First Impression
“Where you at?”
Alicia said in a loud and concerned voice.
“I’m coming. I’m in the Macy’s parking lot.”
I said in a hurried voice, panting from walking so fast
to get to the door at Macy’s department store.
“Ok. We will meet you in the makeup section.”
she said with relief.
“Alright, see you there.”
With a quick slide of my thumb, I hung up.
I have been to this mall many times before, and I always see the same thing. It was a hot Spring day like it always was in Miami, Florida. I can’t stand the sun, so I quickly put on my shades as soon as I got out of my car, even though Macy’s was only seconds away from me. I kept thinking, “I am so excited to see my friends again, it’s been too long. We never get to hang out anymore because I am always so busy with school and work, and the stress from paying for college and outside bills doesn’t make it any easier. This will be good for me. I missed my girls.”
As I approached the door to Macy’s, I see the make-up section far in the distance as I struggle to swing the heavy glass door open with one hand while taking off my sunglasses at the same time. I start passing the Dior section while looking around frantically over and under the aisles to find Alicia and Kelly, my good friends from college. I passed the shoe section to my right while looking in awe at the sexy red pumps by Donna Karen on the first round table. I said to myself “Ooooo, those are too hot for words! I do need some new red heels. Love it!” I quickly shook my head to focus on the task at hand, and as I stepped into the Dior make-up section, I started to see a piece of Alicia’s school bag in her hand as she stood next to the MAC make-up section. After seeing that bag, I knew Kelly’s famous purple bag was not too far away. And sure enough, I saw the purple bag as I turned the corner to approach them both. The fluorescent lights always seemed to be hanging low and beaming down on me like a ray of sun from Heaven. I was hoping my make-up looked good in the light, since I hadn’t seen these ladies in a while, I wanted to make sure I made a good comeback impression.
Alicia saw me come up first and started to tap Kelly on the shoulder to get her attention. As I walked up to them, I heard a loud screech of praise from Kelly….
“HEY GIRL! I love your top, very cute. You look good in yellow.” I smiled and said “Aww thanks girl, you look good in your purple, as always.” I said giggling since I knew she carried that same bag everywhere she went.
“So where are we going today?” I said after catching my breath from the marathon I just ran to get into the store.
“I need a club dress for this weekend. Kelly said. My cousin is having a birthday party and she is turning that big 21. I have to be there for that. It’s gonna be so much fun. Are you coming Nina?”
I paused for a second after nodding my head in acknowledgment from what saying. “I don’t know yet. I have to check my schedule. What day is it on?” I asked.
“Saturday.” she said, “This Saturday, at 11pm, at the club we went to for New Years Eve. Um...Flame. Club Flame.”
“Oh ok.” I said remembering that night last year. “Good choice girl, I had so much fun at that place. You know I don’t mind going there. (giggling) I will see what I can do to get out of work so I can go.” I said excited about the venue.
We started walking into the mall passing up women with their strollers and an extra kid walking with them. This mall was always one of the malls in Miami where many housewives or stay-at-home moms shopped on a daily basis because this specific area was filled families. Maybe it is because it was in a safe community, where there were plenty of parks, pools, and 2 Elementary schools were right around the block.
The sunlight from outside peaked through the windows of the mall like a burst of energy. I was so glad I was inside because I knew it was way too hot today and I needed a break from all that extreme heat. I had to stop myself from gazing at the mall windows above me since I noticed we started walking faster. Must be because we were in a hurry to find a store that sold club dresses that Kelly would like before traffic started for the day; which was in about an hour. We laughed loudly together as we talked badly about the new chef we had as our French Cuisine class teacher. As Culinary students at The Art Institute, we felt that we had the most outlandish professors or “chefs” teaching us in class. Most of them were foreign, so we could never truly understand 100% of what they were saying. It was hilarious in class when they would try and say our names for role call with extreme difficulty.
“Ugh, he drives me crazy.” I said to Alicia. “I can’t stand it when he hovers over me from the back to check and see what I am doing. It makes me so nervous and I lose focus. Geez! It’s annoying. Give me a break dude.!” I said frustrated but laughing at the same time.
“I know he has issues, and he is very anal about our cooking techniques.” Alicia responded. “I had him last quarter; he was ok, but man I was so tired of going there for night classes after work. It sucked!” she said with a sigh. “You know I didn’t get off from my job until 5pm, so I always had to rush in traffic like crazy to get to class on time for 6pm. It was always a mess, I hated it.” she said complaining.
I turned to Alicia with a look on my face of a person that just stubbed their toe with the “ssss” sound to agree with there about the 5 0’ clock traffic in Miami.I remember taking a night class last quarter too that started at 6 o’ clock. I hated it because my professor would keep us the whole 4 hours til late and he often talked very slow. It was often frustrating. It was so much worse to have to stay late because of a general education class that I really didn’t need. I felt Alicia’s pain, I too have a job like her, two actually, and I know how it feels to have to go to class after work and then have to travel in traffic.
We were still walking and laughing about our school days, class tomorrow, and our crazy jobs when Kelly bursted out and said…
“I know where we can go. How about Bebe? How’s that? I can get a fly outfit for this weekend easy over there. What do you think?”
I replied “That’s cool. I don’t mind going there. Their dresses are amazing. I love them for going out.I shop there often.”
I reached into the purse to check my cell phone for any missed text or missed calls; nothing yet.
We finally found Bebe in the corner at the end of the hallway. I knew that Alicia and Kelly had not been to this mall in years, but I come almost every day. It was easy for me to find stores because I had that mall memorized.
“There it is!” I shouted. “We can look through here to see if you like anything for the club.” I said to Kelly, being informative.
As we turned the corner walking towards the store, we started to see hundreds of women in and around the glass windows of Bebe. We knew this store was popular, but we didn’t expect so many women to be window shopping during this time of day. You could already see the beautiful sexy dresses on the mannequins that seemed to look as if they were painted on. As Alicia and Kelly took steps inside the store, I started to smell something wonderful emanating from the Cinnabon place to my left. “Mmmm, I love that sweet Cinnamon and sugar smell.” I thought to myself as I walked over drooling with a watery mouth. As I turned the corner to approach Cinnabon, I bumped into a young black man, light colored skin, and freshly cut hair. Our bodies hit immediately after I turned to the restaurant and he must have been in a hurry because we hit pretty hard. It was my fault really, I was totally in the way because I was in LaLa Land from that Cinnabon smell.
“Ooooh crap! I am so sorry! My bad! I didn’t see you.” I said apologizing.
He quickly smiled and straightened me up by holding my shoulders back with both his hands. I could tell he was strong.
“No. I’m sorry. I am so clumsy. I was walking way too fast and didn’t see you. My fault.” he said smiling, giving a short manly laugh.
He was wearing a black button up shirt with grey stripes, and a nice pair of black work slacks. I remember bumping into him and smelling his steamy cologne on his chest. (sigh) it was to die for. I loved it! It was slightly erotic and sexy, yet sensual and manly at the same time. Yum! I’m a sucker for good smelling men. I will never forget us looking at eachother for about 8 seconds, clueless on what to say next. SMiling at each other and looking down at the same time, shy as ever. But after that, he looked me right in the eye and I did the same, which was not really my thing because I was so insecure. I pulled my hair back slowly to fix it from bumping into him so harshly.
“So um...you work here?” he said with hesitance.
I replied with a smile and saying “Um, no, I just live near the area. Me and my friends are just shopping today.” I got so lost in his gorgeous brown eyes while talking to him,that I almost stuttered in mid sentence. I was able to take a quick head to toe look at him and I realized how sexy he was. Well dressed, and well mannered; that’s all a girl can ask for. He had a nice body, and the perfect voice. A good hair cut with smooth waves, and a nice strong muscle in his arms. This was my weakness; strong arms. His caramel skin was so soft and smooth looking, it had me geeking. I knew he was a special one.
“Oh ok” he said. “You look familiar, so I thought I had seen you in this mall before.” he said with a soft and sexy voice.
“Dammit!” I thought to myself. “I can’t have someone this good looking approach me today, I don’t look my best.”
We continued to stare at eachother and smile like we were the only ones in the room as crowds of shoppers walked around us on a mission. I looked to the side into Bebe to check for my friends existance. I had totally forgotten about them with all that had just happened. I saw them through the window watching me talk to this mysterious man with odd confused faces.
“Ok then...I guess I will see you around then. I work down the street at Farmers Insurance. I just came down here for lunch and to look around a bit.” he stated.
I gasped and thought, “Thank God, he has a job! Sounds like a good one too.” and then I thought, “maybe he is older than I think he is...”
As he started to walk away from me, I stopped him with my voice and said “Sounds like a good job to have.” I said as to not lose him. “I come here often by myself to shop and eat. How do you like your job?”
I realized I was being a bit nosey, but I didn’t care, this was a “now or never” moment for me. Besides, it seemed like he wanted to know more about me anywayz by the way he looked at me like I was a birthday gift.
“Yeah, it’s cool” he replied. “I have worked there for 8 years already so...It is good money for now. And it’s stable.”
He pulled out a silver & black cell phone to look at the time. He looked shocked and said “Oh dang, I gotta get back to work. I am going to be late from my break.
My smile started to dim in despair as he continued saying “Well, it was nice to meet you….”
“Nina!”, I shouted. “My name is Nina.”
He reached out to shake my hand and said “Nice to meet you Nina, my name is Jamie.”
I almost died, It felt so romantic and surreal. I must have been blushing. I remember his hands were just as soft as I thought they were. He had a good strong hand shake too. I almost fainted as he stared into my eyes while shaking my hand.
“Nice to meet you too.” I said with a cheesy smile.
We finally let go of each other’s hands as he walked away looking back at me and I stood there in the mall hallway with my head down playing with my hair; It was always a nervous habit. And right before he walked away completely, he said with a smile...
“Have a good day Nina, it was nice bumping into you.”
I smiled back as I was on my way to my friends and said
“It was nice bumping into you too,”
I saw Alicia and Kelly by the fitting room inside with three outfits each in their hands. While walking over to them, all I could think about was Jamie’s eyes and that smell of cologne he had that I loved so much.
“Maybe I will see him again one day.” I thought in wonderment.
“If I wasn’t so damn shy, I we could have exchanged numbers. Wait, did I just miss out on something?” I started to scare myself thinking of them unknown.
Well, at least I was able to meet him. It’s not every day I meet an attractive man that is actually interested in talking to me with respect. It was like a breathe of fresh air, and I admit, I was extremely flattered that he stopped to talk to me.
I thought “Jamie huh? Hmmm. Interesting.” I had never met a Jamie before, especially one that look that good. (giggling to myself)
“Hey girl! Where did you go?” Alicia said frantically. “And who was that sexy man you were talking to in the hallway?” she asked.
I turned to her and said “Oh, just some guy named Jamie I accidentally bumped in to. And I agree with you, he was sexy, and he smelled good too.”
We had our little laugh about my comment, but he was still on my mind after that.
After bumping into Jamie, I didn’t even feel like shopping along with my friends anymore. I just let them do their thing and I would give feedback as to how it looked on them. But that was really it. My mind was occupied. Me and Alicia stood in line with Kelly as she waited to buy her new blue strapless bodycon dress for the weekend.
The cashier shouted “Next customer!” and we made our way up the counter to pay. As we left the store, It was now time for traffic. I blamed myself for taking so long talking to a stranger, so I apologized to the girls. But deep inside, I knew it was worth it. We gave one another deep loving hugs as we said our goodbyes.We made sure we got each others new phone numbers and social media names to stay in touch too. After that, I made my way back to my car still in awe with what had just happened in that mall with Jamie. And I thought about him for the rest of the day, regretting that I didn’t get his number or give him mine. But at least, I knew exactly where he worked...
“Where you at?”
Alicia said in a loud and concerned voice.
“I’m coming. I’m in the Macy’s parking lot.”
I said in a hurried voice, panting from walking so fast
to get to the door at Macy’s department store.
“Ok. We will meet you in the makeup section.”
she said with relief.
“Alright, see you there.”
With a quick slide of my thumb, I hung up.
I have been to this mall many times before, and I always see the same thing. It was a hot Spring day like it always was in Miami, Florida. I can’t stand the sun, so I quickly put on my shades as soon as I got out of my car, even though Macy’s was only seconds away from me. I kept thinking, “I am so excited to see my friends again, it’s been too long. We never get to hang out anymore because I am always so busy with school and work, and the stress from paying for college and outside bills doesn’t make it any easier. This will be good for me. I missed my girls.”
As I approached the door to Macy’s, I see the make-up section far in the distance as I struggle to swing the heavy glass door open with one hand while taking off my sunglasses at the same time. I start passing the Dior section while looking around frantically over and under the aisles to find Alicia and Kelly, my good friends from college. I passed the shoe section to my right while looking in awe at the sexy red pumps by Donna Karen on the first round table. I said to myself “Ooooo, those are too hot for words! I do need some new red heels. Love it!” I quickly shook my head to focus on the task at hand, and as I stepped into the Dior make-up section, I started to see a piece of Alicia’s school bag in her hand as she stood next to the MAC make-up section. After seeing that bag, I knew Kelly’s famous purple bag was not too far away. And sure enough, I saw the purple bag as I turned the corner to approach them both. The fluorescent lights always seemed to be hanging low and beaming down on me like a ray of sun from Heaven. I was hoping my make-up looked good in the light, since I hadn’t seen these ladies in a while, I wanted to make sure I made a good comeback impression.
Alicia saw me come up first and started to tap Kelly on the shoulder to get her attention. As I walked up to them, I heard a loud screech of praise from Kelly….
“HEY GIRL! I love your top, very cute. You look good in yellow.” I smiled and said “Aww thanks girl, you look good in your purple, as always.” I said giggling since I knew she carried that same bag everywhere she went.
“So where are we going today?” I said after catching my breath from the marathon I just ran to get into the store.
“I need a club dress for this weekend. Kelly said. My cousin is having a birthday party and she is turning that big 21. I have to be there for that. It’s gonna be so much fun. Are you coming Nina?”
I paused for a second after nodding my head in acknowledgment from what saying. “I don’t know yet. I have to check my schedule. What day is it on?” I asked.
“Saturday.” she said, “This Saturday, at 11pm, at the club we went to for New Years Eve. Um...Flame. Club Flame.”
“Oh ok.” I said remembering that night last year. “Good choice girl, I had so much fun at that place. You know I don’t mind going there. (giggling) I will see what I can do to get out of work so I can go.” I said excited about the venue.
We started walking into the mall passing up women with their strollers and an extra kid walking with them. This mall was always one of the malls in Miami where many housewives or stay-at-home moms shopped on a daily basis because this specific area was filled families. Maybe it is because it was in a safe community, where there were plenty of parks, pools, and 2 Elementary schools were right around the block.
The sunlight from outside peaked through the windows of the mall like a burst of energy. I was so glad I was inside because I knew it was way too hot today and I needed a break from all that extreme heat. I had to stop myself from gazing at the mall windows above me since I noticed we started walking faster. Must be because we were in a hurry to find a store that sold club dresses that Kelly would like before traffic started for the day; which was in about an hour. We laughed loudly together as we talked badly about the new chef we had as our French Cuisine class teacher. As Culinary students at The Art Institute, we felt that we had the most outlandish professors or “chefs” teaching us in class. Most of them were foreign, so we could never truly understand 100% of what they were saying. It was hilarious in class when they would try and say our names for role call with extreme difficulty.
“Ugh, he drives me crazy.” I said to Alicia. “I can’t stand it when he hovers over me from the back to check and see what I am doing. It makes me so nervous and I lose focus. Geez! It’s annoying. Give me a break dude.!” I said frustrated but laughing at the same time.
“I know he has issues, and he is very anal about our cooking techniques.” Alicia responded. “I had him last quarter; he was ok, but man I was so tired of going there for night classes after work. It sucked!” she said with a sigh. “You know I didn’t get off from my job until 5pm, so I always had to rush in traffic like crazy to get to class on time for 6pm. It was always a mess, I hated it.” she said complaining.
I turned to Alicia with a look on my face of a person that just stubbed their toe with the “ssss” sound to agree with there about the 5 0’ clock traffic in Miami.I remember taking a night class last quarter too that started at 6 o’ clock. I hated it because my professor would keep us the whole 4 hours til late and he often talked very slow. It was often frustrating. It was so much worse to have to stay late because of a general education class that I really didn’t need. I felt Alicia’s pain, I too have a job like her, two actually, and I know how it feels to have to go to class after work and then have to travel in traffic.
We were still walking and laughing about our school days, class tomorrow, and our crazy jobs when Kelly bursted out and said…
“I know where we can go. How about Bebe? How’s that? I can get a fly outfit for this weekend easy over there. What do you think?”
I replied “That’s cool. I don’t mind going there. Their dresses are amazing. I love them for going out.I shop there often.”
I reached into the purse to check my cell phone for any missed text or missed calls; nothing yet.
We finally found Bebe in the corner at the end of the hallway. I knew that Alicia and Kelly had not been to this mall in years, but I come almost every day. It was easy for me to find stores because I had that mall memorized.
“There it is!” I shouted. “We can look through here to see if you like anything for the club.” I said to Kelly, being informative.
As we turned the corner walking towards the store, we started to see hundreds of women in and around the glass windows of Bebe. We knew this store was popular, but we didn’t expect so many women to be window shopping during this time of day. You could already see the beautiful sexy dresses on the mannequins that seemed to look as if they were painted on. As Alicia and Kelly took steps inside the store, I started to smell something wonderful emanating from the Cinnabon place to my left. “Mmmm, I love that sweet Cinnamon and sugar smell.” I thought to myself as I walked over drooling with a watery mouth. As I turned the corner to approach Cinnabon, I bumped into a young black man, light colored skin, and freshly cut hair. Our bodies hit immediately after I turned to the restaurant and he must have been in a hurry because we hit pretty hard. It was my fault really, I was totally in the way because I was in LaLa Land from that Cinnabon smell.
“Ooooh crap! I am so sorry! My bad! I didn’t see you.” I said apologizing.
He quickly smiled and straightened me up by holding my shoulders back with both his hands. I could tell he was strong.
“No. I’m sorry. I am so clumsy. I was walking way too fast and didn’t see you. My fault.” he said smiling, giving a short manly laugh.
He was wearing a black button up shirt with grey stripes, and a nice pair of black work slacks. I remember bumping into him and smelling his steamy cologne on his chest. (sigh) it was to die for. I loved it! It was slightly erotic and sexy, yet sensual and manly at the same time. Yum! I’m a sucker for good smelling men. I will never forget us looking at eachother for about 8 seconds, clueless on what to say next. SMiling at each other and looking down at the same time, shy as ever. But after that, he looked me right in the eye and I did the same, which was not really my thing because I was so insecure. I pulled my hair back slowly to fix it from bumping into him so harshly.
“So um...you work here?” he said with hesitance.
I replied with a smile and saying “Um, no, I just live near the area. Me and my friends are just shopping today.” I got so lost in his gorgeous brown eyes while talking to him,that I almost stuttered in mid sentence. I was able to take a quick head to toe look at him and I realized how sexy he was. Well dressed, and well mannered; that’s all a girl can ask for. He had a nice body, and the perfect voice. A good hair cut with smooth waves, and a nice strong muscle in his arms. This was my weakness; strong arms. His caramel skin was so soft and smooth looking, it had me geeking. I knew he was a special one.
“Oh ok” he said. “You look familiar, so I thought I had seen you in this mall before.” he said with a soft and sexy voice.
“Dammit!” I thought to myself. “I can’t have someone this good looking approach me today, I don’t look my best.”
We continued to stare at eachother and smile like we were the only ones in the room as crowds of shoppers walked around us on a mission. I looked to the side into Bebe to check for my friends existance. I had totally forgotten about them with all that had just happened. I saw them through the window watching me talk to this mysterious man with odd confused faces.
“Ok then...I guess I will see you around then. I work down the street at Farmers Insurance. I just came down here for lunch and to look around a bit.” he stated.
I gasped and thought, “Thank God, he has a job! Sounds like a good one too.” and then I thought, “maybe he is older than I think he is...”
As he started to walk away from me, I stopped him with my voice and said “Sounds like a good job to have.” I said as to not lose him. “I come here often by myself to shop and eat. How do you like your job?”
I realized I was being a bit nosey, but I didn’t care, this was a “now or never” moment for me. Besides, it seemed like he wanted to know more about me anywayz by the way he looked at me like I was a birthday gift.
“Yeah, it’s cool” he replied. “I have worked there for 8 years already so...It is good money for now. And it’s stable.”
He pulled out a silver & black cell phone to look at the time. He looked shocked and said “Oh dang, I gotta get back to work. I am going to be late from my break.
My smile started to dim in despair as he continued saying “Well, it was nice to meet you….”
“Nina!”, I shouted. “My name is Nina.”
He reached out to shake my hand and said “Nice to meet you Nina, my name is Jamie.”
I almost died, It felt so romantic and surreal. I must have been blushing. I remember his hands were just as soft as I thought they were. He had a good strong hand shake too. I almost fainted as he stared into my eyes while shaking my hand.
“Nice to meet you too.” I said with a cheesy smile.
We finally let go of each other’s hands as he walked away looking back at me and I stood there in the mall hallway with my head down playing with my hair; It was always a nervous habit. And right before he walked away completely, he said with a smile...
“Have a good day Nina, it was nice bumping into you.”
I smiled back as I was on my way to my friends and said
“It was nice bumping into you too,”
I saw Alicia and Kelly by the fitting room inside with three outfits each in their hands. While walking over to them, all I could think about was Jamie’s eyes and that smell of cologne he had that I loved so much.
“Maybe I will see him again one day.” I thought in wonderment.
“If I wasn’t so damn shy, I we could have exchanged numbers. Wait, did I just miss out on something?” I started to scare myself thinking of them unknown.
Well, at least I was able to meet him. It’s not every day I meet an attractive man that is actually interested in talking to me with respect. It was like a breathe of fresh air, and I admit, I was extremely flattered that he stopped to talk to me.
I thought “Jamie huh? Hmmm. Interesting.” I had never met a Jamie before, especially one that look that good. (giggling to myself)
“Hey girl! Where did you go?” Alicia said frantically. “And who was that sexy man you were talking to in the hallway?” she asked.
I turned to her and said “Oh, just some guy named Jamie I accidentally bumped in to. And I agree with you, he was sexy, and he smelled good too.”
We had our little laugh about my comment, but he was still on my mind after that.
After bumping into Jamie, I didn’t even feel like shopping along with my friends anymore. I just let them do their thing and I would give feedback as to how it looked on them. But that was really it. My mind was occupied. Me and Alicia stood in line with Kelly as she waited to buy her new blue strapless bodycon dress for the weekend.
The cashier shouted “Next customer!” and we made our way up the counter to pay. As we left the store, It was now time for traffic. I blamed myself for taking so long talking to a stranger, so I apologized to the girls. But deep inside, I knew it was worth it. We gave one another deep loving hugs as we said our goodbyes.We made sure we got each others new phone numbers and social media names to stay in touch too. After that, I made my way back to my car still in awe with what had just happened in that mall with Jamie. And I thought about him for the rest of the day, regretting that I didn’t get his number or give him mine. But at least, I knew exactly where he worked...
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