Peter held my hand as we walked through the mall together. The visa office wasn't a fun experience for anyone; it never was. First they separated us- or rather me- into different rooms and took away my phone. And they just left me there…. for two straight hours. I wasn't allowed to leave! And I didn't have my phone so I couldn't text Peter or Kitty about the situation. Luckily for me, this wasn't my first time at the visa office. Kitty knew how long they could potentially wait so I was grateful she was currently with Peter; so he wouldn't be confused out of his mind.
I emerged from the office tired and starving. Seeing me in this state, Peter went into automatic repair mode. He gathered up me and my sister, drove us straight to the mall, and bought me ice cream. Originally, he wanted to get me "real food", but I'm an adult and I consider ice cream a meal. Seriously, I ate a whole tub of Ben and Jerrys for dinner back in Edinburgh on the odd occasion. Kitty thought this was a brilliant idea, so we went to Marble Slab and Peter also got me a smoothie from Jugo Juice; double win!
After "dinner", Kitty wanted to go to Abercrombie and Fitch and I wanted to visit Lush. And Peter…. well, let's just say I swore never to be one of those women who leave their significant other outside while they shop…. so Peter came inside Lush with me. And believe it or not, it was not a horrible experience for him. He kept pointing to containers and saying "oh! Covey, you have to smell this!" I even let him pick out a perfume he'd like me to try on; he chose "Snow Fairy" because he said it literally smelt like the color pink. And we both know how I adore pink.
We emerged from Lush, smelling really good in my opinion, walking hand-in-hand to get fetch my sister. Admittedly, it felt weird at first, but it was strangely convenient; we never lost each other because we always had a grip on the other. Try to imagine that without it sounding creepy or controlling; it was actually very easy after we got used to it. Peter told me a joke and I laughed, not really paying attention to who was around us. It never occurred to me that we might not be alone at the mall. Well, ok; I know we're not the only people at a mall, but people I know I meant. And by the way Peter was acting- so casually and genuine- I'd say neither did he.
We came to a halt in front of Abercrombie and Fitch; Kitty just texted that she was paying. While waiting, Peter twirled a strand of my hair and grinned a tad. "I'd forgotten what this felt like. Were you always this fun?" I laughed. "All we did was eat ice cream and go to Lush, after that horrible visa experience. I'm sorry again, by the way." "Look, would you stop apologizing? It's not your fault and besides, Kitty and I had a good time; we… got to know each other better." "She told you a bunch of embarrassing stories, didn't she?" "Mmmmmmm maybe or two," Peter cracked a grin. I mirrored his reflection and he leaned in to sniff my hair. "You smell good," he said, still pressed up against my head.
"Uh, what are you doing?" Like we were just caught by the police, we both immediately stepped back apart from each other. Turning forward, we saw a very confused and upset Gen standing there. She wasn't looking, or glaring, at Peter; her eyes were viciously glued onto me. Ferociously. "Did you leave your oh so precious morals back in Scotland? What are you doing here with my boyfriend, Aerity?" I don't think she could sound more accusing if she tried. Oh hell….. I winced internally. I knew this would happen; I could see this coming from a mile away. Although I didn't think it'd happen so soon; same with Peter. His expression was just as startled as mine.
It took a minute for either of us to say anything. My open tried to pry open to answer her but it just wouldn't listen to me. Fortunately, Peter stepped in for both of us. "I told you, we're over, Gen. I'm not your boyfriend anymore." "Oh," Gen fired him a sour glare. "Oh, ok. So, to get back at me, after you dumped me, you rebound to ex best friend? As if breaking my heart wasn't enough? You're using her to rub it in my face too?" "He's not using me for anything," I frowned, cutting in. Ok well… maybe he kind of was, but that's none of her business. Neither of us owed her an explanation.
Gen sent me the most hateful stare I'd ever seen; at least here in America. "Uh, excuse me; I'm talking to "my" man. You can just go over there and be quiet," she had the audacity to wave her hand at me. My mouth didn't hesitate to shoot open this time to tell her off, but Peter surprisingly moved to situate himself securely between us. Once in front of me, him hand reached back to take hold of mine, as if to reassure me. And boy, he did not look happy at Gen; not at all. "Alright, listen to me, Gen; I know you're really bad at it, but try for a minute. I am not your; not anymore- those days are done. You hear me? We're over for good this time." This time? My eyebrow raised but I didn't interrupt.
"Oh, and you think you dating her will prove that to me?" Gen accused, folding her arms angrily. "Her name isn't "her"; it's Aerity. And you should know that since you were best friends for years." "Whatever," Gen rolled her eyes. "I know you're still into me, Peter. This, and nothing else, is gonna convince me otherwise." "Aren't we a little old for this, Gen?" My eyes actually rolled this time. This was getting pathetic; we were adults for pete's sake. "You mean a little old to be stealing someone else's boyfriend?" She shot back at me. "She didn't steal me, Gen," Peter's eyes also rolled exasperated. "I gave myself to her." This made both of us look at him; Gen with utter alarm and dismay, and me… A familiar melody began to play in the back of my mind as my grip tightened on Peter's hand.
Gen's lower lip quivered for a minute; she looked… desperate in that moment. Like really desperate. "Seriously? Why would you give yourself to Aerity of all girls? Her?!" "Because she was the only one not asking for me," Peter's peered at me through the corner of his eye. "Exactly!" Gen tossed her arms up into the air. "That means she doesn't want you!" "Uh, actually it means that I have class," I corrected in a calm tone, which I knew enraged her more. "I don't "chase" men; men chase me," I had to add a superior smirk in. Granted, not many men had chased me throughout my history; none that I wanted anyway. But I still followed that rule of etiquette for myself. Even Peter looked impressed.
Gen gave off a nasty frown, placing one hand on her hip with "attitude". "Oh yeah? Who would chase you?" "I would," Peter answered directly, still staring at me. "I still don't get it! Why her?!" "Because she's not easy to catch, but she's worth the chase," Peter finally sent Gen a face. I confess, I felt super happy in that second. No one had ever said anything about me like that before. And I know that he could just be saying this to get Gen off his back, but…. My fingers wrapped around his softly, tenderly….. I'd like to believe it's true. I knew that wasn't going to be the end of Gen's nonsense but still….. Please, please be true.