Wear Something Red

by K.G. Lawrence

  Chapter 22

  Shana made coffee and toast for her mother, snuck a half-cup of coffee before mom got downstairs, as she always did, saw mom off to work after getting permission to relax for the day, then got ready to go to the Legacy Mall.

  The mall had its own simple and crude website that displayed which bus routes delivered customers to it. Every one of them did. She needed to take bus 52.

  She boarded the bus one block from the house at 9:52 am, the time it was supposed to arrive. Portland buses were always late.

  Only two other people were on the bus with her. A couple in their twenties appeared to be on their way to work. They sat near the back of the bus. The bus made three more stops along the way to pick up seven more passengers.

  The Legacy Mall, opened seven years ago, claimed on its website to be the commercial center of Dominion, though it was at the western limits of the city. Ginger Greens Park occupied the geographical center of Dominion. It was named after a former mayor’s daughter who had tragically died at twelve years of age from some mysterious disease late last century.

  The Legacy Mall also claimed on its website to be one of the three major hubs of Dominion’s future development, the other two being Do-Dads and Karyon Research. The Legacy would be only a third-rate rump mall in Portland, a place she’d rushed into at the last minute to buy cheap Christmas gifts for her dotty relatives as payback for the ones they were giving her.

  Bus 52 arrived at the hub’s bus station at the edge of the mall’s parking lot, which was optimistically far bigger than the two-storey mall itself. She exited after the couple. Buses 47, 51, 87 and 15 were due to arrive momentarily so all the required connections and passenger transfers could be made. Obviously there was no logic to how the buses in Dominion were numbered.

  The couple entered through the main doors ahead of her, kissed and separated. The man went to Carpenter’s Men’s Wear. The woman continued on to the food court. She followed the woman when her stomach started gurgling.

  This was what a day of relaxing in Dominion was going to be like? Kill me now before I just start staying on the bus.

  She passed a dentist’s office, which made her shudder, followed by an eye clinic and optical store. She couldn’t find the hearing clinic, with free hearing tests and the latest miniature miracle in hearing aids; a growth industry for baby boomers and young pukes who insisted on playing their music too loud through their buds.

  She continued to the food court, on the way taking note of a few likely targets.

  The mall was shaped like an E, with a main corridor of larger stores lining up along the spine of the letter. Smaller stores and boutique shops were scattered throughout the end sections. The middle section contained the food court, a pharmacy, an electronics and camera store and two clothing stores aimed at customers her age. She’d check those out for any promising kleptables after getting something to eat.

  At the edge of the food court, she stopped and surveyed the food outlets. She could get New York fries, not at ten o’clock in the morning, no matter how much she liked the gravy; KFC, ditto; two different taco outlets; a Thai food outlet; a Starbucks.

  “Jackpot.” She checked her bag for the mints, though she wouldn’t see mom again until after 6 pm, plenty of time for the coffee breath and second caffeine rush to wear off.

  The woman from the couple on the bus joined two other women at the Starbucks booth, the busiest booth in the court. A small mocha and a blueberry muffin would be a perfect start to a day of her kind of shopping and just hangin’, though there was no telling how long she could stretch that out in a mall this pathetic.

  A short, slender, raven-haired girl stepped up to the Starbucks counter as Shana meandered through the round tables and semi-circular booths. The girl was gaunt. Her shiny black hair was straight, parted on the right, shielded much of her face on purpose and dropped to the small of her back. After placing her order, the girl looked around the food court, looking for someone and wary at the same time. She was pretty but sad and carried a backpack that probably contained both a laptop and a tablet.

  “Definitely a geek.” Shana stopped in the middle of the court when the girl spotted her.

  The girl, despite her slight frame, was probably a senior in high school. After only a glance, long enough to register her as neither friend nor foe, the girl spotted someone else that clearly made her uncomfortable. Clutching her backpack close and ducking her head to make herself as small as possible, she stepped aside for the next customer and leaned up against a section of concrete wall that protruded out between the Starbucks and the taco stand next to it. She was hiding as best she could.

  Four girls, also likely seniors, approached Starbucks. They were led by another raven-haired girl who was taller than the girl hiding, as was her whole entourage. They looked like women compared to the smaller girl. They were far enough away that the girl, her head still bowed, was able to get her two small coffees and two muffins and scoot over to a table for two.

  Shana headed for her the moment she saw the four girls veer in her direction. The girls were going to get to the table before she did. They stopped about three feet away but spread out to surround the girl. Though she had been wary at the Starbucks counter, she flashed a fierce glare up at them.

  They were chattering around the girl when Shana arrived at the table.

  The lead one said, “It can’t be easy to be so desperate-skinny. You can’t be anything but a virgin, probably for the rest of your life.”

  Her second said, “Even being an AAA-girl won’t get you much if you have barely any tits and a boney ass.”

  The other two girls laughed as they checked their make-up in their compact mirrors.

  These were the Hotties. The leader was beautiful, with a full mane of flowing black hair, but she wore a permanent scowl of arrogance and contempt that furrowed her brow more than a young woman should. That scowl would make her outstanding facial features, big blue eyes, prominent nose broken at least once, and fat, pouty lips transform into a more witch-like countenance as she got older. Her overdone make-up and dark lipstick made her look like a Victoria’s Dark Secret Vampire Lingerie Model.

  The other three, every bit as self-possessed, knew how to maintain that delicate balance of looking pretty but still not usurping their leader’s reign at the top of the so-much-better-than-you list.

  Shana put herself between the girls and the table and waited for the small girl to look up at her. Once she did, Shana asked, “Do they actually make decent coffee?”

  The girl scrutinized her, perhaps wondering what side this tall chick was going to choose.

  “I’m Shana McGowan. My mom’s the new sheriff.”

  The Hotties all burst out laughing.

  “This is going to be good,” the leader said.

  The girl at the table blanched as if she believed there were now five enemies closing in on her.

  “Go ahead,” the leader said to the girl, “tell her who you are.”

  “They make excellent coffee, particularly the mochas,” the girl said. “My name is Lily . . . Wiley.”

  “Wiley? Are you new, too?”

  “Not exactly.”

  The Hotties were clutching their sides and wiping tears from their eyes.

  “You two are going to be such good friends,” the leader said between gasps for breath. “This is just too precious.”

  Her face burned. She knew how she must look, just like her mother when she went supernova. She spun around on the Hotties.

  “I don’t like bullies. I had to beat up two in Portland, one when I was ten and one when I was twelve. They were both boys. That means I average one every two years and I turned fourteen in May, so I’m overdue.”

  The leader glared at her. The trio lining up behind their leader glared at her.

  “Now, if I take you two out, I’m good till I’m eighteen.” She indicated the leader and her second before shooting a scowl at the two followers. “You two don’t matter because
you’re big chickenshits on your own. You’d be crying sissy, girly tears before I even started kicking your assess.”

  Lily stood up beside her. “I’ve got those two.”

  The leader scanned the court and snarled at her, “No time for losers today.” She left, taking her entourage with her.

  “You’re that Lily Wiley.”

  “Yes.” She deflated back onto the chair.

  “I’ll be right back.” Shana made sure the Hotties were gone before going to Starbucks and getting a small mocha and a blueberry muffin. She returned to the table and sat across from Lily. “You have a good appetite.”

  “I’m expecting someone.”

  “I’ll leave.”

  “Don’t, please.” She nibbled on her muffin. “Thanks. They’re, like, purple kryptonite to me.”

  “Never heard of that; what does purple kryptonite do to you?”

  “I don’t know yet but it still scares me.”

  “So, aside from being an outcast because of what your father did, you’re a comic book junkie and a computer-clutching, honor-roll geek; all the characteristics of an excellent best friend.” Shana took a bite of her muffin. “Where’s a good store to pick up some jeans?”

  “There’s a Gap near the Stein Market. It’s got good stuff.”

  “Who were they?”

  “The leader is Allison Becker, her second is Karen Sillers. The other two are Doreen Cathcart and Gloria Myers. Gloria’s the one with the huge. . . .”

  “Potential for working at Hooters; yeah, I noticed. Has that been going on long?”

  Lily checked to see if her opponents were returning and said, “Only since my father got his butt tossed into the hoosegow. We weren’t even going to the same school. They go to Lincoln High. I was going to Lafleur Academy.”

  “I’ll be going to Lincoln High.”

  “I will, too . . . now.”

  “I’ll be in grade eight.”

  Lily’s eyes widened. “You really are only fourteen?”

  She nodded as she finished her coffee and muffin.

  “You’re, like, a freakin’ amazon.” She simpered. “I meant that as a good thing.”

  “I don’t think I’ll get much taller. My dad was six foot four; my mom is five foot ten.”

  Lily lowered her head and muttered, “I’m five foot three.”

  “Normally, you’d be too short and I’d throw you back, but I’m new here and I can’t be picky in a pond this tiny.”

  Lily sipped her coffee with her head still bowed and slid down in her chair.

  Shana offered her hand. “I’m kidding.” They shook hands. “So, want to do some shopping?”

  Lily perked up when she raised her head and looked past her new friend.

  Shana turned around to see a Korean-American boy approaching them. He was maybe 5’6” but he was solid, like a gymnast or wrestler.

  “Just so you know,” Lily said, “he’s taken.”

  “Throw him back and all that.” She took another look. “Does he know?”

  “Not exactly, but that doesn’t matter.”

  The boy reached them and looked down at Shana. “I think you’re in my seat.”

  Shana stood up and looked down at him.

  “Ah . . . keep it.”

  Lily pushed the second coffee and muffin his way.

  He grabbed another chair and slid in. It was a cozy fit for the three of them.

  “I saw what you did. Pissing off the queen bee at Lincoln High might not be the smartest move.”

  “Donny,” Lily said, “this is Valkyria, aka Shana McGowan, her mom’s the new sheriff. Shana, this is Donny Nguyen.”

  “What’s the new sheriff’s daughter doing joining the outcasts? Her dad’s a world famous criminal, my dad’s disappeared, leaving behind rumors that he ditched my mom and me for a better life. What’s with you?”

  She leaned in close to them. “I’m a klepto. That’s why mom took this job. She’s been covering for me for years, but it got too hot in Portland for us.” She blew on her fingers. “See these? They can snatch anything they touch.”

  “She’s kidding,” Lily said.

  “Am not.”

  “Yes you are. Weren’t we going shopping?”

  “Donny just got here.”

  “I’m done.” He finished his coffee and licked his fingers before wiggling them.

  Buying a pair of jeans at the Gap didn’t take very long and she was enjoying their company, so she, Lily and Donny went up to the second floor once she was done. They browsed through a couple of stores before settling on a bench and watching the people on the first floor.

  “You two are going to tell me everything about Lincoln High and what’s cool in Dominion, if there is such a thing.”

  “Donny has all the intel on that. I’m going to be as new there as you.”

  “I just realized we all have one big thing in common: no fathers. Yours is in jail, yours is missing in action.”

  Donny said, “Yours is dead.”

  Her throat tightened when she swallowed. “Yeah.”

  “I’m sorry,” Lily said. “What was it, cancer?”

  “He was a cop in Portland. He got broadsided by a drug dealer fleeing other cops while he was chasing a robbery suspect in his car. I’ve been stealing ever since. Mom and I keep meaning to have a long talk.”

  Donny said, “Mom’s taking dad’s disappearance hard. She cries almost every day. We fight all the time.”

  “And your mom,” Shana said, “how’s your relationship with her since dad became a failed criminal mastermind?”

  “What relationship?” Lily looked down at the people. “She’s hardly noticed me since I was born”

  “A daddy’s girl.”

  “You were, too, admit it.”

  “Got away with everything.”

  “Mom had such a busy social calendar, you see, until you-know-what happened. She barely had time to dust me.”

  Donny asked, “How about your mom, with all that stealing and stuff?”

  “It’s fine, a bit strained at times, but good.”

  “That warrants further explanation.”

  “You’re not getting any.”

  “There’s your former friend,” Lily said.

  She and Donny looked to where Lily was pointing.

  “Oh my,” she said. “They look studly.”

  Donny said, “The lead one’s Dean Bilsbarrow.”

  Lily said, “He and Donny used to be best friends.”

  “We still are. He just spends a lot of time on football now. He already has six scholarship offers.”

  “He’s the right size for me. And the other two are?”

  Donny pointed to the African-American boy just behind Dean. “That’s Leon Redding. He’s a linebacker. Diana Cobble is his girlfriend.”

  “Does Dean have anyone?”

  “Down, girl,” Donny said. “You’ll have to get in line for him. He’s the quarterback. Remember that girl you chased away earlier?”

  “Becker?”

  “She and he have been off and on for the past two years. They’ve broken up umpteen times, but they keep getting back together. It’s all over Twitter and Facebook. It gets pretty rude sometimes.”

  “They’re not together at the moment. That puts me at the head of the line.”

  Dean stopped before entering The Gap and looked around. He waved at Donny when he spotted him. Leon and Diana waved, too. Donny waved back.

  She stood up as tall as she could so Dean would be sure to see her and waved, too.

  “Uh-oh, here comes trouble,” Donny said.

  Two security guards were coming toward them.

  Her heart skipped. “What’s with the NBBG’s?”

  “Huh?”

  “No butts, big guts. What’s their problem?”

  Donny got them walking. “There’s been an increase in thefts as the drug trade here has picked up. It’s not good to stay in one place here too long if you’re a teenager.” />
  “He’s going to be a journalist,” Lily said, as if that explained why Donny seemed to be up on all current affairs in Dominion. “He writes a teen blog for the Dominion Times.” She suddenly stopped and looked down over the railing as they walked. “He got rid of the beard.”

  “Who?”

  “Dr. Harding.” She pointed to a man shopping at the Stein Market. He was putting the cauliflower and broccoli he’d just bought into cloth bags. “He looks younger without it.”

  “Not to me,” Donny said.

  “He’s handsome.”

  Donny explained because he was going to be the journalist. “He’s a radical environmentalist disguised as a veterinarian. He runs this big animal research farm out on Ditchburg Road where they perform dastardly experiments on human beings then feed the remains to all kinds of mutated carnivores. He and his neighbor, Morton Colter, are video-game-calibre mortal enemies.”

  “I sort of met Colter. He’s creepy.”

  “Dr. Harding isn’t.” Lily almost sighed.

  “Mom arrested him last night.”

  Lily stuck out her tongue at her.

  Again, Donny provided the intel on Lily’s infatuation. “He gave a talk at Lafleur. About half the female students fell in love with him.”

  “You’re not jealous?”

  “Why should I be jealous?”

  Lily checked the time on her cell phone. “I have a dentist appointment. I have to go brush my teeth.” She looked up at Shana. “Can you come over Friday night?”

  “How do I get there?”

  They exchanged phone numbers and hash tags and made sure they were all connected before Donny left with Lily.

  She exited the mall, took a deep breath and headed back to the bus station. Having rapidly developed her boy-sense when she turned fourteen, a tingle at the back of her neck had her look in exactly the right direction to see Dean Bilsbarrow about to get into his red Honda Civic coupe. When he looked her way, she rose up on her toes, threw up her hands as if he’d just scored a touchdown and waved.

  He held his hand up to cover his eyes from the glare, didn’t really recognize her, but waved back anyway before getting into his car.

  She squeaked—a side-effect of her keenly developed boy-sense—and waited, but he drove away in the opposite direction from her.

  “Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.”

  After watching the Civic exit the parking lot, she texted her mother as she’d promised. When she turned and started for the hub, those two NBBG security guards were only six steps away and coming for her.