CHAPTER 3
And Then We're Going to Go To Claire's to Get New Clothes, and Then, Like…
Kraden got off the bus with Jenna, Sheba, and Garet in downtown Woodbridge. "This is the best place to get a ride to the beach," Kraden said. "I think there's a bus service down by the police station."
Jenna tugged on his arm. "But Kraden, you said we don't have to go to the lighthouse right away, right?"
"Well, yes… what did you have in mind to do?"
Jenna and Sheba exchanged grins. Then Jenna said to Kraden, "Well, we were kinda thinking of doing some shopping at the mall, maybe. For like, clothes and beauty products and such."
Kraden rubbed his chin. "Well, I suppose so."
Garet groaned loudly. "Give me a break!"
Kraden smiled gently. "Come now, Garet, a little shopping expedition won't hurt."
"Hmmph.. Fine, whatever."
"Yes!" Jenna and Sheba said in unison.
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"Let's go to the Gap first," Jenna said, dragging Garet behind her. Sheba ran alongside, struggling to keep in step.
"Wait up, girls!" called Kraden, huffing behind them. "Such energy!"
Finally, they arrived at the Gap. "Are you coming in with us?" Jenna asked.
Garet and Kraden looked at each other, and then Kraden said, "I think we'll wait out here, girls. Those benches look quite comfortable."
"Suit yourself." she said with a shrug. "Come on, Sheba, let's check out those new t-shirts!" And they disappeared inside.
"Oh, it feels good to rest these bones!" Kraden sighed, sitting down on the bench. Garet joined him.
"How long do you think they'll be in there?" he asked.
"Oh, a weary while, I'd imagine," Kraden replied. "Ladies love to shop."
"I know." Garet sighed. He cast his eyes around the large mall, until they came to rest on the entrance to Louis Levy's.
"What has captured your sight, boy?" Kraden asked.
"You know, I do need a new hat…" Garet mused. He stood up. "I'll be back in a bit."
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"So what do you think of this one?" Sheba asked, coming out of the dressing room with a new, loose fitting shirt on.
"It looks great on you!" Jenna said, who had just come out of her own dressing room wearing a new outfit consisting of matching baggy pants and a tank shirt. She twirled around. "How do I look?"
"Marvelous!" Sheba said, putting on the accent of one of those old ladies who says "Simply MAHvolous" all the time. "It's SO you!"
"I KNOW!" Jenna beamed. "Okay, let's get all these things and go meet Kraden and Garet." They hurriedly took the garments off and put them back on the hangers. They bought the items, and then, carrying three large bags, went back to where Kraden was sitting.
"Where's Garet?" Jenna asked.
"He went to get himself a new hat." Kraden said. "My, you've bought a lot of things!"
"I know!" Sheba gushed. "And we're just getting started." Kraden had an uneasy sense of foreboding. And then, Jenna broke out into hysterical laughter.
Garet had come back, wearing a dark brown, short brimmed hat with a small feather tucked in it. "How do I look, ladies?" he asked pleasantly, tilting it to the side.
5 minutes later, when Jenna and Sheba finally stopped laughing, Jenna said, "Garet, you really shouldn't wear that hat. You really shouldn't."
"Nonsense!" Kraden scoffed. "Why, when I was his age, I had a hat just like it, and it was the talk of the town!"
"Right, when you were his age. Which was how many years ago?" Sheba said.
Kradens eyes narrowed at the 14 year old, but he managed a smile and said, "Well then, let's move on!"
Finally, after four grueling hours of shopping, the group exited the mall with Kraden and Garet saddled with ten different shopping bags.
"We can't very well go to the Mercury Lighthouse with all these bags, now, can we!"
"He's right. What do we do?" Garet asked.
"Allow me to help." said an icy voice. They turned to see an aqua haired youth approaching them.
"Alex?" Jenna said in disbelief. "What… what are you doing here?"
"Ah, well, I needed to do a little shopping, that's all. Here, I shall cast Teleport Psynergy on your things, and they will return to your house in Vale." He did so, and before departed, he looked at Garet, shook his head, and said, "Nice hat." And he was off.
"Well, I think it's time to head for Mercury lighthouse!" Kraden declared, and patting the mythril bag in his pocket, they set out for the bus terminal.
