>It was a time consuming drive but you finally made it to the mall >You found a space to park and walked to the entrance with girls >You walked in and was presented with a board displaying a map of the entire mall "Okay, so we are here and the food court is near the center of whole building." >"Where is the nearest clothes shop?" >Adagio really wanted those bathing suits "It says there's one along the way to the food court." >"Perfect. We'll shop for the clothes first then continue to the food court." >"Aww man." >Sonata didn't sound too thrilled >You all began walking past all the other stores >Some sold electronics, books, toys, until finally arriving at the first clothes store >The girls ran in there and started to look through all the shelves and racks >You chose to stay near the entrance and wait for them to finish >It didn't take long but Aria was the first to make a selection >You saw she had a few different articles on hand "That's everything you're gonna get?" >"Yeah, I just chose what fits and looks okay." >Guess she wasn't too heavy on worrying about what she was wearing >The other two seemed to be taking quite a while though >"You mind if we go looking around the other shops while they finished?" >You were a little shocked at this request of hers >'She' wants to spend time with 'you'? >'Alone'? "Sure." >You went over to the cashier and payed for Aria's clothes then both of you went exploring the other shops >You ended up following close behind her as she walked around inside the nearby shops >You weren't doing much browsing >You mainly stayed close as she looked around >She had a fair expression on the entire time >Not grumpy nor happy >You weren't doing or thinking about anything but the warmth started growing inside you >You came to the electronic shop and they also sold phones here >You thought of the idea of buying one for them >At least one of those prepaid ones >This way they can call you if they need you for anything >Aria continued to look around while you rung up the phones >You completed the purchase and whatnot and walked over to Aria "Here." >You hand her the phone >"What's this for?" "In case you need me for anything or stuff." >She replied with such sarcasm >"Yeah, I'll be sure to call you next time I need someone to grope me without permission." >She still doesn't seem to accept it was just an accident >She kept the phone though so that made you feel glad >You already put your number into Aria's phone so you started putting it in the other two as you both made your way back to the clothes shop >Sonata was near the entrance waving at you two >"Why'd you guys leave? You didn't get to see us try our clothes?" "Sorry, we wanted to have a look around while you two got done picking something out." >"Well come on, I want to go eat already." >You chuckled and followed her with Aria back into the shop >Inside the shop you see Adagio standing next to the cashier with her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face >Maybe she was upset you left >Normally her reaction would cause the chill to return but you remained unaffected >You hear Aria huff before brushing past you >Now the chill did come but why from her >The first thing that popped into your head was to pay for the clothes "Oh right, right. Sorry about that." >You walk over to Adagio and see a pile of clothes sitting on the counter between her and the cashier "I'll pay for those." >The cashier gave a puzzled expression >The chill faded as you handed her your credit card >Her expression changed to a 'whatever' and completed your purchase >She bags the clothes and hands them to you >You were about to hand each of them their bag but a rising chill made you decide against it >You held onto Sonata and Adagio's bags as all four walked out of the shop >You followed behind the three of them as you headed to the food court >You look towards Aria and notice she's been holding her own bag the entire time >There was no chill but you still felt bad you didn't hold it for her before you left to explore the other shops >The lack of a chill left you with the next decision >You scurry close to Aria's side "You want me to hold your bag?" >"What!?" >Her reaction was not the one you imagined "Your bag. You want me to hold it for you?" >You point to the bag in her hand >"Oh 'bag'. I thought you said . . ." >She turned red and immediately stopped her thought >What did she think you said? >She began raising the bag towards your outstretched palm >She gives a quick glance at the other two girls behind your shoulders before moving the bag to her other hand >"No thanks. I can carry it myself. I'm not some prissy little princess who needs a slave to do things for her." >You weren't insulted when she called you a 'slave' but felt put down by her response "Oh, okay. Sure, I was just wondering . . ." >"I don't need you to do things for me unless I ask you to, okay?" >You nod and fall back behind them again >You should be upset but that conversation created a warmth inside you >Reaching the food court, Sonata dashes for the nearest vendor >You and the other two find a table to sit at >Adagio takes up nearly a whole bench as she lifts her legs onto it >You sit on the other side placing the bags down on the table >Aria sets her bag on top of the others and sits on the side you're on aswell >The three of you sit there while Sonata blurs past each food place >Looking at the bags you remember the phones you bought >You reach in and grab the two remaining phones out "Adagio, I got these for you guys so you can call me if you need anything. My number is already inside." >You stand up and walk around the table to Adagio's side and hand her the phone >She takes it and immediately starts texting in it >She puts it away and looks at you with a smug look waiting for your response >You feel your phone vibrate in your pocket and proceed to pull it out >You open the message and read it in your head >'You'll feel me vibrate for you whenever I want now ;p' >You got a shiver and slowly backed away to your seat >You didn't realize but you sat down a few inches closer to Aria >You placed the other phone down across from you for Sonata, assuming Adagio will put her legs down so she can sit >You put your phone away, leaving vibrations on, and waited for Sonata to come back >It didn't take long >She rushed down next to Aria, forcing her to move closer to you >Aria gave her a grouchy face >"You, guys! There is sooo much food here. I can't decide what I want first!" "First? We're only getting one meal." >"Awww." >Sonata put on a frown >Adagio brings her legs down and reaches for the phone you set down >"Sonata, catch!" >She slides it down, almost towards Aria >Sonata reacts with almost cat like reflexes and moves in for the phone >She forces Aria to bump right next you as she grabs it >She had a shocked expression while you had a clueless one >You notice her burning cheeks and immediately get up from your seat "So what do you girls want to eat!" >You shouldn't have done that >A deep chill started to grow >You thought she was uncomfortable and that getting up was the right thing to do >You thought of sitting back down but that made the chill worse >You couldn't take back your action >Adagio and Sonata immediately stand up and walk you away to order food >Few seconds pass before Aria snaps out of her shock and follows behind >They stop you a few feet away from the counter >Adagio leaves you and heads back to Aria while Sonata starts ordering >They were whispering to each other while facing away from you >You tried to listen before a hand on your chin turned you to face the counter >This action seemed somewhat odd coming from Sonata >You'd assume she would just grab your arm and throw you to the cashier >You forget about the whispering and follow Sonata to buy the the food >You pay and turn to see that the other two had gone "Where are the others?" >"Hm, I don't know. Maybe they went to the restroom, which reminds me, I should go too." >She skips away and leaves you waiting for your order to be done >As she turns a corner, you start thinking about the chill you got >Usually these chills come when an action you do would be negative towards any of them >Seeing Aria's reaction made you think standing up would be positive but was not >. . . >'She wanted me to stay next to her?' >If someone could hear your heart they would hear it implode into itself then release into thousands of shards of glass that tear into your lungs >You were taking in large gasps of air as you could feel yourself drowning in the thought of seeing them upset with your actions >Aria displayed a very tough exterior but if you managed to break her down to tears . . . >Now images of Aria crying poured in >You clenched your chest for fear of your heart falling out as it grew heavy with your souring blood >You were in full control when you decided to stand up >You were the one who moved away from her >You were the one who brought this unsettling feeling to yourself >You were disgusted with yourself >You began thinking of the warmth you felt while walking with her earlier and how you'll never feel it again >There was a tugging in your mind felt across your forehead >Your legs weren't running after her so your brain planned on doing it itself >You closed your eyes and covered your ears to seal any exits >You could hear nor see nothing >Most of your brain was still trying to chase after her but this darkness let you hear a second thought >A different thought >It felt strange, almost alien, and it wasn't moving with the rest >It lay at the back of your mind and was holding back the rest >'Escape while they are gone' >'Escape?' >'From who?' >You tried reassuring yourself that you were with them willingly >You were only here to help them >To keep them safe >To make them happy >Their happiness was important to you >But they didn't seem happy right now >"Sir? Your order is done." >You open your eyes to see one of your hands gripped onto your opposite wrist >You didn't realize your hands had moved down from your head >"Sir?" >You spin around to face the cashier who was waiting with your food >Your mind went silent as you slowly moved over to pick up the food then turned to walk back to the table >You set the food down then sat back where you previously were >You set all of their meals in their seats then waited patiently for their return >You stared at the empty seats before looking down at your meal >You hungered but not for food >You wanted their affections >Their approval >Their forgiveness >You return focus to your plate and see a drop of blood >You bring a finger up to your nose and see it's bleeding >'Don't lose yourself. Escape!' >It was that foreign part of your mind speaking on its own >'Their grip is weakened. Escape!' >You grab a napkin and wipe the blood away "I don't want to leave them." >'Don't fall for them again!' >This voice was slowly fading >Your ears perk up as the sound of chanting began to grow behind you >You don't turn as you hear it get closer to you >You feel like smiling >The sight of Sonata and Adagio walking past your table made your heart come alive >They continue to walk to the other end of the court >You feel a hand rest on your shoulder and another one is immediately brought up to your chin >Both force your body to turn in your seat where you are greeted with Aria's face >You see her give a worried glance at the other two who haven't turned to face the table yet >She moves both her hands to your head and brings your lips up to hers >Your heart skips a beat