C3 Three

By the end of the day I was exhausted but I did it. I held my head high and just ignored everyone's questioning stares. I walked tall — as tall as a five foot two and a half person can — and proud. It's quite funny really, most people already knew who I was because of James but after this morning it seems everyone knows who I am and for some reason that doesn't make me too uncomfortable, maybe I am changing.

Even James was staring at me today. It's bad but a part of me hopes he was jealous, I know he had no reason to be since we have broken up but I couldn't help but wish so.

Lincoln had asked me to tutor him after school so I did but, like the day had been, it was exhausting, seriously that boy may be good at many things but maths isn't one of them. I've been going through the basics with him and I think he's finally starting to get it but let's just say we've got a long way to go.

Lincoln slams his textbook closed with a loud thud. "God, that took ages," he complains.

"You're telling me."

"Well, now that that's over and done with, I have a surprise."

"What?" I raise my right eyebrow skeptically at him.

"If I tell you it won't be a surprise," he says with a roll of his eyes. "Now come on."

He leads me out of his room and towards the stairs. On the way we end up bumping into his adorable little sister, Brooklyn.

"Hey Brooke," I say to her with a smile.

She grins back at me. "Hi Ari! What are you doing here?"

"I was just hanging out with your brother," I say to her, motioning to Lincoln.

She scrunches up her face in confusion. "Why would you want to spend time with him? He's so annoying and—"

"That's enough, Brooke," Lincoln says with a chuckle.

Brooklyn pouts and I see Lincoln's composure break momentarily, a sad frown crosses his features for a passing moment. He suddenly launches himself at her, grabs her and starts spinning her in a circle. She giggles like a maniac and Lincoln smiles, you can tell he cares a lot for her.

After a few minutes he puts her down. "Again! Again!" Brooke cries, clapping her small hands together.

"Sorry, Brooky-bear, no can do. I have to take green eyes somewhere," he tells her, gesturing towards me.

She frowns but it only lasts a few seconds before her bright doll-like blue eyes light up in excitement. "Can I come with you?"

Lincoln scratches the back of his neck. "Um, I don't know Broo—"

"Please," she says, making a puppy face, embodying cuteness itself, which I know Lincoln won't be able to ignore.

He lets out a sigh. "Fine but you have to be on your best behaviour. Promise?"

"I promise," she grins, interlocking her pinky finger with Lincoln's.

~*~*~

Brooklyn was bouncing in anticipation the entire car ride. I noticed that because she was in the car Lincoln drove a lot slower than usual — I'm talking below the speed limit — he must care for his little sister a lot.

It was so adorable to see Lincoln have a conversation with her, he's such a cute big brother. He talked to her about all the things she enjoys and even had a full five minute conversation about her favourite dolls, I never thought I'd see him voluntarily do that.

"We're here," Lincoln says as he parks the car.

Brooke immediately jumps out of the car, excitement written on her face. I give Lincoln a look. "What are we doing here?" I ask, gesturing to the shopping centre we're currently outside of. He shrugs and sends me a quick smirk before getting out of the car and making sure Brooklyn doesn't wander off on her own.

I let out a sigh as I follow him out and let him lead us towards the shopping centre.

"Can we get ice cream please?" Brooke asks, jumping about in anticipation.

"If you're good," Lincoln says, ruffling her hair. She pouts but he looks away before it can affect him.

He leads us into a clothing shop and Brooke squeals in delight. "There's so many pretty things. Can I go try stuff on Lincoln, pretty please?" She asks with wide eyes.

He shakes his head at her. "Not today Brooky-bear. Today we're here for green eyes."

I raise my brow at this but Brooke doesn't seem to notice as she starts jumping in excitement. "Can I help pick the clothes?"

"Of course you can," Lincoln tells her, ruffling her hair again. "I need to talk to green eyes for a minute so do you want to start picking?"

She nods her head furiously and runs off, looking for the perfect outfit.

"Aren't you worried about her getting lost?" I ask. This is a three floor department store.

Lincoln shakes his head. "Nah, Brooke knows this place quite well. Mums friend, Julie, owns the place so she comes here quite a lot and I know that she'll keep an eye out, I told her we were coming."

I nod. "So tell me, why are we buying me clothes?"

"Ah, you see," he starts. "I know that you wanted to go to the track and your wardrobe isn't exactly appropriate so we needed to come here. Also there is another reason. Regarding this whole plan we have on making you reckless, fearless and careless, you need to give off this 'couldn't care less' vibe so I think it's time you started dressing like a bit of a bad girl."

I only processed the first half of his words. "Wait, you're letting me go to the track?" I ask, a grin on my face.

He nods and sighs. "Yeah. I realised there's no point in putting off the inevitable plus Eli told me that he explained what the track was to you so I'd like it if you went to one of my races."

I did my best not to look too excited but the grin wouldn't leave my face. It finally did when the rest of his words sunk in. "Wait, you want me to completely change my dress sense?"

"Not exactly. I think it's time you reinvent yourself. Become the you that has nothing to do with your past or James."

James. The name still stings to hear. Especially, after seeing him with Chloe. I shouldn't be upset about that but I am. A small part of me wants to punch her but I know that's wrong. I've always said violence isn't the answer but that doesn't change anything in my mind — I'm such a hypocrite. Besides, we've broken up so I've no reason to be mad at her. Technically she's done nothing wrong.

Maybe change will be good. I can show James that I'm not the pathetic girl who still cares about him so much — even if I am I can at least pretend I don't.

"Alright. I'll give it a try."

~*~*~

A few hours later we're almost done. Brooklyn helped, she has a keen eye and surprisingly good taste for an eight year old. I don't think the clothes are my style but Lincoln said that these were the kind of clothes people at the track wore and they fit the whole 'bad girl' vibe. We went to so many different shops and I think I might've burned a hole through my debit card. Luckily, mum doesn't tend to mind what I spend money on as long as it's useful, which clothes obviously are.

Lincoln offered to pay considering that this was all his idea but I refused. He was adamant but after much debate I managed to convince him. However, he said that he's paying whenever we go out from now on and I reluctantly agreed. I guess I'll be getting free food out of all this so that's a bonus.

"Can we go for ice cream now please? I've been good. " Brooke asks.

Lincoln ruffles her hair. "Sure," he says with a grin.

There's an ice cream parlour in the shopping centre so we didn't have to go very far.

"What flavour do you want Brooke?" Lincoln asks his little sister as we step inside shop.

Her face scrunches up in thought for a moment. "Bubblegum please."

He nods. "And you, green eyes?"

I already know what I want. "Mint chocolate chip, thanks."

"Alright why don't you two go find somewhere to sit while I go get the ice cream," Lincoln suggests.

Before I can even nod Brooklyn has grabbed ahold of my hand and started pulling me towards a booth. I can hear Lincoln chuckling as I'm being dragged away — idiot.

Brooke knows how to keep a conversation going. She has seriously good social skills. I mean she's eight, how she has this much confidence I'll never know.

After a few minutes Brooke excuses herself to go to the bathroom. I offered to go with her but she said 'I'm eight, Ari, I can handle going to that bathroom alone' so I let her go on her own.

A few moments later a head of dark hair slips into the booth, sitting opposite me, but it's not Lincoln. He looks to be about my age and has lovely chestnut eyes, defined features, a strong jawline, is well built and has a tattoo poking out of his right sleeve. He's definitely a rather attractive guy.

"Hi, can I help you?" I ask, unsure of what to say.

"Sorry to invite myself here over but it's just that you are absolutely stunning and I had to come and speak to you," he says in a deep and slightly husky voice.

I blush at his words but, luckily, I think my hair covered that for the most part. I'm about to reply but no words come out, as usual I'm rather shy around new people.

"Cat got your tongue?" He jokes. "Shy? No worries I get that. I wouldn't have bothered you but I knew I'd kick myself later if I passed up the opportunity to potentially go on a date with a beautiful girl such as yourself."

Did he just ask me out? Smooth. Knowing that this guy seems quite nice and calm relaxes me. He also seems interested in me and I don't want to scare him off and embarrass myself so I clear my throat, gaining confidence in myself. "A date? But I don't even know your name."

"Where are my manners? The name is River, and yours?"

"Mia but everyone calls me Ari."

"Then I guess I'll call you Mia. Since no one else does it can be especially for me. Mia. A lovely name for a lovely girl."

I smile at his words. He really knows what to say to make a girl blush.

"So can I have your phone number so we can arrange that date?"

Before I can even think of a reply someone clears their throat and sits down next to me, putting an arm around my shoulders.

Lincoln.