Hi! I haven't mentioned this yet and it is long overdue- thank all of you for reviews! They're pleasant to read, and I do, even if I don't respond.

Chapter 7

Ororo heard an ominous 'thud' and looked over her shoulder. Laura was scowling at an old wheelbarrow that had finally given up on life. It had been very rusted and wobbly, and based on what Ororo could tell the thin spot spanning the bottom of the barrow had become a large hole. She stood, brushing the garden dirt off her knees.

"It broke itself," Laura said preemptively, glaring. Ororo smiled. Her expression did not match her outfit- Laura's tendency to destroy her clothing doing simple tasks had become a constant challenge to Ororo, prompting an evolution of gardenwear. The latest attempt to preserve the girl's clothing was a large heavy-duty apron and rubber rainboots. They were in bright, cheerful colors, and as soon as the kids came home from school Laura would take off the happy garden gear and hide it somewhere until the next time no one was around.

"I've put off buying a new wheelbarrow one day too long, it seems," Ororo smiled to let Laura know she wasn't in trouble. "Fortunately they aren't expensive. Next time there are enough errands I will run out and pick up a new one."

Although it was still very cold in the Bayville area, spring clothing catalogues were already being mailed and several of the girls of the mansion had caught spring shopping fever and were more than willing to make up errands. In another seemingly unrelated way, Ororo's sister Vi was expecting her for tea that afternoon, so a wheelbarrow would have to either be postponed or purchased by someone else. So by putting all of these separate events together, it becomes logical how Laura found herself sandwiched between Kitty and Jubilee in a full minivan headed into town later that day. Ororo had given her enough money for a quality wheelbarrow and a snack, which she had safely tucked away in a pocket. Her scowl was on display for all to see, but unfortunately the other girls were so excited at the idea of clothes that they failed to notice or care. Laura's mood sunk even further.

There was a large outdoor-stuff garden store on one end of the mall, and Laura watched with resignation as they parked on the opposite end. Ororo's advice had been to buy a book and read it in the food court until the girls had spent most of their energy before attempting her own shopping, but Laura wasn't interested in literature.

Jean and Kitty lead the charge into the mall, trailed by Laura. She was immediately horrified by the smells and deafened by the noise and tried to leave and wait in the car until they were done, but Jean caught her arm.

"Sorry, Laura, but the professor said not to let you out of my sight until we're back at the mansion. It shouldn't be too long, we already know what stores most of the stuff we want is in."

Laura pulled out of Jean's grip but followed as Jean ran from store to store. Occasionally two of the mansion residents would bump into each other and point each other towards another store. The only bright point was when Jean bought her a fruit smoothie.

After a short eternity lasting around two hours, Jean stood at the mall map, comparing her many bags to the listed stores while Laura continued to sulk quietly nearby.

"Okay, it looks as though I've been everywhere I wanted to go. Ororo wanted you to get something?" she asked. Laura nodded and glanced at the map dismissively. Most of the stores seemed unnecessary. Clothes are clothes.

"A wheelbarrow. It appears they are only sold at the garden store on the opposite end of this mall."

Jean nodded slightly while thinking, "That makes sense." She thought a message to the other girls, and they gradually appeared, laden with bags.

"One more errand for Ororo, and then we can head back to the mansion. Try to leave most of the trunk empty." Jean said, and lead the flock back to the van and then drove to the other end of the mall. Laura was suspicious of how helpful she was being but didn't ask. It was probably at the Professor's request.

"We'll be back in a few minutes," Jean said as she and Laura got out of the car. The girls didn't notice, they were comparing their purchases.

"They're not out to get you," Jean said after a few minutes as they located the right section of the store.

"I did not say anything," Laura responded. And they are, she added mentally.

"Girls are just like that. We have to be so hardcore on missions that when a chance to just be girls happens, we take it." Jean tried to rationalize. Laura didn't respond. That didn't make sense to her. Jean looked as though she was expecting some sort of response so she tried to come up with something.

"Malls are annoying," she said. Jean smiled. They found the wheelbarrow Ororo had specified she wanted, and Laura pushed it to the register and then the van. Before she could manhandle it into the trunk Jean put it there with her powers.

She mumbled a "thanks", and after half an hour the mansion gates were opening and they were home. Several minor scuffles occurred as the girls sorted out whose bags were whose, and for the second time Jean beat Laura to the punch in getting the wheelbarrow back out of the trunk, again telekinetically. This time Laura just studied her intently for a minute, eyes narrowed, and then stalked off as best she could while pushing a wheelbarrow, which makes anyone look a little bit silly.

Ororo was still out with her sister until supper and there weren't any pressing tasks for Laura, so she wandered around aimlessly. She found herself eavesdropping on the girls she'd been forced to endure. They were talking about her.

"I'm really happy I survived that," one said, "I thought she was going to go for our throats."

"I bet shopping with Logan is like that," Amara said.

"Aw, it wasn't that bad. She wasn't even with any of us for most of the trip," Kitty said. "The professor asked Jean to keep an eye out and she said Laura wasn't any trouble, so stop being so negative."

Although Jean was in the room- Laura could smell her perfume- she said nothing. Laura punched the wall hard enough to dent it a little and stormed off.