Post by Stella Basch on Jun 18, 2024 19:42:13 GMT -5
Journeys – Silver Sands Premium Outlets
Miramar Beach, FL
Monday, June 17, 2024
What kind of girl goes to a mall in another state just to buy a pair of shoes from a store she could have easily shopped at back at home? Me, that’s who! I mean, let’s be real… not all stores in a chain have the exact same inventory. Besides, when you need something in a pinch, it’s a good thing to be able to pop into a local branch, because they might have exactly what you need.
This was the case for me, because as fate would have it, I forgot to pack my sneakers, and I’d be damned if I was gonna wreck my feet by walking around town in sandals. In fact, I could already feel the effects of the Florida sun as its rays burned the pale skin on my toes.
Good thing I bought a few pairs of socks while I was in there…
With my bags hanging from my wrists, I scanned the area for a place to sit down. Luckily, there was a bench outside of the Volcom shop a few yards away.
Stella: Ah… there we go!
I quickly made my way over and began rifling through one of my bags, pulling out a pair of socks and a Dr. Martens shoebox. Undoing the buckle on one of my sandals, I paid no attention to the shadow that approached, only to stand in front of me.
Man's Voice: : Question… do you own ANY shoes that aren’t Docs?
I know that voice...
The sandal fell off of my now-bare foot as I looked up, only to find Tom Carradine, of all people, standing in front of me, his usual smug grin plastered on his face.
Stella: You got a problem with Dr. Martens?
I smirked, looking down at the shoes on his feet. He was wearing a pair of old, well-worn light blue Nike Air Force 1s. They looked like they were fresh off the assembly line… when I was 5.
Stella: On second thought, never mind.
Tom tilted his head to the side, his lip curled into a slight sneer as he scoffed.
Tom: What’s that supposed to mean?
I shook my head as I slipped my foot out of the sandal, letting it fall to the ground before doing the same with the other one.
Stella: Like I said, never mind.
There was a brief, awkward pause as I pulled a pair of black Dr. Martens Combs boots out of the box. Once I put the socks on, however, I decided to speak up.
Stella: You know, one of my coaches had a saying when it comes to certain people…
Tom: And what might that saying be?
I looked up at him as I put my new boots on. They fit perfectly, like a comforting hug for my feet. Granted, I always thought myself a bit on the weird side for thinking that, but whatever.
Stella: Like a bad penny, you seem to turn up just about everywhere I go. Why is that?
I watched as he ran a hand through his hair, brushing the long blond strands from his eyes.
Tom: You mean, apart from the fact that we work for the same company?
I nodded my head as I tied the laces and tucked the ends behind the tongues.
Tom: Pure dumb luck, I suppose. But you never really answered my question.
I picked up my sandals and stuffed them into the now-empty shoebox, which I then stuffed into the bag I’d pulled it out of.
Stella: You can never have too many pairs of Docs. It just so happens…
Tom: I just figured you would’ve packed enough pairs of shoes to cover everyone on the FWP roster…
I chuckled sheepishly in a failed attempt at hiding my embarrassment.
Stella: Actually, I bought these because I forgot to pack my other shoes.
Tom put a hand over his mouth to stifle a laugh, but the muffled snicker soon grew into a full belly laugh as he leaned against a nearby pillar.
Stella: I don’t see what’s so funny…
Tom: Nah… it’s just that the first thing that popped into my head… nah, I shouldn’t even say it.
Stella: What? You might as well go ahead and say it, now that you’ve got me curious.
He shrugged his shoulders.
Tom: You’ve played World of Warcraft, right?
I nodded my head.
Stella: Yeah… my main is an Affliction Warlock… Blood Elf, of course.
He smirked.
Tom: Figures. Anyway, I remember seeing a promo for the game a few years back that had this big blue guy with green tattoos all over the place… had these big-ass wings…
Stella: Illidan Stormrage?
Tom: If you say so. Anyway, the one thing that stood out from that promo was when he jumped up like he was about to divebomb someone and shouted…
He covered his mouth with his fist and cleared his throat. Right away, I knew exactly what he was going to say.
Tom & Stella: YOU ARE NOT PREPARED!
He smiled.
Tom: Yeah, I figured you’d know the line.
The exchange was awkward enough as it was, but the sudden interjection from my empty stomach made things infinitely more so. He looked at me and chuckled.
Tom: You know what? I had just stopped over here to see if there was anything to eat around here. Seeing as I can tell you could obviously use a bite yourself, what do you say we go grab some lunch?
I smiled. I mean, old shoes aside, Tom genuinely seemed like a nice enough guy. Besides… my brother doesn’t need to know EVERYTHING I do…
Stella: You know what? I think I’ll take you up on that offer.
Tom: Great! I think I saw a cafe not that far from here. Wanna go check it out?
Stella: Sure… just let me grab my bags…
Tom: Here, let me give you a hand…
I went to reach for one of the bags, but as I watched him start to reach for the other, he paused, straightened back up, and began to clap, the cheesy smug grin I was so used to seeing once again plastered on his face.
Stella: Smartass…
Tom: Better that than a dumbass, am I right?
I shook my head and stood up, reaching for my other bag, only for Tom to snatch it up instead. He flashed me a quick wink before we headed for the cafe.
