My Soul to Keep - By Sean Hayden Page 0,48

a brunt?"

I laughed and got in line at the pretzel shop.

I ordered two for myself and asked my sister and Shannon if they wanted anything. Shannon said yes. My sister looked at me funny. I paid and handed Shannon hers. She devoured them faster than I did. I guess she didn't have to worry about excessive carbohydrates either. We both finished and licked our fingers and laughed at my sister's disgusted look. When she thought we weren't looking, I caught her pinching herself. No, little sister. You haven't fallen into an alternate universe.

"You guys ready to go?" I wanted this to be over in the worst way.

"Almost. I just need to pick up a few things while we're here. Come on, Connor, I'd like your opinion if you don't mind," Shannon said musically. Too musically. Something was wrong.

"Uh, sure?"

She smiled and grabbed my hand and pulled. Caelyn looked like she wanted to throw up. I know I did.

We started heading toward the west entrance. I rarely came down this end of the mall. The bookstores, the pretzel shop, and the Game Stop were all on the other end of the mall where we came in. The only thing down here was some of the higher end department stores and…

My stomach started to churn. "Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise! I just need the finishing touches for my costume. I'd really like your opinion."

Please, God, no. Please, please, please, please.

Sure enough, Angelique's Closet loomed on the horizon. I thought about faking a stomach illness. Or a broken leg. Or a ruptured spleen, a whale sighting, or a rabid pterodactyl attack. My mouth wouldn't work and my legs refused to stop working. By the time we reached the entrance, my stomach felt like I wouldn't need to fake an illness. Maybe Clarisse isn't working.

No such luck. She looked up from the counter as the three of us entered the store.

"Help me," I mouthed. She started laughing.

"Well if it isn't Connor, his brat sister, and the wicked witch of the west. Are you three off to see the wizard?"

The store manager spun on her heel and stared at Clarisse. "Miss Awl, that kind of behavior is unaccep–"

Clarisse stared at her for a moment. The store manager stopped what she was saying and started folding tiny bits of cloth I assumed were underwear. Jedi mind tricks.

"What do you want, Shanria?"

"It's Shannon, Claire. What I want is some lingerie to go underneath my costume for the dance."

Claire stepped out from behind the counter and went over to one of the drawers closest to the register. "I have just the thing." Without looking, she reached in and pulled out a set of ruffled, atrocious looking granny panties. Actually, I don't even think my grandmother would have worn them. Too conservative.

"I hope these will be to your liking…"

"Har har har. Very funny, Clarisse…I mean, Claire."

I glanced over at my sister and she had a dull look on her face. I guess they didn't want the human in on this exchange. That was fine by me. "Ladies, are we almost done? I really need to get home."

"Don't be rude, Connor," Shannon snapped. "You broke bread with me, now you must be my friend."

"You what?" Clarisse didn't sound too happy.

"What do you mean I broke bread with you? What the hell does that mean?"

"What did you do, Connor?" Clarisse rounded on me.

"Nothing! We got to the mall, I had some pretzels and we came here."

Clarisse looked at Shannon for an explanation.

"It's simple. I was at his house with his sister. He asked me to share bread with him. We ventured forth to the mall where he willingly shared a meal of bread with me. It's done. We're allies."

"Huh?" I looked from Shannon to Clarisse and back again.

Clarisse sighed. "You bought her a pretzel didn't you?"

"Well, yeah, but what does that have to do with anything? I was kidding when I asked them to the mall. I didn't expect them to say yes."

"It has everything to do with everything. You fought. You drew first blood. Now, because you offered to break bread with her, that means you respect her enough to forgive her. You also have pledged your allegiance to her! You consider yourself to be allies! Connor you are a moron."

"Well how the hell was I supposed to know? You never tell me anything until it's too late!"

"You're right. It is my fault. I'm sorry."

Shannon and I stared at her waiting for the punch-line. It didn't come. "What did