Hi guys, enjoy the chapter. It's kind of one of those "things are just getting ready to heat up" kind of chapters. Once again, I probably should edit more, but then there's always time for that. I'm considering editing the entire story to make it T rated because I really like the idea behind this story and I wish more people would take a look at it. Anyway, enough of my blabbering.
CHP 8: Just Another Day...
DISCLAIMER-I Don't Own the Teen Titans
I stared at Gar with eyes like flying saucers. "I didn't know you were in here..."
"Dude, don't you knock?" Steam from the bathroom poured into the hallway.
"This is my house remember, and you need to hurry. Dad's coming back around 11."
The door shut in my face and opened again, with Gar dripping wet, a towel loosely wrapped around his waist. He picked his ear waddling into my room.
Reaching for the handle on the shower, I disrobed, tossing my clothes aside while stepping into the tepid water.
"Damn," I huffed.
"GAR!"
"Yeah?"
"I forgot my clothes."
"And?"
"Go get them!"
"What do I look like the maid!"
"Just bring them!"
"Right a way your heinous. Which ones you want me to bring?"
"Just grab anything I'll change when I get back in the room."
"Gotcha."
I waited patiently until I heard knocking.
"Just come inside."
"That's what she said." Gar laughed, tossing my things on the sink counter. I waited for him to leave before I got out.
"What's up today?" He shouted.
"Nothing." I admitted. "Why?"
"Just thought I'd ask if you wanted to come to the mall." He trailed off. "Since you're looking for a job."
He tripped when I opened the door, pearing up at me with angry eyes, which I greated with a smirk.
"Yeah I need a job, but who's going to hire me? Felons aren't exactly employee material."
"Don't think like that. Some places may be willling to work with you. Just tell them what happened."
" I can't." I leaned back against the door. "It's complicated."
"Get a job or be one of those homeless guys standing on a street corner holding a sign?" Deep creases formed at the base of his green hair line and I looked at him sighing heavily, running fingers through my hair.
"Fine."
Screaming children, greasy air saturated with the smell of buttered pretzels and french fries, impatient shoppers bumping elbows with us every five seconds. I was going mad. And we'd only just arrived 5 minutes ago.
"I can't work here." I held my breath watching a screaming boy dart past Gar demanding his mother's attention.
Gar gazed forward. "Street corner, homeless teen, badly written sign..."
I sighed, trailing behind as he walked into Brittany's. The store had mostly pastel colored jumpsuits, rompers, and multicolored jeanie pants. Unfortunately this kind of thing was in.
"Hi!"
We were greated by a tall thin blonde. She fluttered her heavily coated eyelashes twerking her way across the room.
"Just want to let you know everything on this back rack is 25% off and we're giving away free $10 gift cards for every 10 items you purchase. Men's shoes are 30% off right now until the 25th of this month. Bras, panties, and women's shoes are 15% right now with the purchase of two or more accessories. All sales are final, even with a reciept. Can I help you?"
"Uh.," Gar scartched his chin. "We were just gonna ask if you're hiring."
"Oh." She scanned him over. "The manager's not here right now, but I can give you an application."
She snatched one from under the table, handing it to Gar who handed it to me, watching with a bemused expression.
"Oh, it's for you." She laughed. "That's cute. Are you guys dating or something?"
"No." I muttered dryly.
"No." Gar added.
"Oh..."
She smiled, immediately loosing interest.
"Sorry another customer's coming. Let me know if you have anymore questions."
When Gar turned away I slid the application in the trash.
"That was eventful."
"It only one store, be positive."
"Whatever." I turned away. Noticing a petite girl with auburn curls having her eyebrows threaded. Beside her stood a tall guy with dark hair brooding.
I sunk my teeth into my bottom lip. Unfortunately this gesture didn't go unnoticed.
"Don't make that face."
"What face?" Gar smirked.
"You know damn well what face."
"WHAT?" He laughed. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Fuck you," I snarrled, storming into the nearest store I could find. Gar followed, trying to catch up.
"Are you guys hiring?"
"Um... yeah." He raised an eyebrow. "We're actually getting ready to hire a ton of new people."
Gar caught me at the desk.
"Uh Rache."
I ignored him.
"Here's our application. The main manager should be in tomorrow and you can interview with him."
"Great."
"Rache."
I took the application as Gar grabbed my arm, pulling me outside.
"What are you doing. I'm trying to get a job remember."
"Dude, you don't want to work there." He shook his head. "That's a porn store."
I glanced up at the sign. "Great."
"I tried to stop you." He laughed. " I don't understand how you failed to see the vibrating dildos or strap ons."
"Please stop talking to me."
I got quiet noticing Dick and his 'girlfriend' passing by on the opposite side. For a second he glanced in my direction, then they disappeared into the food court.
"You hungry?" Gar asked, noticing my blank stare.
"Come on," He nudged my shoulder. "I'll buy."
"You sure you want that?"
I held a slice of cheese pizza to my lips. Strings of mozerrella and cheddar dangled from the sides, most beautiful thing I'd seen all day. I opened my mouth for a large bite, but a hand came from under mine, redirecting the slice.
"You asshole that was my bite." I glared.
"Not anymore," Gar grinned, swallowing hard..
"So what do you want to do after this? Wanna try more stores?"
"I don't know." I glanced down at the table. "I'm actually getting sick of the mall."
"We just got here." He said, stretching, and druming his hands on the table.
I barred my teeth. "Can you stop?"
"Stop what?"
"The figeting, your always moving, always fidgeting."
"Oh uh, sorry, it's something I just kind of do...a habit."
"It's annoying."
"Sorry." He clamped his hands together.
"How'd you get into drugs in the first place?"
He looked away. "How about we go to the arcade, you wanna go hangout there for a while?"
"Not really." I shrugged. "I want an answer to my question."
His head lulled back, "Rache, I really don't want to talk about that."
"Whatever." I folded my arms under my chest. "Hey, isn't that that girl who accused you of sexual assaualt?"
Across the food court there were two tall women standing infront of an ice cream shop. Kori and another girl with black hair that looked similar.
"You wanna go say hi?" I smirked. Gar responded with a scowel.
"Only if we go say hi to your smash buddy and his girlfriend first."
I sneered. Kori and the other girl headed in our direction. The closer they got the more Gar sank.
"Oh look, they're coming to sit across from us." I deadpanned.
"You shitting me?" Gar rested his head in his palm, grimacing. "You said you're tired of the mall right?"
"No actually I think you've talked me into staying longer." I stretched, smiling.
When Kori and the other girl sat down we got quite.
"I just need to be alone. You should get that." I watched her glance fall to the floor as she tugged at her long wavy strands.
"Don't be such a child. I'm throwing another party this weekend whether you like it or not."
"Okay, And'r that's fine, but why at Mom and Dad's?"
The dark haired girl tossed her hair over her shoulder. "My apartments too small, duh. Plus, mom and dad are going on a cruise this weekend."
Kori became silent.
"I don't know why you make such a big deal out of this whole thing. If you don't want to be there go out, find some friends, get a boyfriend, I don't care."
And'r waved across the room at two girls. One wore highwaisted jean shorts with a pale blue halter, the other, a yellow romper. When they came over to join them Kori shrunk.
"Hey girl heey! What's going on this Saturday?" asked the girl in the shorts.
And'r's eyes lit up. "We're throwing a party guys." She scooted over, drapping her arms around Kori.
"Oh, so then you're coming." The girl in the romper gave Kori a puzzled look. "You do realize Adon will probably show up. He's friends with everyone. Plus, he brings the drinks."
Kori shot a concerned look at And'r.
"Oh she knows. She'll be in the back the whole time, problem solved."
"Great. We'll see you Saturday, we're meeting someone else so gotta go."
"You ready to go?" And'r asked Kori.
"I suppose."
I watched them walkaway thanking God I was an only child.
"Glad I don't have a sister."
"Ditto" said Gar. "I can't imagine having a sister that heartless." He stared at the dark haired girl distantly and my eyes followed.
"I think about my Dad, the real one...all the shit he's done to screw up my life and still that girl sounds a thousand times more evil."
This caught Gar's attention and his head snapped back around. "What's the big deal about him? How come you won't talk about him?"
"I can't tell you."
"Why not, it's not like I'm going to judge you. I already think you're a bitch."
I glared.
"Kidding," he grinned.
I thought for a moment. "You tell me about your parents and I'll tell you about mine."
"Deal, but not here."
"Fine."
We visited a few more stores, ones where I actually kept the applications, but I still wasn't thrilled about working in the mall.
"Hey look!" Gar called as we walked down an isle.
"Massage Topia, you game?"
"Isn't that kind of expensive?"
"Naa." He grabbed my hand leading me under a small golden archway. A petite Indian woman stood at the counter asking us for a session length. Gar payed her and we were seated.
"This is weird."
"Stop being so damn boring." Gar laughed.
When the massage therapist came out she had two towels and two robes drapped over her arm.
"The changing rooms are in the back, the mens on the left, and the woman's on the right, take your time."
I slowly reached for a towel.
"Gar I don-..."
"Can't hear you Rache I'm already in the back." He grinned, sporting his towel over his shoulder.
I took a deep breath. This was why I didn't get involved with people. It was an emotional investment I couldn't afford. Now I would be stuck on a table for an hour like a dissected frog.
I sighed deeply as I lifted my shirt over my head. In the mirror I stared at my pale flat stomach and slender legs, which also matched the paleness of my stomach. I wasn't that attractive. At least not to myself. My long black hair was probably my only asset.
I undid my bra, stairing at my bare chest. I wasn't happy with what I saw and this had little to do with my physical attractiveness. Instead of a pretty face I saw ugliness no make up could cover up. These flaws were more daunting than just a simple pimple or freckle, something that had and would follow me the rest of my life.
I wondered if this is what others saw. Those flaws that make us incarcerate a person, lock them away for good so that no one will ever have to tolerate their "ugliness" again.
Wrapping a towel around myself, I stepped out into the massage room with Gar.
When he laid down aside from me and I couldn't help, but notice the warewolf on his back. Under it read, Beast Boy.
"What's with the tattoo?" I whispered to him.
Turning his head to face me, he gave a sort of half smile. "Just a something I did... you wouldn't get it though."
"You've convinced me to tell you about my Dad even though I insist that you won't get it. "
"Yeah, but that's two secrets for one. I have to tell you about my parents also remember." He cracked his neck, yawning.
I frowned.
"Fine, I'll tell you about it later. Tonight, when I tell you about my parents."
I nodded as two massage therapists entered the room wheeling two carts.
"Here we go..." I groaned.
"See, it wasn't that bad."
"Yeah whatever." I deadpanned. We were back near the main gate now and it seemed like there were more people than when we first got here.
"This is rediculous."
"Ready to go?"
I nodded. I could see the sky outside the double glass doors and it was just beginning to turn slightly pink. We spent the entire day at the mall, disgusting, I thought.
I was so wrapped in my own thoughts I didn't notice who was passing by us. My heart did a belly flop into my stomach when I finally caught sight of those cutting blue eyes and jet black hair.
"Hey.." I said trailing off as I noticed him glance away. He held the door open for the girl I'd seen him with earlier.
Gar just looked at me and shook his head. I knew what he was thinking because I was thinking it too.
What a Dick.
Dad was gone when we got back. I was glad because there was no way we were getting through the window. After an hour of fighting at Farmer's Market we ended up with two jumbo bags of popcorn, a gallon of cookie dough ice cream, a bag of gummy bears, a container of chocolate chip cookies, and two bottles of Bacardi. Basically fat ass central.
"Even if we both weighed a thousand pounds this is more food than we'd ever need."
"Yeah, but at least now we're prepared."
"Prepared for what? This isn't the apocolypse."
He shrugged. I watched as he grabbed all the bags in one arm like Superman, and bolted up the stairs.
"You comin?"
"One second." I signaled to Gar as I pulled out my phone.
"I'll be outside, give me a minute."
Gar nodded, heading toward the room.
I went to the back patio where no one could hear. I don't know why I cared, but I guess I did. I looked at the phone, hesitating a few minutes before pressing dial. Why would he call?
I pressed redial and the phone was ringing by the time I got around to thinking of how stupid it was for me to even consider calling him.
"Hello?"
"Rachel?"
"You called me?"
"I need to ask you something."
"Go ahead."
"Not on the phone. Can you come over? I'll pick you up."
"Now?"
I glanced up at my bedroom window.
"If you can."
"Why? I don't see a reason to."
"It's important."
"Fine."
I hung up the phone and went around to the front to wait. About 15 minutes had passed before I noticed Dick's car rolling toward the drive way. It took the same amount of time for Gar to come thumping down the stairs.
"What's taking you so long?"
" I have somewhere to be."
