Genesis Sync

“So they are real,” John stated in surprise as his eyes dropped to Mel’s chest area.

“Pervert,” Sarah retorted while smacking John as Mel broke into laughter before saying, “One hundred percent true blue and all natural, want to cop a feel?”

“Mel!” Sarah scolded in a scandalised tone as she heard Mel’s question while flashing John a wink.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” Mel smiled before turning to John and saying, “It’s nice to meet the real you, John.”

“And you, Mel. Though I must admit I’m surprised to see you,” John replied.

“I take it Sarah didn’t tell you that I was tagging along then?” Mel asked with a chuckle.

“I wanted it to be a surprise,” Sarah replied before turning to John and saying. “I told Mel that I was planning to bring you shopping today and she insisted on tagging along as a way to say thank you for the tip you had me give her.”

Mel waved dismissively before saying, “Compared to what I’m getting, this is paltry; I should really think of a better way to thank you.”

“I told you, you're Sarah’s friend so…” John began, only for Mel to pout and cut him off. “Boo, again with saying I’m Sarah's friend, aren’t we already friends?”

“I don’t know, are we?” John asked in confusion.

“Huhhh!” Mel said in surprise. “Why would you ask that?”

“Well, it’s not like I’ve had any friends in over eleven years, so…” John explained, though he didn’t bother finishing the sentence.

“No one?” Sarah asked in surprise.

“Not unless you count Mrs Thompson, the nice old lady who used to live next door to me and occasionally bring me meals,” John shrugged while all three women gave him sad looks, causing him to angrily snort and say, “I’m not saying this for pity, so wipe those sad looks off your face.”

“I get that, but it’s hard not to pity you when you tell us such things,” Sarah replied.

“If I wanted your pity, I could tell you far worse things,” John stated.

“Such as?” Sarah asked with a frown.

“Never you mind,” John replied before addressing Mel again. “So yeah, I guess I’m not used to this whole friend thing, but I guess you could say we’re friends.”

“Good, that’s what I like to hear,” Mel said happily.

Sarah suddenly grabbed hold of John’s sleeve before asking in a quiet voice, “We’re also friends, right, John?”

“Err, sure, of course,” John replied while Mel showed a look of surprise at Sarah’s antics.

“Good,” Sarah said happily.

“Great, so we’re all friends,” Mel said with a smile before turning to Jessica and saying, “Hey Jess, it’s been a while.”

“It’s Jesssica, and yes, it has, Mel. I hope you're doing well, though I see you're by yourself today.”

“Yup, I snuck out to meet up with you guys,” Mel said with a wink before holding a finger up to her lips and saying. “Don’t tell anyone.”

“I’m pretty sure they’ll notice themselves eventually,” Jessica said with a sigh.

“Do you have overprotective parents or something?” John asked.

“Oh, umm, yeah, something like that,” Mel replied awkwardly before hurriedly asking. “So where are we going first?”

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“First is clothes; you know François won’t even let John in if he sees him wearing his current attire,” Sarah stated.

Mel googled and nodded. “True, he’d be more likely to cut John down than cut his hair.”

“Gee thanks,” John replied.

“I’m just telling you how it is,” Mel explained as the group began to walk. “François is the best there is, but he has… standards he isn’t ready to cross.”

“He’s really nice though,” Sarah added while Mel nodded in agreement.

“Standards?” John asked.

“Come on, John, don’t tell me you haven’t noticed the looks you’ve been getting since you arrived?” Mel asked, prompting John to look around and see that many people were giving him disapproving looks, as if he didn’t belong there.

“It’s nothing new,” John shrugged.

“Perhaps not, but you must have noticed the standard of the cars down in the carpark?” Mel asked. “This entire mall has a strict clientele and only those whose wealth and status reach a certain threshold are allowed to become members. Hence why the carpark barrier only opens if it scans a registered car. So even if you're not too bothered about their stares, please consider Sarah’s image and reputation… even if she’s in disguise.”

“What exactly are you trying to say?” John asked as they boarded an escalator and proceeded to a higher floor.

“If you continue to hang out with Sarah, especially when she doesn’t disguise herself, people are going to notice and start linking the pair of you together, even if you're not a couple,” Mel explained. “Your actions and appearance will have an effect on her image, just as her actions and appearance will have an effect on yours; such is how things are in both high society and celebrity circles.”

Sarah nodded in agreement before adding. “Also, don’t forget that even if you're not wealthy enough to join those circles yet, that will soon change when you take two percent of all sales from Saunders Incorporated.”

“And if I don’t want to be part of those circles?” John asked.

“Then you should stop hanging out with Sarah,” Mel stated flatly.

“Mel!” Sarah admonished.

“It’s the truth, and you know it,” Mel replied. “As a friend, I’m not going to sugarcoat it; I’m going to tell John exactly what he needs to hear. You're the empress's niece; there is no reality where spending time with you doesn’t mean he joins our social circle.”

“While I’m not particularly interested in this social circle of yours,” John said, causing the expressions on the two women to fall before he added. “I also don’t want to give up the first friends I’ve made in eleven years, so on that note I’ll keep hanging out with you and see how it goes.”

“Going to take a wait-and-see approach, huh?” Jessica asked as Sarah and Mel broke out in radiant smiles.

“That’s good enough, come on,” Sarah said happily as they got off the escalator before grabbing John’s arm and excitedly pulling him towards a nearby shop.

“This girl,” Mel chuckled as she and Jessica quickly followed them.

The shop Sarah pulled him towards was a huge clothing shop that seemed to cover one entire side of the floor and was called Dani Fashion. After entering, John was surprised to find that it appeared empty.

A middle-aged woman appeared to have been waiting for them because as soon as they entered, she appeared before them while saying, “Sarah, it's so good to see you, welcome back to my little shop. It's been too long."

“Little?” John remarked, causing the women to glance at him before asking, “Is this our prince who’s in need of a new wardrobe? Wait, don't bother answering; I can already tell.”

As she finished speaking, the woman pinched the shoulder section of John’s t-shirt while asking, "Where on Atlantia did you even find these clothes?” After speaking, she released the t-shirt before wiping away some non-existent dirt.

“A second-hand shop near where I used to live,” John said with a frown.

Noticing the look on his face, Sarah quickly said, “John’s previous circumstances were rather special, Daniella.”

“I can see that,” Daniella replied, causing Sarah to roll her eyes before saying, “Yes, well, as I said when I called yesterday, he requires an entirely new wardrobe, and thank you again for closing the shop for us.”

“Think nothing of it, dear; I can’t be dealing with youngsters screaming in my shop as soon as they notice you,” Daniella replied before turning back to John and saying, “Well, let’s see what we’re working with here; take your top off.”

“Excuse me?” John asked while Sarah blushed slightly, something the other women noticed.

“Why are you suddenly blushing?” Mel asked suspiciously.

“Mel, darling,” Daniella suddenly said as she focused on Mel. “I didn’t recognise you.”

“Hi, Daniella,” Mel replied.

“What hi?” Daniella asked in annoyance. “You know I’m still holding that outfit you ordered weeks ago.”

“Oh, I forgot about that. Sorry, I’ve been busy lately.”

“Hmm, yes, well, would you like to try it on while you're here?” Daniella asked.

“I may as well,” Mel nodded.

“Good, I will grab it after I get John’s measurements,” Daniella replied before turning back to John while saying. “Well, come on, take it off.”

“Is that really appropriate?” John asked uncomfortably.

“Oh please, it’s not like I’m asking you to get naked; we’ve all seen a man’s chest before, though there are a few I wish I could forget,” Daniella replied.

“Fine,” John sighed before pulling off his t-shirt, and as he did so, three of the four women couldn’t help but gasp in surprise.

“Heavens,” Daniella said with shining eyes. “How did someone so young get such a magnificent body?”

“You never told me he had such an amazing body,” Mel whispered accusingly while her eyes stayed glued to John’s chest.

“It must have slipped my mind,” Sarah replied while the blush on her cheeks intensified slightly.

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