Clarey

"I'm ready, let's go!" My mom shouted from the kitchen. "How many times do I need to call you guys?" We all ran down the stairs as fast as we could. We were going shopping today along with my friends, Sofie and Trish, and oh, let's not forget my brother, Corey. He loathes shopping so I'm thankful mom wanted him to come. Torture him with boredom is the way to go.

"Where you guys headed to?" Asked my dad who was tossing the freshly sliced carrots into the juicer. Ever since he bought that thing, he's turned into a major health nut, which isn't a bad thing. It's better than drinking his favorite beer.

"To Plaza Bonita, honey," mom replied, grabbing her keys from the counter. "We won't be home for dinner so just heat up the leftovers we have in the fridge."

We all hopped into the gray Caravan. Three of us girls sat at the back while Corey sat in the front with mom as he always called shotgun whenever we're going on a trip. While driving to Plaza Bonita, Sofie had to open her big mouth. Again.

"So, you guys are going out tomorrow, huh?" She nudged my elbow with a grin. I quickly elbowed her back, but I accidentally hit her ribs instead.

"Ow!" She cried. "What was that for?"

"Who are you going out with, sweetie?" Mom glanced at me from the rearview mirror. My brother Corey turned to me with a smirk on his face.

"Woah, someone asked you out? Who's the unlucky guy?" He joked.

I made a face, crossing my arms against my chess. "Just some kid in school."

"Sweetie, I need to know. Or else, you're not going at all."

Damn it. I need to go or else my plan would just go down the drain. So, if I don't show up... Actually, that would be a good thing. You know, not show up at all?

"Who is it?" My mom asked one more time.

"His name is Evan!" Trish quickly spilled. My jaw dropped as I turned to her. I rolled my eyes.

"Evan? From next door? No way?" Corey said surprisingly, his eyes were practically round as saucers. It's like the biggest news he has heard all his life. I wanted to lie and say it was another Evan from another year level, but apparently, I had already specified it was just some kid in school and Corey helped out by filling out the rest of the information.

"Oh, wow," Mom cooed. "That sweet handsome boy next door? The one that just moved back from London? That's such great news, sweetie." She made a right turn to the parking lot of the mall.

We all got out. I made sure mom wasn't looking when I mouthed at Corey, you're dead, giving him the throat slitting gesture.

We went to XVIII on the second floor. I hate shopping for girly clothes since I'm just a jean and shirt kind of gal. I stood there alongside Corey while my mom, Trish, and Sofie went through the clearance racks. Next, we went to Veronica's Secret. Uh, you guessed it alright. New bras for me! Ugh. Can't this day get any better? Mom pressed a frilly pink and white polka dotted bra against my chest.

I blushed as I looked around the store. "Mom, please..."

You just never know who might be looking; I'm a bit paranoid as you can tell. My Mom walked away from us to find an associate somewhere. All four of us remained in our places. I spotted our neighbor, Kyler, with a dark-haired girl walking alongside him.

"Hey, is that Kyler's new girlfriend?" I asked Corey.

He shook his head. "No, that's their new foster sister. Her name's Deidre. She just moved in with them about a week ago."

"I think he likes her. Judging the way he looks at her... I think he's in love." I snickered.

My eyes suddenly bulged when I saw who was coming.

"Shit, shit, shit." I mumbled as I grabbed Trish and Sofie's arms and we all ducked behind the bin of 3 for $25 lingerie.

"What?" Trish and Sofie said in unison.

"It's Evan and his minions," I whispered. "Just stay down."

Then the most dreaded part of all, I heard Corey calling Evan. The jerk! Oh, just great. He's talking to them now.

"Oh, dear sister, you can come out now." He said in a singsong voice. I seriously wanted to punch his lights out. Wait until I get my hands on that little twerp.

All three of us stood up awkwardly from the mountain of bras and underwear. I felt so humiliated. I was as red as a tomato.

"Why, hello there, CJ," Evan greeted me with a dimpled smile. Three football jocks from his team swaggered behind him. "I see you guys are shopping for—"

"Bras!" Corey blurted out. "Mom said CJ needed new ones because her boobies have grown bigger." I smacked him in the head. "Ow!"

"Jerk." I mumbled, rolling my eyes.

"FYI, she's now a C cup." Corey added and I just gave a sigh of frustration. I'll have to remind my dear mother not to bring my jerk of a brother to any of our shopping trips ever again. This will be the first, and last. There won't be a next time.

Evan just stood there, looking pretty amused. His eyes were scanning me up and down like I was some kind of juicy steak. I scowled at him when I saw his eyes drop down to my chest. I immediately crossed my arms to hide my C cups. Please, like he's about to get near these babies? I don't think so.

I summoned the strength to strangle something out. "Hey."

He pointed at my shirt. "I love that graphic tee you got on."

I looked down at my shirt and realized he was looking at the skull and roses graphic. What a relief. All this time I thought he was looking at my breasts.

"Oh, hi there, Evan." Mom greeted him, and as the gentleman as he is, he gave my mom a peck on the cheek. Oh, so sweet.

Not.

"Nice to see you, Mrs. Johnson," he said sweetly. "You still look dazzling as ever." My mom looked like she was under his spell or something. I hate the fact that the idiot was such a charmer. How does he do it?

"Evan, would you and your friends like to join us at the food court? We decided to just eat dinner there."

Evan's eyes shot me an uncertain look. Don't you dare say yes. I was giving him the death glare, thinking he could read my mind. Gosh, I really wish I had ESP right now. It would definitely come in handy.

He smiled at mom. "Sure, Mrs. Johnson, we'd love to."

I think I'm officially dead.

*

We all ordered Panda Food Express. We all chose our seats. Evan, however, had to sit right in front of me. Clever boy. The little rat knew how to push my buttons.

While we were eating, I felt his shoe purposely bump into mine under the seat. I let it pass, but he did it again. I glared at him. Mom noticed me locking eyes with Evan.

"Something wrong, sweetie?"

I quickly averted my eyes to my plate. "Oh, nothing, Mom."

Trish and Sofie just giggled. They knew very well what was happening. I twirled my chow mein, and as I was sucking the noodles, I noticed Evan staring at me, biting his lower lip.

What the hell? Was he being turned on or something?

"Evan," mom interrupted, snapping him back to reality. "I heard you guys are going out tomorrow. Where to?"

Evan shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Uh, yeah. It's just a simple dinner date. I made some reservations at that Italian restaurant called Cucina Italiana downtown."

My mom nodded, looking really impressed. I rolled my eyes. Are we really having this conversation? His gaze flitted over me, like he heard me.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Johnson, She'll be in good hands." He sent a wink my way.

As soon as he said those words, my gut instantly whispered to me that he's up to no good. I mean, this is Evan. My nemesis. It doesn't make any sense because we actually grew up hating each other and all of a sudden one day he seems to be into me?

Whatever's up his sleeve, I'll make sure to bring him down first.