Seize the Day or Die Regretting the Time You Lost

“So we're going to Hot Topic first for make up, then Sears for shoes, then journeys to check on old friends and for whatever...” Karissa smiled, looping arms with the Thorton brothers.

They agreed and Matt and his friends followed them talking quietly amongst themselves. “God...she has a great ass...” Brian murmured to Jimmy who shrugged. Jimmy was having thoughts he'd never had before, none about Karissa.

Johnny watched the hypnotizing swing of her broad hips until she stopped at an earring kiosk. They went to the side where belt buckles were displayed and pointed out funny ones to each other. After ten minuets of looking, Karissa bought two pairs of earrings and a necklace.

“Onward!” she smiled, as they walked a few more steps before turning into Hot Topic.

Issac pulled her to the make up section, Zack and Brian headed over to the tee shirts, Jimmy looked at belts, Johnny tried to chat up the cashier girl who politely told him she had no interest. “...but if you introduce me to your friend with the septum ring and snake bites I'll let you touch my boobs.” she grinned over at Zack who was oblivious.

“Yeah right. Have some self respect.” Johnny sneered, walking over to look at belts with Jimmy.

Matt stood by the CD's, looking over them until he found what he was looking for. 'AVENGED SEVENFOLD, Waking the Fallen' it was black with a white deathbat on it. He proudly smiled and picked it up.

A group of boys came in, all early twenty somethings. They spread out to look at things that interested them, for one boy what interested him was Karissa.

He strolled over to her. “That'd look great on you.” he commented on the eye shadow she held.

She looked over at him and smiled “Thanks, I wasn't sure.”

“So hey, how about we go somewhere more private and get to know each other?” he winked.

She gasped. “No.”

He stepped closer to intimidate her but Issac slid in the way. “She said no.” he glared, despite his fear.

“Whatcha gonna do 'bout it faggot?” the boy hissed. Issac shrank away, shamed he couldn't defend his friend.

Brian looked over and seized the opportunity. He walked over. “Hey babe, this guy giving you trouble?” he asked, putting his arm around Karissa. He looked over at the guy challenging him.

Karissa went with it and leaned into Brian's muscled torso. The guy sized up Brian finding himself horribly out matched.

Brian smirked as the guy backed up and fled the store like a bat outta hell.

He let go of Karissa who stepped away. “Thanks Bri.”

“Anytime...though a reward wouldn't hurt.” he puckered his lips.

She glared “Asshole.” she pulled her fist back and smashed it into Brian's face. Zack who'd been watching gasped, and grabbed his cheek feeling it sting as if she'd hit him. Matt grinned. If Brian thought she'd be an easy catch, he'd be wrong.

Ray ran over, having gone to the bathroom and only seen her punch Brian. “What happened?”

Karissa shook her head and went to the counter where she paid for her things, then stood just outside with Issac and Ray while they waited for the others to make their purchases.

“I'm sorry Kai, I couldn't stand up to him.” Issac said with teary eyes.

She turned and took his hands. “I'm glad you didn't. I'd rather some guy hassle me than you get hurt. You did what you could and I'm proud of you.”

“R...really?”
“Absolutely.” she gave him a small comforting smile.

She pulled him into a sweet, reassuring hug. “Thanks Kai.” he said as they let go.

Johnny watched the display seeing her in a new light. Not just as a beautiful woman, but as a sweet, loving woman who could stand up for herself and be gentle with a hurting person. He knew he couldn't have stepped in, if he had there wouldn't have been much of a difference, he knew he wasn't an intimidating guy. She'd probably end up standing up for him instead of vice versa.

Karissa's mind was heavy. She thought Brian was trying to be a good friend, to show her that he'd changed. But all he wanted was a chance to get in her pants to put it bluntly. He didn't like her for who she was, he liked her for what she looked like. And that hurt. That he wouldn't look deeper to see her for who she really was. Brian just lost serious points on the 'Karissa like' chart. She wanted someone who, if more than a friend, would let her lead. Let her stand up for him sometimes, without feeling embarrassed. Not to brag about her to his friends, and to care about her for her mind instead of her body. She'd had plenty of boyfriends, but none for long. They broke up with her because she wouldn't 'give it up' and because they thought she was trying to make fun of them by standing up for them. She broke up with them because they treated her like a piece of meat, like a trophy to be gloated about. They didn't care about her feelings, or thoughts. Only that she looked pretty at all times.

While she was lost in her thoughts, Issac filled his brother in on what he'd missed.

“And if I see that shit bag again I'm going to punch him five times as hard as I hit Brian.” she grumbled.

“Not if I do first.” Ray commented.

“Even so.” she shrugged.

The guys came out of the store ready to head to the next store. She reminded herself not to resent the others for Brian's doings. So she gave a smile to Issac and Ray before walking over to walk beside Matt and Zack.

Jimmy skipped up to Ray and Issac and began talking with them like they were old friends.

Zack grinned as the beauty chose to walk beside him instead of Johnny or Brian. He felt a sense of accomplishment and decided to make conversation.

“So...hows the modeling biz?”

He watched her smile drop a bit. “Long, and complicated.”

“Oh.”

They were quiet. “So still suck at the guitar like last time?” she grinned jokingly.

“Nope. I'm pretty kick ass.” he smirked proudly. “Come on I'll show you.” he offered his hand, they stopped walking by the music store. She bit her lip, not sure about this before she took it and let him lead her into the store. The others followed, each going to look at the instrument they played. So Ray, Issac, and Brian were also at the guitars with Zack and Karissa. Matt toyed with the pianos, Jimmy looked at drum heads. Johnny picked up a bass and started to play it, not plugging it into an amp.

“Watch.” Zack turned up the volume on the amp his selected guitar was plugged into and began to rip riffs and solos. Brian rolled his eyes, thinking he could do better. So wait...why not? He'd only managed to get Karissa to push him away, she seemed pretty impressed with Zack's guitar playing so Brian figured she'd be a million times more impressed with his.

She smiled as she watched Zack's fingers fly over the frets. While no one was watching, Brian selected a Schecter guitar and plugged it into a larger amp. He sat on the provided stool and began Second Heartbeat. To his surprise, Jimmy jumped in on the drums. Zack glared over at him, stopping playing.

“Join them Zack.” Karissa grinned. Zack did as she said, grudgingly. Matt sung quietly as he walked over to them. Johnny who'd plugged into an amp jumped in too.

The employees were shocked, it was as if these men were in a band together. Karissa rocked out with Ray, Issac watched Jimmy bang on the drums intently.

A few A7X fans ran in. cheering and jumping along. They pulled out their phones and recorded.

When the song ended, a total of six fans stood smiling, they cheered “that was great!” “I'm seeing you guys at Warped!” “Syn I love you!” “Great drums!” “You're awesome!” “I want that guitar!”

The guys smiled and shook hands with their fans, hugging those who asked. They took pictures with them and signed autographs. They sent the satisfied fans on their way after a few of them took pictures with Karissa. “You guys were great.” Karissa smiled.

“Thanks.” they all said, putting back their instruments.

Brian was a bit ticked. He wanted to be in the spotlight, not to have a random mini concert. The manager of the music store scurried over to Matt, considering him to be the one in charge. “I've never seen playing like that in a store before!” he smiled. His name plate dubbing him 'Mark', and short blonde hair with dark blue eyes adorning him.

“Uh...thanks.” Matt grinned.

“You've given me an idea that I think will keep this company from going down. Would you be willing to have a gig here sometime? If with one surprise song you brought six people in, imagine if we'd adverted for two weeks. The store'd be packed.” he beamed.

“And half the stuff would be stolen.” Johnny said quietly to Karissa who nodded.

“Uh...” Matt looked over at his friends who shrugged. “I don't know, we're on Warped Tour and we have a few CD's out so...”

The store manager frowned. “I can't have a signed band play a gig, copyright reasons.”

“I know a few who are un-signed who might be interested.” Karissa spoke up, glancing at the Thorton brothers.
Mark looked from her to Matt. “She know what she's talking about?”

Matt nodded, and Mark walked over to inquire. Within 30 minuets, Ray's band Three Days Grace and Issac's band All Time Low were all set up to play in two weeks. Ray and Issac stayed in the store to talk more about the gig, leaving Karissa with Avenged Sevenfold.

“Sears right?” Jimmy asked. She nodded and they all set out. When they arrived at the shoe section she started looking at sneakers.

“Don't you want heels?” Zack asked, she gave him an odd look. “Well for what you do...”

“No. Trust me Zack, I'm good with clothes for work.” She couldn't help but feel hurt that Zack only seemed interested in her modeling work. She came to visit her brother, to mend old relationships (not romantic ones) and to forget about work. She needed a break, not to be constantly asked about it.

Jimmy grabbed Zack and took him a few yards away. “What the fuck? She came to get a break she doesn't want to talk about work.”

“How do you know?” Zack growled.

“It's obvious.”

They looked over to see her talking to Johnny. “Oh short shit wants some too.” Zack grinned.

“You and Brian got some competition.” Jimmy laughed a bit.

Zack gave him a weird look. “Don't you want some?”

Jimmy pursed his lips, never looking up from the physically gorgeous woman. “Not really no.”

The green eyed man shrugged “Whatever.” they headed back over to see Karissa laugh at something Johnny said as she tied a pair of Osiris sneakers.

Matt made conversation with Brian so Karissa wouldn't see the glare he was giving Johnny.

Karissa stood and walked around in the shoes, ignoring the eyes that followed her movements. “I like these, what do you think Matt?” she asked.

Matt looked down at her shoes and shrugged. “As long as you aren't running around naked, I don't really care.”

“Ugh.” she rolled her eyes and looked to Johnny.

“What do you think?” she struck a few poses with her legs. Zack's eyes widened at her.

Johnny blushed “I...uh...their nice.”

She giggled and thanked him, taking them off and putting them in the box. “I'll get them.” she said, shoving the box into Matt's chest then walking off to look at more shoes. Matt groaned but held the box.

His friends laughed at him but stopped when she shoved a box into Brian's then Jimmy's chests.

“Don't worry, you'll all get one.” she promised, grinning and going back to the next aisle of shoes.

And she wasn't kidding.

Each one of the guys held a box of shoes before the hour was up. Then she decided they were officially her pack mules and headed to look at pants.

“Man, I knew this'd happen.” Zack groaned.

“Good, you should of. A girl doesn't take a bunch of guys shopping for no reason. Now quit bitching.”

Matt laughed, knowing this was the old Karissa. Zack blinked, stunned. Jimmy and Johnny joined Matt's laughter. Brian had wandered slightly off to check out the girl at the jewelry kiosk.

Jimmy thought she had a great sense of humor, but Johnny could only think of the word charming.

Karissa picked out a few pairs of jeans and went to the dressing rooms. 15 minuets later she returned with two pairs less than she went in with. “Alright, Jimmy, Zack front and center.”

They rolled their eyes and did as told. She gave each two pairs of jeans on top of the shoe boxes they held.

In all honesty, Karissa was glad Brian had wandered off. After the Hot Topic incident, she didn't really want to see him and couldn't help but feel like she was nothing but a nice body to him. And that hurt.
She was willing to give him a chance to change her mind, several actually, but not so soon.

A few minuets later Brian rejoined the group, pouting as Karissa purposely loaded him up more than the others.

“I thought you only wanted shoes?” Matt arched an eye brow as they put the things on the check out counter.

She shrugged “What? I'm a woman, I never say what I mean.”

They all laughed, even the clerk. Each man held one large Sears bag and Karissa walked next to Johnny as they made their way to Journeys. “Oh my god, Karissa!” A girl with long brown hair and tan skin with light brown eyes smiled, coming out from behind the counter to hug her.

“Hey Shantel!” she smiled, hugging the slightly taller girl back.

“How are you?” the girl smiled back.

“I'm good, visiting my brother and friends.” Karissa shrugged.

“I see.” Shantel eyed up all the guys for a second. “Can I talk to you for a second?” she grabbed Karissa and pulled her away.

“How do you end up with such hot friends?” Shantel asked.

Karissa laughed a little. “They're Matt's friends. Not mine.”

Her friend smirked. “So they're not off limits?”

“Who do you like?”

Shantel looked over at the guys who were talking among themselves.

“The one with the fedora and the one with snake bites.”

“Brian is kinda a user. He'll do you and leave you. Zack...well...I'm not sure about him.”

She frowned slightly. “So do you like any of them?”

Karissa shook her head.

“So go for snakebites?”

“Zack and I guess.”

Shantel smiled and bounded over to the guys where she introduced herself all smiles. Karissa hoped her friend wouldn't get hurt if Zack broke her heart at some point.

Brian frowned as he watched Shantel and Zack seemingly hit it off. Matt and Johnny looked around the store to occupy themselves while Karissa tried on sunglasses with Jimmy, they made faces at each other and confused bystanders.

15 minuets later Zack and Shantel exchanged numbers, and the Thorton brothers came strolling in. Jimmy skipped over and put a funny pair of sunglasses on Issac who laughed and put funnier ones back on Jimmy.

“All set.” Ray smiled at Karissa.

“Awesome, good job.” she hugged him.

“I'll try to keep my awesomeness to a minimum so you won't be blinded.” he promised, grinning.

“Much appreciated.” she laughed with a white smile.

Brian looked over hearing her musical laughter and scowled. How can this man make her laugh when the Synyster Gates can't?!

After their adventure in Journeys they all headed to the food court, where once they all had their food, Karissa sat between Matt and Jimmy who sat beside Zack. On the other side of the table sat Shantel (across from Zack) then Johnny and Brian then to Brian's dismay Ray and Issac. They all chatted, Shantel and Zack a bit more avidly than the rest, and were at ease. Jimmy cast curious glances to a certain someone the entire time, but no one noticed.

When they finished, they all headed out into the parking lot to load the bags. “Hey, anyone wanna race?” Jimmy chipped.

“I'm in!” Shantel agreed.

“Hold on.” Karissa took off her tee shirt revealing her black bandeau top and handed the shirt to Matt.

“I'm in!” Brian grinned, hoping maybe her shirt may slip down as she ran.

It was a long way to the car, but the four of them took off. Brian fell behind pretty quickly, cursing himself for lifting weights instead of using a treadmil.

When the rest of the group made it, the racers were wiping off sweat. “That's a good workout.” Karissa grinned.

At the end of their day at the mall, Matt announced a cook out for everyone. They would swim in his pool, eat burgers and hot dogs and put a fire in the fire pit.

The next day would be back to normal, no more 'Karissa days'.