A.N: Hey guys!

Sorry it took forever to update but work is CRAZY! Anyways I really hope you'll enjoy and don't forget to review.

Thanks.

Chapter 5:

"No, no way. I won't wear that!" I said pointing to the very tight, exceedingly short and very slutty red dress that Adrian was holding.

"But you want to attract him" he said with a wicked grin "and believe me that will attract his attention."

"You're wrong!" I snapped. "I'm not…" I was about to say 'Rose' but I knew it would hurt him and I stopped myself just in time. "Like that."

I saw the pain cross his face, and I realized he had known exactly what I was about to say.

I groaned closing my eyes. So much for trying to distract him for a while. "That…that was a terrible idea." I said gesturing to the store. "I never should have agreed to it." I added storming out of the shop.

I hated shopping. I hated malls. I hate fashion, and the idea of him buying me clothes. I couldn't even remember why I agreed to come at the first place. Maybe it was because I wanted someone to look at me as Adrian used to look at Rose, or because I could see Adrian getting back to his mopping, or also because I was bored and didn't like being alone with him in this big place…or maybe it was just a mix of all that.

"Okay I'm sorry" he said catching my wrist just before I exited the mall. "I shouldn't have taken you into that shop."

Seeing Adrian apologize, without being sarcastic or condescending about it, really took me aback. "No, you shouldn't have." I grumbled.

"We should fine something more…like you." He admitted.

I knew what he was seeing with my black dressing pants, my white button down shirt and comfortable walking shoes. I looked much more like a 50 years old stuck-up shrew than a 19 years old, young woman. It had never been an issue before; I never felt self conscious… not that way.

"Maybe we should just forget about it and go home." I said crossing my arms on my chest.

He sighed running his hand in his hair. "I said I'm sorry, it was stupid of me. Come on…please?"

He knew how to say 'please'? And he was saying it to me! I couldn't hide my surprise and suspicion.

He smiled. "It's fun to be out and do stuff, it stops me from…thinking too much."

In normal circumstances, I would have told him something like 'really? You know how to think?' but today he seemed stripped of most of his cockiness and smartass attitude that got under my skin. He looked…almost human.

I sighed in rendition.

"We'll start small okay?" He gestured me to the GAP store. "Let's forget about the dress, maybe a nice pair of pants."

"I have pants."

"I know you do but please….humor me."

We ended up buying two pairs of jeans as, as unbelievable as it seemed, I didn't own any. Adrian said it was looking very nice on me and that it showed my 'well shaped' legs. This compliment made me blush which made him laughs. For the top, it caused more arguments, but we settled for colored button down shirt, one red and one green.

"Want to grab lunch?" he asked, gesturing toward the food court. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

After spending three hours in the mall I just wanted to go home, I didn't like crowded places. "I…we have food in the fridge. Why don't we go home?"

"I couldn't cook for the life of me!"

"But I can!" I rushed out. "I'll cook you something." I said realizing only too late what I was proposing.

"You know how to cook?" He asked quizzically.

"Yes why?"

"You…you certainly are something else. "

"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked, feeling the blood rushing to my cheeks with anger.

"Well you are smart, well educated, you are good with art, I saw you sewn, and now you tell me that you can cook?" He shrugged. "You're a Martha Stewart with a brain."

"Go F yourself!" I spat. I almost forgot what an ass he could be.

"It was a compliment!" He said, and he looked so offended that I couldn't help but believe him. "As for cooking for me, I accept the offer but let's do that tonight now I really need food" he added reaching for my free hand pulling me to the food court.

"Thanks, by the way." I said reluctantly as we sat with our food.

"What for?" He asked mouth full.

I pointed to the bag.

He shook his hand dismissively. "Don't mention it. So what's the plan?"

"The plan for what?"

"Get the guy!"

"I need a plan?"

"How did you ever manage to get a boyfriend?" He asked seriously.

I couldn't tell, I never did. I thought, but I simply shrugged. "I managed just fine."

I was not sure he believed me with the way he looked at me, but he didn't comment.

"What does he do?"

"What do you mean 'what does he do?' he is a senior like me."

Adrian chuckled. "Believe me sweetie, nobody is like you. " He saw I was about to retort something, he raised his hand. "Again…I was making a compliment here." He sighed. "Except school do you know what he likes?"

"Oh that!" I blushed with embarrassment. I should have guessed that one. "He is playing football, he is quarterback I think."

"A jock? Really?" Adrian grimaced. "I… okay go on."

"Well he likes to read too" I added embarrassed that in fact, he seemed to enjoy comic books only. "And-"

"Hey Syd! What's up?" Asked Matt, sitting at our table, without even asking permission.

I looked at him mouth open. I really didn't expect to see him here. What were the odds? Well pretty high considering the Mall was probably the only decent distraction here. "Matt?"

"Yes…" He grinned.

"He has impeccable manners too that boy" mumbled Adrian from across the table, and I knew it was meant for my ears only.

"My name is Matt" said Matt finally concentrating on Adrian. "And you should be Syd cousin Adrian" he added extending his hand toward Adrian to shake his.

"You are correct" simply replied Adrian looking at Matt's hand with disdain before resuming to eat.

I wanted to kick him so bad! Adrian was haughty, I didn't know him much, but I had seen this side of him so many times but I didn't expect it today.

Matt simply shrugged it off, before turning on his chair to face my side, resting his arm on the back of his chair. "So you did some shopping too." He pointed to the GAP bags.

"Observant too…a really catch" said Adrian, pretending to be concentrated on his plate, which meant he sadly missed my best death glare.

"Yes," I smiled. "Sometime you just have to."

"What are you doing now? Do you have other plans?"

"We were planning to go to the bookstore." Said Adrian looking at Matt. "They just released a book which is making a depth analysis of the Russians' Authors. Fascinating! Who do you think was the most controversial author? Tolstoy or Dostoyevsky? I do tend to go in the Tolstoy direction myself, what about you Mike?"

"Matt and I don't read much." He said not getting mad. That was something I truly liked about him he seemed to be good to the core.

"Oh no?" Adrian turned to me one eyebrow raised. "But Syd told me…"

"Oh yes I read all the time, but it's mostly comics you know."

"Yes I do know" he replied looking at me with a small mocking smile. "Who would have thought?"

"I-Why?" I asked Matt.

"Oh it's okay I mean I wouldn't want you to ditch your cousin and all. I wanted to ask-" he was flushing, and it was making him even cuter. "Friday…"

"Tutoring? Yes, it's on."

"No, not that." He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. "Do you have plans Friday evening? Because I would like to go to the movies…with you."

"Well as a matter of fact yes, she has plans. We…"

"No, its okay I can postpone" I said cutting Adrian off. "I would like to go to the movie with you."

Matt smile widened and I could feel a rush of heat in my chest knowing that, for the first time in my life, I had the power to light such a smile on someone face. Until today, I had never been the one triggering these smiles.

"I'll see you at school tomorrow" he said standing up. "Nice meeting you dude" he said to Adrian.

"What was that all about?" I snapped after I was sure Matt was out of earshot.

"You made a rookie mistake, you made yourself available too fast. What's fun is the chase…you lost your appeal when you said yes."

"Maybe not everybody is as fickle as you are. Some people interest may be more profound, more intellectual."

Adrian snorted throwing his napkin in his plate. "Sure the guy is such a brain! I mean compared to him, I'm the new Einstein. Who would have thought…Miss Sage is just as fickle as us mere mortal."

I opened my mouth to answer, but I didn't have anything to add. It was true that Matt and I were different, but I never dated before….that would be my first date ever even if I rather die than admit it to Adrian.

He laughed, but it was empty of any humor. "Yeah that's what I thought…you have no come back." He took a deep breath and stood up. "Come on Sage, let's get back and talk strategy."

"Strategy?" I asked suspiciously "I think not."

He shrugged. "As you want we'll just see how Miss Sage manages all by herself."

"I'll do just fine I replied jerking my chin up in defiance.

He smiled. "Yeah…we'll see…We'll see."