Lovers of Yesterday

Chapter 15 • Mall

Before anyone could find me, I stood up and readjusted the flannel. I was right. Liam sounded angry and now that he realizes I'm not at work, he'll be even more angry. Although I thought I told him I wouldn't be at work. Maybe I didn't. I can't remember. Everything was muddled and messed up.

I looked up when Lynch rounded the corner to find me. He stopped short when he saw me standing in the doorway and a look crossed his face that I couldn't decipher in time before it was gone. He gestured out into the shop and walked off, letting me follow behind slowly. Dria was standing by the counter with her arms crossed, looking worried.

"Dria? Everything ok?" I asked as I approached.

She nodded her head, "Yeah, I was just thinking of some-"

She paused when she raised her head and noticed the jacket. Her eyes widened and gave a quick glance to Lynch who was now working on restocking the bookshelves with Bridget's help. Vivian kept looking between us and him while she worked on a customer's order, her face still unreadable.

Alexandria stepped closer, whispering, "Did Lynch give you his jacket?"

I nodded, "I was going to give it back to him but he told me to keeping until the next time I see him."

Her eyebrows raised but she didn't say anything. Instead, she took her place next to me and hooked her arm with mine. She led us out to her car and climbed in. I followed suit and buckled my seatbelt while Dria backed pulled out of her spot.

• • •

The parking lot was almost completely full with cars still pulling into spaces. Some were rushing to get to the closer spots where others were backing out. Dria was one of those, gunning it for a spot that opened up near the front. Even after she put the car into park, I still had a white-knuckled grip on the 'oh shit' bar.

I slowly relaxed when Dria turned the car off and stepped out. I followed and got out as well, allowing her to now lock her car. I rounded the car and stopped next to her, craning my neck to the side to see how far the building wrapped around. It's been a few years since I've been able to come and it seems like they've added a few new stores. Their fronts don't look as weathered as others.

Dria started forward and I had to jog a little to catch up with her again. She seemed to be on a mission, eyes set firmly on the entrance, only sparing a glance to check for oncoming cars. I, on the other hand, stopped and checked both ways before chasing after her.

I didn't ask where we were going and got the odd feeling that I should have. We passed several clothing stores and I assumed I was clear from her fashion demands. No. We're heading in the direction of something much worse. I stopped dead when I realized where she was beelining for. She must have felt that I wasn't following anymore because she stopped as well and turned around.

I started shaking my head furiously when she approached, red rising in my face, "Dria, we can't go in there."

She grinned, "Why not? It's just some lingerie. What's so wrong about that?"

"Be-Because it's embarrassing! Why would we need it?" I fought for a reason.

She rolled her eyes playfully, "Well, one, because I want to feel sexy sometimes and so should you. Two, because you need something for your mans. And three, because I need to tell you something and show you something."

"I... my 'mans'? I don't think Liam would be to happy that I'm going lingerie shopping. And what do you need to show me slash tell me?" I questioned, confused.

"No, not Liam," she raised her eyebrows, "Your other mans."

"What other guy am I-" I realized who she was talking about and blushed harder, "Lynch and I are not a thing. He knows I'm with Liam. The jacket was just him being courteous."

"Uh-huh. Sure, we'll go with that. Let's go," she hooked my arm so I couldn't escape and forced me into the store.

The lights were dim and low music was playing in the background, giving off a seductive feeling. I was instantly tense and uncomfortable, having never been in a lingerie store before. While the customer service people were nice, I still felt weird. I kept my eyes trained on the floor for the most part, only looking up when Dria asked for my opinion on something.

I had a feeling she was picking some things out for me as well because she knew my sizes and was talking with an associate. When the lady asked if I was ok, she explained that I was nervous and not sure about anything. I didn't hear a reply but figured she nodded her head in understanding.

Once Dria had a few choices in her hands, we were led back to the dressing rooms and shown to two empty stalls. Dria handed me two pair that she picked out before disappearing to her own stall. I slipped into mine and locked the door behind me. It was small as expected, with a full-length mirror, a small bench, and several hooks to hang clothes.

I felt uncomfortable stripping out of my clothes but I knew I had to get over myself. It's just cloth. I have no reason to be this embarrassed.

Folding my clothes neatly, I set them on the bench and turned to stare at Dria's choices. Both were skimpy but not terribly revealing. At least she knew to start off easy. Before I could psych myself out, I pulled a set off of its hanger and slipped it on, adjusting the bra a little so it would fit.

Just as I finished, someone knocked softly on my door. I turned and unlocked it, revealing Dria changed into one of her sets. She looked good and on a second glance, I noticed a pale white patch of skin just under her hip.

She stepped in and locked the door behind her, moving to stand off to the side. She crossed her arms and only then did I realize that she was nervous.

"Dria?" I prompted.

She offered a weak smile, "I guess it's pretty obvious right now but I have vitiligo. I noticed it when it was a small dot a while back but just brushed it off. When it kept growing and more spots appeared, I went to a doctor and they diagnosed me."

Against her mahogany skin, it was very obvious but also beautiful. The vitiligo created gorgeous patterns on her skin. She turned and moved her braids to show me her back as well. It was also covered in white patches of skin. When she turned around and pointed it out, I noticed a small dot along her hairline.

I was stunned to silence for a minute as I stared at her. She shifted and I blinked, noticing that I hadn't responded.

"You're gorgeous. I don’t care what your think, it's a gorgeous skin condition as long as it isn't harmful. You need to be confident about it," I stepped forward and hugged her.

She hugged me back and said, "Thank you. U was worried you were gonna be weirded out. I wasn't sure how to tell you."

I pulled back to look her in the eye, "I don't care what you look like as long as you're a good person at heart. You know this about me. I'm not going to judge you based on something you can't control."

She nodded and took a deep breath, steeping back. It was clear that she was now over her insecurity and focused on me. She observed what I was wearing and gave a firm nod in approval.

"It looks good on you," she complemented, "and you don't have to get it of you don't want to but sometimes it just feels good to wear something sexy without anyone else seeing."

I hummed I looked at myself in the mirror, trying to see me from her perspective. I have long pale legs that widen out a little at my hips, a narrow but not thin waist, and a decent bust size. My face is round bit not chubby and I have long hair that falls to my bicep. I don't have the body that seems to be the most stereotypical with lots of curves and a beautiful face but I've always been ok with my body.

I nodded once to say that I was ok with buying it. She found my hand and squeezed it before leaving my dressing room. Once she was gone and the door was locked again, I took the lingerie set off and clipped it back on its hanger. Now I faced the other one, pulling it off so I could try it on.