Chapter 5
Age 13
Rude
I met the Doctor again while out shopping with my mum. I needed new shoes. I had worn my old ones down. So, Mum took me to the mall.
"You should have told me sooner," Mum was saying as we walked to the shoe store.
I rolled my eyes and tuned her out. Mum was finding every little thing to argue about. For me, my reading habits, my lack of friends, and my lack of care for my clothes. For Tish, her new obsession for boys, her new friends, and holding up the bathroom while getting ready before school. Leo, his video games, his best friend, and his low grades. Dad, it was everything.
In the Jones household, Mum was the only one who could do no wrong. We all tried our best to stay out of her way. Tish spent more time out with her friends, Leo was always at his best friend's, Dad was always working, and I spent my time at school or the library.
Today was unavoidable. My sole had fallen off one of my shoes before I could leave for school that morning. Mum saw and ordered I put on my church shoes. She said she was picking me up from school to get new shoes. So, I had to spend more than 15 minutes with her.
While she talked, I zoned out and only zoned back in when I saw a man with curly blond hair and a clown like an outfit walk by. A woman followed him.
I turned to my mum and told her I had to use the bathroom and hurried out before she could protest. When I was outside the shoe store, I followed the man and the woman. They were entering a store two doors away. A clothing store.
"You should have used the clothes in the TARDIS," the man was saying.
"And I've told you I couldn't find anything my size," the woman said. I could tell by her accent that she was American.
"I don't see why that should matter," the man said.
The woman rolled her eyes before turning to the clothing rack. The man watched her. He seemed annoyed and was impatiently tapping his foot.
"Are you finished yet?" he asked. It had only been two minutes.
The woman glared at him before she continued looking for something to wear.
I took the time to look at the woman. She wore a baby pink shirt and shorts that were rolled up at the legs. On her feet, were plain white trainers. A lot more normal than what the man's clown outfit.
I couldn't even really describe what he was wearing. The outfit was just a burst of colors all mismatched.
After a couple of minutes later, the man sighed. He grabbed a random shirt from the rack.
"This will do," he said holding up the ghastly pink and green, splotchy shirt.
"No," the woman said.
The man rolled his eyes. He tossed the shirt behind him. Nest, he pulled out a brown shirt with neon yellow stars all over it. It was even uglier than the first one.
"Absolutely, not," the woman said looking at the shirt with disgust.
"Just pick one," the man exclaimed.
"I will," the woman said back. "But I want a shirt I would want to be seen in."
The man was about to say something but I interrupted.
"Doctor, stop," I ordered. "Let…"
I turned to the woman.
"Peri," she answered.
"Let Peri, pick her own shirt," I finished. "And be patient."
The Doctor turned to me. I noticed his eyes were blue, bored, and playful at the same time.
"What do you know, Martha Jones," the Doctor said staring down at me.
"I know that you are being rude," I told him. "Leave Peri alone and she'll be able to pick her outfit quicker."
The Doctor glared at me before sighing.
"Very well," he said without further argument.
I stayed a few minutes longer before I said my goodbyes.
"I have to go," I said. "Mum will worry. Remember, Doctor, be patient."
I ran back to the shoe store before either Peri or the Doctor could say anything.
END OF CH.5