I was exhausted the day Tom checked out at my register. I had been working too much, the holiday season means extended hours and back-to-back shifts. College was grueling this time of year as well and it wasn't like I could take time off from work to focus on school. I was worn down and not really in the mood for Tom and his cheerful mood.
"How are you doing today?" I asked him in my rote, uninterested tone of voice. It was close to the end of my shift and I couldn't wait to get out of there so I could get a few hours sleep before my next class. I was so behind in that class and I was starting to worry that I wouldn't pass.
"I'm great! How are you?" I barely looked up at him but even with just a glance, it was obvious that he was obscenely handsome and much older than me. I had a boyfriend already but it was a long-distance thing. It was rare that we actually saw each other and with my schedule that was probably for the best. Working at a department store during the holiday season didn't leave much time for having sex or anything else. I would see him for Christmas dinner if I didn't have to work but it seemed like I always had to work.
"I'm great, thank you. How about this cold weather?" I asked, not really caring about his answer. I focused instead on finding the stupid tags and scanning them so I could get through the sale as quickly as possible.
"It's actually quite lovely today. When is the last time you went outside," he joked.
"They have me locked to this register! I wish I had time to go outside."
"When is your next break?"
"Um...seven o'clock, I think..." I wasn't quite sure.
"How about I take you to my special place? It's absolutely gorgeous and only a three minute walk from here."
"I don't know. I'm supposed to study for a mid-term on my break."
"You look like you could use a little relaxation, maybe an actual break. I'll be back here for you at seven to take you there. Okay?" He wasn't really asking me, he was telling me and I found myself nodding as I really looked up at him for the first time. He had sandy, blonde hair and a smile that reminded me of Ken. Yes, from Ken and Barbie.
"Sounds good," I heard myself say as I handed him his receipt.
"See you soon," he called as he left.
"Well, he was handsome!" the lady who was next in line chirped as she handed me her items to be checked. I rolled my eyes.
Sure enough, Tom showed up at seven for my break just as he had promised. I tentatively followed him through the crowded mall. He led me down the main corridor and to one of the exits. We stepped outside into the day and I couldn't help but think that it had been a long time since I had just relaxed and taken an actual break. It was a cold day but it was sunny outside as we made our way across a patch of grass.
"Where are we going? I just realized I'm following a stranger to a strange place and I don't even know your name!"
"I'm Tom," he extended his hand and gave me a wide smile that made my heart soften a bit. He was so handsome that I was certain there had to be something wrong with him. There was no way a guy this hot was interested in me. I wasn't anything special, I was just another normal-looking girl. I was suspicious.