Life's Unexpected Surprises - 23. Chapter 8.1 - A Leap and a Jump - Edge of Glory

Hunter

5

“GET YOUR ASS OUT OF BED!” I got Dash's voice screaming into my inner ear via my phone. “We're hanging out today.”

“Who said I was in bed?” I was actually laying on the couch still in my pjs, but that's beside the point. “And why are we hanging out today?”

“Because Tax is stuck at work and I haven't met anyone else worth talking to outside of school yet. So, Hunter, you're stuck with hanging out with me, please.” She actually said please!? Wow, she must be bored.

“Only because you said please. What are we doing?” I got up and headed off to my room to get changed.

“Simple, ice cream and then CLOTHES SHOPPING!” I think my hearing dropped a bit from that one.

“We're on the phone; screaming destroys my ears.” All she did was laugh.

“And get money for new clothes.” Lucas... uhhh dad, walked by smiling. “You haven't gotten much for new clothes, so I'll give you a couple hundred bucks to get some nice stuff.”

“Sweet, thanks!” A giggle escaped and caused me to blush. “I'll meet you at the mall in a bit, give me like half an hour.” I quickly hung up the phone and got into a fresh set of clothes.

I was met with a couple of fifties being handed to me. “Go get some good clothes, don't blow it all in one place.” I put it directly into my wallet. “Need a ride?”

“Was about to ask, thanks.”

“I need to get some stuff at the mall too. Don't worry, not going to cramp your style.” I snorted in laughter at his slang. “Anyways, let's go.” Grabbing out jackets we headed out.

The car ride was short, and Dash was somehow already at the mall when we got there. Right doors and everything, she has to be psychic. I got dragged into the mall by her, leaving Lucas in the dust.

Store to store Dash went, ensuring I was behind her the entire time. I don't think we entered a store I was interested in until almost 2 hours into our adventure. It was girl only store and finally its a store with both genders!

“Yes enjoy the boy section.” Dash waved me off.

I just shook my head. “No way!” I grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards the boy's side. “I sat through four stores with nothing for me to look at. You're coming with me.”

She rolled her eyes and giggled. “I guess that's fair.”

Her eyes went around looking at clothes, probably for Taxon, while I looked at some clothes for me. Every once in a while she would lift a shirt and clearly compare it to me. “What are you doing?”

“Thinking of what Tax would look like in this shirt attached to your arm.” I rolled my eyes. “Why is it such a crime to want two people to get together?”

“When it's your 'best friend' and twin brother, yes.” The cheeky smile on her face told me she didn't care. “You know this could end up us hating each other, right? That's what happens when a relationship ends in high school.”

“Tax wouldn't end it like that. I don't think he could hate anyone if he tried.” She thought about it for a moment. “Nope, he hasn't hated a single soul.”

“Whatever, what if I'm not ready for a gay relationship?” This girl's face gives the best facial expressions. Her eyebrows rose while she was holding back a laugh. “Okay maybe I am, but not a public one!”

Dash hushed me. “Eh, secret is fine. As long as you two are a thing.” I turned back to the clothes away from her. “What if I pay for the first date?”

“You would do that?”

“On the condition, you ask him out.” Dash was batting her eyes, with a puppy dog face active. “I'll give you fifty bucks to take him on a date!”

“That is not enough money for a good date.”

She rolled her eyes. “ROLL WITH IT! Do what you can with the money and take my brother on a date! Picnic, cheap food and a good show. Think of something with that crummy boy brain of yours.” She came right over and got right in my face. “What do you say, Hunter?”

“Fine, I'll ask him out.” My ears started to ring from the loud girl squeal. What did I just get myself into?

Taxon

6

“Tax!” Regal once again yelled at me for doing something 'wrong.' This time I was asked to clean the display glass. It was getting cleaned, no streaks in sight. He was just yelling at me for the sake of it at this point. “Seriously, why is it taking you so long?”

Giving him the stink eye I spoke. “Because I'm taking my time and making sure it's done right. I'm a grunt doing the grunt work.”

“All because you're Anotine's nephew doesn't mean you can give me attitude, kid.” Won't stop me from doing it when you're being an idiot!

Josiah projected from the manager's office. “Regal stop harassing him and do your job. Tax, come here a sec.” I saw Regal roll his eyes as he went back to what he was doing. I came into the office with windex and paper towels in hand. “How much of the glass have you cleaned?”

“Ninety present of it, give or take.”

He rolled his eyes. “Sure you could have been done by now, but as long as it is clean, I'm happy. Ignore Regal's criticisms and tell him to focus more on his work next time. Antoine won't hesitate to let you go if you start giving attitude.”

“I know, I've gotten a full conversation about how my Uncle is treating me like any other employee.” Josiah nodded and went back to his work, as did I.

The afternoon was mostly uneventful. A few people came in; most of them were helped by Regal while I continued to clean up the place. There were a couple of kids that came in for magic cards that I helped, though.

After a little bit of no customers, one came in, and walked right by me and straight to Regal. It took me a moment, but I realized it was Tyler. I hadn't seen much of him since summer.

I stood there and listened in on the conversation. “Hey Regal, do you know what the Bio homework was?”

“You seriously came here just to ask me about Bio homework? Get a life, Tyler.” Regal rolled his eyes and turned around to clean up the shelves.

Tyler wasn't going to let Regal be like that, though. “Look, I don't care if you're having issues with Addison. You have to treat people with respect Regal. Thanks for nothing.” He was about to storm out when he saw me. “Oh hey, Tax.”

“Hey, Tyler. Trying to figure out your homework for the weekend?”

His eyes went wide as he made a funny face. “Ya, dad is going to kill me for not writing it down. He always says I should, and I never do.” I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. “Oh ya, it's funny to you.”

“Sorry, but let's be real you'd laugh at someone else.”

“True. How do you like your new hometown?”

I shrugged. “Hard to say, I don't have a home here yet. Still staying with my Uncles. My mom and dad should be getting here sometime.” Whatever is holding them up should really hurry up. I like having my parents around just as much as I like having my uncles around.

“Ya, that's true. When are they going to get here?”

“No idea. Parents haven't told Dash or me anything.” I shrugged and got a dirty look shot at me by Regal. “They'll make it out sooner or later. Until then I'll just hang out and get paid by my uncle.”

“Sounds pretty good. Maybe you should try and tell Regal to make up with his boyfriend.”

“Butt out!” Regal yelled from across the store. We just rolled our eyes.

“Seriously Regal, both of you and Addison can be read like books. It's really easy to tell there's been a fight. So put on your big boy pants and deal with it.” Tyler spoke a little louder than he should have.

Regal got pissed! “Josiah are you going to let a customer talk to me like that!?”

“If he's not wrong, I can't get mad.” Tyler and I snickered to ourselves. Regal went into the office in a huff closing the door.

“I should get going, though.” Tyler started heading to the door. “I'll see you at school Taxon!” We exchanged waves before he was gone rushing off, probably to find out what his homework was.

That left me to man the store for a few minutes. Regal and Josiah had a conversation that took a while. I actually managed to help someone through the register all by myself. I was proud of myself for it.

8

I barely stepped into my house when Dash came, for lack of better term, dashing down the stairs. Hunter nervously following her down the steps. “Hunter wants to ask you something brother o' mine.”

“Really?” I looked at Hunter, who was only half way down the stairs at this point. “Why did he need you to tell me about it?”

“He didn't I just wanted to.” Dash was all bouncy as Hunter made his way down the stairs. “Hurry your butt down here!” Hunter rolled his eyes but remained anxious.

“What did you want to ask me, Hunter?” His face filled with a crimson red. “It can't be anything embarrassing if Dash knows. She would have blabbed that out by now.”

Dash was waving him on, trying to get him to speak. “Just do it!”

With a big breath, Hunter let out most of his anxiety let out. “I was wondering if you'd like to go out to dinner or something sometime...” Dash sent out a squeal of joy as he finished speaking.

“What do you say Tax? Will you, will you, will you, will you!?” I got so giggly all of a sudden.

With a smile unable to leave my face, I nodded. “Yes, I'll go to dinner or something with you. When?”

His face went blank. Dash, in her infinite wisdom, hadn't thought that far ahead. Of course, since it wasn't Hunter's idea he hadn't thought about it either. I couldn't help but laugh at the situation.

Dash didn't like my laughter. “Eh, no laughing!”

“Then before you throw ideas at people, think about it first.” Dash rolled her eyes and put her arms up in surrender. “Next Friday, you choose the place, and I'll be there.”

“Okay.” Hunter shyly smiled and nodded.

Date with a cute boy, I think I may have to dress up in my best clothes for this. This will either show that we are a match, or that we just aren't meant for it. Either way, it should be a good night out.

Chapter End.