My eyes trailed across the tiled marble floor as I crossed my arms firmly against my chest and frowned. The mall was a ruckus of unwanted input, people bickering and gossiping, others full staring. I fucking hated the atmosphere, it reminded me of boarding school, the drama, the anxiety…The people. Heaven forbid I make any sort of promises to my sister. She was a social butterfly and I was the complete opposite. I hated people…but I had promised to spend the day with her--and take her to do some shopping at her favorite mall--OH boy--how that had been a mistake. She’d brought her absolute tool of a boyfriend Matt along… the guy was completely full of himself. I absolutely despised the fact that Amery was foolish enough to think he was good. There wasn’t any reasoning with her though, she was young and she was always right. I couldn't blame her though… I was the same at her age. In any case, It was almost like I was here alone on the trip. I was the third wheel--Not that I really minded- at least I didn't have to talk--much.
Id decided to wait out as much of the time as I could in the food court, let Amery have her fun. Low key though I just wanted a break-- hearing Matt talk about how much he could bench press and his diet for another hour was not on my to do list. I couldn’t listen to it for another second.
I jolted from my spot at the sudden crash near the entrance to the mall. My heart sinking in my chest as I shot my gaze towards the glass doorway. Outside the door a small black crow lay in a feathered mess on the ground, glass surrounding the poor creature. Other people were staring as well but they all seemed to lose interest pretty fast. I on the other hand kept my eyes firmly on the scene. I felt a cold chill come over me, and a aching in my chest. Something wasn't right. I knew that much. I quickly stood and made my way for Forever Young, feeling as my anxiety began to simmer. Something about that crow, twisted… and broken… laying on the ground--it was unnerving. I was superstitious, in fact everyone in my family was, our family having been direct descendants of salem. We had every reason to believe in the supernatural, both my mothers thought they were witches. I don’t know if I could go as far as saying that I believed that too… but I knew an omen when I saw one. Nature had its own way of warning us when bad things were coming. I could only describe the feeling as emptiness, a dead feeling in my gut… like an insatiable hunger. I just wanted to get the fuck out.
“Braeden! Wouldn’t these look great on me?” the sound of Amery’s voice broke through my thoughts as she ran up to me. She held up to her figure a form fitting pair of jeans and I rose an eyebrow, tossing her a half smile, though it quickly disappeared at the sight of Matt walking over with his hands cooly in his pockets.
“They look fine,” I responded impatiently, glaring in the direction of Matt. I brought a hand to my forehead, brushing it through my dark locks. “-you guys wanna take off?” I asked, mainly eyeing Amery, as I really didn’t give a shit what Matt wanted, this was her day.
“I mean we just got here bro.” Matt piped in. I clenched my jaw and fists. There was nothing I hated more than being called ‘bro’. I was not Matt’s bro… in fact I was absolutely nothing to him. The dude was a joke of a human being and I knew as much that I would never accept him as any form of extended family. I was about to let him know that when I felt Amery’s hand tighten in mine and I turned to see her eyes pleading back to me, as if to tell me ‘please not here’, she knew I hated him and she knew I wasn’t having any of his shit.
“Can we just stay for a little while longer?” Amery interjected, seemingly trying to find a even ground. I sighed tilting my head slightly to the side.
“Fine…” I replied rubbing my thumb across Amery’s hand. “You two have fun… I’ll be back-- I’m gonna hit the restroom.” I added quickly. I could feel my anxiety reaching boiling point, the room was beginning to spin, and I felt dizzy. My feet were moving before she could even respond, as I pushed past people whom all seemed to stare… with their ‘im better then you’ eyes. I took a breath just a little further. I reached the hallway and quickly maneuvered down the strip, slipping into the guys room and quickly into one of the stalls. The door slammed behind me and I fell back against the door in one quick motion. My chest rose as I took one final deep breath, trying to regain my sanity. There was too much input… I could feel it all hitting me at once. The crowded mall, Matt, the dead crow… my sisters neediness. I closed my eyes, practicing the deep breathing techniques my therapist had suggested. It would be over soon… and I could just get home and do what I did best… nothing.
