**Brice P.O.V.**
After Nate finished telling the Build-A-Bear clerk , well he mostly pointed out what he wanted, we begin to head over to Footlocker. This kid can really use shoes that doesn't have velcro straps on them.
I know he is small and doesn't care about what he wears, but I do. Being the handsome, lady-pulling, big brother I am, I gotta have the little guy making girls swoon. Trust me, velcro straps aren't going to get him anywhere.
We stepped in and begin walking around for some non- velcro shoes.
"Alright Nate, what's it going to be?" I was still holding him in my arms so I had to look to the left to look at his face.
He looked at the 'baby shoes' shelf for a while. Just when I though I would have to pick some out myself, his face lit up and his eyes expanded so wide that I thought they would just pop out of his head.
"I want," was all he said before pointing at a pair of Spiderman converse. I smiled.
"Good choice buddy," I'm glad he picked up on the Spiderman stuff, its not like he had a choice anyway.
I sat him on the bench that you use to try on your shoes before reaching for the foot measuring thing. I don't really know how to use this thing so I just took off one of his shoes, then called over a clerk.
"What can I do for you?" She was young, around my age, but had a shit-ton of makeup on. I grimaced slightly when she touched my arm.
"I just need you to measure his foot," I pointed at Nate, trying not to sound rude. She didn't seen to notice, or even care for that matter.
I looked around for another clerk but didn't see one. Her hand stayed on my arm, slowly beginning to piss me off.
"His foot. Measure it," she finally looked like she was snapping out of her little 'phase'. She looked down at him and smiled. He scrunched up his face and looked at me.
It took everything in me not to laugh at the poor guy. She frowned a little but shrugged it off.
Grabbing the measuring thing, she began to size up his foot. When she turned back to me, she had on a 'flirty' smile, but it only made me cringe.
"What shoe do you want?" she asked, again touching my arm.
"The Spiderman chucks," I answered, taking a step back from her touch.
When she started to search for the shoes, I started to put Nate's shoe back on. Once I was done, I picked him up and turned to face the clerk.
"Here you go. I can ring you up at the front," she smiled widely and pushed her chest up. To be honest, I dont think there was a difference between her chest and her back so it wasn't really much for anyone to look at.
I rolled my eyes and followed her to the cash register. She scanned the box and put it into a striped Footlocker bag.
"32.85."
I quickly swiped my card, trying to hurry and get away from this chick as fast as I can. Just when I was turning around, she reached over and grabbed my hand.
"Come back soon," she even had the audacity to fucking wink at me! It looked more like a face spasm, but I knew what she was trying, no, attempting to do.
"Not happening," I mumbled, grabbing the bag. She laughed and leaned onto the counter. She then took out this strip of paper from somewhere in her deflated chest, and slid it into the bag.
To say I was pissed, would be an understatement. I was furious. I know some girls don't give a damn about themselves, but she was throwing herself at me in front of a kid. A fucking 2 year old kid! Oh, and it gets better.
"I have lunch in a couple hours. You can come back and maybe we can have some fun," she smirked, still leaning over the counter.
"I'm good," I turned around and started to walk out the store. Right before I stepped out, I took the slip of paper out of the bag, ripped it up and threw it into the trash by the door, making sure she saw me.
I couldn't get out of there fast enough. Even while I was walking out, I could feel her eyes following me out.
"You know what Nate? I don't think we should go back in there," I looked over at Nate and shifted him up a little in my arms.
"No go back dude," he said and giggled. I also laughed because he caught onto a new word that he heard some guys say earlier at Build-A-Bear.
"Let's go find Tyra a gift, yeah?" I need to find something else to give her to go with the ring and necklace set I got her. I know it seems like a lot but I have a plan set for all of this, especially since homecoming is coming up and her birthday. Maybe I can get Nate to help me.
"We go dude," Nate said causing both of us to laugh then we started walking to another store.
After grabbing a small gift, Nate and I were ready to go. I sat Nate down on the bench in the middle of the mall and sat next to him. He was beginning to get sleepy so he laid his head on my lap.
Taking out my phone, I began to text Tyra.
to Tyra 💁💁:
we are ready when you are
A couple of minutes later she replied back.
from Tyra 💁💁:
in ready. im at Smoothie Kings
to Tyra 💁💁:
alright be there in a few
from Tyra 💁💁:
do you want the rest of my smoothie. its strawberry-mango
to Tyra 💁💁:
sure. get a cup for Nate, too
from Tyra 💁💁:
already got it
Putting my phone away, a stood up, grabbing Nate and the bags with me, and started heading towards Smoothie Kings.
We finally arrive and Nate is asleep on my shoulder while he has one fist gripping a piece of the collar of my short.
I see Tyra and Chris sitting at a two-seater table talking. I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding. I guess I was just relieved when I saw that they weren't sitting close to each other.
I'm not sure why I would be mad, its not like we are together or anything.
But you wish you were.
I can always count on my conscience to state the obvious.
Sighing, I started towards their table. Chris was facing me so he saw me first. He smiled and nodded with acknowledgment, I did the same but without a smile.
It may seem rude but I'm exhausted and ready to go. I stopped by Tyra and looked down at her. She smiled and reached for Nate.
"He's asleep so be careful," I said, handing him over. She rolled her eyes and grabbed him.
"I think I can see that, dumbass," I mocked hurt by putting a hand on my chest.
"I am not a dumbass. I just prefer to make dumb decision at times," we both laughed and she stood up with Nate. Turning to Chris, she looked at him seriously.
"So you want is to wait until she gets here?" He shook his head and stood up too.
"She is actually right there at the door, walking in now."
We all turned to look at the entrance. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. My body froze, my teeth were clenched, and my hands were in fists.
I thought, no prayed, that I would never see her again, but there she was, standing at the doorway of Smoothie Kings, about as shocked as I was.
The girl that had once stole my heart, then shattered it into a million pieces and lit it on fire.
There at the door stood.... Ryan.
