"Hey Brooke, want some breakfast before
you hit the road?" My dad asked.
"No, thank you though Mr Kinsington,
I'm going o grab a latte on the way and I ate at on the way."
Brooke was definitely one of the most
naturally beautiful people I've ever seen. Her looks were so pure and she never
wore make up, yet somehow looked flawless all the time. Never even had a bad
hair day.
Brooke was wearing a a brown sweater
and black legging with black boots. Her hair done up in a messy bun.
"Brooke!" Josie shouted rushing up to
hug Brooke. "Thanks again for driving."
"I packed snacks for the ride." My mom
said passing us a bag with chips, cookies and water bottles.
"Thanks Meredith." Josie said.
We take off after loading the car.
I usually prefer backseat if I don't
have to drive when the three of us road trip. I like being able to stretch my
legs and look out the window. I often found myself day dreaming during these
times. We like to shuffle music between thee three of us since we all have
different music tastes. We're so different in personality, hobbies, style and
music it's a miracle we're friends.
Josie and I were odd ones out in our
town. Brooke was the one who fit in, no one could figure out why she decided to
stick with us even though she could hang with the popular kids.
I wasn't disliked or bullied, but I was
feared. Ever since the incident with my first kiss, or how I knew things
sometimes right before they happened. I was a freak.
Josie was eccentric so she stuck out in
our small town. Her parents were pretty traditional asians, and were really
hard on her studies.
Brooke had two dads and was friends
with everyone, but it was us she ate lunch with. Brooke has a boyfriend named Jared.
He's pretty cool, likes reading and playing guitar. He's got a nice voice and a
lot of followers on TikTok.
Half way to Redding we stopped at a
diner to grab some breakfast. I ordered pancakes and coffee.
"Did you here Rachel was caught doing coke
in the bathroom?" Josie started her table talk, which was always gossip.
"I did, why does she pick the bathroom
of all places? It's so gross in there." Brooke asked.
"Because she's a coke head, as long as
she can get her fix she doesn't care." Josie said snorting, imitating Rachel
doing coke.
"I heard CJ has been the one supplying
it." I said.
"CJ really? But he seems like such a
decent guy." Brooke said.
"Don't judge a book by it's cover
Brooke." Josie said stirring sugar into her second cup of coffee.
"Says the girl who goes through
partners like outfits." I teased.
"What are you trying to say Seri?"
Josie raised an eyebrow.
"That you're a shit judge of
character." I joked.
Brooke burst out laughing.
Josie grabbed a few sugar packets and
tossed them at me.
"You're such a bitch haha." Josie joked.
"You love me though."
"And that's why I won't kick your ass,
I'll just bully you by playing country music in the car for my turns." Josie
laughed maniacally with he hands in the air wiggling her fingers.
When the food was served it looked
pretty good. It tasted pretty good for a middle of nowhere roadside diner.
We devoured the spread of food on our
table. Everything from bacon to toast and oatmeal.
"I'm stuffed" Josie said patting her
belly.
"I'll get the check." I said.
"Don't you dare. It's your birthday
tomorrow, what do we look like to you?" Josie said.
"Let us take care of things, you're our
best friend and always spoil us for our birthdays, but never let us do anything
for you so I would really like it if you'd let us spoil you for a change."
Brooke said so delicately.
"Fine."
After Brooke taking care of the bill
breakfast, we head back out on the road.
Taking turns with the music, we finally
arrive in Redding. It was around 11am now so the mall was fully open.
I was actually excited to get some new
clothes.
The mall in Redding was twice the size
of our little mall and had a lot of brand stores like Chanel and Micheal Khors.
"Where should we go first?" Josie asked
inhaling deeply the smell of the mall.
There was a hustle and bustle about the
area. People moving quickly through the crowds as well as people walking
leisurely talking among friends, just like us.
The first store we stop at is Macy's. We
start with looking at purses.
"You could use a new bag. You're
family's got money so why have you been using the same bag for the last two
years?" Josie said looking through the black bags.
"Because I like this one, it's the
perfect bag in my opinion." I said. It really was, it was brown leather
backpack, it had two pockets in the front, one was a small zipper on top and on
the bottom was had flap that snapped. It had a belt piece I could also use to
close it and a good amount of space on the inside.
"She's right you could use a few
different options, get some to match you clothes." Brooke insisted.
"Are you guys saying I have no fashion
sense?"
"Nooo… Not at all." Josie said
sarcastically.
"Let's just say you have some trendy
friends, don't worry about it." Brooke said
"You guys are assholes, you know?"
"Yep. But we're assholes that are buying
you a new wardrobe." Josie said looking through some colorful purses now.
"Whoa, wait, wardrobe?" I was shook.
"Surprise!" My two friends yelled at
the same time.
"Absolutely not." Shaking my head no.
They're insane if they. Did they really think I would let them do that?
"You don't have a choice." Josie said
giving me the cute kawaii face.
"You're parent's gave us the credit
card and said and I quote 'go crazy girls'." Brooke said.
"Let's shop till we drop." Josie
shouted throwing her hands up high in the air.
I shoot her a sharp warning glare.
Which she just shrugs off.
"Don't listen to her, you already know
I'm reasonable, which is why your mom handed me the card." Brooke said smiling
and patting her bag.
"I don't need anything you guys." I
persisted. This was ridiculous I never thought I would be pushed to buy things.
"It's not for need, it's want, and you
never want enough." Brooke said.
"I didn't think that was a bad thing…"
"It's a good thing you're humble, but
you're also human which means its okay to like something and want it." Brooke
was being really convincing. As usual.
"Fine." I say rolling my eyes.
It's weird my parent's have never done
anything like this before. And neither have these two.
"What's going on? You guys are acting
pretty sus."
"It's almost lunch time, how about
taco's?" Josie said as she skipped away with a few bags on her hand avoiding
the subject.
"Hey, I'm not done talking to you!" I
say loudly, drawing a little more attention to myself than I anticipated.
I look at Brooke "I hate her. She's
ridiculous. Are you going to confess?"
"No probably not." She just laughed and
kept looking through the bags. "I think I want to be daring and buy a colorful
bag."
Her smile was always so warming to look
at.
"Here this one is for you." She hands
me a an electric blue backpack.
Looking at it, it was beautiful. Made
of a soft felt material it had a large pocket in the front. The flap attached
to the back with a belter strap. The buckle had butterfly wings on them.
"I love it." I could the feel the smile
stretching across my face.
"I knew you would." Brookes smile was
flawless.
"Soooo… Taco's?" Josie cane rushing
back around the corner with clothes.
"No I don't want tacos." I whined.
"These are for you to try on." Josie
said tossing the clothes at me. "Cute bag."
"Thanks" I say walking towards the
dressing room.
"So, theres a great taco place around
the corner from here, I've such good things about it."
"No, I don't wan to Tacos it's my
birthday."
"Honestly Seri, I would honestly kill
for some tacos." Brooke pouted.
It was practically impossible to say no
to Brooke's pout, especially because she barely used it. And when she did, it
was always for evil.
"I hate you guys, it doesn't matter if
its my birthday, you're just using me for my money." I pouted.
"It does matter about your birthday"
Josie retorted.
"But you're not using me?"
"Well I didn't say that." Josie joked.
"I want to check out a store before we
leave to get lunch."
The three of us leave Macy's and head
for Elan's Shoe Salon.
"I'm looking for these boots do you
have them in stock in a size 7?" I ask showing the woman at the front of the
store a photo of a pair black combat boots with a pocket on the side.
"Yes, I'll grab them in a size 7." She
responded walking to the back.
"Not even browsing" Josie asked me.
"No, I know what I want and what I came
here for, nothing else compares to these boots." I looked back smiling.
This was the real reason I was excited
about shopping for new clothes. I've wanted these boots since I saw the design
drop on Elan's insta. And now they're mine! Happy Birthday to ME!
The attendant came back with my perfect
pair of combat boots.
Trying them on, they fit my feet
perfectly. Felt like Kim Possible in them. Strutting around the store.
"They look awesome, I want the same
pair!" Josie yelled. "I understand what you meat by one pair. They're the
perfect boot."
"I know."
"Do you have these in a size 8?" I ask
the attendant.
"I'll go grab them, so you want two
pairs?" She asked confirming.
"Yes please, and bag them up for me." I
answered and looked at Josie and said "Christmas,"
"You're evil." She lipped back.
I smile.
After getting the shoes we walk out of
the mall and toward the little taco place around the corner.
The name of the place was "Abuela's".
It was cute. It had red shutters and it looked like it could have been an old
church at some point before it became this.
"Isn't it cute?" Josie said "And the
staff is super hot here too."
Which she wasn't lying. Jesus fucking
Christ the servers were hot. How could so many hot men be all in one place, it
seems so unjust and unfair.
"Hello, ladies, table for 4?" The very
sexy tan man with dark hair and a square jawline. His voice was like silk.
"4?" Brooke questioned.
"Yes, you three ladies and me?" His
smile very flirtatious with Brooke.
She wasn't used to people being so
forward, with their approach, her cheeks grew red with heat. She was flattered
and embarrassed.
Josie and I just laughed at Brooke's
shyness.
"Shit how about 6?" Josie joked.
"Now that sounds like a party." He
chucked leading us to a corner booth. The music was lovely and fun. Pretty
upbeat, almost enough to are you want to dance.
"Camio, I'll be at your service
tonight."
"Camio? What a sexy name, are you
single?" Josie already flirting.
"I can be what ever you want me to be."
Camio said.
"I like the way you speak." Josie
joked.
"I'm going to bring some chips and
quéso, any drinks?" Camio asked.
"I'll take a tea" Brooke said.
"I'll take a sprite." I said.
"I'll take a coke." Josie answered.
"Okay, I'll be right back." Camio said
walking back to the kitchen.
"Damn he is so fine." Josie said.
Camio was a tall muscular hispanic man.
He had thick black long wavy hair tied in a pony tail. He wore a clean button
down white shirt and black pants. He had tattoos on his chest, you could see
the top poking out from his collar.
"I can't believe how flirty he is!"
Brooke giggled.
"It's easy to flirt with you two, you
guys are beautiful." I said.
"So are you Seri. You're the prettiest
between the three of us." Brooke said.
"Compare to you two? No, I'm pretty
plain. All accept my copper hair."
"No, you are crazy, girl.you are a very
unique beauty." Josie said acting offended "You're hair is the perfect shade of
copper. And its so luscious and vibrant. You have two different eye colors,
which is cool as fuck. You are super in shape and you have a great bod. And
clear skin that never burns, no matter how much sun. You're more perfect than
Brooke."
"That's impossible, now I know you're
lying." I laughed.
"I think she's telling the truth."
Brooke said.
"Here's the chips and quéso." He says
placing them on the table in front of us "and here's your drinks. Now ladies
have you decide on food?"
"Are you edible?" Josie joked.
"I don't think I'd taste nearly as good
as you." His smile held something devious back.
It sent shivers down my spine.
"I'll take the grilled mahi tacos." I
interrupted the weird sexual tension in the air.
"I'll take the beef and cheese
enchiladas" Brooke stated.
"I'll take the same as her." Josie
said.
"Gotcha babe I'll be back soon to check
on you. Let me know if you need anything else." Camio said winking at Josie.
Watching him walk away I notice someone
stop him and pull him aside to talk. I don't know why it looked weird, but it
did.
It seemed to put Camio on alert as he
started to move more urgently.
"Get them!" A group of men yelled
rushing through the front door.