Jealousy, Jealousy (Part 1)

25 - Amelia

"Hey, so where should we go first?" I excitedly asked Noah, when we walked into Westchester City Mall.

"You tell me. What does Lauren like?"

Like you wouldn't know, I thought. "Let's check out the jewelry shops. She could definitely use some new earrings."

Noah paused and looked around. "How about that shop?" I turned to where he was pointing to and saw a huge sign that said 'Keep It Casual Boutique'.

Clothes! Yes, Lauren could use some new clothes. "Okay. But remember, we shouldn't both get the same type of gift. So how about I get clothes for her and you get something else? Like jewelry."

Noah chuckled, shaking his head. "Amelia, I'll get the clothes, since it was my suggestion. You can get whatever else you want." He started heading towards the shop and I trailed after him.

"Wait! You don't even know what clothes she'll like!" I exclaimed.

"She has a lot of basic pieces like t-shirts and leggings. She also wears a lot of brown."

Noah noticed what type of clothes she wore? Did he ever notice what I wore?

"Okay... that's a good start! I'll help you look!" I beamed, searching the clothing racks for something that might match what he mentioned.

"Nope, all good. These will be perfect," Noah said from behind me. I turned around and saw him holding a super cute white zip up hoodie that had two zippers, one at the bottom and the other at the top. He also had with him brown sweatpants.

"That's actually... pretty cute. Good choices." My smile wavered a bit. Lauren was going to love these clothes.

Noah looked at the tag. "Do you think they'll fit?"

"Yeah, I'm sure they'll be fine. You can give her the receipt so she can return them if it doesn't."

Noah nodded at me appreciatively. "Thanks, I will." He checked out and we walked out of the shop.

"Hey, Noah? What do you like?" I wanted to know.

"What do you mean?"

I sighed, "Like... what do you wish for in a... girl?"

Noah frowned. "I haven't thought about that. But, she has to be nice, funny, and somewhat athletic."

We walked in silence towards the elevator.

"Now, that I think about it. I've thought about knowing someone who could teach me tennis. I've always kind of wanted to learn," Noah continued. A mischievous type of smile began to form on his face.

Tennis!? I knew how to play tennis! I looked around the mall and caught a glimpse of a sports store.

"I'm going to go get something real quick. Be right back," I said. As I hurriedly scampered away, Noah waved at me with a confused expression.

I ran inside of the store and grabbed a tennis racket off the shelf. I hadn't played in a long time so I needed new equipment. I quickly purchased the racket and a few tennis balls with my credit card and ran out to where I had left Noah. Except... he was nowhere to be seen. I pulled my phone out of my purse and called him.

"Where'd you go?" I demanded.

Noah answered, "Hey, Amelia. I'm really sorry. Lauren called me and said she needed help carrying some boxes. I just left to go help her. I'll catch up with you next time, okay? Thanks for your help today."

"Oh, no problem." After Noah hung up, I sat down at the nearest chair.

How could Noah just leave me at the mall like that?

Well. If I'm going to impress him with my tennis skills, I'm going to have to look the part as well.

I checked the mall's map and headed right to the closest athletic clothing shop. I bought a white polo shirt, a cream sweater vest, and white and black tennis skirts.

At Lauren's birthday party, I'll fully transform into the tennis playing version of me.