After getting permission from their parents, who were overjoyed to see the kids getting along, the Louds and the Fernsbys all headed to the Royal Woods mall.
Since they all wouldn't fit in Vanzilla, the kids decided to take the city bus instead. Brooke was a little nervous. She didn't usually do well in crowds of people, but she knew it'd be better with her family by her side.
Soon, they arrived at the mall. It was just like Lincoln described. Big, lots of shops, and an amazing food court. "Ok guys! Let's break into groups and meet back here in two hours. Then we'll swing by the Burpin Burger for dinner on the way home. Sound good?" Asked Lori. Everyone happily agreed.
Leni decided to go with Brooke. "C'mon! Let's go to Reingers! They have lots of totes cute outfits!" Squealed Leni. "Uh, ok." Replied Brooke. As they headed towards the shop, a group of people passed and got between Leni and Brooke, separating them as Leni got caught in the crowd. "Brooke! Brooke! Where are you!" Cried Leni as she finally untangled herself from the crowd. But Brooke was nowhere to be seen. Further back in the mall, Brooke wandered the walkways, looking for her older cousin. "Leni! Leni!" She cried, getting more nervous by the minute. After the crowd had passed and she found herself alone, she decided to try to see if Leni was still close by. But Brooke couldn't catch up with the people and was soon lost.
Brooke continued to work wander the enormous mall when she suddenly bumped into the back of a tall eighth grader. Brooke staggered backwards as the teen turned around. Brooke didn't know, but the teen she had bumped into was Taylor. Her friends Pablo and Anderson were with her too.
Brooke was frightened when she saw Taylor's agitated expression. "Watch where you're going runt!" She snapped. Brooke shook in fear. "I-I-I'm sorry I was l-l-looking for my family and I didn't s-s-see you and-" suddenly Taylor started laughing. "Look guys! We made her cry! Is the little baby feeling lonely?" She asked mockingly. Brooke saw they were getting closer to her and she turned to run away, but Taylor grabbed her by the collar of her dress and lifted her up! "You don't get off that easy pipsqueak. You made me spill my soda on Pablo and one of the things we hate is getting dirty. Looks like you need to learn a little lesson." Said Taylor. "I think it's wedgie time for the baby!" And the three jerks laughed. Brooke's eyes shrank to the size of decimal points. "Please! Please! No!" She cried. She looked around for someone to help her, but she realized she had wandered to the construction area of the extension of the mall! No one ever came there. This was the bullies favorite place for beating up their victims.
Lincoln was with Lynn and Brenda. They were about to hit the arcade when they heard a very loud scream! Brenda immediately knew who it was. "It's Brooke!" She cried. They ran to where it was coming from and Lincoln couldn't believe what he saw. The 3 eighth graders from the bus were about to hurt Brooke!
Lincoln noticed an abandoned smoothie cup sitting on the bench next to him. Before Lynn and Brenda could do anything, he grabbed it and flung it at Taylor! Taylor was just about to turn Brooke around to give her a wedgie when the smoothie cup hit her right in the head! In surprise, she dropped Brooke and she scampered away. Brooke saw Lincoln running up to her. "LINCOLN!" She cried and flung her arms around him in tears. "No time for that Brooke! We gotta scram!" Cried Lincoln.
Anderson, Taylor, and Pablo then saw Lincoln and their anger erupted! "YOU AGAIN!!!" They roared and charged at the two kids. Lincoln took Brooke by the arm and took off running! Brenda and Lynn watched as the two ran for their lives. "We gotta do something!" Cried Lynn. "Follow me! I got an idea!" Shouted Brenda. They ran towards the main hub as Lynn whipped out her phone to call Lori. They were going to need backup.
Stay tuned for chapter 8!