Dream Date (5 page)

While Nathan was walking towards his next and final class of the day, someone came up behind him.

“Nathan, wait up!”

He turned around and saw Claire.

“Claire? What’s up?”

“I just wanted to remind you,” she began. “You do have free time this afternoon, right?”

“Yes. This is about your shopping trip, right?”

Claire had approached Nathan a few days ago. She’d asked him to accompany her to shop. They’d agreed on Wednesday, as they didn’t have work.

“It is. Kayla’s going too, right?”

“Yes.”

“That’s great. You know where I live, right?”

“Yeah. When should I go pick you up?”

“A quarter to five. Text me when you arrive.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later tonight, then.”

“Bye. See you too,” Claire told him, smiling. She then turned and walked towards the library.

The following afternoon, Nathan finished most of his homework. He then checked the clock. Claire would be expecting him soon, so Nathan switched off his computer. He walked out of his bedroom.

“I’m leaving,” Nathan told Ashton. He was sitting on a table in the sofa, reading a textbook.

“Okay,” said Ashton, looking up to see his friend. Then he continued reading.

Nathan retrieved his car keys from a hanger on the wall and then left.

The first thing he did was to pick up Kayla on the way to Claire’s. Nathan stepped outside Kayla’s dorm at the townhouse community south of the A parking lot. She shared room with her best friend, Grecia.

“Hi, sweetheart,” she told him, taking the passenger seat.

“How are you, baby?” Nathan asked, leaning forward and kissing her.

“I’m eager for some shopping,” Kayla replied after they broke apart from the kiss. Nathan looked down and saw she was holding her small purse on her lap. He knew that one of the things she always kept handy was a Moleskine notebook. Kayla told him writers never knew when inspiration would strike.

“I thought so.”

Kayla laughed.

“Grecia isn’t coming?”

“No, she says she has too much homework.”

Nathan nodded, and then revved the engine.

Around five minutes later, Nathan pulled up in front of Claire’s apartment complex. It wasn’t far south of the university. He texted her to let her know that he was outside. Seconds afterward, Claire walked to the car.

“Thanks you both for coming,” she said to them, getting in the backseat. When she closed the door, Nathan drove forward.

“You’re welcome,” he said, making a turn on the next intersection.

“Where’s Grecia?”

“She has to finish her homework,” Nathan replied. “Where are we headed?”

“I want to go to the Oakdale Mall.”

Kayla’s eyes lit up. Nathan thought about it, knowing the trip would take hours. He decided they had plenty of time to go there and come back early. That was most likely why Claire asked him to pick her up shortly after their classes were over.

“Okay,” Nathan said. He didn’t have to input the directions on his smartphone. He and his friends had already been to that mall, especially when Marissa attended Cornell with them. The Oakland Mall had clothing stores that included JC Penney, New York & Co., Hollister, American Eagle, and rue 21. There weren’t any stores like that within the small city of Ithaca.

“So, you wanted a guy friend to go with you?” Nathan asked.

“Yeah. I have a lot of girl friends, but few guy friends. Of those, you and Ashton are the closest.”

Nathan nodded. He kept listening.

“This weekend, it’s going to be two years since Oswald and I started dating,” Claire continued. “I want to buy something pretty to wear. He’s going to make me dinner, and I want to look gorgeous.”

“Two years? Wow, that’s a lot. Congratulations,” Kayla said, looking at Claire in the rearview.

“I know. Thank you.”

“How did you do it?” Nathan wondered.

“Oh, it doesn’t lack effort. Although, being with your loved one is like when you play videogames, in a way: you enjoy it so much that time just flies. You cherish every minute, every hour, every day together. It’s like when we get together with our friends, you know? Only this is stronger.”

Nathan listened to the words. He longed to have that with someone else.

Claire looked over at him, and then laughed.

“Oops. I went on a rant, didn’t I?”

“No. Your answer was great,” Kayla said.

“We’re going to have it engraved on a plate,” Nathan joked, making them laugh.

“You’re
so
not,” Claire said, amused.

“Fine. A Hallmark card will do.”

They arrived at the Oakdale Mall moments later. Claire and Kayla led Nathan straight to rue 21.

“We’re going to take quite some time,” Claire told Nathan, smiling sheepishly. “You won’t mind, right?”

“Of course not. Take all the time you need.”

Claire nodded.

“You can go look around elsewhere. I’ll browse with Kayla, and we’ll call you to get your opinion.”

“Okay,” said Nathan. He left Kayla to help Claire get what she wanted. He walked out of rue 21 and headed towards American Eagle. Come to think of it, Nathan hadn’t bought himself new clothes in a while.

Nathan looked through the men’s shirts section. He picked a few he liked and then went to get new jeans. He took a couple of pairs of those.

While he walked, Nathan found a magazine stand. He couldn’t help perusing it. Sure enough, Nathan saw next month’s issue of GQ. Amanda was in the cover, looking so beautiful it hurt. Her green eyes were so stunning, like emeralds. Nathan grabbed the magazine, going to the article where Amanda was featured.

There were more photos there. Amanda wore fall attire. Nathan thought she looked stunning, whether she showed skin or not. He was tempted to buy the magazine, but Kayla would definitely notice. It was all he could do to put the magazine back where it was.

A while after, Nathan scanned his surroundings. He couldn’t help but notice the attractive women in the crowd. Nathan focused on the blondes without thinking.

What’s going on?
Nathan thought, shaking his head.
Since when am I into blondes?

Around ten minutes later, Nathan spotted someone about thirty feet away from him. It was a blonde browsing through the women’s clothes. Her body shape and appearance were so familiar.

It can’t be. Is that…?

The woman turned around to look at the display right behind her. Nathan again got a glimpse of the most attractive face in the world.

Amanda was in Johnson City.

Nathan blinked, finding it hard to believe what he saw. Wasn’t Amanda supposed to be in New York? Or better, in a city farther away?

I’ve got to be dreaming. Maybe I fell asleep while Claire tried on clothes, asking for my feedback.

Nathan surreptitiously scanned the area to check whether Kayla and Claire were in the vicinity. It wouldn’t be a good idea for them to see him with Amanda. He then looked back towards her. She hadn’t yet vanished.

Standing there, Nathan tried to think of what to say to Amanda. He wanted to walk up to her. Nathan would bet she’d be as surprised to see him as he was.

Making up his mind, Nathan walked in Amanda’s direction, pretending to be going elsewhere. When he was passing her by, Amanda gasped.

“Nathan!”

He turned and looked at her, finding no need to feign surprise. She had remembered him.

“Amanda? Wow. What a pleasant surprise.”

“Same to you. I—I didn’t expect to run into you again. Or that you would remember me.”

“You’re too dazzling to forget.”

Amanda laughed softly. Nathan focused to remember that sound. It was endearing.

“So I dazzle you?”

Nathan couldn’t help checking Amanda out. She was wearing shorts that showed off the smooth skin of her legs. Amanda’s blouse showed only a hint of cleavage, but it still accentuated her enticing curves.

“I’d have a brain aneurysm trying to think of someone immune to your charms.”

Amanda smiled, showing off her perfect white teeth. Nathan thought that mouth was so kissable. Those glossy pink lips were enthralling.

“Are you from around here?” Amanda asked.

“What? Um, no, I’m staying in Ithaca. How about you? I thought you lived in New York.”

“I also thought you did!”

“That’s funny,” Nathan said, raising his eyebrows. “So, you live in Ithaca too?”

“Yes. I moved there this summer,” Amanda said.

“How come I haven’t seen you?”

“Maybe it was just fate.”

Nathan shrugged, and Amanda let out another soft laugh. He liked the sound.

“Do you like it there?”

“I like it fine.”

“Me too,” Nathan said, and then changed the subject. “I, um…I’d like to ask if…”

I’d like to ask you for your autograph. Or a photo of you and I together.

“Yes?” Amanda asked.

“Amanda, where were you?” someone said. Amanda and Nathan both turned to see a young brunette walking towards them. She stopped once she caught up to them. The woman caught sight of Nathan, and her eyebrows rose.

“This is my best friend, Judith,” Amanda said, looking at Nathan. “Judi, this is Nathan. He’s—”

“We met at New York Fashion Week.”

“You did?” Judith said, looking interested. “Nice to meet you,” she told him. She then turned to Amanda. “Did I interrupt something?”

“No. We were just talking,” Amanda told her. “You wanted to show me something?”

“Yes,” Judith said. “But it can wait. You both looked like you’re the only two people left in the world.”

Nathan smiled at Amanda. She returned it.

“Okay, I’ll go try on what I selected,” Judith said. “See you later, Nathan…if we run into each other again.”

“Bye,” Nathan said, and Judith walked to the dressing rooms. Amanda looked at her, and then turned to Nathan.

“Fun, isn’t she?” he commented.

“Yeah, she’s a great friend,” Amanda agreed. “We’ve known each other for years.”

Nathan and Amanda looked at each other for what seemed like minutes. They looked mesmerized by each other. Then Amanda broke the silence.

“Okay, I’ve got to go. I have homework to do when I get back home.”