Derek ditched us as soon as we got to the mall. He ran straight to the movie theater and said to call him when we were done.

Gwen, Michael and I went first to go get everything I needed for school. It took a little while to find a backpack that both Michael and Gwen approved of. Apparently girls in Florida can get pretty mean. Most of them are rich and the rest pretend to be. Both of the twins had strict instructions and directions for surviving their school. Gwen is one of the most popular there and knows what is expected of girls like her. She wants me to be just like her. Her second in command. Her wingman, as she calls it. Michael, on the other hand, wants me to keep my brains and flaunt them. He wants me to get to the top of this stupid social ladder and then show everyone that even pretty people can be smart. He also doesn't want me to end up like some of the girls he hangs out with. I told you how he's such a sweetie? He really is. He hangs out with and protects the girls that the popular and rich girls cut down everyday.

After we got everything I needed for school supplies, they decided that I needed a new wardrobe as well. Apparently sweatpants, old t-shirts and flannel aren't considered appropriate wear for school with the rich in Florida. We started at some of the richer stores but then decided that if I was going to get an entire wardrobe, then I'd need it at a cheeper price than $45 for a tanktop that barely covers anything. And I'd need a much larger variety so that way I was being original and not wearing everything the same all the time. Luckily, Michael knows a lot about fashion design so he knew just how to make an outfit gorgeous at a really cheep price.

I'm curious as to whether or not Michael is gay... When we went shopping today, he came with us girls rather than going to some scary movie at the movie theater there. Although he was quite a gentleman. He carried our bags for us and never complained that we were taking forever. He even helped critique us on clothes. He warned us when jeans were just a little too tight or when something made us look rather big. Once, I got kind of frustrated at him for telling me that two different outfits made me look large so I told him to see if he could find anything better and he did. He found these amazing jeans that made you look 3 sizes smaller and a top that flattered really well.

When I questioned Gwen about it in the dressing room she told me that she'd been wondering about it too. He's like a best friend to her so she doesn't ever ask him. "It doesn't matter to me," she said. "He can be whoever he wants to be and I'll still be proud of him. He's more like a little brother than a twin, really. I seem to look after him alot."

He seems like he is going to be really useful to have around. I had him pegged as a really big computer nerd when I first met him but he seems like a lot more than that now that I sort of know him.

I really needed to get new bras and Gwen said she did as well but we decided we'd do that later when the guys weren't around. Michael overheard us and said that it was ok, he'd wait outside on a bench with our stuff while we went shopping for them. I was quite surprised that he was still willing to do this for us. Seeing as he's a guy, I figured he would be completely exhausted of shopping by now.

When we girls were done with all our shopping for ourselves, we asked if Michael would like to shop anywhere specific. He decided he just needed food, so we called Derek and met him at the food court.

We got some food and when we were done, had to walk through the mall back to Derek's car. He's 16 but he's turning 17 next Saturday. He's planning on his parents getting him a black shiny expensive new car for his birthday.

As we walked past this emo looking store I paused momentarily staring longingly at the comforting homeliness of it all. I wanted to go in so badly, but I was afraid of the reaction I would get from Gwen so I turned to catch up to them. That's when I realized that Derek was standing right next to me.

"You wanna go in?" he asked me. I simply nodded my head. He took me by the hand and led me inside the store. I immedietly noticed the racks of uber-expensive Twilight crap that they were selling. I mean, they're good books but calm down people. Really.

I gazed up at the wall of t-shirts for bands and tv shows and other random things. It oddly reminded me of something but I couldn't quite place what it was.

When I walked over to their CD rack I was dissappointed at first. It was so small that they couldn't possibly have anything good there. That was where I was wrong. As I was flipping through, I noticed a familiar cover and pulled it out. I let out a little squeal and jumped up and down. It was the new Papa Roach CD that came out a little while ago. I'd been wanting it really badly but I could never get my hands on a copy. Now I had it right now. But Gwen had my wallet in her purse... :( I put it there because I never actually brought a purse. (She bought me a Coach one today) I put the CD back where I got it from and walked away sadly. I was really bummed.

When Derek asked me what was wrong, I tried explaining to him how badly I had been wanting that CD and waiting for its release and now I didn't have any money on me. He gave me that sly smile of his and told me that that was too bad but to go catch up with Gwen. He said he'd be there in a minute, he had to pick up a little present for this girl he really liked.

When he caught up with us he was carrying a little black bag that looked like it had a CD in it. When Michael asked what it was, Derek told him that it was a present for a girl he liked. That's all he would say about it. We drove home in silence. Well, as silent as you can be while playing Bullet For My Valentine.

He dissappeared into his room as soon as we got back home. Gwen and I decided to go to bed early tonight because it would be a big day tomorrow. School would be starting for me. I can't wait. Until then...