I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.
https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon
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Chapter 13: Shopping, Family, and Unexpected Connections
A few days later.
"Jon, we need to get you new clothes," Gloria announced as she studied him critically.
Jon looked up from his breakfast, a fork halfway to his mouth. "I think my clothes are fine."
Gloria scoffed. "Fine? Look at that shirt! It used to fit perfectly, and now it looks like you stole it from a little boy."
Jay, sipping his coffee, smirked. "She's right, kid. You're growing like a weed. Might as well let her take you shopping before you start looking like a cartoon character wearing clothes two sizes too small."
Jon sighed, already seeing where this was going. There was no arguing with Gloria when she was in mom mode.
Manny, stirring his cereal, chimed in. "It's best to just go along with it. Fighting it only makes it worse."
Jay chuckled. "Smart kid."
Jon sighed, setting his fork down. "Fine. Let's do this."
Gloria clapped her hands. "Perfect! We leave in ten minutes."
Jon barely had time to finish eating before he was being ushered into the car, headed straight for the nearest high-end department store.
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Shopping Chaos
Jon knew Gloria could be enthusiastic, but this was a full-blown mission.
The moment they stepped inside, she started grabbing shirts, jackets, and jeans, piling them into his arms.
"Gloria," Jon said, struggling to keep up, "I only need a few things—"
"Hush, you need a whole wardrobe," she said, pushing him toward the fitting rooms.
Jon sighed but complied, trying on outfit after outfit.
Somehow, Gloria had a knack for picking things that actually suited him. She handed him a dark blue button-down.
"This will bring out your eyes," she said confidently.
Jon pulled it on and looked in the mirror. She was right.
"See?" Gloria smirked. "I have taste."
Jon chuckled. "Not gonna argue with that."
They went through more outfits, with Gloria making comments like:
"This one makes you look strong."
"Ooooh, this one makes you look dangerous."
"This? This is the bad boy look. Girls love it."
Jon laughed. "Are you trying to dress me or turn me into a heartbreaker?"
Gloria gave him an innocent look. "Why not both?"
Jon shook his head, amused. He had to admit, though—shopping with Gloria was fun.
Just as Jon was checking out a leather jacket Gloria insisted he try on, a familiar voice called out.
"Gloria?"
They turned to see Mitchell and Cam approaching, shopping bags in hand.
"Oh! Mitchell, Cam!" Gloria beamed. "What are you doing here?"
Cam held up a bag proudly. "We were just picking up some things. You know how hard it is to find good fabric blends these days?"
Mitchell gave him a look. "We came for socks, Cam."
Cam waved him off. "And fabric blends."
Then he spotted Jon and gasped dramatically. "Oh my God, you're like a walking magazine cover! How is it fair that everything looks perfect on you?"
Jon chuckled. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Cam grabbed a blazer off a nearby rack. "Try this. Please. I need to see this on you."
Jon, amused, humored him. When he put it on, Cam clutched his chest.
"This isn't fair," Cam lamented. "Teenagers shouldn't have this much style."
Mitchell, however, stood slightly apart, arms crossed. His expression was hard to read.
Cam nudged him. "You're pouting."
"I am not pouting," Mitchell said stiffly.
Cam raised an eyebrow.
Mitchell sighed. "It's just… you know how my dad is. He barely acknowledged me growing up. And now he's treating Jon like the golden son I never was."
Cam softened. "Mitch, I get it. But Jon isn't Jay. And he isn't taking anything from you."
Mitchell hesitated.
Cam lowered his voice. "You're projecting your father issues onto an innocent kid."
Mitchell sighed. "Yeah. You're right."
Cam patted his arm. "I always am."
Mitchell took a deep breath and finally turned to Jon.
"So, football, huh?" he asked. "That's… new for you?"
Jon was surprised but nodded. "Yeah. Jay convinced me to try out. I'm still learning, but I like the challenge."
Mitchell hesitated. "I, uh… I never got into sports. But I do know what it's like trying to impress my dad."
Jon gave him a knowing look. "You don't need to. You're already impressive."
Mitchell blinked. That was… unexpectedly nice.
Cam watched with a proud smile as Mitchell actually engaged with Jon. And to his own surprise, Mitchell found himself liking the kid.
Jon wasn't some golden child sent to overshadow him. He was just… Jon.
And he was actually kind of great.
With Cam and Gloria taking over, Jon's wardrobe tripled in size.
Cam declared, "Jon, sweetie, you are far too good-looking to dress like a regular high schooler."
Mitchell actually helped pick out a sharp button-down, which Jon genuinely liked.
By the end, Jon had more clothes than he knew what to do with.
As they left the store, Gloria looped her arm through Jon's. "We need to show Jay all your new outfits."
Jon smirked. "He's definitely going to say I look like a pretty boy."
Gloria laughed. "And he will still be proud."
Jon leaned back in the car, watching the city pass by.
This family… it was different from what he was used to.
But it was good.