Beth stared at her phone, rereading the text for the third time.
Samantha: “Meet me at the mall. Food court. 6 PM. No excuses.”
She sighed, glancing at the clock. 5:45 PM. She could still bail. But the last time she’d dodged Samantha, she’d ended up with an unexpected visit at work and a very loud, very public demand for a ‘proper hangout.’
So now, here she was.
Dragging herself out of her room, Beth threw on her usual dark hoodie and jeans, trying to brace for whatever fresh hell Samantha had in mind.
The mall was already packed when she arrived. Fluorescent lights buzzed above, clashing with the overly cheerful music blasting from the speakers. The scent of fried food and cheap perfume mixed into a nauseating cocktail. Beth grimaced.
Samantha spotted her immediately. Of course she did.
“Beth!” Samantha’s voice rang out across the food court as she waved dramatically. She was already seated at a table, a milkshake in one hand and her phone in the other. “You’re late.”
Beth slid into the seat across from her. “I’m literally right on time.”
Samantha rolled her eyes. “Late in spirit. Anyway, I already ordered for you.” She shoved a tray across the table—burger, fries, and another milkshake. “I figured you’re too goth to have good taste in food, so I saved you from yourself.”
Beth stared at the tray. “You think I don’t eat normal food?”
“I don’t know what you do! You probably sit in a candlelit room eating, like, raw meat or whatever goths eat.”
Beth picked up a fry, chewing slowly. “Yeah. Human hearts, mostly.”
Samantha snorted. “See, that I’d believe.”
They ate in a surprisingly comfortable silence, the noise of the mall fading into background static.
“So, what’s the real reason you dragged me here?” Beth finally asked.
Samantha twirled her straw in her milkshake. “Oh, you know. To continue my incredibly generous mission of making you less depressing.”
Beth raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh.”
“And,” Samantha continued, “because I wanted to hang out. You’re kinda fun when you’re not actively scowling.”
Beth didn’t have a response to that. She just picked up another fry, ignoring the way her face felt a little too warm.
Samantha grinned. “Aww, are you blushing?”
Beth grabbed a napkin and chucked it at her face. “Eat your stupid food.”
Samantha just laughed.