Chapter one hundred and forty-eight:

Jen was wandering through a clothing store at the mall closest to the Hanson’s house. Shopping for clothes was the last thing she wanted to be doing, but Taylor had insisted she go in, and Jen felt it was best to go in to avoid arguing with him.

She took a sip from the tea Taylor had bought her and sorted through a rack of clothing. One glance at the price made her immediately turn away to another rack.

“See anything you like?” Taylor’s voice came behind her.

Jen jumped and spilled her tea on her hand. “Jesus, Tay!” She gasped.

“Sorry. Burn yourself?” He reached into his pocket and removed a wad of napkins with the Starbucks Logo on them. He patted her hand dry. “Sorry, I’ll give you more warning next time, before I scare the shit out of you, okay?” He smiled at her.

Jen nodded. She had to admit he had been acting very sweet all day. He insisted on doing everything she wanted to do. “It’s okay, its not really that hot, or anything…” She cleared her throat. “I uhh, was just looking at this… skirt.” She focused her attention on the nearest item of clothing.

“Are you going to try it on?” He asked, stuffing the napkins back in his pocket.

“Ummm… no, that’s okay. I’m sure you don’t want to be hanging around all day while I try on clothes-“

“I don’t mind.” He interrupted. “Go on, try it on.”

Jenna picked the smallest size on the rack so she knew it wouldn’t fit, and she wouldn’t waste time. “Okay.”

He followed her to the change room and sat on the stool by the door. “I’ll hold your tea.”

She smiled, “thank you.” She handed him her cup and walked down the row of dressing rooms, turned the corner and found another row. The one at the very back had an open stall.

She stepped inside and locked the door. She tried on the skirt, and remarkably it fit. She hated her reflection in the mirror, but really did like the skirt.

She swallowed hard, wanting to suddenly get away from her reflection. On a whim, she opened the door and walked out into the hallway, where Taylor was sitting.

“What do you think of this?” She asked him, taking her tea and drawing a small sip.

“It’s pretty. And it would be cool in the summer… right?” He shrugged slightly.

Jen laughed, modestly. “Yeah, right. I have hideous legs.”

“I think you have nice legs…” Taylor flushed. “I mean, they aren’t that bad…” He began.

Jen felt herself blush. “I don’t think I like it that much, I’m going to change.”

She turned away, carrying her tea, and walked quickly back her change room, to hide her pink cheeks.

She stepped into the change room and turned to look at herself in the mirror again, but noticed something that hadn’t been there before. Written on the mirror, in her favorite color of lipstick was “STAY AWAY FROM HIM”.

Jenna gasped and backed against the door in alarm.

“Jen, you forgot to give me your tea, I don’t think you can bring it in here-“ He stopped when he noticed her standing against the door with her hands over her mouth and nose.

“Jen?” He stepped closer until he noticed the writing in on the mirror. “Jesus Christ.” He muttered, “Come here.” He extended a hand and enveloped her in a firm hug to comfort her. “I’m going to call mall security, okay?”

“No!” She gasped, pulling away. “We can’t tell anyone.”

“Jen, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I think we should tell someone-“ He began.

“Give me your napkins.” She held out her hand.

Taylor obliged, and handed them over, “Come with me, and we’ll find a store clerk and ask them to-“ He stopped in mid sentence. “What are you doing!”

With the napkins, Jen started wiping the lipstick from the mirror. “Tay, we can’t tell. They’ll think we’re crazy! That’s my lipstick for Christ sakes! They won’t believe us.”

“Jen-“
”Tay, come on, you said you wanted to do all the things I want to do, right? Well I don’t want this to ruin this day.”

Taylor sighed, seeing no other option.

“Let me change and we’ll get out of here.”

“Fine.” He surrendered. “But I’ll be right on the other side of this door. I’m not letting you out of my sight for the rest of the day.”

NEXT>>