying their good nights.
She winced slightly at seeing the cheek she had slapped, it was slightly swollen. "I really am sorry I did that."
His fingers went to the swollen flesh tenderly at the comment and Leo gave her a lopsided smirk. "It's alright, I kinda deserved it." he chuckled at her confused and questioning look, ignoring Sam completely. He wasn't about to explain how he was going to take slight advantage of the situation where she fell against him while she was still asleep.
He like being whole and male.
She leaned up and placed a small chaste kiss on his cheek, pushing a sliver of ki into it. The swelling would be gone in the morning. Taking a step back, and rolling her eyes and lightly slapping his arm at his smug look, "Don't look into that, I just felt bad. Just put some ice on it and it'll be good as new in the morning." she smirked at him when she entered her room and started closing the door.
"Goodnight Leo, Sam." laughing at their shocked faces. She quickly stripped down and put on her sleep clothes and went to sleep, wanting to have the energy for tomorrow.
She had gotten up early so she could take a bus to the closest mall, the place where she and Shippo planned to meet. She was now enjoying a frozen yogurt smoothy, something she fell in love with, as she walked around window shopping. Maybe she could send something for her family. Though she would need to ask if it was safe first, seeing she had yet to receive or make a call, letter or any form of contact with them.
The weather was going through the end of it's heat wave, but the last bit of it was hotter than she was used to so late in the month. She wore a white long shirt, a pair of jean shorts and a pair of low chucks. Over her shoulder was a small bag and her hair was up in a messy bun to keep the back of her neck free. Thick hair and heat were not the greatest of combinations.
She smiled around the straw as a small child was dragging their mother along to a nearby toy store. She moved to a set of benches to sit and relax and pulled out her cell. There were no new messages and it was already on hour after the appointed time. Shippo had warned her, so she would wait another hour at the longest before she called with plans to reschedule their meeting. Putting her cell back into her purse she leaned back on her free hand so she could let her mind wonder.
After a while she looked down in slight disappointment when she heard that her smoothy cup was empty, pouting slightly. Standing up, she went over to a trash can and tossed the plastic cup out. Though she would much prefer to recycle it, they didn't have that option. The child from earlier ran into her legs holding a new stuffed bear to their chest.
Her arms shot out and steadied the child before they could fall over and smiled down at them. She looked up when the mother lightly scolded the child for not listening or paying attention.
As the mother made it to her side, the mall exploded.