15
They were going shopping. Wanda was more than just nervous; she hadn’t left the compound since she arrived; the only time she left was to go on walks around the perimeter but she had never physically left the compound grounds.
“There's nothing to be worried about.” Wanda’s head wiped in Adrianna's direction as she and Natasha were struggling to buckle her into the booster seat of the car,” She can be worried if she wants to.” The click of the car straps being in place and Natasha tugging it as she looked up and smiled at Wanda,” But she doesn’t have to be because nothing ever happens when you just go shopping unless we go to Bay Plaza or crackhead central. Then a lot of things can happen there.” Natasha got into the driver's seat turning on the engine.
“A lot of things can happen. But I’m sure nothing’s going to.” Natasha drove out of the compound's garage,” I’m bored.” Natasha had made Adrianna leave her phone, apple watch, and anything electrical in her room,” Too bad.” Adrianna huffed watching them out the window, Wanda felt bad for her she had not only been sucked out of her own life and put into a new world but she had also been made into a child. Wanda wasn’t sure she would be able to handle any of that.
Wanda didn’t think Adrianna could either she had heard her talking to herself sometimes it sounded like she was crying but that was before Adrianna found out she could soundproof her room by then Wanda couldn’t hear anything.
The only thing Wanda had from Adrianna through the past couple of days was her photo book it was filled with a lot of photos of Adrianna, her family both sides each one as big as the other, she had seen various photos of Adrianna with different family members, with friends, in different places, some of the places repeated through various pictures. In some Adrianna looked happy, in others sad or angry. In one picture there were two babies identical in looks but outfits in different colors. Wanda wanted to ask Adrianna if she had a twin but she didn’t think so Adrianna never mentioned it.
“You have a big family.” Adrianna hummed as she continued to look out the window,” Your mom's family seems big.” Adrianna’s shoulder shakes with laughter,” Yeah her side is big and rich. But all for different reasons my mother's father is rich because of his family's vodka business, my grandmother is rich because of her bakeries and restaurants but her mom is also rich because of the family's wine business.” Adrianna explained looking at Wanda,” If your mom's family came from old money why is she a stripper?” Natasha's eyes locked with Adrianna’s through the rearview mirror.
“Because she got pregnant at 16 my grandfather didn’t claim her, my grandmother was broke and also in a different country when my mother was pregnant so she didn’t know, her mother also didn’t claim her because she married someone like my grandfather and she believes that everyone has to work for their money. That we all must find our way in this world before being added to her will or getting any money. And my mom is also a photographer and she owns many Air BNBs now.” Natasha nodded remembering to see 3 cameras in Adrianna's bag along with a polaroid.
“Are you also going into photography?” Adrianna shook her head,” I’m good at it and take classes for it but I think it would be more of a side hustle.” Wanda nodded even though she didn’t know what a side hustle was,” Did she take most of those professional photos in the photo book?” Adrianna nods smiling,” Yeah at random times she’ll pull out her camera or phone and we'll have a photo shoot.” Wanda saw Adrianna’s smile vanish as quickly as it came, there would be no more random photo shoots, Wanda had felt the same way when her parents first died, no more nights where they just watched shows and ignored everything else.
“Do you have any more hobbies?” Wanda asked changing the subject,” I go to drawing class against my will, I love modeling but I don’t do it as much, I like piano lessons, any martial arts that I’m currently in, and dance and gymnastics.” Adrianna answered,” Do you have any hobbies that you like doing?” Adrianna looked at Wanda waiting for her to answer but Wanda didn’t know if she had anything to consider a hobby she never had time for and she only had time to think about surviving.
“No, I don’t think so.” Wanda put her head down in shame and jealousy Adrianna had the life she had always wanted. She had a family, and friends she went to school with. She did things only Wanda could dream of doing,” That's okay we’ll figure it out eventually.” She hoped so because all Wanda felt was confusion, she didn’t know if she liked anything, and she didn’t think she ever would either.
Wanda wanted to go back to the compound. It was the first thing she thought when she stepped out of the car and trailed behind Natasha and Adrianna, she had been complaining the whole time that Natasha forced her to hold her hand. But Wanda just wanted to go back to the compound where there were fewer people and less noise. Their first stop was Old Navy Adrianna had suggested it and Natasha went with it.
The first thing Natasha did was grab a cart and place Adrianna in it much to the younger girl's displeasure,” This should be against the law.” Adrianna told Wanda as she pushed the cart to wherever Natasha was talking to them too,” It’s perfectly in the law. The only thing against the law is a 7-year-old taking an Uber alone. Wanda, what size pants do you wear?” Wanda shrugged she didn’t know and for the pants she was currently wearing she never bothered to look at the sizes she just knew they fit,” Can I check?” Wanda nodded hesitantly,” Or I can check.” Adrianna volunteered,” You're not getting off the cart.”
“You can go to the bathroom and check. We’ll wait for you here.” Wanda sighed as she easily found the bathroom. It was empty, they were here early. Adrianna told her they got here before anyone could and it would be less crowded since kids were still in school but it would get more packed by the next 2 weeks when everyone was out.
“It's a size 15.” Natasha nodded and put a pair of black pants in the cart and kept doing that, always asking Wanda if she liked the pants style,” Shirt size?” Wanda shrugged again, did people know these off the bat,” A medium in some and a large in others.” Adrianna answered, kicking her feet back and forth,” I went through your closet.’ Adrianna shrugged her right shoulder when she saw the face Natasha had.
“Do you know which ones?” Adrianna shook her head,” it depends on the style but all her shirts vary in size.” Natasha nodded and told Wanda to pick shirts that she liked in both medium and large.
“Now you little missy. Do you remember your times at 7?” Wanda giggled at the look Adrianna gave Natasha,” Now why would a 7-year-old remember their size? What do you think parents are for?” Natasha sighed,” Then you must be around the same size as Lila.” Natasha repeated the same process as she did with Wanda.
Wanda’s feet were starting to hurt from all this walking. She wanted to be the one sitting in the cart instead of Adrianna,” Okay the dressing rooms we go.” Natasha led them to the dressing rooms where they were greeted by an employee,” I’ll stay here. You try on the clothes if they don’t fit, keep them in a separate pile from the ones that do fit.” Wanda nodded, taking the 10 articles of clothing Natasha handed her, and went into the dressing room The employee pointed out to her.
“I need help!” Wanda was on her second round of trying things on when Adrianna screamed out and she popped her head out to see Natasha go into Adrianna’s room to help her,” I thought you said you had it.” Natasha asked, Wanda could hear them perfectly along with other conversations that other people were having, some in English and others in another language,” I did.” Adrianna protested Natasha's remark.
Natasha ended up helping Adrianna more than she thought she would need to, and Wanda ended up having to go back and forth to get clothes for both herself and Adrianna when Natasha was unable to,” Okay we have everything so far.” Natasha had given one of the employees the things that didn’t fit. She had made sure to fold all their things or put them back on hangers.
The line at checkout was pretty short but even then Adrianna picked up everything she saw each time Natasha rejected whatever she picked up. Sometimes Adrianna would still put it in the cart regardless,” Next customer to register 5.” Natasha snatched the bag of sour patches from Adrianna and placed it on a nearby shelf and grabbed Adrianna's hand while she simultaneously pushed the cart to the tall dark skin woman waiting for them in register 5.
Adrianna tugged at Natasha's shirt the cashier had been scanning for a while,” What?” Natasha glanced at Adrianna,” You forgot panties.” The worker let out a chuckle as did Wanda,” Are you serious?” Adrianna shook her head pointing to the cart,” No you forgot.” Natasha sighed they had passed the small underwear section and she hadn’t picked any up for Adrianna.
“Go with Wanda and get some. Then come back. And for the love of god do not pick up any snacks or candy. Do not let her pick anything up.” Natasha told Wanda as Adrianna was already skipping her way away from Natasha. Wanda ran after Adrianna; she had made it to the aisle before her. Wanda picked up 2 packs that said 7-9 years old each one with a different theme while Adrianna picked a pack and handed it to Wanda before running back toward Natasha.
“Thank you.” The cashier had finished scanning mostly everything there were just a couple of shirts left,” I want to go home.” Natasha sighed,” We will after we go get some shoes and a couple more things for Wanda. And then head to Costco the fridge is empty.” Adrianna sighed dramatically and Wanda felt the same; it felt like they’d been outside all day.
“We are never going home. Can we get pizza at Costco?”
“No, because it's Wanda’s turn to pick what we eat.” Adrianna nodded. Wanda didn’t understand how the system worked but everyone had a chance to pick what they were eating that day and Wanda was new to it and American food,” You should pick Popeyes.” Adrianna told Wanda while Natasha was paying causing Natasha to shake her head.
Adrianna was going to be the death of everyone and Wanda was glad she had come here because this had been a day Wanda didn’t think would’ve gone well if it was just her and Natasha.