The Bet

14. Mall Day

Friday

I was so relieved once school was out for the weekend. The girls and I took a drive to hit up the mall and get some shopping done.

"Feels so good to be here," Ashley dramatically breathed in the scent of the environment around us.

"Agreed. Where first?" I ask.

"FOOD!" Chelsea exclaimed.

I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I unlock it and immediately feeling guilty when I read the new notification.

Eli: Hey, what are you up to this afternoon?

Me: Well, I'm actually kind of out with some friends at the moment.

Eli: Awww oh that's okay! I was just wondering if you wanted to hang out, but we can always chill another time.

I bite my lip, debating on how I should respond next.

Me: You going to the party this weekend?

"Hey, let's go to this store first!" Ashley pointed to a store with bright lights and a lot of dresses.

I blindly follow behind them with my eyes sill glued to my phone.

Eli: Wasn't planning on going but I did hear a lot of talk about it.

Me: Go! Oh my gosh go please go!

Eli: haaha, okay! I'll think about it. Have fun with your friends(:

I thank her, locking my phone and looking back up to see the store these girls had dragged me into.

"You look distracted, is it Brad?" Ashley asks, shuffling through the racks of variously different colored maxi-skirts.

"Oh, no." I chuckled. "Just my friend Eli asking me if I was busy."

"Oh, how come we haven't met her yet?" Chelsea asked.

Come to realization I had never introduced her to them simply because there was never a time where we were all together at the same time.

"I told her to come to the party this weekend! Hopefully you'll meet her there."

"Good! Let's go try these on!"

They had already had a handful of different dresses that they probably were not going to end up buying. They always did this, just trying on things for fun until we went to stores we actually liked.

"Now tell me. Does this dress make my butt look small?" Ashley asked, checking herself out in the mirror.

I laughed, "No way!"

"Are you being sarcastic?" She furrowed her brows at me.

"Your ass is fine!"

"Aw, thank you Anna," she laughed. "Are you going to try anything on?"

"Not here, let's go to H&M."

After hours of shopping, we all found an outfit for the party and much more.

"Okay, can we seriously go eat now? I'm starved!" Chelsea complained.

We all laughed with each other, making our way to the food court. I spot a familiar face.

"Anna, is that..."

I swallowed.

"Yup."

There Brad stood, alongside him was that dumb bimbo of a blonde Emma. They were in front of Burger King. What the hell, he hates Burger King!

"I'm sure she's just a friend," Chelsea tried to defend her but I wasn't buying it with the way she was giggling at him.

This bitch.

"Well, aren't you going to go over there?" Ashley stood there fuming almost as much as I was.

I shook my head. "He can do what he wants, I don't care. Let's get out of here."

Chelsea and Ashley wouldn't budge, they just looked at me confused.

"Come on girls."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," I lied. "Let's go girls, stop staring it'll only make it worse."

"Make what worse? Damn it Anna I'm going to handle this." Ashley huffed, pulling her phone out of her pocket. "Here, call my cell."

"What, why?"

"Just do it."

I obeyed her commands and dialed her number on my phone. She answered the call, keeping her phone in her hand.

"You can hear me right?"

"Yes but what are you going to do- ASHLEY DON'T."

She shushed me and it was too late, she was already making her way towards them and I couldn't stop her. Chelsea and I hid behind one of those stands that sold random items in front of the food court.

"Hey Brad!" Her voice boomed through the cell.

This girl is a genius.

Chels and I stood close together as I held the phone between both of our ears, listening to their conversation while watching them from afar.

"Oh, hey Ashley." He casually replied.

"Who's your friend?" She rocked back and fourth on her heals. I was nervous for her and his response.

"Oh just a friend, Emma this Ashley, a friend of a friend."

FRIEND?

"Actually, I'm his GIRLFRIEND's best friend, Ashley. Pleasure." Ashley sassed, putting emphasis on the word 'girlfriend'. I couldn't be anymore proud of her right now.

"Oh, Annalise?" Emma scuffed.

"Yeah, you've met my girl!" Brad said, smiling.

Aww.

"So are the two of you going to the big party tomorrow?" Ashley asks carefully, bringing her phone closer to her mouth.

"Yeah, but not together." Brad says quickly but Emma clicks her tongue.

"Aww I thought you were going to give me a ride," she whines, grabbing his arm and I'm tempted to run over there and scratch her eyes out. He takes a small step away from her, looking uncomfortable.

Smart boy.

"I mean I guess I could.." He trails off.

Ashley looked in our direction and we hid behind the stands to make ourselves less visible.

"Come on Bradley, let's go shop," her annoying voice pleaded. I rolled my eyes and Chelsea shushed me before I even said anything.

If only she knew how much he hated being called Bradley.

"Okay Em," Brad says "See you 'round Ashley!"

What. The. Hell.

Ashley returned and shrugged.

"Did that help?" She smiled.

I hugged her. "You're amazing."

I pulled Chels into the hug, and we walked out of the mall like the amazing trio we are.

Oh sweet, innocent, Emma. Poor girl has no idea what's in it for her.

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A/N: Oh sweet, innocent Annalise. You have no idea what's in it for you.