~Chapter Eleven~
Wild At Walmart
Just Like The World Is Ours, Ou-Ou-Ou-Ours,
We're Tearing It Apart, Part, Pa-Pa-Pa-Part.
We're Dancing Like We're Dumb,
Dumb, Du-Du-Du-Dumb.
Bodies Going Numb,
Nu-Nu-Nu-Numb.
We Are Who We Are.
~We R Who We R, by Ke$ha
Disclaimer: Me No Own; You No Sue.
Sammy's P.O.V.
"Uh, Paul…?"
Silently, Paul continued to examine the rifle in his hands with interest, his black irises dark with thoughts that I could not exactly read, and admittedly, I wanted to freak out. But I could only stand there. Stare at him with wide eyes. Blink.
"Hello! Welcome to Walmart! Can I help either of you?"
With his handsome face drawn and solemn in the pale fluorescent lighting, Paul turned to face him. He glanced from the salesperson, to the long rifle in his hands (snicker, snicker, snicker), and back to the man. "…Yeah. Where are the anti-depressants?"
Eyes wide, I stared dumbly at him, my mouth slowly falling opening in shock. …What?
Mister Walmart Salesman gawked at him and swiftly gestured to another department about fifty feet away. He opened his mouth, closed it yet again to swallow nervously, and then shakily said, "I…I think you'd best check the pharmacy, son…"
"Right," Paul said, before putting the rifle back in the glass casing that should have been locked but seemed to have been conveniently left open. A small smile clutched at his lips, and Paul lifted his hand to clasp the shoulder of the older man. "…Thank you."
"Y-You're welcome! Anytime! Hahaha…" Mister Walmart Salesman croaked out through dry lips and backed into the register in his haste to leave, practically fleeing from the scene of the crime. …I plead the fifth.
Glancing back to check for Paul, I noticed that the taller teenager had left me and swiftly ambled forward to the Pharmacy Department. I yelped in surprise and then darted after him, smaller legs spinning fast to match his longer stride. Wished – and not for the first time, either – that I had thought to bring my skateboard. It would have made it easier to keep up! Damn it…
Finally, Paul stopped, but not to stand in front of the depression medication, like I thought, and I nearly bumped into his broad back. I automatically reached out to steady myself and started to lean against the nearest counter, only to recoil because I noticed the collection of sales items displayed there –
Heart beating swiftly, I glanced to the high ceilings and desperately tried to fight the blush heating my nose and cheeks, burning through the skin like wildfire.
– Condoms.
Grinning, Paul stooped down, down, down to pick out two white and red boxes, and then silently handed them to me. My friend lifted his arms and crossed them behind his head, the epitome of calm. "Going to use any of this stuff to make meth?" He teased from somewhere above me.
"Yeah, and I'm not sharing, either…" I mumbled absently and squinted at the Sudafed. Seth needed it, I remembered that much, but I could not figure out how Paul could possibly know about him being sick. Did I mention it…? No. Not to him at least.
"Stingy little girl," Paul said with warm amusement in his dark and velvety voice, and although I could hear it, his tone of voice still managed to upset me. Something in his words hit the wrong way.
"Hey, I'm not little!" I protested, the heat of embarrassment staining my nose red. My shoulders squared defensively to ward off the insults I figured would follow. Everybody at school liked to tease me. Why should Paul be different?
"You really are," Paul laughed through his parted lips, letting it ring loudly through the store and catch the attention of countless young women – some men as well – which made me angrier still.
"No, I'm not! I weigh too much, I have really big hips, and Jared likes to make fun of my ass!" I snapped at him, before glancing off to the side, too afraid to meet his eyes. I heard the snickers of amusement that whispered from nearby customers and blushed.
"Back off!" Paul growled, teeth clenched in anger, and glared darkly at the group of onlookers that had moved closer to hear the argument between us. All of them scattered amongst the displays without another whisper. Gone! Poof!
Holy Hell, I thought, disoriented and in shock at this feral display of power. No wonder Jared is scared of him! Everybody is scared of him, I guess. Paul's really tall, with that really bad temper and the muscle to back it up. He's downright intimidating, too. But…
Lips curled into a snarl, Paul swiftly whirled around to glare down at me. It sent shivers over my spine, but I could tell that the older teenager would not hurt me. Paul breathed in and smiled, his lips trembling lightly in protest of the sudden change in facial expression. I continued to stare at him, feeling confused and completely out of sorts. His expression immediately gentled.
…I'm not scared of him.
"Nah. You're really small and sweet and cute," Paul stated, smile soft and strangely dreamy, before letting his large hand brush against mine, which happened to be much smaller in size.
My breath hitched, and I openly gaped at his hand, and then his face, heart skipping three beats. I tried to speak, to apologize for being petty and to thank him for all the sweet compliments, but I found that I could not manage. I liked him – really, really liked him – and I wanted to get to know him better, but I didn't trust him yet. Paul flirted with all of the girls at La Push High. Why should I put stock into his words now?
Why would Paul like…me?
Cringing, I removed his hand from mine and shifted to the side, counting all of the steps between us and hating each one. I dejectedly mumbled, "You don't need to bother yourself and lie to make it all better, Paul…"
"Dammit, Sammy, I'm not lying to you!" Paul snapped and rubbed his handsome face with the hand that had touched mine. He trembled faintly, like Daddy sometimes did if really, really angry and upset, and I fidgeted uncomfortably. "This is not going how I wanted it to…"
Hesitantly, I reached out for his hand again, surprised that Paul actually let me move and curl his fingers around mine. I gently stroked the back of his hand with much smaller fingers, liking the sensation of his rough and calloused skin against my own. It was warm and safe, and I liked it.
"Better?" I asked hopefully, though I could not meet his eyes. A minute passed, during which time I listened only to the chatter of passing shoppers and his breathing, and then – his fingers squeezed mine.
"…Yeah," Paul mumbled to me, a small smile playing around the thin and sensual lips that I dared to stare at while glancing from his chest to his eyes. My stomach flipped upside down. "Thanks, Sammy."
Cheeks flushed, I cleared the nervousness inside by laughing it off and stumbling – uh, walking –ahead to the cash register. A pharmacist stepped forward to ring the purchases up, and I paid for them, looping the shopping bag over my arm and skipping ahead. I liked to think that I played it cool, but Paul laughed, his head tossed back to let it loose. Warmth pooled inside of me. And I smiled shyly at him.
"What now?" I asked him because I still didn't know the point of his coming in here with me, other than to buy Sudafed.
"We're going to have fun," Paul responded without missing another beat and smirked devilishly, the left side of his mouth lifting higher than the other, "By wreaking havoc."
Slowly, I blinked at him and then smiled, thinking back to his little antics with the rifle. "We're going to do all that stuff people that talk about doing at Walmart to piss other people off, aren't we…?"
"Damn straight," Paul said with the briefest flash of straight white teeth. My friend shoved both of his hands in his back pockets, winking at me. "Where ya wanna start, then?"
A small but cheerful grin made it easier to laugh at the chaos that I would not normally take part in, being the wallflower of La Push High. I lifted both arms up, spinning around, and cheerfully exclaimed, "Electronics! I love computers and video games and all of that cool stuff!"
"Me, too," Paul laughed, letting his hand dart out to ruffle the bit of hair hanging over my eyes. He smirked at the frustrated growl I released at him and playfully teased, "Oh, I'm so scared of the little puppy!"
"Bite me!" I grumbled out, knowing that I had invited trouble and yet not expecting him to take me up on my offer. A quick movement assured that Paul had leaned down, but before I could leap to the side, the other teenager nipped at my nose. I sputtered, "Y-Y-You…!"
Eyes dark with unfamiliar emotions, Paul smirked down at me and huskily asked, "Yes, Baby Girl?"
"Er…" I smiled, swallowed nervously, and whispered, "…Never mind"
"Let's get this party started, then!"
PHASE ONE
Electronics
1:38 pm
"Turn that one up!"
"Your wish is my command, Master!"
Happily, I complied with his wishes and turned yet another stereo on. Most had been turned to the highest volume setting, and then powered off to await the next idiot – uh, customer, I mean – but I left this one on. Several customers jumped at the sudden onslaught of noise and glared at us. But Paul and I ignored all of them.
"Damn straight, Princess!" Paul declared with his trademark leer, which made the blood inside pulse and pound with excitement that I had trouble containing. I wanted to blush and hit him, but I settled for flipping him off, instead.
My friend barked out his laughter, before jumping right into the song – "'I see you over there, hypnotic, thinking about what I'd do to that body!'" Paul belted out the rather heated lyrics to Usher's Scream.
Laughing, I ran and skidded to stand beside him, hands to both hips, and harmonized, "'I've tried to fight it, to fight it, but you're so magnetic, magnetic!'" We moved in sync (and not NSYNC) and let sneakers touch sneakers, hitting the toes together.
Crudely, Paul added several rude gestures that accompanied his version of the song, and I tried to ignore the heat burning in his eyes – or my stomach. He continued to sing somewhat off key, but I found it funny and easier to sing along without fearing that the other teenager might make fun of me. My nerves still made it hard to completely be myself in front of him, though…
So I whirled around, putting distances between us again, and tried to Moon Walk.
Key Word Being: Tried.
BAM! KABOOM!
"GET OUT!"
"EEP!"
PHASE TWO
Toy Dept.
1:59 pm
"…Coast is clear!"
"Thank God," I muttered, dusting both knees and climbing out from behind the cardboard cutout of Iron Man that I had been hiding behind for the last ten minutes. I coughed lightly to clear the dust from my nose and mouth. "Ew…"
"Little Princess afraid to get all dirty?" Paul sarcastically asked, with his lips twisted into a sneer. My heart dropped at his cruel words, but then I noticed the gleam of mischief in his eyes a moment later. He lifted his eyebrows, waiting –
"'Course not, Peasant," I haughtily replied, flipping several locks of hair away, and when the other teenager laughed in disbelief, I slapped him upside his big ol' head. "Ouch!" I yelped, "What is your skull made of – adamantium, like the Wolverine?"
"No! Abusive little girl," My friend grumbled to himself and rubbed the back of his head, though I could tell that it hadn't hurt much, if at all. A bit of tongue flicked out to wet his lips. "You must like it rough, huh?"
Blushing, I shoved at his shoulder, not that I could budge him at all, and warningly hissed, "Shut it, before I tie you up or gag you!"
He purred, "Kinky..."
Facepalm.
PHASE THREE
Athletics Dept.
2:05 pm
CRASH!
"…Fuck!"
"HAHAHAHA!"
"SHUT UP, SAMMY!"
PHASE THREE 1/2
Frozen Food
2:11 pm
"Oh, I love chocolate chip ice cream so much – and milkshakes, too!"
"I like dipping French Fries in milkshakes," Paul chipped in.
We stared at each other in silence.
"…You're weird…"
"Fuck you…"
PHASE FOUR
Fresh Produce
2:15 pm
"…Look! A Wet Floors sign!"
"Very good," Paul dryly said and applauded by clapping his large hands together, black eyes up and rolling before I could add anything else. "I can see why you're in all the smart classes, Sammy!"
"Bite…" I started, but trailed off at the gleam in his eyes and coughed. "…okay! Skateboarding might not have been the best idea ever –" Paul glowered, clearly remembering his tumble into the box of rainbow colored pool noodles. "– but skating on wet floors is always fun!"
"…You're just going to bust your ass," Paul drawled, folding his muscular forearms over a strong chest that I really, really, really wanted to touch. (Bad Girl! Bad!)
"Will not," I protested vehemently, before whirling around and taking off at a run.
"WHEEEEEEEEEEE~!"
"Uh, Sammy…?"
CRASH!
"…ow."
Sigh.
PHASE FIVE
Clothing
2:23 pm
Standing in front of the changing stations, Paul eyed the carpet and lifted the sign. He glanced from it, to the floor, and back to the sign. "What if –?"
"Wait!" I exclaimed, leaping by him and running into the only open room. A lady called out to me and asked if I needed help, to which I sighed in exasperation and yelled, "Yeah. I'm out of toilet paper. Do you mind tossing another roll in here?"
Silence, then –
"WHAT?!"
PHASE FIVE 1/2
Still Clothing
2:27 pm
"YOU STUPID COW! THIS IS THE CLOTHING DEPARTMENT! JESUS F'ING CHRIST!"
At the sound of her shrieking, I slipped the lock and opened the blue door, which silenced her for several seconds. Loud Lady blinked at me, my pants, and then the floor with quiet trepidation. I pranced out of the changing station and pretended to adjust the hem of the damp jeans, knowing that my rear was still wet from falling earlier. She immediately swore.
"Hey, Paul…! I think we're going to need that Wet Floors sign now!"
Paul could barely breathe.
PHASE FIVE 3/4
IDK LOL
2:32 pm
"SECURITY!"
"RUN…!"
PHASE SIX
Parking Lot
2:34 pm
"…Oh, God," I gasped through the stitch burning under my arm and tried to breathe regularly, though without much luck. "Doing all of that dumb stuff in there was so much fun, Paul!"
"Yeah," Paul laughed into his arms, which cradled his head and kept it off of the dirty picnic table, and then lifted his head to smile brightly at me.
"I'm really glad that I listened to you." I beamed back at him, before reaching out to hesitantly touch his shoulder in gratitude. "…Thank you."
Oddly enough, Paul pulled back to smile stupidly at me, my palm, and then nothing in particular, which I found somewhat unnerving. Emotions flickered to and fro, leaping from his smile to his eyes. He blushed lightly, his cheeks reddening from whatever stray thought passed through his mind, before –
"We should do this again sometime," Paul finally mumbled, hands clenching and unclenching erratically, like Paul might be nervous. But Paul didn't get nervous…right?
Cheeks red with laughter and smile wider than it had been in forever, I decided to ignore his strangely hopeful expression and instead brightly cheered, "Definitely! How about next Saturday?"
Onyx eyes were warm and filled with happiness.
"It's a date."
***Author's Note***
HELLO! :)
Thanks so, so, so much for all the wonderful reviews and stuff last chapter! I love you all to Kibble and Bits. :D
So! Paul and Sammy have had their fun and bonded through chaos, but next chapter is - dun, dun, dun - THE DATE!
Question 1) Feel free to make more guesses about where they're going! Any guesses? Hint: Food.
Question 2) Sammy is going to get another email, but not from Paul. Who is it? Guess! ;)
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!
Update = 102ish
'Night!