The Goddess At My University

As they wandered through the mall, Diana's sharp silver eyes darted around, taking in the sights with an intensity that reminded Chase of someone exploring a foreign land. She seemed more interested in observing her surroundings than figuring out what she needed, so he decided to nudge her.

"So... is there anything you actually need?" Chase asked, his voice breaking the silence.

Diana tapped her chin thoughtfully, her gaze lingering briefly on a jewelry display before turning back to him. "Hmm. Clothes, shoes, and more of that soap, shampoo, and conditioner you use. Oh, and that facial cleanser. I've taken a liking to it—it makes my skin smooth. The smell is also... soothing."

Chase raised an eyebrow, smirking a little. "Didn't think you'd care about stuff like that."

She shot him a sharp look. "Why wouldn't I? Who wouldn't like to smell good?" She paused before adding matter-of-factly, "And your products are surprisingly effective for something mortals use."

He chuckled softly. "Glad to know I've got goddess-approved skincare. Alright, let's grab the lighter stuff first. Clothes can wait."

Diana gave a quick nod, satisfied with his plan, and followed him toward the personal care and home fragrance store he usually went to. The air inside was thick with a mix of floral and citrus scents, the shelves lined with colorful bottles and neatly wrapped bars of soap.

Chase wanted to get in and out quickly, but his plan was derailed the moment a young female attendant noticed him. Her eyes lit up, and she walked straight over, her bright smile aimed squarely at him.

"Hi there," she greeted, completely ignoring Diana. "Looking for anything in particular? Or maybe I can suggest something just for you?" Her tone was overly sweet, dripping with eagerness as she stepped closer, her attention fixed solely on Chase.

He shifted uncomfortably, trying to respond. "Uh, no, it's fine. I'm just here to—"

Before he could finish, Diana smoothly stepped between them, her silver eyes cutting like ice. "We don't need your help," she said, her tone calm but razor-sharp, leaving no room for argument.

The attendant blinked, clearly caught off guard, but Diana didn't even look at her again. She hooked her arm through Chase's and pulled him deeper into the store.

"Thanks," Chase muttered once they were out of earshot, though he could feel her simmering irritation.

Diana huffed, clearly frustrated. "Mortals are ridiculous. I see why you hide your appearance—who knew something so superficial mattered so much to them? They're insufferable."

Chase gave her a sheepish smile, pulling his arm away to scratch the back of his neck. "Yeah, it's... not ideal. That's pretty much why I go out of my way to stay under the radar."

"Pathetic. They should have the self-control to leave you alone." Her words were sharp, but she wasn't looking at him anymore, her gaze flickering to the shelves. Under her breath, she muttered something about "annoying mortals" before walking off with an air of haughty dismissal.

Chase quickly gathered what they needed, grabbing two sets of soap, shampoo, conditioner, and facial cleanser for both of them. Diana gave a quick nod of approval and didn't seem interested in lingering, which was a relief.

They made it to the checkout, where the cashier thankfully didn't flirt, and were back out into the mall within minutes. As they walked, Diana handed him the bag without hesitation. "Here, carry this," she said simply, her gaze already wandering.

Chase took the bag without protest, following her line of sight to the tech store they'd visited earlier. She slowed down as her eyes landed on a sleek silver laptop in the window display. The polished finish seemed to reflect her growing fascination.

"That foldable computer—I want it," she said, almost wistfully. Her gaze shifted to a small interactive watch with a sleek design. "And that thing for your wrist."

"The laptop and the smartwatch?" Chase clarified, already feeling a headache forming.

"Yes," she replied quickly, her voice taking on a faintly pleading tone. "Can we get them now? Please?"

Chase hesitated, glancing at the store and then back at her. "We'll come back later," he said gently but firmly. "Let's take care of everything else first. That stuff isn't going anywhere."

Diana frowned, looking like she might argue, but she gave a reluctant nod. "Fine. But we are coming back."

Chase smirked. "Sure, if you still want them after clothes shopping."

She didn't dignify that with a response and instead handed him her bag of care products. "Here. Let's do clothes next."

Chase sighed, taking the bag and following her as she strode ahead. Something told him this next stop was going to take way longer than the last one.

They walked into the clothing store, and immediately, Chase felt the tension shift. A male attendant greeted them, but Diana barely acknowledged him. Her gaze was fixed ahead, her steps quick, purpose in each stride. Without sparing him a single glance, she breezed past the attendant, heading straight for the racks of clothes. Chase, caught between following her and politely acknowledging the attendant, opted for the former, shooting the guy an apologetic look.

As soon as they were inside, Chase realized this was going to be a challenge. Diana moved quickly, grabbing everything she liked—hoodies, jackets, legging's, jeans, sweatpants, shirts, socks, and even cute socks. She didn't hesitate, just grabbed. With each item she added to her pile, Chase's arms grew heavier, and he began to feel the stares from the other shoppers. He had a few shirts and sweaters already, but Diana was on another level, her excitement palpable.

She handed him more clothes, her silver eyes sparkling as she looked at him. "Hold this too," she said, clearly oblivious to the growing pile.

"Diana," Chase said, trying to keep his voice calm. "You've got enough for now. We can always come back later if you really want more."

Diana shot him a look, clearly not pleased with being stopped. "But I want more," she pouted, her arms still full.

Chase sighed, trying not to smile. "Trust me, you're good. We don't need to make a scene. Let's just check out now."

Her pout deepened, but she finally relented with a reluctant sigh. "Fine," she muttered, but as they headed toward the checkout, she still wasn't happy about it.

Chase felt the air grow thick with tension as Diana dropped the bag of clothes onto the counter. The cashier scanned the items, her eyes flicking between Diana and Chase, her fingers slowing down as she counted. The total climbed higher and higher, and Chase could almost see the disbelief in her expression.

The cashier, visibly uncomfortable, glanced at Diana and hesitated for a moment before glancing at Chase. "Ms. You shouldn't make your boyfriend pay for all of your items," she said, her voice forced with a playful smirk.

Diana's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing as she turned to Chase, her voice clipped. "I don't like her," she muttered, her silver eyes still fixed on the cashier. "Why would she assume you're my boyfriend and that you're paying? None of that's true." Diana's words stung with annoyance, but her gaze never wavered from the cashier.

The cashier's confident smirk faltered for a moment as she scanned the last of the clothes, now more flustered than before. Diana, in no mood for this, swiped her card effortlessly, as though the four thousand dollars she was spending didn't faze her at all. Chase watched, feeling a mixture of awkwardness and sympathy for the cashier.

Diana turned to him as the bags were prepared, muttering under her breath. "Stupid mortals," she added, walking away with an air of finality. It was a quiet but biting statement, a swipe aimed directly at the cashier.

The cashier, her face flushed with a mixture of confusion and embarrassment, didn't dare argue. She was smart enough to know that someone who could spend so freely and confidently, like Diana, was not someone she could afford to challenge. As Diana and Chase turned to leave, the cashier's frustration boiled beneath the surface, but she was too intimidated by the scene to do anything more.

Chase shot a quick, apologetic glance back at the cashier, but she barely acknowledged it, still trying to regain her composure. He felt bad for her, but the awkwardness of the moment had left him unsettled, and he wasn't sure how much more of this he could handle.

Once outside, Diana, carrying several bags—clothes, tech gadgets, fragrances, and skincare items—glanced at Chase. Her demeanor remained cool, though a small smirk played at the corners of her lips. "What's next?" she asked, clearly unfazed by the earlier encounters.

Chase, feeling the weight of their long day but not wanting to seem like he was slowing down, nodded toward the next destination. "Let's head to the shoe store. I think we're almost done."

Diana raised an eyebrow, but instead of hesitation, there was something else in her expression. "Shoes?" she repeated, the word sounding like a challenge.

Chase hesitated. "Yeah. Let's get this over with."

Her small smirk grew wider, but she didn't respond. She was already interested, even more than before. She hadn't really expected to enjoy this trip. But with every new stop, she found herself a little more caught up in the excitement of it. It was so... different. Fun. Fun in a way she hadn't expected.

They walked to the shoe store, and once inside, Diana immediately spotted a pair of thick-soled boots with a soft, fleece-like lining—perfect for the colder months. She turned to Chase, her gaze flicking over him briefly before she spoke, her voice even, "Can you check if they have these in my size?"

Chase nodded and went to ask the assistant, who, unlike the staff in the other stores, hadn't been immediately available. When he returned a few minutes later, Diana was already looking at something else: a rugged, chunkier pair of boots with a sturdier sole, perfect for outdoor adventures.

She glanced at Chase with no sign of regret. "These," she said. "Ask if they have them in my size."

Chase sighed, but he did as she asked. A few minutes later, he returned only to find her scanning the next pair: a sleek, low-top sneaker with a sharp black-and-white contrast. She picked them up, holding them out to him. "These too."

At this point, Chase was starting to wonder if this would ever end. Diana was relentless, eager to pick out more, but there was something in the way she moved, her confidence, the thrill she found in all of this. It was obvious she didn't want to stop. And as much as he was tired, he realized she wasn't just checking things off a list. She was actually enjoying herself.

This wasn't the grumpy, task-driven shopping spree he had expected. Diana was clearly having fun, exploring her options without concern for time, size, or limits. It wasn't like she was shopping for a purpose; she was simply enjoying the process, the feeling of choosing, of finding things she liked.

Finally, Diana settled on a classic, clean pair of white sneakers—simple, practical, and similar to the ones he was wearing. She handed them over to him with a small nod, looking satisfied. "These," she said.

Chase, feeling the weight of the bags now in his hands, allowed himself a small, relieved smile. This was finally the end.

The assistant, who had been running around fetching shoes for Diana all this time, looked both exhausted and relieved when the last pair was placed on the counter. Diana, with her bags now piled high, barely spared a glance at Chase before handing over the shoes for checkout.

Chase let out a sigh as they walked out of the store, the weight of the shopping trip finally starting to take its toll on him. "Finally," he muttered under his breath, his exhaustion evident.

Diana's eyes shot him a quick glare, her expression as cool as ever. "What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, her voice sharp.

He flashed her an apologetic smile, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Sorry, just... it's been a long day," he said, trying to ease the tension.

Diana studied him for a moment, then let out a small "Hmph," pointedly ignoring him as she turned to walk ahead. Chase chuckled softly, shaking his head as he followed behind her.

"Anyway," he continued, his tone more upbeat, "we can go get you your laptop and smartwatch, then head to get you a data plan. After that, we can finally return."

The moment he mentioned the laptop and smartwatch, Diana's eyes lit up with excitement. Her usual composed demeanor gave way to genuine eagerness, and to Chase's surprise, she started walking ahead with newfound energy. It became clear she was leading the way, her excitement about the technology practically radiating off her.

Chase raised an eyebrow, a bemused smile tugging at his lips. It's kind of ironic, he thought, a goddess who's all about hunting and forests also happens to love technology. Talk about contradictions. He quickened his pace to keep up with her, watching as she practically floated toward the tech store with determination.

He glanced at the bags in his hands, feeling the weight of the day's purchases. Good thing she has plenty of money, he mused. Tech shopping can get ridiculously expensive.

Diana glanced back briefly, her silver eyes gleaming with anticipation before turning back to the path ahead, leaving Chase to shake his head in quiet amusement as he followed.

Of course, their actions didn't go unnoticed. Whispers buzzed around them as they walked through the mall.

"Look at those rich kids with all those bags," someone murmured.

"They're definitely models or actors," another voice added. "Just look at how beautiful they are—and all that stuff they're buying."

Chase tried to ignore the stares and whispers, though they still bothered him. Meanwhile, Diana was too preoccupied, her focus locked on the tech store ahead. Her steps quickened, a gleam of excitement lighting up her silver eyes.

Once inside, Chase silently resolved to make this part of the trip as quick as possible. He beelined for the latest model laptop and grabbed the sleek box without hesitation, then moved to the section with smartwatches to pick up the newest design. He carried both items toward the checkout, Diana walking happily beside him, grinning like a child in a toy store. Her eagerness was infectious, though Chase kept his eyes on the prize—finishing their shopping.

At the counter, Diana swiped her card with enthusiasm, almost bouncing on her heels as the cashier handed over the two new boxes. She tucked them into the existing bag holding her other tech purchases. Chase couldn't help but shake his head slightly. She's like a kid discovering a new hobby. A very, very expensive hobby.

From there, they made their way to the internet provider store located within the mall. Chase couldn't lie, he was slightly happy when he saw that the assistant behind the counter was a man—something Diana immediately noticed too, judging by the subtle scrunch of her nose.

Much to her relief, Chase took the lead, explaining what they needed. He was about to ask her which data plan she preferred but stopped himself. She wouldn't know the difference, he reasoned, so he went ahead and chose the best plan available—one that would support her new phone, tablet, smartwatch, and laptop.

The male assistant, clearly enamored by Diana, eagerly set about syncing all her devices to the plan. Chase caught the man sneaking glances at Diana, who, for her part, ignored him entirely, standing stiffly and looking around as if to say she was above engaging with him. The assistant, apparently convincing himself that Chase was her brother, worked even faster, probably hoping to win Diana over with his efficiency.

When the setup was finally complete and Diana's devices were ready to go, Chase felt a weight lift off his shoulders. Finally, he thought.

They left the store, and though their shopping spree was officially over, Diana's curiosity wasn't. As they strolled toward the mall exit, her gaze darted around eagerly, taking in the sights like she was on a grand adventure.

Near the center of the mall, her attention snagged on a brightly lit candy store. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and without warning, she grabbed Chase's wrist and dragged him toward it.

"Diana—wait!" he protested, but her enthusiasm overrode any complaints. Before he knew it, they were walking out with two bags full of candy. Diana carried them with a triumphant grin, clearly pleased with her haul.

By the time they finally reached the mall exit, Chase felt like he'd been through a marathon. The sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky; it was nearing six o'clock. Diana, still beaming, looked like she had energy to spare, while Chase just wanted to get home and rest.

As they stepped outside, Chase let out a sigh. This has been... a day. But one glance at Diana's gleaming smile made the exhaustion feel a little more tolerable.

Chase couldn't help but feel the weight of the bags they were holding. Each one was packed with expensive items—clothes, tech, shoes, gadgets—and he estimated the total cost to be well over $10,000. He shook his head slightly, wondering if anyone should ever spend that much in a single outing. Just how much is on her card? he thought.

The streets outside the mall were packed, the buzz of the city louder than ever as the evening crowd thickened. Chase glanced at Diana, who was walking ahead, completely unbothered by the commotion, her silver eyes scanning the surroundings as if assessing the world for the first time.

He frowned. The crowd was too thick, and the bags were too many. It was an easy recipe for trouble. Besides, he was exhausted. He made up his mind. Walking back with this much stuff? No way.

"Diana, wait here," he said, pulling out his phone and opening a ride-share app.

Diana stopped and turned chewing on gummy worms, watching him tap away with faint curiosity. "What are you doing?"

"Calling us a ride," Chase replied casually, his eyes on the screen.

Her brows furrowed. "You can just summon a car like that?"

Chase smirked at her tone. "Yeah. It's called a ride-share service. You pay, and someone comes to pick you up."

She folded her arms, her silver eyes narrowing. "Why didn't you do this earlier instead of making us walk all the way here?"

He sighed, tilting his head toward her. "Because it would've been a waste of money. The mall's only a fifteen-minute walk."

"And now it's not a waste?" she shot back.

Chase shrugged. "Not with the crowd and these bags. It's different now."

She gave him a skeptical look but said nothing, letting him finish booking the ride. When the car arrived, Chase was relieved to see that the driver was male. It was a small mercy for his sake; women were often more daring, sometimes trying to flirt with him outright, while males tended to be meeker and more awkward—especially when it came to Diana.

Of course, Diana wasn't thrilled about it. Her expression soured as soon as she saw the male driver, her nose wrinkling in mild disgust. She hesitated for a moment before reluctantly climbing into the backseat, sitting as far from the driver as possible and glaring out the window.

Chase slid in beside her, stifling a laugh at her obvious discomfort. The driver, meanwhile, kept glancing in the rearview mirror, his face turning red every time he accidentally caught Diana's piercing gaze.

The ride itself was quiet except for the hum of the air conditioning. Diana stayed stiff and silent, clearly not enjoying the arrangement, while Chase leaned back in his seat, feeling too drained to say anything. As they neared his apartment, Chase found himself glancing at the bags again. Wait until she finds out about online shopping, he thought.

When they finally arrived, Chase let out a breath of relief. The end of this marathon day was finally in sight.