Melanie looked around the massive mall, it seemed to engulf her. She watched the many seas of people roll around in the rows and rows of clothes. She gulped a little uncertainly. Kirsten wore a genuine smile, and Marissa was yammering on about how she was going to love Newport and Harbor.
"It's a great school. I'm on the social chair." She continued.
"That's nice." Melanie said appreciatively. She really couldn't have cared less, but Marissa was a nice girl, and she could use the friendship.
They walked forward, to the first section of the clothes. Kirsten and Marissa picked a bunch out and Melanie was carrying around many shirts and skirts of pink, light blue and yellow. She was ushered into the dressing room. She picked up a light pink, long sleeved shirt and a white short skirt and put them on awkwardly.
She looked into the mirror and grinned in spite of herself. She actually looked alright. She stepped out of the dressing room and Marissa put her hands to her mouth and Kirsten smiled.
"We'll be getting those." She said. Melanie decided she liked shopping alright.
When they arrived back at the house Ryan and Seth were playing video games and Sandy, bent over papers from work.
Melanie and Marissa took the armful of bags up to Melanie's room and then collapsed in a heap on her bed.
"I never knew shopping could be so. . .Tiring." Melanie said.
"It's my favorite excersize." Marissa joked.
Melanie laughed, and then sat up straight. "So, now I'm being completely serious." She said, "What is it about my brother that makes you like him?" She asked.
Marissa shrugged. "I don't really know. It does seem kind of funny. I'm the type of girl who is supposed to have a 'perfect' boyfriend. Or at least, I seem that way. But I'm as dysfunctional as it gets. And I guess I like Ryan because he loves me, problems and all."
Melanie smiled. She liked that. She liked Marissa, she was good for Ryan. Melanie couldn't remember a time when Ryan had smiled like that. She knew it wasn't just because of Marissa, but Marissa was a big part of it.
"Thanks Marissa." She said.
"For what?" Marissa asked, confused.
"You know, I'm not really sure yet."