CHAPTER EIGHT

Hilary and Tracy got off the elevator and they walked together down the walkway. Throngs of people made the second floor crowded. Tracy and Hilary pushed their way through. The Mall of Six Cities opened two months ago and this is Tracy and Hilary’s first time shopping there. When the mall opened, it quickly became the new hang out point.

When Tracy entered the mall, she was impressed at how big the mall was. Just what the small city actually needed, Tracy had thought. Hilary tugged Tracy to some chairs so they could take a break. They sat down and crossed their legs. Tracy was wearing jeans and a blue shirt. Hilary was wearing a skirt that showed off her legs and a belly shirt. Ever since she got a belly ring, Hilary started buying belly shirts to show off the ring.

“What do you think of Max joining the Marines?” Tracy asked. A couple of guys sat down opposite of where the girls were sitting. Hilary moved a strain of brown hair behind her ear.

“I don’t like it. It doesn’t seem a kind of think Max would do,” Tracy said. “I think Jason pushed the thought into his head.” Tracy looked at Hilary. Hilary stared straight ahead.

“What do you mean by that?” Tracy asked. Hilary was silent. Tracy followed her gaze. She was staring at those boys sitting across from them. Tracy felt an uncomfortable nudge in her stomach. The two boys stood and made their way over to them.

“Hey girls,” one of them said. Tracy shifted uncomfortable.

“Hey boys,” Hilary said sitting up straighter. Tracy leaned over to grab her bags. One of the guys made an attempt to look down her shirt.

“My friend and I were talkin’ and we decided to come over and ask if you guys want some company?” Tracy started fiddling her hands. Hilary giggled.

“That’d be nice,” Hilary said. Tracy gave Hilary a sharp look. She leaned in to whisper something to Hilary.

“Hil, why are you doing this?” She whispered. Hilary whispered back.

“Don’t worry about it, nothing’s going to happen. Okay?” Hilary stood and smiled at the boys.

“What’s wrong with your friend?” One of them asked.

“Ah, nothing. She’s just nervous around handsome guys,” Hilary replied. Tracy hesitated. An image of Jason kept flashing in her mind. She sighed and finally stood.

“My name is Kurt and this is my friend Noah.”

“Hilary and Tracy.” Hilary replied.

“Tracy,” Noah echoed. “That’s a pretty name for a beautiful girl.” Tracy smiled nervously.

“Well, let’s go. You guys hungry?” Hilary asked.

“Starving,” Kurt said. Hilary giggled and the four of them walked off to the food court.

Max put a quarter in place of his golf ball. Jason walked to his dime and put the ball in place of his dime. A small breeze caused small ripples in the lake. Jason lined up for the birdie. Jason tapped the ball and it went into the hole. Max put his ball on the ground and then made it in the hole after two shots.

Jason stopped the golf cart on the next hole. Two women were getting ready to tee off so they sat patiently for them to finish.

“How did Hilary take it?” Jason asked.
“Eh…I guess she took it okay. She just gave me a look of disappointment and

after that it was kinda awkward,” Max said. “How did Tracy take it?” Jason smiled to himself.

“Uhh…she took it swell,” Jason said smiling at the mini flashback that was going

through his head.

“Really?”

“Sure,” Jason said simply. Max sat back and put his foot up. “The wind feels

good.” Jason added. Max nodded. It was a beautiful day. The sky was blue with fluffy white clouds moving lazily through the sky.

“Yeah it does,” Max agreed.