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Toria’s heart, which had
been rapidly beating, finally slowed. Why was she getting all worked up over
a simple touch? She needed to get a hold of herself. “Tor?” She heard Lisa
call her. “Yeah?” She said faintly. “I just realized that I
have to make a quick phone call home, but I left my cell so I’m going to go
use the payphone. ‘Kay?” Lisa said, already exiting her change room. “Well wait and I’ll come
with. It’ll only take me a minute to change.” Toria said untying the halter. “It’s okay. I’ll be back
soon. Besides I want to you buy that skirt and that halter by the time I get
back. You are getting them right?” Lisa asked. “Ah...I guess...Yeah!”
Toria said, rolling her eyes. “You better! I’ll be back
soon.” Lisa laughed as she left the area. Toria retied the halter
so she could have one last look at the outfit. She really did like how it
looked on her. Suddenly she heard the
sound of a latch and she realized that he was leaving. She turned
around and through the tiny crack of the door, she saw his figure pass her
room. She desperately wanted to
jerk open the door and look to see who he was. With that kind of reaction,
she needed to know! She quietly unlocked the
door and slowly cracked it open. She peeked out and saw him, but
unfortunately his back was to her and she couldn’t make out his face. Even so
she wasn’t complaining. He was pretty tall and his clothing fit his body
well. He had a nice body, a very nice body. From what she could see his hair
was buzzed and that it was a light brown. There was something faintly
familiar about him. Something about the way he carried himself. She didn’t
know him, of that she was sure and yet... She saw him knock on a
change room door and a blond head popped out. They talked for a little bit
and he was about to leave when the girl stopped him and drew him in for a
long kiss. Toria ducked back in the change room embarrassed that she was
watching the two. And not only was she embarrassed but she was in a weird way
jealous that he was taken. What had she been thinking? That they would talk
and he would fall for her or something? She was being ridiculous. Even though she knew he
was taken Toria was still curious. Who was he? She just had to know. She
opened the change room and quickly walked out to the store. He was in front
of her, easily winding his way around the clothes racks so that he could
leave the store. Toria couldn’t let him
leave the store without finding out who he was and she wouldn’t be able to
follow him out because she was still wearing the stores clothing. So she
called out to him, “Excuse me!” Unfortunately in her
haste to get to him before he left, she didn’t pay any attention to where she
was going and accidentally tripped on something on the floor. Not wanting to
fall flat on her face, Toria reached for the closest thing available, which
was a small clothing rack. What soon occurred was nothing short of chaos. Justin swiftly turned
around to see a girl grab on to a rack and have it and its contents tumble on
her. He and the other few people in the store ran over to her. “Are you okay?” He heard
someone ask. “Yeah,” he heard the girl
mumble as she was removed from underneath the pile. “Are you sure, you’re
okay?” He asked, as she stood up. “Yeah,” she said looking down
at her feet, obviously embarrassed at the events. He couldn’t help but
notice the short skirt she was wearing and realized that it was the girl from
the change room beside him. “What happened?” He asked. “I...I tripped on...on
something.” She stammered. Toria knew it had to be him,
who was asking her all the questions. Completely embarrassed she had
hoped he had left before the accident, but no such luck. Curiosity overcame
embarrassment and she slowly looked up at him. She stilled, struck by his
deep blue eyes. She scrutinized his face carefully and noticed a well-defined
face with a strong jaw line and finely moulded lips. He was really good
looking. Which shouldn’t have, but made everything even more embarrassing. “You called me earlier?”
Justin asked trying to break the silence. “Me...Umm...uh...” She
stuttered not knowing what to say and deeply embarrassed by the whole
situation. A look of comprehension
came over his face. “Oh! You want an autograph?” Toria looked at him in
confusion. An autograph? Why would she want an autograph from him? She
decided not to question him, instead she did her best to get out of the
situation. She shook her head. “I’m
sorry I thought you were someone else. If you’ll excuse me...” She walked
past the sales clerk who were hanging up the spilled clothing and quickly
walked into the change room. Justin looked bewildered.
What had that been all about? He realized the time and rushed out of the
store and walked across the mall. The girl from the change room was still in
the back of his mind. Seeing her face had had a worse affect on him than when
they had touched earlier in the change room. Looking into her beautiful grey
eyes had affected him in the oddest way. She had the same eyes as...Victoria. He paused in his pursuit
of an exit as he thought of Victoria. It had been weeks since he had sent her
the flowers with the letter attached to it with his e-mail address. She had
never replied and he needed to know she was okay. He knew her address. He had
extorted it out of one of the nurses but he didn’t feel right visiting
without waiting for her to reply to his letter. He could only hope she would
be at the concert so he could talk to her in person. “Justin,” he heard
someone call, breaking into his thoughts. He turned to see a tall,
slim blond walking towards him. It took him a moment to figure out who she
was, but then smiled when he did. “Lisa. What’s up?” She grinned, glad that he
remembered her. “I’m good! So you’re just shopping?” She asked. “I was shopping with a
friend but now I’m heading to a meeting.” He frowned, remembering the reason
for the hasty meeting. “Is something wrong?” She
asked, noting his frown. Justin sighed. “The
designer for the video ran off to Vegas to get married without finishing a
few outfits. We have a couple seamstresses but we need an actual designer, to
finish up a few designs.” Lisa couldn’t believe the
luck of this. She looked at Justin, “I’m really sorry about that but I might
have a quick solution for you.” Justin raised a brow.
“What do you have in mind?” “I have a friend that
designs clothing for a clothing store, Freightans. Have you heard of
it?” Justin mulled it over in
his head. Freightans...It did sound kind of familiar but he wasn’t
sure. He shook his head. “Oh...Well it’s pretty
popular in this area. She’s a really good seamstress and an even better
designer. I don’t know if you remember but at the party I wore a dress she
designed and made.” Justin’s mouth twisted in
a grimace. He didn’t like to think about that night. “I guess you didn’t
really like the dress.” Lisa said, seeing the grimace on his face. Justin looked at her in
surprise. Of course she didn’t know that he and the other guys had been in a
car accident. They had made sure that it wasn’t publicized. “No, I’m sorry! I was thinking
about something else. I don’t remember the dress. So is there any way that we
can meet your friend and see some of her stuff today?” Lisa grinned, trying to
keep the excitement from bubbling up inside her. “Yeah! I could. She’s
actually in the mall right now. She and I can go to her place to get her
portfolio and meet you wherever you’re supposed to be.” Justin nodded. He took
out a business card and wrote the address on the back. “Just tell them your
name. I’ll make sure you’re on the appointment list.” Lisa smiled in response.
And with that they parted. Justin on his way to the meeting hoping Lisa’s
friend would be able to do it and Lisa on her way to tell her friend the good
news. |