“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 l
ike 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.”
“Oh,” Nathan said. “Then I’ll let you finish your errand. I’m going to be looking forward to see you again.”
“Me, too.”
“See you,” Nathan said. Amanda turned and walked slowly away. Nathan watched her go. She turned to look at him, and smiled. Then she continued on.
“Who was she?” a familiar voice asked. Nathan turned around, finding himself face to face with Kayla. He couldn’t read her expression, when usually he could read her so well.
Nathan feared that Kayla might have seen something he didn’t want her to see.
Kayla was looking at Nathan, waiting for his answer. He still couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
“That was someone I haven’t seen in a long time. She went to the same high school as I did.”
Kayla looked surprised. “Both of them?”
“What do you mean? Oh, no, just the blonde. I didn’t know who the brunette was.”
Kayla arched an eyebrow, reading his expression.
“It’s funny that you should run into her here. Aren’t you both from Illinois?”
“Yes.”
“Did you call her here?”
“No. We hardly even talked in high school, but we still know each other.”
Kayla frowned, narrowing her eyes.
“They’re both very pretty.”
Nathan stifled a scoff. What an understatement.
“Yeah, I guess they were,” Nathan agreed, running a hand through his hair absentmindedly. “Is Claire ready to go?”
“Almost. I just came here to look around,” Kayla said, walking forward. Nathan hoped she wouldn’t act jealous. “Did you find something you like?”
I certainly did.
“Um, yeah. I didn’t realize that I was in need of new clothes. I haven’t bought any in months.”
Kayla laughed at that. Nathan calmed down a bit. She seemed to be acting her usual self.
“I could help you pick something good while Claire is busy back there,” Kayla offered.
“That’d be great.”
Nathan followed Kayla to the men’s section. He was glad that she hadn’t picked up on his attraction to Amanda. Kayla selected a jacket she thought would look great on him. Nathan commented on it.
At around 10 p.m., Nathan drove back to his dorm after dropping off Claire and Kayla at their places. As he walked up the stairs, Nathan saw a student in wrinkly clothes and messed-up hair. She walked past him and down the stairs without meeting his gaze. Nathan saw she was blushing.
Ashton.
With an amused chuckle, Nathan walked into the dorm he shared with his friend. Sure enough, Ashton’s appearance looked much like the coed Nathan had just spotted outside.
“I gather you were quite entertained while I was away,” Nathan said, making Ashton turn. He was in the kitchen, preparing something to eat. His hair was messy.
“You’re back,” Ashton said, surprised. “Uh…how was it? Did you fall asleep?”
“No,” Nathan replied, laughing. He sat down on the couch. “You’ll never guess who I just ran into.”
Ashton walked into the living room. Or at least, that was the closest term for the main living area of their dorm. Nathan’s bedroom at home had been bigger.
“Who?”
“Amanda.”
Ashton’s jaw dropped to the floor.
“Amanda? She’s at Johnson City?”
“No. She’s here, in Ithaca.”
“What?” Ashton asked in disbelief. Nathan sighed.
“Imagine my surprise when I saw her.”
“What did you do?”
“I talked to her. When I approached Amanda, the look of surprise on her face was priceless.”
“Man, I wish I’d seen that.”
Nathan nodded, remembering the moment.
“Did Claire and Kayla see her?”
“What? Oh, I was so distracted by Amanda that I forgot they were there. Kayla saw her, though.”
“Uh-oh. She didn’t make a scene, did she?”
“A scene? Have you even met her? Kayla thought nothing of it. I told her Amanda was just an old…friend.”
“Well, it could have been worse. Kayla might have seen you drooling while you were ogling Amanda.”
“Ha ha.”
Ashton laughed.
“This is serious, okay? Don’t you see that Amanda being here creates a dilemma for me?”
“It doesn’t have to. What are the chances you’ll run into her every day? If you want to forget her, just do so. You’ve got Kayla.”
“I’ve got no chances of not running into Amanda. This town’s so small everyone knows each other. Hell, Cornell makes up half of Ithaca.”
Ashton thought for a moment.
“You could always transfer, you know. It’s early in the semester, and you’ve completed your basics.”
“Kayla would definitely get suspicious if I suggest that. I’ll just stay here and let things run their course.”
“And be haunted by the memory of your first love?”
Nathan’s lips formed a thin line.
“No matter what…all I want is to not hurt Kayla.”
After they finished their shopping, Amanda and Judith returned to Lansing West Apartments, where the former was staying. It was nearby north of Cornell University. The location was convenient, as she could get to classes in time without being in a hurry. And the apartments were the best she’d found in the area. Amanda had liked them after she was given a tour.
“Go get your messenger bag, then,” Judith said, leaving her purse on Amanda’s sofa. The two were going to study together.
“Let’s first get something to eat. I’m starving, and most likely Kellan is, too.”
Amanda exited her apartment. A few seconds later, she returned with Kellan behind her.
“Everything’s all clear, Ms. Tilley,” he said in an authoritative tone. “If you’d asked, I could have taken you both to go eat somewhere.”
“We don’t have much time,” Amanda replied. “We have to study. I’ll fix you dinner.”
Kellan grabbed Amanda’s arm when she made to go to the kitchen. He shook his head.
“Allow me,” Kellan asked her. Amanda pursed her lips, and then nodded. She then went to get her bag.
Judith wouldn’t stop staring at Amanda when the latter sat down next to her in the sofa.
“What’s the matter?”
“Kellan,” Judith whi
spered, looking in the direction of the kitchen. She then looked Amanda in the eyes. “It’s kind of hot. The way Kellan would do anything for you without your even having to snap your fingers.”
Amanda sighed.
“He’s my bodyguard, not my butler.”
Judith giggled.
“I know. He’s too young for the Alfred thing.”
Amanda reached into her bag and pulled out her notebook. Judith turned pensive.
“The guy you met at the show,” she said.
“Nathan? What about him?”
Judith raised her eyebrows.
“You’re into him, right? I can see it, girl. The way your eyes shone right now.”
“Ha. Judith, I just met him.”
“And love at first sight is a myth?”
“Oh, you and your romantic little head,” Amanda said, shaking her head.
“He’s no Jonathan Clayton,” said Judith, referring to Amanda’s handsome fitness trainer, “but he’s not bad-looking. And there’s something about him.”
Amanda shrugged, looking through the notes she took in class that day. Then she removed her MacBook Air from the messenger bag and set it on the table.
Kellan called from the kitchen.
“You can come here now, girls. The food is ready.”
Judith smiled at the term ‘girls’. She stood up and walked to the kitchen, followed by Amanda.
“Paninis,” Judith said, raising her eyebrows. “You can cook, Mr. Hughes. That’s so nice.”
“Thanks,” said Kellan. He then helped Amanda onto her seat.
“I didn’t know you could cook,” Judith told him as she grabbed two glasses from a cupboard.
“Oh, he can,” Amanda said. “By the way, Hughes. Do you remember the guy we saw at American Eagle?”
Kellan nodded.
“His name’s Nathan Ferland. Let Grayson know that he’s okay to approach me whenever he likes. Grayson’s quite intimidating. I’d hate to think of him having to restrain Nathan.”
“I’ll tell him,” Kellan assured her.
“I know how dedicated Grayson is about my safety, so if he happens to run a check on Nathan, I want to know nothing about it. Okay?”
“Sure, Ms. Tilley.”
Kellan finished the plates for Amanda and her friends. He put them on the table in front of them.
Dream Date Page 4