Unknown Being

Some months had passed since Warped Tour and it was now late August, meaning school was near for the two friends. It was due to start in a week and a half. They were equally unexcited to go back. Word had quickly gotten out about Matt's parents' denouncement of him as their son. They had even gotten a trial to officially establish it and another round of paperwork was filed by Cat's parents for Matt to be legally adopted, something which was approved very quickly.

Cat shook Matt awake at 9:30. "Wake up, sleepyhead. We're going shopping."

He groaned, still exhausted. They'd had a long jam session the night before. "Does this at least mean new boots?"

"Whatever you'd like, Matt. Shirts, jeans, shoes, whatever."

"Ok, ok," he said, "I'm getting up then."

"Oh Matt, you do remember we only have a week before school starts. We have to get up early again."

"But not that early because school starts at 8 and we live five minutes down the street."

"True. But still. We'd be late because if school started today."

Matt scowled and gently shoved her in playful frustration. "Oh shut it. Like you enjoy getting up early." She rolled his eyes at him, walking out of the room. "We're leaving in half an hour so get dressed then we're eating light and going."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Matt said to himself, sighing. He threw on a T-shirt from Hard Rock Café with Levi's and his black belt, sighing as he felt the fraying edges. At this, he made a mental note to put that on the shopping list. He put his phone in his pocket along with his wallet after putting in some more money. He then made his way downstairs. "Morning, Dad," he said, trying to get the sleepiness out of himself.

"Mornin', son. Get somethin' to eat then we're goin' back to school shoppin'."

"Cat mentioned," Matt replied. He quickly made himself an egg sandwich with cheese and had a glass of the orange juice that had been squeezed that morning. Then he brushed his teeth and they were off to the mall, canvas bags packed in the back of the slowly dying 1995 BMW 325 wagon. "I take it you're going to be buying a lot," he said to Cat, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"You know me. I love getting new clothes," she said.

He rolled his eyes, concentrating on the feel of the car. He had his learner's permit and figured he'd be learning on this car soon. If it survives that long, he thought. He tried to get a feel for when the car, with its five-speed manual transmission, would shift best in each gear.

Soon, they got to the mall and their dad dropped them off, giving them each a few bags. "I'll be back in a few hours."

"Ok," they said, going inside. Cat dragged her now-brother into Hot Topic.

Matt smirked. "I knew this was going to be your first stop."

"What? Am I going to pass up new merch? Nope."

They ended up spending $60 each on shirts and hoodies before moving to a shoe store where Matt got new combat boots and running shoes. Cat, surprisingly, didn't get anything. "No new shoes, Cat?"

"I already have more than I need."

"Doesn't seem to bother you when it comes to clothes."

"Oh shut it," she said. They spent some time getting jeans, Matt finding a few belts he liked, and then Cat dragged him to…

"Seriously, Cat? Victoria's Secret. Your drawer is practically overflowing."

"It is not," she shot back.

Matt sighed. "Whatever. Fine." He knew he'd have to help restrain her from trying to buy everything. It was torturous as she kept asking if one thing or another looked good.

Finally, they were done, with four full bags each and their dad was waiting in the food court. He eyed them with surprise. "I'm surprised you managed to buy all that," he said.

"I came prepared," Matt chimed in. "I loaded my wallet with some extra cash. My sister, on the other hand, owes me." He glared playfully at her.

"Ten dollars! I'll pay you when we get home. Chill out!" They had lunch at Chipotle and then went home. They were ready for school, at least in one sense.

Notes

Yay, new chapter! I'm so proud of myself, turning all these out so quickly. It does help to be less depressed. I'm doing a good job managing that and feeling better about myself. =^_^=
They're ready for school from a fashion perspective, but what about mentally?