ScarletA few days later

I yawn as I get out of bed, bored from the lack of anything really happening over the last few days. Aside from the training, my practically emptying the cafeteria each day, and a rather large paycheck from Allen. One spanning the entire first week I was officially working for the Silver Association.

It’s so large that I can’t help but salivate just from opening up my bank account on my newly acquired terminal and staring at it. What used to be only around a hundred credits at most, what I had thought was a decent sized savings for a trip outside of Rothwell City, is now standing at a firm 2599 credits. 1389 from the daily wages for both my time actively fighting Fractures and from my time not doing that, along with an extra one thousand and something credits for allowing them to use me in sponsorships.

Which is honestly almost enough for me to happily ignore the horror that going through a photo shoot dealt to me.

I shiver as I remember that happening the day before yesterday. And that feeling only grows worse when I remember watching a video on GuardianTube about some of the local Guardians to get myself brought up on who’s who, only to get an ad. One of me saluting the viewer without saying a word as someone else says some random sponsorship promotion.

At the very least they didn’t have me wear anything embarrassing. Because I don’t think my pride could’ve taken it. The very idea of wearing a two piece swimsuit for example is frightening.

I mean, why do people even subject themselves to wearing such skimpy outfits?

My jacket is so much more comfortable. And more importantly, it doesn’t show anything.

“Your thoughts tend to wander a lot, don’t they?” Tar suddenly says, floating off of the bed. “Because I’ve noticed you tend to think about random things out of nowhere sometimes.”

I glance at the furball for a second before shrugging and grabbing clothes to change into, out of my tank top and shorts that I slept in.

Meh. I am who I am, my thoughts are as they are. Not my fault you peek at my thoughts all the time. Which is rude.

He just snorts and doesn’t say anything as I enter the bathroom to change and get ready for the day.

“Okay, wait a minute,” I stop Denise’s gushing about shopping, putting my fork down in the bowl of whatever it is I’m eating right now. “You want me to go shopping. With you. At the mall. Did I hear that right?”

I can’t help the disgusted look that shows on my face at the mere thought. Not only do I dislike shopping in general, but I already have all the clothes I’d ever need right in my room. So why bother buying more?

But the main issue is that I really don’t want to go out in public and get stared at.

Denise looks confused as she tilts her head slightly, her golden hair falling a little bit onto the table, barely missing her food, and says, “Yeah. Unless you’re already busy?”

I open my mouth to answer, only to hear Sylver’s voice, “No, she has the day off as a rest day before the semester starts up tomorrow.”

My mouth clamps shut and I turn to look at the guy, only to find him with an unusual quirk to his lips, simply grinning at me for what must be the first time since I met the guy.

I mouth ‘I’m going to kill you’ to him before seeing his grin widen ever so slightly as Denise claps her hands together and says, “Wonderful! We can head out in half an hour if that’s cool with you!” And when I turn my head to vehemently reject that idea, I remember the fact that it’s very possible that a Fracture could end up happening today.

And it would probably be best if we were all together for it when it does.

So I sigh and mutter, “Fine…” only to turn to Michael who is grinning like an idiot and say, “But then Michael and Emily are coming with.”

His grin vanishes in an instant, replaced by a look of horror as he gapes at me.

“Great!” Denise says, practically squealing out loud before looking at Emily, who actually seems to be looking forward to the trip for some reason that eludes me as the shy girl gives a thumbs up. And after seeing that, Denise shoots straight up and says, “I need to go get ready!” Then runs out of the cafeteria like a tornado.

I stare after her for a few seconds, regretting my choices in life, before sighing and returning to my food. All, of course, while ignoring the pitiable look being sent my way by Michael, who I can probably see becoming Denise’s gopher for bags during this trip. At least, considering what I’ve learned about her over the past few days, she certainly seems like the type.

A shopper. Someone who for some reason under the moon and stars above loves to shop. A terrifying thought indeed.

“So dramatic,” I hear Tar’s voice and can practically feel him rolling his eyes at my thoughts.

You think that now, but you try being dragged on a shopping trip by Belle or her mother sometime and learn how it feels to be made into a dress-up doll after being bribed by credits.

“Wait,” Tar mutters, “wouldn’t that be your own fault?”

No. The power of credits is too great to resist.

I can just imagine Tar staring at me with judgement on his face as he mutters, “You really are obsessed with money…”

No. Not obsessed.

Just that when a chance at easy money comes by, why would I let it slip through my fingers? Although I draw the line at anything that shows too much skin.

Well, anyways, this trip is to make sure we’re all together during the Demonic Assault. Because I really don’t want to have to deal with finding them if it were to happen in the middle of their shopping trip.

“Makes sense,” Tar says, and I go back to eating my food.