Title: Mall Escape

Oliver's heart pounded in his chest as he dashed through the crowded corridors of the shopping mall. The shouts of the guys chasing him echoed in his ears, spurring him to run faster. Long hair whipped his face as he skidded around a corner and stumbled into a brightly lit clothing store. He glanced back, panic rising when he saw their silhouettes growing larger in the distance. With no time to think, he darted into a fitting room and yanked the curtain closed behind him. His breaths came in quick, heavy gasps as he assessed his hiding spot. It wasn't until he looked around that Oliver realized he was in a women's clothing store. His eyes landed on a chic black dress hanging on the wall and a few garments strewn across the bench. An absurd but desperate idea struck him—in a bid to avoid capture, he’d disguise himself as a girl. With shaky hands, he quickly stripped off his clothes. He grabbed a bra and managed to fasten it around his chest, then pulled on a pair of panties. Stepping into the dress, he pulled it over his head, the fabric clinging awkwardly to his form. He spied a pair of stylish sandals under the bench and shoved his feet into them, grimacing as he adjusted. For the finishing touch, he spotted a scrunchie and hastily gathered his long hair into a high ponytail. His reflection in the small mirror inside the fitting room was...surprisingly convincing. With a deep breath of both determination and fear, Oliver opened the curtain and stepped out. He tried to channel confidence and calm, walking casually as if he belonged. The guys who had been chasing him were scanning the crowd, their eyes sweeping past without recognizing him. He felt a surge of relief when he passed by them unnoticed. Outside the store, Oliver’s mind raced with the logistics of getting home without being seen by anyone who knew him. He decided to take the back streets, avoiding as many people as possible. His sandals clicked softly on the pavement, and the dress swayed with each step. As Oliver neared his house, his heart drummed with anxiety. He hated the possibility of his mother seeing him dressed this way, knowing the endless questions and likely laughter that would follow. Luck seemed to favor him that day, as he slipped quietly through the front door into the sanctuary of his room. Quickly, he changed back into his own clothes, stuffing the dress, bra, panties, and sandals into a duffel bag to return to the store later. He took a moment to re-tie his hair into its usual low ponytail, feeling more like himself again. When he finally emerged from his room, his mother was none the wiser. “Hey, Oliver, how was the mall?” she asked from the kitchen, her back turned as she chopped vegetables for dinner. “Uh, busy,” he said, offering a small smile. “I think I might lay low for a while.” She glanced over her shoulder and chuckled. “You and your dramatic adventures,” she teased, not realizing how close to truth her words were. Oliver gave a slight huff and retreated back to his room, relieved that he’d made it home without incident—and somewhat proud of his quick thinking. Maybe, just maybe, he’d let himself laugh about it someday, too.