We decided not to tell Norvyn that we are going to the mall. It's stupid, I know, but I'm afraid to be scolded or worse, they take me back home and lock me in like a prisoner (which Norvyn will not do except for taking me back home.)
"We are not going to buy a bunch of clothes again, are we?" I complained. Because if we are, I prefer to stay in my room and read some online books or watch some cat videos.
"Pfft we are not doing that. We are just going to buy you a new shoes." Riri said.
My eyes widens as I stare at her in incredulous. That's it, I'm out.
Before we can even enter the mall, I walk away and get inside the car.
Riri chases me and hold my arms. "Wait Cooper, I'm just joking. Don't take jokes seriously, jeez."
"Joke are meant to be funny." I rebut.
"Okay I won't tease you anymore. Come on let's go inside. This will be the best friend trip ever."
I have doubts about that but let's just let Riri do her thing. Maybe I will find it enjoyable.
We walked to the entrance and and did a little sight seeing. At the center of the mall there was an art exhibit going on. Eight small paintings are gathered around this one big painting. All the paintings are abstract and people are taking pictures with it. Riri holds my arm, making our way to the paintings.
"Let's go take some pictures!" She said, her eyes was shining.
I nodded and let her dragged me to the center. She took her phone out of her small bag and gave it to me. "Take a picture of me."
....I thought that WE are taking pictures? Sigh, nevermind.
I thought that we went to a mall for ME to have fun and relax? I guess I take the role of Ari the last time we went here.
I took a couple of pictures of Riri before giving it to her and insist her to took a picture of me at least one.
She agreed saying it's fair... for her at least. Riri took a picture of me smiling at the center of the painting and one with me posing a peace sign. Riri ordered me to look away at the camera while she was taking photos for a "candid" look, whatever that means.
After countless of photos taken, we went to look for food. We decide to eat at the place we eaten last time we are here. Riri wants me to do some naughty stuff and eat some no-no foods which I refuse because I don't want papa, Norvyn and Ari to be more disappointed in me beacuse I didn't follow their warnings.
I only ordered one hamburger (Riri bought it before I can refuse) while Riri ordered a chocolate milk tea, a spaghetti and fries.
"You know, I am glad that we came here because I'm craving for this babies!" Riri exclaims, sipping her drink and then eat some fries.
I smiled. "Yeah. Thank you for bringing me here Riri, I got myself to relax and eat some good food."
"You're welcome. See? I know what's the best for you I am your best friend after all." Riri wiggles her eyebrows teasingly.
I laughed at her a little. "Hmmm, I remember that we went here with Ari to prepare for the party... which I enjoyed for the most part rather than... you know?"
Riri stops eating a wry smile can be seen in her lips. "Yeah, I know what you mean.
Oh! I remember inviting your knight in shining armor here at that table." She pointed at the table behind me. "I said that he can go to the party with the pretty lady he was with. Speaking of that lady, what is her relationship with Calvin?"
I don't know actually. I noticed her too when I saw Cal with her. She was shorter than Cal. She have a straight black hair that is waist-length, and a petite body. She was pretty to be honest.
"His friend maybe? They looked like they are pretty close." I guessed.
"Oooh! Maybe, she's his girlfriend." Riri said dramatically.
Maybe, I don't know. I don't want to pry Cal in his private matters. And also at that time, we are more like an acquaintance.
I shrugged, eating the last bite of my hamburger.
We went quiet. Only the scrapes of the fork in the plates and the murmurs of people surrounding us can be heard. I thought that we are finished talking about Cal when Riri laughed like a bad guy that I had read from some books.
"Maybe, Cal wants her to remain secret that's why no one knows about her and we just accidentally saw them together. That is the only time we saw her."
I looked at her weirdly. What kind of stuff did she read to get to that point?
"Maybe you are only over thinking and you need to finish your foods so we can go home." I said.
When she is about to rebuke what I said, my phone rings.
I took my phone out of the pocket of my jeans and look who is calling. It's Ari.
"It's Ari."
"Oh uh." I heard Riri said.
Ari calling us is not good. Are we busted?
"Sh-should I ignore it?" I ask, looking away at my phone and stared at Riri who dropped the fork that she was holding.
"I don't know! Maybe?"
"Not maybe! Only yes or no."
"I don't know! Why are you even asking for my opinion? Ari did not call me, you are."
"Because of you, we are here and now Ari is calling us!" I complained, not minding how mean I sounded.
"Because of me? I only want you to have fun! Now it's my fault that you have fun!?"
"Well-" The phone stops ringing and I saw that it's been claimed as a missed call.
I glared at Riri. "Now look at what you've done! "
"What- what I have-whooh. Okay, let's stop this, this fighting. It will take us to no where." She tried to calm down from the panic. I tried do it too but my breathing became erratic and I have a hard time breathing. My chest hurts.
Maybe Riri sees me having an attack because I feel her hands rubbing my back to help me relax but it serves no purpose.
"-ooper! Cooper! Oh my God! We need you to go to the hospital."
My phone rings again and Riri immediately picks it up and answers it. "Adrian, we need your help! Cooper is hyperventilating and I don't know what to do!" It's obvious that she is panicking. I would panic too if I could but the pain is making me to not care.
There's a pause while Riri is listening to what is Adrian is saying.
I can't breathe. I can't breathe. I can't breathe.
I need air. I think I need air. Papa, papa where are you? It hurts.
"We are at the mall, yes the mall that we went weeks ago. Please help us! Okay. Yeah, bye."
"Cooper where does it hurt? Where going to the hospital. Just, just- do you have a medicine with you or something? Ahhh! I'm panicking! I'm panicking. Okay don't panic! Don't panic! Cooper are you okay? Of course he's not. Ah shi—"
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I didn't get to hear what she said next.