“Here you go, sweetheart. Many things for you to go through.” She waved me in and closed the curtain to give me some privacy. There had to be at least fifty items, but thankfully she’d started me out with just ten in here.
I began trying them on and looked at the price tag. I would be able to afford a lot of them, which made me giddy with excitement. She’d picked out a jacket, too, which made me realize I also needed shoes. These sneakers wouldn’t do in the cold.
I sorted the clothes that fit in one pile and the rest in another, then opened the curtain when I was back in my old clothes. “I like these ones,” I said, placing them on her counter. “Do you sell shoes, too?”
“I do,” she replied, heading in another direction as I began to pick out the next items to try on. When she returned, she brought several pairs of boots in a cardboard box. “These are the only ones I figured would fit you.” She put the box down and I began to look through it, trying on three pairs before I found one that fit me. They were either real leather or fake, but I didn’t really care. They fit perfectly and looked brand new.
I left with three bags full of clothes and my new shoes. Magda had been wonderful and I promised to return again soon. I still had some money left which I hoped would be enough for lights and one book. Maybe they had a library here where I could borrow books;then I didn’t have to worry about them taking up space in my van after finishing them.
I’d completely forgotten about my stalker, so when he appeared in front of me, smiling so big, I was momentarily stunned.Nope! Not today, Satan!I spun around as fast as possible and ran for my life. I might have overreacted a bit, running away from someone who hadn’t even said anything. But he’d been watching me all day, and I had this desire of really wanting to stay alive.
Jerry turned around the corner and I almost ran straight into him. He grabbed my arm and looked me over with concern. “You alright?”
I nodded quickly, thinking about telling him of the man, but decided against it. I didn’t want to seem weird or like I was making stuff up. They’d been nothing but kind to me and I didn’t want to push my luck. Smiling, I said, “I forgot where the other stores were so I came looking for you. I got clothes and shoes.” I held up the bags proudly.
“Oh, that’s great!” He said, helping me carry the bags. “So, you need detergent, lights, and books?”
“Yes,” I replied, glad to have him beside me for the rest of the shopping spree. “And in that order. If I can’t afford books I’ll wait till next time.”
“There’s a book box in the center of town, you can take all the books you want from there and donate the ones you own but don’t want anymore. Maybe we should head there, too, since they’re free.”
That sounded amazing. The thrill of getting to own more stuff that would be just mine was almost enough to ignore the feeling of eyes on me.
Almost.
Chapter 8
Xarius
So….thathadn’t worked out as I’d planned.
My soulmatch had run away, almost as if he was afraid of me. But why? I smiled, I wasn’t able tostopsmiling. Finally seeing him up close, he was gorgeous! The red hair and those beautiful brown innocent eyes. I wanted to protect him,notscare him off.
I’d kept my distance as he met up with his friend, watching from the shadows as he picked out stuff he needed. I could’ve helped him with that! I was pouting as I followed them around, making sure they wouldn’t spot me as they did their thing.
They entered a bookstore and I was able to sneak all the way over there and listen in around the corner. When they walked out of there, I could overhear their conversation clearly.
“I’ll drop you off now and return with breakfast in the morning. Are you fine on your own tonight?” the older man asked.
“I’ll be fine. I bought some food at the store to eat and then I’ll read until I fall asleep,” my lovely soulmatch replied.
So that meant he would be alone soon. I could buy some stuff and then drive to the gas station and woo him there.It seemed like a perfect plan!Then he would have time to get his things put away, before I knocked on his van later.
With that plan in mind, I strode back towards the general store and bought some things to help me seduce my soulmatch. This was going to be perfect.I could feel it!
As I drove back towards the gas station, I called Julie. “Hey!” I greeted cheerily, my mood brightening further the closer I got to my soulmatch.
“Hi, yourself. Any news?” I’d told her that I knew where he was now but hadn’t met him yet.
“I met him today,” I announced, then got sad all over again as I recalled the scared look on his face.
“That’s great! What did he say?”
“He ran away from me,” I admitted, needing her advice before I disturbed him again.
“He, what? I thought you were friends?” I got her confusion; I hadn’t really explained what he was to me. “Is that why you kept referring to him as they? You didn’t know his gender before?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “I, it’s hard to explain. But wearefriends, just friends that’ve never met.”
