"What's wrong?" I faced Sarah, she faced us with an apologetic look.
"I forgot my wallet"
My eyes widened.
"I knew I had it with me, I don't know. Please tell me you have cash on you"
"I-I-I didn't bring any with me, I mean-"
"Really? We both came here together and you didn't bring any?"
"What?" I muttered.
"I can't pay for everything Emma"
My body stilled, what was she trying to pull off? Emilia walked to the counter that very minute.
"What's going on?" She was quick to decipher the tense situation.
"I would really like to know who would pay," The cashier said, breaking the harsh silence, staring at us suspiciously. My hands trembled but I diverted it by clenching my bag tightly.
"I'm really sorry, this is very embarrassing and we both came here," Sarah said to the cashier. I scoffed.
Dace walked to the counter. "How much are her things?"
I walked away before I could hear more, my breath shaky and unstable but I tried to calm myself, did Sarah just set me up? With what? I never came to get anything, it was all her things, and yet she... I sighed closing my eyes, I knew it because right before we entered the stall she checked her purse, the same purse she claimed to forget for what? To get Dace to pay for her expensive things? Using me as leverage? I feel like a fucking fool!
"Your friend's a bitch"
I whirled finding Emilia behind me, her head tilted to the side. "For someone who had no interest in makeup… what she pulled was stupid"
"You're the only one who would know that" I muttered.
"Watch" she faced the entrance of the Stall and I did too.
"Thank you so much Dace you're a lifesaver, I don't understand why she wouldn't bring cash," Sarah said as they both stepped out of the stall, I felt a sting in my chest, I couldn't believe she would do this, humiliate me like that, I thought she was my friend, Dace didn't seem to understand the situation, he probably thinks I'm a leeching friend. I bit my lip closing my eyes, I should not have come to this mall! I shut my eyes hoping the floor would swallow me away from this.
"Next time you wanna pull stuff like that because you want someone to pay for your stuff, don't you dare involve Emma again"
My eyes flashed open the moment I heard Dace's words. His eyes on her were stone cold, I felt my heart jump when I saw the look, it gave me the chills, I couldn't imagine having that cold look directed at me, I might pass out from it.
Sarah on the other hand was still like a deer in headlights, she definitely did not think that her little mischief would backfire.
"Dace" she began but he was quick.
"Emma's unlucky to have a friend like you, she deserves better"
"Cat outta the bag," Emilia said beside me with a smirk.
Dace walked past her without sparing her a glance, as he walked towards me my heart was unable to stop beating fast even as he took my hand and dragged me away. I looked backward and Sarah had an angry and hurt face.
"Charming, she thought she would get away with it, her thoughts are filled with jealousy," Emilia said. "Must have hurt her real bad"
"What do you mean her thoughts are filled with jealousy?"
"Ignore her," Dace said finally slowing down in his steps and I was able to walk beside him, I felt flushed because his hand was still locked with mine, they were so big and gave off this protectiveness to my body as well as those sparks, they were faint but it thrilled my insides making my body feel more alive. Just when I was calming down from my current embarrassment, my stomach growled. I blushed the reddest that moment, my gaze to the floor.
I heard Dace chuckle. "You haven't had anything to eat?"
I shook my head, my cheeks red. I really wish I ate something before I left the house but I never thought I would be this hungry, maybe it's the nerves.
"Charming… now I won't be the one taking your time in the mall," Emilia said with a smirk, but Dace ignored her.
"Let's get you something to eat okay?"
"N-No, there no need-"
"Emma," he said my name in a low tone, giving me that ardent look pinning me down. How could I say no now?
"Lucas is in the restaurant already, let's go," Emilia said, already walking ahead, as she did I noticed she didn't have any bags on her, didn't she get something at the makeup store? Wasn't that why she was there?