Carmen's POV
"Is that all you needed?" Dan asked me. I surveyed the numerous bags in my hands, nodding slowly.
"I should hope so!" Phil laughed. "I've never understood how people can buy that much stuff in one day!" Dan and I both scoffed.
"Come on Phil," I laughed. "We both know that you could have easily spent the whole day buying everything in Lakeland!" Phil blushed slightly and we both laugh before beginning the walk back to their apartment.
Time seemed to slow down as I heard obnoxious laughter from across the street. I fought the urge to stop in my tracks, and continued to walk forward, the smile fading from my face. I attempted to cover my face with my hair, hoping the dark colour would blend in with Dan's t-shirt, beginning to shake.
Considering I was standing right next to him, almost shoulder to shoulder, Dan immediately noticed my change in mood and was quick to scan the area, looking for anything that could be upsetting me. His eyes fell on my sister and her friends.
"Carmen?" He whispered. "Is that your sister?" I contemplated lying, but realised that if I was going to be spending more time with the two of them, they would find out eventully. I nodded after a brief pause. "Hey," he said quietly. "Do you want me to talk to her?" He walked in front of me and crouched down, gently placing his hands on my shoulders.
I bit my lip, trying not to cry as I shook my head. "No," I whispered, my voice hoarse. Though it didn't matter whether or not I minded, because as soon as the words left my mouth, she called out my name and her and her friends began to cross the road to get to us. I was frozen in place as they neared us.
"Carmen!" She called, waving enthusiastically. I looked up at her through my curtain of hair and tried to smile, assuming she wanted me to play along with her 'Happy Families' charade. "Where have you been these past few days?" She asked, faking concern. "Mum and Dad have been worried sick!" I shrunk in on myself even further if it was possible, as I heard a few of her friends behind her trying (and failing) to cover up their laughter.
Dan coughed quietly behind me. "Oh, um, Rachael, this is Dan and Phil," I said quietly, pointing at both of them when appropriate. "I've been staying with them for the past few days." Rachael gave them both a quick once-over and her upper lip curled up in disgust.
"Why are you staying with... Them," she asked. "When you could be at home with people who love you?" One of her friends obviously gave up on controlling her laughter and the rest of the group was quick to copy. I began to scratch my arm, only stopping when I realised it would draw blood and unwanted questions.
I stuttered, trying to find something to say, until I was saved by Dan. "Well, as lovely as it was to meet you, we better get going, Death Note is on in fifteen minutes." I grinned, partially because we were finally getting away from my sister, and partially because we were going to watch Death Note. Rachael made a face and scoffed.
"Wow Carmen, I thought you'd never find anyone else who likes to watch those stupid cartoons," she mocked. I sighed, not wanting to fight back.
"Whatever," I muttered. "Bye." I said, and began to walk in what I hoped was the right direction. I heard footsteps behind me and soon, Dan and Phil appeared on either side of me.
"She was a bitch," Dan stated, causing me to laugh, Phil following suit after he knew I wasn't offended.
"Yeah," I agreed, still laughing. "One questions though, were you joking about Death Note?" Dan stopped walking and looking at me, face void of any emotion.
"I would never joke about Death Note," he said in a monotone voice, causing Phil and I to start laughing again.
Apologies again for not updating for so long,
~Scarlett