You were a very successful, independent young woman. After you graduated college and began working your dream job nothing stood in your way other than the taunting from your family members asking when you would get a boyfriend. This subject was very touched and go. I would explain life without depending on a man and they would explain the 'benefits' of being with a man. Their 'benefits' I saw more as obstacles that could hold me back from what I truly wanted to do in my early 20s.
"You need to get a boyfriend mija, he'll take care of you, so you don't have to work as hard and travel so much." My aunt explained.
"Traveling is literally all I want to do."
"Yeah, but don't you want to settle down anytime soon?" she went on.
"No, not really. I'm 22 and about to be 23 in September. I have my whole life ahead of me to 'settle down."
"Your just never home anymore. You work too much. We just want to see you more, see you happy, not as stressed, and on the go all the time. For instance, you leave in an hour for your flight because of work. You only had a few days with your family." my aunt continued.
"I know, but that's the sacrifice I'm willing to take right now for a better future and a calmer future. Hustle now, relax later." I said packing the rest of my things before I shot her a smile.
"I love you. Be careful over there okay?" She said as she pulled me into a hug.
"Of course aunt Deb," I said as I pulled away from her warm body.
***
I arrived in Kansas City for a three-day/12-hour shift as an ICU nurse. I'll be here for a week before I head to Austin, Tx for my next assignment. After work, I usually like to explore the cities even if I'm alone. I always keep pepper spray in my purse just in case, because you never truly know. After long days of work and seeing constant death at work, you kind of turn yourself into a depressed mole. You go out for a few and then order take out and stay in until the next day. But recently, I've been trying to turn a new leaf and start a healthier habit. I picked up the photography. I love capturing a moment in time. A moment you may never get back. A moment we should all cherish and never take for granted because, in just a moment, things can go south.
I was fortunate enough during this work trip to have a close friend who is also an ICU nurse tag along and work side by side with her. So, the after-work hikes, gym sessions, mall trips, and fancy dinners were even better with someone you love by your side.
***
Tuesday- Shift 3 out of 3
As the 12-hour shift ended, Christina and I were bursting with excitement since it meant we were done and were able to explore the city more for the rest of the week. We both had plans to go to the mall this afternoon to treat ourselves to clothes and then have a nice dinner after with a margarita or two.
Once we clocked out we bolted to the hotel and go ready to go out. The hotel was unusually packed this afternoon, but we didn't pay attention we just wanted our margs and have a nice girl's night.
As we drove to the mall we talked about how crazy today was and about what we both had to deal with in the hospital. Along with that we also talked and picked out a restaurant that Christian heard was really nice here.
We walked around several stores, buying what we found we liked and trying clothes on. I swear this was our therapy. We then made our way to another store Christina was set on going, but what she didn't tell me was that it was across the entire mall. My feet were killing me at this point. After an insane 12-hour shift and then walking the entire mall, my calves better look nice.
As we walked to the store I quickly looked down to answer a few texts from family members, friends, and so forth that I haven't talked to all day because of how busy I was. A few seconds go by and I felt this strongly built body crush into me, "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. Weston I fucking told you not to shit like that man. See what happens." the male said as he held my arm that he crushed into, "I'm sorry, are you okay?" he asked.
I looked up to meet his eyes and I instantly got butterflies, "Yes, umm I'm fine. It's not like I don't get hit every day by a guy." I murmured louder than I expected and didn't expect them to hear until all three of the men gave me a concerned look.
Christina laughed and thankfully interuppted this awkwardness, "We are nurses, so we get hit pretty often. Today, for instance, an old man threw a clipboard at me." she said.
I then spoke, "And an old man kicked me today. Nothing new. You're fine." I said and gave the brown-haired-brown-eyed boy a light smile.
"Damn these grandpas got gains," laughed one of the boys as the brown-haired-brown-eyed boy quickly nudged him.
"I'm sorry you both go through that." he said, "That's not right. your caregivers and shouldn't be abused."
"We are used to it," Christina and I said in unison. At that moment I then realized how fucked up it is that we said we are used to it, because no matter who you are, abuse is always wrong. After a small pause, the men introduced themselves as Christian, Weston, and Tyler. After we parted ways we made out way to the restaurant.
***
As we sat in this nice restaurant, I ordered myself a margarita as Christina got herself her favorite cocktail, "Dude. Why is it that the boys we just met at the mall all popped up on my Instagram? They are a part of the US men's national soccer team. Look at the sponsored ad that just popped up." she said handing me the phone.
"Damn, your FBI agent really said 'for you'," I said laughing.
"Dude we should have taken a picture with them. They were cute. All of them but especially the one that ran into you." she said.
"The brown-haired-brown-eyed boy?" I asked and she nodded, "Christian is his name," I responded.
"Yeah I just found him on insta," she said as she stalked his page. Her face then blushed, "Damn, fuck missed my chance. Look at him," she said as she handed me a picture of him shirtless from one of his posted pictures with the rest of his teammates surrounding him.
"He's very handsome," I added.
"A fucking snack," she added.
***
As we ate, he talked more and more about the most random stuff. I then pulled out my camera that was in my purse the entire time and began taking photos of how fancy the dinner looked or how elegant the cocktails looked, "So you're telling me, you had a camera. Like an actual camera this entire time, and you didn't say anything? We could have taken pictures with them."
"You're still hung up on that." I simply added.
"I'm just sad we missed the opportunity," she said with a little pouty face, "All three of those boys I could take home with me. They look so yummy," she explained.
I let out a small laugh and before I began to speak the waiter comes to our table and places two cocktails and handed them both to each of us, "Oh we didn't order another round. Yet at least." I said slightly giggling.
He gave me a smile and then said, "No you didn't but the gentlemen over there at the bar ordered these for you both." he said as both Christina and I turn to find the three men we came across at the mall earlier.
The brown-haired-brown-eyed boy gave a light smile and wave back at us or so I thought. Then I heard a soft voice say, "Oooh he's staring at you. Let's go talk to them."
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A/N: I'll be doing Imagines/one-shots and will be going based on request! So comment or send me a message on what you would like!!!
