Mako's Message: This chapter gave me so much trouble that three hours ago I'd have said that if this chapter had a face I'd stab it. Now though I kinda like it. I guess that's because what started like pulling teeth from a PMSing crocodile ended up being like bedding Riley. Incredibly easy.

Oh BURN!

Sorry. XD

Anyway, this chapter actually ended up at a decent length. It's also apparently the chapter where I start doing shout-outs. Keep an eye out for them. They're so subtle they may not even count. I assure you later ones won't be so hard to spot if you know what I'm referencing. Enjoy.


And so the Christmas shopping season begins.

It's actually kind of disturbing the way people will get up at fuck-o-clock in the morning just to get a good deal on a washing machine. Who the hell actually gives people things like that for Christmas?

Ya know what boggles my mind even more though? How Angela talked me into going with her to the mall on Black Friday.

I mean really. I was chilling at home, still trying to digest all that turkey, and Angela calls asking if I want to go to the mall. Was I not thinking clearly? Was my mind still in a turkey and gravy induced fog? Whatever it was, I said yes.

I told Marcus where I was going, and when Angela and her mom came to get me he practically threw me out the door.

The mall was stupidly crowded. I couldn't understand why everyone wanted to come shopping all at once. I can't imagine why the store would want to encourage the mobs scenes either. Wouldn't week, or even month long sales be easier to manage than 12-hour door busters but still bring in the same kind of cash?

Angela didn't think it was that crowded though, and was glad we were able to go that first day before "all the good stuff sells out", so obviously I know nothing of commerce.

I didn't really do any shopping though. I pretty much just followed Angela and her mom around. I looked at some stuff of course, but I didn't see anything I wanted to get anyone.

There was a store selling all sorts of swords and knives that caught my eye. I knew it was pretty much all just "for display" items, but it was still hard to keep my eyes off it. Even if they weren't really made for combat, it'd still be fun to pull one of the more exotic looking ones on some dealer stoned out of his mind.

I wonder if Dave would take me back there another time.

There was one point when we were waiting for her mother at a restroom when I decided to ask her why she invited me.

She just sort of shrugged and said, "All my other friends are out shopping on their own today. I didn't think you would be and I haven't really gotten to hang out with you since you were in the ho-" I loved the expression of dawning realization on her face. It was priceless, "You don't have your crutches!"

"You're right, Captain Observant, I don't." Yeah, it was kinda lame but I couldn't resist.

She shoved me and I almost fell off the railing we were sitting on and into a fountain. I've got kick ass ninja reflexes though, so I was fine.

She asked, "So is your leg okay now?"

I really wish I knew the answer to that. I haven't had any problems with it all day, but I have a feeling it's just waiting to catch me off guard. I just told her, "It's 99%" and shrugged.

When her mom came out she said it was time to head back. I decided to ask if we could go to NYBC (That's "New York's Best Creamery", the chain Dave works for. There's only like, five of them). I added that I could pay for myself and that they had really wicked sundaes. She thought about it for a minute then agreed.

Riley was there, of course, being Dave's incredibly slut-tastic shadow.

I could hear them in the back room, saying something like, "You could be risking your life right now."

"I know, that's what makes it so much fun."

It's like she's trying to set a record for how soon after I walk in can she piss me off.

She came out though instead of Dave. She welcomed us to the store and asked what we'd like, and then she recognized me and said, "Oh hey Mindy. Nice to see you again. Love you with your hair down. Are you with them?

I don't know how she managed it but she actually made me want to put my hair back in pigtails.

So, we placed our orders, I got a Double Fudge Deluxe Brownie Sundae, and after being warned that it was large, Angela and her mom decided to split a slice of "Shark Pie". I honestly didn't think a slice of pie could be that big, but holy shit. When she brought it out I suddenly felt like my sundae was puny. It had to be at least a foot high. Angela took a photo of it next to her head for scale. I swear it was bigger than her head. I also found out why it was called "shark pie", the slice looked like a shark fin. Not from the top, from the side. The pie itself wasn't that special though. Chocolate cookie crust, vanilla ice cream, caramel shell and peanuts.

My sundae had a chocolate chunk and walnut filled brownie, with chocolate ice cream, chocolate fudge, whipped cream, and a chocolate dipped cherry. It's what awesome tastes like.

While I was eating the sundae, Riley came over too talk to me and I nearly lost my appetite. What she said almost made me choke.

"So who are you trying to look all grown up for?"

I don't even know why but I went from zero-to-rage in nothing flat. I don't think she noticed because she leaned in like we were best friends sharing secrets, "Come on, it's obvious someone caught your eye since I last saw you."

I had no idea what she was talking about but she insisted it was the only reason I'd have changed my style. I asked why changing my hair had to mean I was interested in someone.

Then she said she wasn't just talking about my hair, that I was dressed different as well.

Okay, I may have been dressed a little girlier than usual, but it wasn't like I was showing of my non-existent tits and wearing a mini-skirt.

She finally said it was okay if I didn't want to admit it, and then gave me a piece of some holly or something saying it would help. I have no idea why she'd say that. And I don't even know what this is. Doesn't holly have sharp leaves and red berries? These are round and white.

Oh my god this is mistletoe. She gave me fucking mistletoe. Why the hell did she even ha- OH THAT WHORE! This is what they were talking about in the back room. I am going to gut her with a spoon the next time I see her.


Mako's Message the Second: Btw, if any chapters or scenes make you think of any songs, let me know. I'd like to know what sort of associations you're making. There is one song I think is perfect for this fic, though, but I'm not gonna let you all in on it until I get to where you'll understand why it's perfect.