Chase froze. The voice had come from behind and didn't sound like an adult. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Dima walking towards him.
"Hey!" Dima shouted excitedly.
"Hey."
"That your skateboard?! Can I get a ride?"
"Sure," Chase said reluctantly as he handed the board to the boy.
Dima wobbled and rolled around the bench a few times before asking Chase to show him how to do some manoeuvres. Satisfied when he stopped wobbling and managed to lean the board to the side without stepping off, Dima handed the board back.
"So, what are you doing here?"
"Just out for a bit."
"That's a big bag for just being out. What are you, running away?"
When Chase didn't promptly deny it, Dima was in shock.
"You serious?"
"Later."
"Hey!" the boy called, running after Chase. "What if you get kidnapped?"
"How about you mind your business." Chase said as he brushed past the boy.
Dima grabbed the handle of his pack and pulled him back. "Come on, I'll give you a ride home. Your mom's sick; she's going to be worried about you."
"Let go!"
"No! Do you know how scary it is to be on your own?"
That was always the problem with kids from good homes—they could never be independent. Always had their parents looking out for them and couldn't imagine the world outside their bubble.
He resolved to teach the other boy a lesson. Shrugging off Dima's hold on him, Chase pushed him back until he lost balance. Then, driving the boy down, he pinned him to the ground. Rummaging through Dima's pockets, Chase found only a fifty-dollar bill. A small haul, but more money in his pockets.
Dima grabbed Chase's clothes as he got up. Chase lost his balance and fell over the other boy. The boys scuffled, grabbing and throwing punches at each other, trying to overpower one another. When they got to their feet, Chase tried to run away, but Dima was faster. Dima held on to Chase's sleeves tightly and threw several hard kicks at his feet. A strong arm grabbed both boys, pulling them apart.
"Keith, let me go."
"I can't do that, sir. How am I to explain to your father that you got into a fight with a random boy?"
"He's not a random boy. He's the Jordahls' son, and he's trying to run away!"
Keith released Dima and tightened his grip on Chase.
"Forgive me, Mr. Jordahl, but running away will endanger you and cause your parents much grief."
Chase gave up fighting as he couldn't break away from Keith's grip.
"Come on," Dima said out of breath, "help me pick out a gift for Samantha before you go home."
Samantha? Was she talking to everyone else and ignoring his messages?
"Is she okay?"
"Not after Friday. She hasn't been online or answered my messages.
"Mine either."
"Yeah, I thought I'd get her something to cheer her up."
Chase promised not to run off and to shop around with Dima before Keith let him go. Apart from knowing that she liked rabbits and Aurora, he had no idea what would cheer her up. Dima insisted on jewellery or stationery, something he thought Samantha could use often.
And like shopping with Aurora, Dima always went after the expensive things. Everything he picked up was five times more expensive than the cheapest version, yet crappier-looking.
Dima settled on a plain leather-bound diary with a lock and key for two hundred dollars. Chase shook his head in disbelief. There was a cheaper one for seventy-five dollars that also came with a pen and details on the cover.
While Dima had his gift ready, Chase still hadn't figured out what would be best to get Sammy. As they strolled through the mall, a purple and orange stuffed rabbit caught his eye. It was a large stuffed animal with huge cartoon eyes, holding a carrot. The sign in the display called it I love you, Bunny-Bear.
Chase walked into the store and picked up the animal. The tag on its leg read, Hug me.
I love you. The rabbit said, in a singsong comical voice.
Chase smiled and decided this would be the best gift for Samantha.
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