The Grand Mall was a dazzling labyrinth of lights and sounds, the upper floor alive with the rustle of shopping bags, the chatter of shoppers, and the faint pulse of pop music drifting from storefronts.
My arms were already weighed down with a growing pile of bags—brightly colored, stuffed with clothes, shoes, and accessories—as Aeri and Sara led me from one shop to another, their energy relentless. Aeri looked radiant in her cream sweater, jeans, and white sneakers, her warm smile a quiet comfort, while Sara strutted in her jacket, t-shirt, skirt, stockings, and boots, her smug confidence always get on my nerves.
My long black shirt and t-shirt felt heavy under the mall’s bright lights, my white sneakers scuffing the polished floor, the faint scent of my cologne mixing with the mall’s aroma of pretzels and perfume.
We moved from a shoe store to a boutique, the bags multiplying with every stop, my arms aching as I juggled them, my patience thinning. In a clothing shop lined with racks of dresses and mirrors, Sara held up a sparkly top, tilting her head.
"Ezra, what do you think? Hot or not?" she asked, her grin teasing, her boots clicking as she spun the hanger.
"Looks like something you’d wear to blind everyone," I said, my voice flat, a sarcastic edge creeping in as I shifted the bags in my hands, my eyes narrowing at her.
She laughed, unbothered, tossing the top back. "Haha, Was I supposed to laugh? Fucking idiot." she said, her hands slipping into her jacket pockets as she moved to another rack.
Aeri, browsing nearby, held up a soft blue scarf, her eyes meeting mine. "Ezra, would this look good with my coat?" she asked, her voice gentle, her smile making my chest tighten.
"Yeah, it’s nice," I said, my tone softer, my gaze lingering on her, the scarf’s color matching her warmth. "Go for it."
"Thanks," she said, her smile widening, tucking the scarf under her arm as she kept browsing.
The real moment came in a high-end boutique, its walls lined with elegant dresses, the air scented with lavender air freshener. Aeri slipped into the changing room with a white one-piece dress, and Sara and I waited outside, leaning against a mirrored wall, the bags piled at my feet.
When Aeri stepped out, my breath caught, and Sara’s jaw dropped beside me. The dress was stunning—long in the back, flowing to her calves, but shorter in the front, revealing her legs, held up by a thin strap over her shoulders. It hugged her figure perfectly, the white fabric glowing against her skin, her hair loose and framing her face, her white sneakers peeking out adorably.
She looked like a vision, and my chest thudded, my face heating up as I stared, unable to look away.
"Damn, Aeri! You look so hot in it!" Sara exclaimed, rushing forward to hug her, her jacket rustling, her grin wide as she squeezed Aeri’s shoulders, her boots clicking on the floor. "You have to get this!"
Aeri’s eyes found mine, her gaze warm, a shy smile playing on her lips, and my throat tightened.
*Gulp.* I blushed hard, my face burning, and I had to look away, my hands shoving deeper into my pockets.
"I-it’s good," I mumbled, my voice barely audible, my heart pounding as I stared at the floor, the image of her in that dress seared into my mind.
Sara’s laugh cut through the moment, sharp and teasing. "Hehe, baby likes his mother and is hiding his face," she said, raising her eyebrows, her voice dripping with mockery as she leaned toward me, her grin wicked.
"Shut up," I snapped, my face still flushed, turning to walk away, my sneakers scuffing the carpet as I moved toward the store’s entrance, desperate to escape her taunting and my own embarrassment.
Aeri’s voice stopped me, soft and hesitant. "Should I buy this?" she asked, her fingers brushing the dress’s strap, her eyes flicking between me and the price tag. "It’s kind of costly..."
"Buy it," I said, my voice straightforward, turning back to meet her gaze, my blush fading but my tone firm, knowing she deserved to feel as beautiful as she looked.
"Ohhooo," Sara said, clapping silently, her hands miming applause, her eyes glinting with amusement as she nudged Aeri. "Listen to the man, Aeri. He’s got taste."
I ignored her, my jaw tightening, and shifted the bags in my hands. "Let’s eat something," I said, my voice edged with hunger and exhaustion. "I’m starving."
"Yeah, let’s eat," Sara agreed, stretching her arms, her jacket creaking. "I’m tired, too. All this shopping’s wearing me out." She grinned, like it was a badge of honor.
We found a cozy restaurant tucked into a corner of the mall, its warm lighting and wooden tables a welcome contrast to the bright chaos outside.
The hostess led us to a booth, the bags piling up on the couch beside us, a colorful, chaotic heap that made the waiter raise an eyebrow. I slid in next to Aeri, her sweater brushing my arm, her familiar warmth calming my frayed nerves. Sara sat across from us, her skirt fanning out, her boots tapping the floor as she grabbed a menu, her energy undimmed.
I opened the menu, my eyes scanning the options—burgers, pasta, salads—while Aeri leaned closer, her hair brushing my shoulder as she pointed to a dish.
"What do you think, Ezra? The chicken alfredo looks good," she said, her voice soft, her smile making my heart skip.
"Yeah, sounds great," I said, my tone steadier now, her closeness grounding me, the menu’s words blurring as I focused on her instead. "Let’s take cold coffee as well."
"Sure." Aeri replied.
Sara snorted, flipping her menu shut. "You two look so cute together," she said, her voice teasing but sharp. "I’m getting a Pasta and two espresso shots as well. Gotta fuel up for more shopping."
"Hehe it’s nothing like that." Says Aeri smiling awkwardly at her cute together statement.