Linnea's POV

      Today was a pretty low-key day for me, after all, my boyfriend was not there. At least I had Brianna with me today.

Finally, the end of the school day rolled around and Brianna and I drove to the mall down that was right down the road.

     "Alright, let's go do some intense shopping!" Brianna exclaimed, "Where should we-" I quickly cut off Brianna by shouting my favorite store.

     "PINK!" I screamed happily as I galloped excitedly to the entrance of the mall waiting for Brianna to finally catch up to me.

     "Wait up! Damn, girl!" Brianna added, staggering behind me.

She was in the midst of texting her boyfriend and she was walking slower than a turtle.

     "Come on let's go." I begged, whining like a child.

"I'm coming, I'm coming." She sighed, waving me off.

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards the mall, my excitement was bubbling. Then again, I drank three coffees throughout the day.

~

     "I think I ate to many bread samples." I sighed painfully as I rubbed my cramping stomach.

     "I need to find a way to resist you from going in the food court . . ." Brianna mumbled as she put a hand to her forehead. She rubbed her temples in hopes of receiving some message of what to do with me.

     "What?" I asked shoving my bags from Bath and Body Works, PINK, and Aeropostale in the trunk of her car. I slammed it shut and walked over to the right side of the car and sat down.

     "Oh, uh, nothing." Brianna reassured opening the door of the car, sitting down, and starting the engine of her old Toyota Camry.

     I shrugged in response and plugged my phone into the aux.

~

     "That was so fun, thanks Bri!" I exclaimed giving her a big bear hug from across the seat.

I opened the door and slid out of the car. Before closing it, I bent down and grabbed my bags.

     "Haha, don't worry we will definitely do it again soon." Brianna added with a smile as she began to back out of my driveway.

As I made my way to the front door, the bags were starting to irritate my skin so I kept having to reposition the bags every time I moved my arms at all.

     I waved goodbye as she backed into the street and then I walked inside.

I tossed my bags onto the carpet and pulled out my phone- which had been buzzing for the past few minutes- out of my backpack. The screen lit up and specifically showed an message notification from Alex.

Alex😘:
hey, do you wanna get together today?

     More texts where on my phone, but I responded to his text only and I planned to meet him at his house as soon as possible. A smile appeared on my face and I sprinted up the stairs with pure joy. I opened the door to my bedroom and made my way to the mirror. I only had ten minutes to fix my hair and change my outfit before I would have to drive over to his house.

My previously high ponytail was now low, leaving wisps dangling around my face. I laughed at my appearance and quickly fixed it. I gently curled my hair and pinned my baby hairs back. Then, I applied some foundation and a little more mascara. Time had progressed rapidly and I quickly left the house.

~

     "Alex!" I screamed giving him a quick hug and then let go quickly, glancing up at his soulful eyes.

     Alex smiled at me and then pointed behind him. I blushed at the sight of his little sister, older sister, mom, and dad.

     "Um, hi!" I smiled, breaking the silence.

     "Mom, Dad, Agnetha, Alice, meet Linnea, my amazing girlfriend." Alex introduced.

He kindly stepped aside in order for his family to get a full view of me. I felt like a wax figure at a museum. They examined me thoroughly.

     "Hey, I'm Agnetha, Alex's most favored sibling." She exclaimed proudly, peering over at Alex.

     "Pff," Alex scoffed, "Yeah right." Alex replied sarcastically as he playfully punched Agnetha's  shoulder.

     "Nice to meet you, Agnetha ." I smiled, shaking her cold hand.

"I know my name is kind of a handful, it's Swedish. I'm named after some member of a band that my mother loves. Just call me Ana." She smiled kindly.

I nodded in acknowledgment. I thought her name was beautiful, I had never heard a name like it before.

     I waved shyly as I glanced at the rest of his family. Then I bent down to be around Alice's height.

"Hi Alice, how old are you?" I asked with a warm smile as I looked at her petite brown eyes and her long blonde hair.

      "I'm three." Alice replied in a quiet voice as she lifted up three fingers as if she was trying to prove it.

I giggled and stood up.

      "That's fun! I'm seventeen . . . going on eighteen."

     Alice smiled shyly and then ran back inside behind her parents with her plush bear named Fluffy.

Next, Alex's mom approached me. She had not said a word to me yet, but she looked so gentle and kind. She had forest green eyes and lengthy blonde hair. She appeared to be in her mid forties, but it was too hard to tell.

"Hi, I'm Alex's mother." She smiled, shaking my hand, "it's great to finally put a face to a name. He was right, your are so beautiful!"

I turned to Alex who was avoiding my glance. I could tell he was embarrassed at his mom's comment.

"Hello Mrs. Douson, it's great to meet you as well." I offered a toothy grin as I greeted her, and thank you so much."

"Please, call me Liz." She answered with a wink.

Liz strolled back to where she was standing before. Agnetha looked up at her mother with a admiration. I could tell they had a tightly knit relationship.

Mr.Douson strolled up to me in a suit and tie. I swallowed, feeling a little bit intimidated by such an authoritative figure standing in front of me.

"Hi, I'm Linnea," I greeted, sticking my hand out for him to shake it.

He took it and shook it firmly, causing my arm to become noodle-like. I blushed and released my hand.

"Is that an Irish name?" He questioned.

"Yes, it is. My mother was a bit Irish. She thought it would be fun to incorporate her Irish heritage somewhere in her family. I was the chosen one I guess." I blurted.

"Was?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow.

I sighed, knowing this topic was going to come up at some time.

"My mother passed away." I muttered.

His face dropped immediately and he apologized. I assured him it was not a big deal, but I could sense he felt bad.

     "Well,  I guess I better get going. I hope your brother feels better." I concluded as I awkwardly exchanged glances with Mrs. and Mr. Douson, " it was awesome to meet all of you!"

"Diddo!" Agnetha exclaimed.

     "Alright, bye." Alex waved as he walked back inside with his mom, dad, and little Alice.

     I waved back happily and drove back home watching the sun set slowly behind the horizon.