We begin to prepare for the trip the next day. After taking a quick look through John's wardrobe, we decide that we should start by going clothes shopping.
For a teenage girl, I'm (probably not so suprisingly) uninterested in clothes shopping, so indeed the only time I visit a shopping centre such as this one is if we're on a case and in need of a disguise. An email had come through earlier, detailing what my uniform needed to include, so, taking one of dad's cards, I head off in search of the outfit. Fortunately, I have most of what I need already - black jeans and a white shirt - but I was in need for some accessories to stand out.
As I pass the escalators in the centre of the shops, I hear a familiar cry.
"Oh, look! It's the freak!" I feel my muscles tense as a group of girls step off from the escalators.
"What's it doing here?" another calls, then laughs.
"Is the freak trying to be cool?" simpers a third whilst I continue walking. I can't be doing with this today.
"Now look who's the chicken," the first calls, and they all begin clucking behind my back.
"I find nothing rewarding in associating with idiots," I retort, turning around and smiling calmly at them. I can see now that they are girls from my school: Maddie, Hannah, Amber and their little gang of imbeciles. "I see that you are here to spend all your money on the overpriced and so-called 'fashions' of today. Perhaps also to prey on the different because your minds can't comprehend that somebody may not follow the same ideaology as you." Maddie's lip curled in distinct hatred.
"People like you aren't normal, Holmes."
"So you have already told me, dozens of times," I smile, turning around and walking away.
School is going to be living hell when I get back. The only reason I stick to the tedious environment is because Mycroft is under the impression that I 'need a good education'. I don't see why dad can't home school me, I already know more than what is needed to pass an A level in French, Science and Maths. Perhaps that is what makes me the freak?
The little gang of idiots don't bother to follow me into the small accessories shop at the back of the shopping centre, and it seems I judged this decision well. This shop is practically empty at the moment except from the shop-girl behind the counter. Because this store is typically for females of my age, I'm not given a second glance as I stride in and begin to study the shelves.
I leave the shop with a black fedora with a rainbow trim and I'm immediately ambushed by the girls again as they come out of the shop opposite.
"Look!" I hear one of the girls call and I see Amber point towards me.
"What's the freak doing in there?" Maddie shrieks.
"I want to know what she's bought!" laughs Hannah, beginning to walk over. I ignore them and head over to one of the many clothes shops, but they follow behind me.
"Walking away again, chicken?"
"Come on, what've you got in the bag?" One of them darts ahead of the rest and tugs the bag from my hand. "Oh, my god!" She laughs as I turn around and shows the girls the inside of the bag.
"What even is that?"
"Ew! It's disgusting!" Amber tosses the bag onto the floor.
"You've really outdone yourself this time, freak," Maddie snears. "Who's this for, your gay freak father?" I feel the anger brewing inside, and I walk over to where they stand. The girls stop laughing as I approach them, seeing my clenched fist before it swings up and hits Maddie. She clutches her cheek as her eyes widen in surprise and all her idiots crowd around her, pushing me back out of the way. I pick up my bags and brush down my shirt, frowing over at the blubbing girl. It's not as though I even hit her very hard. I know security will be coming for me now, so I text dad a quick message and walk slowly, casually out of the shopping centre, but not before I hear Maddie say her last words to me. "You are such a freak, Holmes."