Scratchy radio voice of Mr. Radioman on a janitor cart: Deldin is breaking ladies and gentlemen. The government quotes-, "This is all but a phase that we will prevail over." End quote. Officials and protesters say because of the governor's ending term within mid-way next year, he set haste to improve Deldin Bay by th-
The voice fades as the worker threaded past the food court where Dart and Pandora ate together.
Chapter 9
Part 1
Trust A Smile
"Pandora. Food. Mouth. Close." Seriously what a kid. "You're gonna choke." I say crossing my arms. We left school or more, Panda dragged me out and pushed me to the mall food court. So this brings us here, me sitting in front of a girl eating ice cream. I wouldn't say I'm depressed but I'm definitely not happy about going shopping with a demon… a stupid bully, jerk faced, candy eating demon child. With my emotionless face I watch Panda get up, is she going to get another ice cream cone? Oh geez that'd be her third serving today.. "Hey Panda lay off the sweets a bit oka-"
She mumbles, "Stupid." Hmpf great.
Oh nice, I see how it is. Well when the bully did return she pulled her chair closer to me and held out the cone she bought, then resumes eating her own. Um okay, "You know I don't li-" But I should have saw this coming, just like last time Panda shoves the cone into my mouth while I was talking. "Panda I-!"
"3-2-1."
What kind of flavor is this? The taste registers and this time it isn't revolting. I want to ask but it's not really my character to go get excited about something.
"It's black coffee with extra dark chocolate chips." She answers as if she knew what I asked in my head. Then as expected Panda stared at me with that grin of hers, "You like it don't you! Heh you're actually happy for once and it was all because of me!" I watch her smile to herself, complimenting how good of a friend she was. Classic Panda. She looked like she was having a good time even though I'm not much for fun. To be honest, I seriously thought being with a guy like me would be torture- boring as heck. There's something about her that gets me going and really by now I think I'm happy with my life. Pandora waves her hands in front of me, reeling in my attention and asking, "Hey Dart. Daaart you alright there?"
"I don't hate it"
"Er... what?" Giving me her confused expression.
"The ice cream. I don't hate it."
"So you like it?"
"No.." I start eating the ice cream and Panda gives a WTF expression. "I don't hate it."
The girl throws her hands in the air, "If you don't hate it, then that must mean you like it!"
"If I don't hate it, then that means- I don't hate it." I argue back and of course our lovely normal conversation turns into another useless and pointless fight. Heads turn towards us as Panda starts yelling that I don't make any sense and that I'm an idiot. At the side I'm trying to calm her down with little hand gestures, looking like a puppy next to a bear.
:O :O :O
"How about... this?" Pandora stood in front of me holding a shirt with a crappy design on it before her. Not looking the least bit interested, I shake my head for the millionth time. Lazily rolling my eyes to take in my surroundings and huffing out a big sigh, I watch my friend run away only to return with yet another jacked tee. She holds it up, "This one Dart?" I look away mumbling a no and changed my position on the couch. Alright, alright... you're probably thinking- what a jerk, Dart is being a brat. First things first! I didn't ask for this. Second, I'm acting totally normal- no pouts or whines out of this mouth. And third, I say I hate being here but that's just an excuse to make me feel better about this... th-this 'date' with Panda. Hands up, I said it. That's right. Don't hate. "Do you like this one?" Panda comes running and once again I turn her down, then seeing her throw another piece of clothing onto the massive (and still growing) pile of rejects. Boohoo, whatever. As the pile slowly filled up, Panda slowly began to get irritated and before I could protect myself she blew up like a fuse right... about... now. "Dart, what do you think of this shirt?" She asked, voice shaking. Meh, nope, I shake my head. Boom, "Arghh what then?! What?!"
Simple, "Nothing."
"Aaahhrgghh!" Marched right up to me, having her boots stomp onto the wooden floor of the store sounded like boulders dropping on concrete, and I'm heart serious I can see flames fuming from her eyes. Dang. Grabbing/shaking my shoulders and yelling at my face, "YOU'RE. STUPID."
"I don't care."
It was kinda like that one fight at the park, since Panda stomped around then sat right next to me only to drop her face on my lap. Lucky me that she wasn't as angry as before and didn't scream too much. I sighed and leaned back on the sofa bench thing at the store as she pouted, face against my sweatshirt. There were people staring either because of Panda or the fact that our age is suppose to be in school- none the less, I don't really care. In the mean time I just pat the girl's head like some dog. Slowly her grip loosens and Panda lets go, turning so she's facing up. A light bulb sparked over her head and just like that, the girl jumps up and runs away. This time she returns with something a bit more interesting. Cotton sweatpants and hoodies. They were different colors too, bright like orange and yellow, she also brought over a really nice dark army green and navy blue. Print stating Deldin Bay or stupid stuff which I don't really care at this point like 'swaggy' or 'zombie survival running team' or 'don't care (on one pant leg) it's Sunday (on the other)'. The hoodies were really nice too some plain, others with text on the arms or chest and the colors were decent too.
"You like 'em riiight?"
Turning away I mumble, "I don't hate them."
"Bingo!" Pandora throws them at me and heads to the cashier. "These please!" She cheers, I haul them over the counter and catch the look of the cashier's face. Oh no... don't report us to school. Don't report us to school. Don't do it. Instead he said something about me being Panda's boyfriend and laughed when she got all nervous, I just sighed and walked away. "Hey Dart!" Panda calls. I yawn waiting up for and take the bag as she leads the way. Store after store we passed and the exit of the mall was in view. Looking at the stuff I thought to myself, maybe I should return the favor? Screw it, it's just this one time I'll play out of character... this is so not me right now. "Dart..?"
"Bathroom." I say, "I'll meet you outside."
As she shrugs and leaves I calmly stride over to a couple of stores that most girls are by. Skipping Secret Victoria, I find myself walking into a cheap jewelry place titled Clarity. It practically empty making an exception for the cashier. What am I doing? PAYING THANKS. Of course, of course nothing special here. That devil is lucky if I even think about spending more than two bucks on sparkly crap.
The lady behind the desk sounded like she was reading a script and I swore she didn't even have the courtesy to look up from her phone. "Welcome. Would you like any help?"
Ignoring 'that', I spy some stuff that could match. The whole earring thing is getting old, and I guess to match my clothes I'll get a little something too. A necklace? Hell no, $9.99 for a pair of cruddy pieces of metal. Let's aim a little lower shall we? The cheapest that lights up whatever is in my cracked body, is a small/thin chain that has a tiny heart at the end. Looking as if it was carelessly thrown to the side, I found the little thing peeping from under a basket of expensive crap. When I picked it up another one was tangled in so why not get both? One had a red 'diamond' on the puny heart and the other had a pink one- perfect huh. Also, having a final sweep through the merch, I didn't find anything like it so ups for that.
"This." I mumble, and place the two on the counter.
The cashier glares, chewing her gum and pops open the register. "That'd be 2.99 kid."
Business done. I had the money, get the bag and now I have to hurry so Panda won't notice I'm- … gone. Speaking of the devil, there she is in the flesh. Arms crossed, the girl scolds me, "hey, did you even hear the lady? You probably didn't because you're such an ungrateful loser."
Goddess help me now. I sigh.
"She said thanks!" Panda yells.
I shake my head, "So?"
"Sooo, say something back idiot!" She stomps. "You're image is one thing, but manners is also important!" As I turn around and mumble thanks, my ears catch Panda planning to herself about 'fixing that too', by that- she means my attitude. What fun awaits me. Boo.
Checking my phone as we exit the mall, school is almost done so there isn't any point in going back. At a cross light, Panda finally brings up the Clarity bag. Laughing, "What? Did you get yourself a necklace or something?" Of course she'd say that. To be honest I thought we'd go back to the park or something- that was when I wanted to show her but noooo. "What's with that face? Stomach ache? You tired or sleepy?"
Pulling out the pink hearted bracelet, I grab her hand. "Here."
"Oh wow. I feel special."
"And to be fair," I lift my own wrist and show her my red hearted one. "It matches our eyes so why not, right? It's for thanks so don't get the wrong idea. Got it devil child?"
She gives me a thumbs up, "Got it emo kid."
Our highfive turn into a totally-not-awkward-holding-hand-in-midair kinda thing. The hearts were visible hanging at the bottom and we commented with a "snazzy". And that was that.
Until.
After walking some ways, a gang of middle schoolers our age met us at a low populated area. Just by looking at them, I got a bad feel- they're eyes fixed on frozen Panda at my side. They sneered, rolling up their sleeves.
"We finally found her." The boy in the middle spat, I stared confused. He seemed so disturbed, so angry like he'd do anything. Is that kid talking to Panda?
His friend steps up and cracks his knuckles. Seeing that, I grow tense and watch him talk into tears. "We're in a group now- she can't take on all of us!"
"Yeah!" Another one perks up, "She can't beat us up anymore!"
The last one points, "Pandora Amazon! We hate you!"
The girl, my friend, flinches and talks darkly to the group of boys. It was like I was forgotten, completely invisible to the people in front of me. There was so much tension. "You just can't get enough, can you." Pandora says, "Get out of my sight." Looking back at the group, I could tell they were scared. But something inside of me felt different, like the blue haired girl in front of me isn't Pandora. I know she seemed like a bully when I first met her but nothing like this. She wouldn't beat up people for no reason. Right? I know nothing about her other than her name and part of her personality. The question bugs me so much.
"Hey!" Pandora yells, "That goes for you too Dart. Get lost."
The heck?
"Don't make me say it twice."
Part of me imagined those comics where a situation like this would be like: The guy is all like 'I'm saying this to protect you. Let's break up, it's for the best.' and the girl would run away dramatically and then there would be like a flashback of all the memories the couple had. Uh yeah, well one thing is for sure… I'm not a girl but I'd die of laughter if I did something dramatic like that despite the situation here. Okay, okay sorry. Let's continue on. Clutching the bag of clothes, I stalk off. But curiosity gets to me and I go off hiding to see what happens. That girl over there named Pandora clenches her fists as the group of guys come at her. Swiftly douches a punch and swings back for a hit, she then grabs the shirt of another boy and hauls him at his buddy next to her. Taking the last guy out with a kick, Pandora actually knocks out the next kid that runs at her. He's limp on the ground and the rest still standing run yelling, "You're a monster!" In a tone so emotional, that it stabbed Pandora right in the heart. Dang. I stay watching her drag the guy off the streets and slowly walk away with her head facing the ground. Trying to take all of this in… all I could say is:
Who is Pandora Amazon?
End
"This isn't right, is this the real Pandora?" I watch, hiding behind a mailbox.