Eye on Orion (3 page)

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When Amira picked me up in front of my house, I was surprised to see Jai in the driver's seat. I couldn't help feeling excited and nervous at the same time.

“He insisted on coming,” Amira said as she opened the back door and climbed in. I followed her in after she slid over to the other side.

“Mother was busy,” Jai said.

Amira glared at him for a moment then turned to me and smiled. “No matter. We will still have fun. He will just stay in the food court and read his book.” She turned to him again. “Won't you, Jai?”

He glanced at her in the rearview mirror but didn't respond. Maybe coming was a bad idea. I almost made an excuse to get out, but Jai pulled away from the curb and Amira started talking.

She jabbered the whole ride to the mall, but I had a hard time focusing on what she said. I was too busy thinking of Jai. When we got there, he opened the car door for Amira and stayed close to her side until we stepped into the building. The hot, dry air made shopping inside an air-conditioned mall perfect.

Amira leaned over and whispered, “I am so excited you came with me. This will be fun.” She watched the shoppers wandering up and down the center of the mall like she'd never seen it before. She looked up to the second floor, her eyes sparkling as if she couldn't wait to see it all. Jai stood next to Amira until she gave him a look. If he'd had a tail, I'd have expected to see it between his legs as he moved over to a bench in the center of the walkway. How did she put him in his place like that? Must be a brother-sister thing.

Amira stepped up to the first store and seemed to hesitate as if not sure what to do.
How often has she been shopping?
I went in and examined the clothes on the clearance racks first. I didn't expect to find anything good, but my budget demanded caution. When the salesgirl came up to offer help, Amira read her nametag. “Yes, Janice, I need a new wardrobe.”

I watched as Janice looked Amira over from top to bottom. Amira exuded self-confidence, and I could almost see Janice calculating how best to get Amira to buy as many clothes as possible to boost her sales for the day. Her eyes lit up, and she beckoned Amira to follow her to the newest arrivals.

Another hopeful sales girl with the name Madison on her tag walked over to me and asked if she could help.

“I'm mostly just browsing. She's the one here to shop.”

“Let me know if there is anything I can help you with.” She walked away to join Janice and Amira.

As the salesgirls started pulling clothes off the racks, Amira looked like she was having a ball. She touched the clothes they offered, rubbing the fabric between her fingers. She picked out some she liked and turned her nose up at others. She would go in and try on the clothes, then have the salesgirls bring her accessories — jewelry, belt, scarf, or hat.

When she removed a scarf, I caught sight of her necklace. A thin, braided leather chord held a black stone circle. Just like the one on Jai's wristband.
Matching jewelry?
That's a little weird.

Everything she tried on was amazing. The salesgirls couldn't stop gushing about how great she looked. I peeked in the mirror at my plain green T-shirt and denim shorts and cringed. I couldn't believe the feelings of envy and inferiority my reflection produced. I wished I knew how to dress like her.

Amira walked over to me with a look of concern. “Will you buy nothing?”

“Oh, I haven't found anything yet.”

“Have Madison and Janice find you something. They have found me many great things.” She smiled at the two girls still eager to sell. They grabbed things off the racks similar to the ones Amira liked and thrust them at me.

I sighed at the clothes that had looked so good on her, knowing they would never have the same effect on me.

Ushering me into the dressing room, Amira shoved the clothes into my arms. “Try them on and let me see you,” she commanded.

After dressing, I hunched my shoulders and stepped out feeling self-conscious.

Amira led me to a mirror on the wall of the dressing room. Standing next to her, seeing our reflections together, I was surprised at how similar we looked. Our hair was close to the same length and about the same shade of dark brown, almost black. Her hair looked shinier and healthier, but our styles were similar. Our skin tones weren't exact, but close enough. Where small blemishes showed on mine, her face had a supermodel beauty to it, almost perfect, like she'd been airbrushed. Her skin made me think she glowed from the inside. The shape and spacing of her vivid green eyes was a little different than my mossy green ones. Her eyes looked slightly larger and her black lashes fuller.

We stood almost the same height, shoulder to shoulder. We wore the same size pants and shirts, but I suspected her bra was probably bigger than mine.
Not that it mattered
, I told myself, but I noticed it.

The salesgirls nodded at me in approval, and Janice asked, “Are you related?”

I shook my head.

Amira smiled. “We do look like we could be. How interesting.”

Standing next to her and seeing we weren't so different gave me a boost in my confidence. I stood up straighter and held my head up high.

She whispered in my ear, “Hold yourself up like you are a queen, and people will believe you are one. Hold yourself shy and frightened, and people will believe that instead.”

I looked at her with a question on my lips, but she ushered me back into the dressing room to try on more clothes. Every time I modeled them for her she complimented me, explaining how the different clothes looked good on me and why. Sometimes it was a good color, sometimes it flattered my
buttocks
, and sometimes the clothes showed off my curves. She even told me which ones Jai would appreciate. Why would she bring that up? Did she think I was crushing on him?

After trying on more clothes in one store than on any previous shopping trip, I was ready to quit. Amira turned to the salesgirls and told them to put back the ones she didn't like then ring up her pile of favorites. I chose a pair of jeans and a blouse that would be nice enough for a date but still casual.

My shopping budget wasn't as large as Amira's, but I picked a few items from the clearance racks. Plus, it could count as my back-to-school shopping a bit early. I had some clothes at home I could just add some accessories to at Amira's suggestion. I'd never given much thought to adding a bit here and there to make something completely new.

Amira helped me pick out a few dresses and skirts that would show off my long legs. We also got some shoes that flattered my feet instead of making them look like boats. Why did she claim she needed help shopping? I was obviously the one needing assistance. She could put on anything and make it look good. I was grateful for the help but still felt some doubt as to my skill at pulling off the same look Amira did so easily.

I admitted my fears to her in one of the stores and she replied, “It does not matter what clothes you wear. It is all about how you wear yourself.”

“Yeah right.” I knew it worked for her because she radiated confidence, but it wouldn't work for me in the same way.

“Believe me, you are special. You are just unaware of how special. I have never met anyone like you before. Jai is also impressed with you, and he is not won over easily.”

“He doesn't seem impressed. The other night was pretty awkward.”

“Really?” Amira raised her eyebrows. “He said you were nice and gave him lots of… He said you told him a lot of stuff about the stars.”

“Yeah, but he didn't tell me anything about himself. Just asked me a bunch of questions.”

“Yes, he is a little brusque at first, but give him time.”

“What's it like having a brother?”

“He sometimes does things that bother me, and he is protective at times. I can handle myself, but he does keep me safe.” She stopped talking and held up a blouse for me to try on. Her soft voice spoke through the door of the dressing room a few moments later. “What do you think of him?”

“He's such a gentleman to you and your mom.” I thought of how he opened the doors for them. Smoothing down the front of the blouse, I said, “He's also very polite. Not much like other guys around here.”

“He is perfect. You must get to know him better.” The way she said it left no room for argument. It seemed weird she was trying to get me to like her brother. Was she doing it on her own, or had Jai asked her to find out what I thought? That would be so junior high. Didn't matter. It was fine if it helped me gain his interest.

“I'd like that.” I stepped out of the dressing room to show her the latest.

“That looks great.”

“You think so?” I examined it from another angle.

“I do.” She nodded. “And Jai will as well,” she added with a wink.

“Thanks.” Did I want Jai to like my clothes? Why was I even contemplating this? Who cared what he thought. I sure didn't. Not really.

“You are welcome.” She gave me a hug, surprising me even more than yesterday when she'd almost attacked me on the front porch. I patted her back awkwardly and stepped away, giving her a shy smile.

After hitting all the stores she wanted to, we met up with Jai in the hallway on the second floor. He looked at the bags Amira held and then at the ones she'd dropped off for him to hold halfway through the shopping day. Then he looked at mine. I could hold my bags in one hand while Amira held hers in both.

“Did you find what you wanted?” he asked.

Amira smiled. “Yes, thank you. Holly got some cute things. You should see her in them.”

I blushed a little, and then a lot more when he smiled shyly at me. Good thing he couldn't hear my thoughts because he'd laugh if he knew the reason I'd bought them.

Jai snapped his gaze to Amira. My eyes flickered between them as they traded expressions back and forth — almost like they were engaged in a silent conversation. He narrowed his eyes, as if reprimanding her for something. In return, she gave him a smile and brushed a section of hair behind her shoulder. He crossed his arms over his chest, and she put her hands on her hips. I watched them in fascination until he looked at me again as if seeing me for the first time. Somehow he seemed to know what Amira and I had talked about.

I set my bags down and fumbled through my purse, pretending to be distracted. I didn't want him to see my embarrassment. I grabbed my lip balm and slipped over to peer into a store window to apply it. I didn't need the reflection off the glass, just time to compose myself.

Jai scanned the area. “How about we get something to eat?”

Amira agreed. “I am famished.” She looked at me. “Where is the best place to eat?”

“We could just stop at the food court here.” I moved to the railing and looked over, pointing to where the small restaurants were. Amira joined me, and when she leaned over to see, Jai yanked at her arm.

Amira allowed him to pull her back, but I couldn't help thinking he was being a little overprotective. He glared at her, and Amira ducked her head, not looking him in the eye. We moved to the escalators, and Jai hesitated before stepping on. I would have almost bet the only reason he'd gotten on it was because Amira and I were already halfway down.

Jai led us to the food court, keeping close to Amira. Even with his hands full of bags, he seemed alert. Every time some guy passed us and looked at Amira in appreciation, Jai would follow them with his eyes until they were no longer near us. Not quite a glare, but the guys turned away as soon as they saw his face.

I started to wonder if the reason he came in the first place was to keep an eye on Amira. Or maybe he came to discourage potential boyfriends. Throughout the day, as we'd gone up and down the length of the mall, Jai followed at a distance. He'd sit down on the benches near our stores to read his book, even though he'd told us he would wait at the food court. He always stayed within shouting distance. Amira once mentioned he kept her safe.
What did she need to be kept safe from? Was she in the witness protection program or something?

Jai treated us to pizza from the food court. When Amira tasted hers, a funny expression crossed her face. “What is this made of?” she asked.

“It's pizza,” I said.

“But what do they put on the pizza? What are these round things?” she asked, as she poked at it.

“Pepperoni?” How could she have never seen pepperoni before?

“And how about this on top?” she asked as she grabbed a piece of the cheese and pulled it in a long string before putting it in her mouth.

“That's mozzarella. Haven't you ever eaten pizza before?”

“No. This is fabulous! I should have Del — Mother make it sometime.” She grabbed her pizza and took a huge bite.

I looked at her in amazement and then at Jai. He shook his head, as if telling me not to bother asking, and took a big bite as well. Apparently he had never had it either. The pleasant look of surprise confirmed it. Amira finished her piece before Jai and I were halfway done with ours. From the expression on her face, I worried she might try to take mine out of my hands. I took another bite and angled my shoulder away from her to protect my pizza then gave her a suspicious look out of the corner of my eye. She giggled at me. Jai raised an eyebrow.

“I would not take it from you,” she said. “Do you two want any more?”

“No thanks, I'm good,” I said.

Jai stood up, but Amira pushed him back down in his seat. She glared at him before saying, “I can get it.”

“I will have another slice,” Jai said. “Thank you.” He sounded polite as if she hadn't just told him off.

Amira danced over to the counter.

“She must like her first taste of pizza,” I said with my mouth full.

“Apparently,” he said after swallowing his bite.

“Is it your first pizza too?” I asked.

“It is my first American pizza.” He watched Amira at the counter.