Abby and I were still sitting in the security office when the door opened and Shane’s dad walked in, followed by three police officers. The door had shut when it opened again and in walked mom and Abby’s dad. All six of the adults walked into the break room where we sat. Shane’s dad walked over to us and crouched down.

“Girls,” Mr. Barker said. “It does not please me to have to apologize for my son’s behavior yet again. He didn’t cause you two any harm, did he?”

Abby and I both shook our heads, and then looked at each other as Mr. Barker stood.

“Miss Fisher, May I accompany you and your daughter to a phone store, I will pay for the replacement cost of the phone.” He said. Apparently someone had told him about my phone.

The four of us sat around the table at Abby’s house discussing what had happened that day.

“Why did you go into the service corridor?” Mom asked.

“It appeared to be the only way to get away from Shane and his cronies.” Abby said. “I knew that there were cameras covering the service corridors. Six kids would surely attract the attention of someone…”

“You took a gamble, Abby, and it worked. This time,” Daniel said, a smile on his face, but also a look of concern. “Hopefully there won’t be a next time, but if there is just start screaming. I would imagine that people will respond to two little girls screaming bloody murder.”

“As would I,” Mom said. “You know it just so happened that I accidentally opened the application that would let me see your location in time to see the dot drop off the map. I immediately called Daniel and had him track Abby’s phone knowing you two were together. We really were concerned when Abby’s phone dropped as well. Must have been the service corridor that you two were in. I’m just glad that you two are ok.”

“I wonder if Shane’s dad is going to make him wear dresses…” I wondered aloud. Everyone looked at me like I had lost my mind.

“What are you talking about?” Mom asked, a look of bewilderment crossing her face.

“After Shane tried to out me at the restaurant, his dad hinted at putting Shane in dresses to punish him,” I replied, a smile crossing my face at the picture of Shane in a frilly pink dress. “That wouldn’t work for me…”

“How do you remember this stuff?” Mom asked. “And no, putting you in dresses wouldn’t have worked for you. I’d have to take them away.” She smiled at me. “Daniel and I do have a question for the two of you, though.”

Abby and I shared a glance, wondering what was going on.

“What’s the question?” Abby asked, her left eyebrow raised. I noticed Mr. Jenkins and mom share a look and a small smile.

“Would you two watch your sisters friday night, here at our house?” He asked. “We can make it a sleep over.”

“I don’t have a problem with that.” Abby said.

“I think it will be fun.” I said. “Are you guys going on a date?” Mom and Daniel shared a wide eyed glance and then they smiled at each other.

“Yes.” Mom said, somewhat hesitantly.

Abby and I were walking through the park after we had gotten permission to do so. Both of our parents were slightly on edge after the incident at the mall. It was slightly satisfying seeing Shane and his cronies taken from the security office at the mall in handcuffs.

“Does it sound like our parents are going to start dating?” I asked Abby as we found a bench and sat down.

“Yeah,” Abby said. “I think that it is good that daddy is at least looking. Plus, I think that it would be awesome to be your older sister, even if it is only by a year.”

I smiled at Abby. “I know. Mom’s done a great job of raising Rachel and I, but I think that she needs someone else, an adult.”

“I hope it works out between them,” Abby said. “Also, if you do go to school as Emma, you’re gonna need some pants. You can’t go around wearing skirts when there is four feet of snow on the ground.”

“I could, but I would have some really cold legs…” I said, a giggle escaping my lips. “I understand what you mean though. Do you think that my mom would let me wear those really tight jeans that most of the girls seem to wear?”

“Do you mean skinny jeans or jeggings?” Abby asked. My face must have shown my confusion as I wasn’t familiar with either term. “Skinny jeans are just slightly tight,” She pointed to her own jeans. “These are skinny, jeggings fit snuggly from the waist to the ankle.”

“Hmm… I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe a little bit of both?” A smile crossed my face.

“We should ask and try to find out what she says.” Abby said, standing. The sun was starting to set in the western sky, which meant that we needed to get back to Abby’s. After I had stood, Abby wrapped her arm around my shoulder and we walked in silence back to her house. When we walked into Abby’s house, our parents were sitting on the couch in the living room talking. Abby and I walked in and sat on the love seat.

“Emma, we need to go pick up Rachel and get home. You have an appointment with Dr. Williams tomorrow at nine,” Mom said.

“Ok.” I said, standing. Abby and Mr. Jenkins stood as well and I gave Abby a hug and a promise to call her when I got home from the appointment. Mom and I switched people and I gave Mr. Jenkins a hug as well, and he gave me a kiss on the forehead. It felt nice, and right at the same time…