The Follower

Chapter 2

2

His hotel room was bland so Josh decided to go get some air. He passed by a series of fast-food restaurants and went inside a random one. The line at the counter was a little long, but what the hell did he have to do? And as if the universe knew how bored he was, the guy in front of the queue turned to him and said, "What's up?" That was the beginning of a friendship.

They talked about what they liked, then Josh said he traveled and didn't really  stay in one place for too long.

"Me too", said the man Josh now knew as Linc. In fact, Linc planned on leaving the next day. By the time they got to the counter, the duo decided to travel together. Josh got his food and went with Linc to his hotel to get his stuff, and they both went back to Josh's hotel to plan for their travel which meant Josh has to upgrade his room to two beds. They settled in and talked about the first town they would visit, which was called Bernville, Pennsylvania.

"Do you have a family?" asked Linc.

"No, I rarely have friends."

"I guess I'm lucky then."

The question Josh was dreading came as Linc asked  if Josh had anyone special. "No, I would rather be alone," Josh said lying.

The truth is Josh wanted to find someone special, but his last girlfriend broke his heart. "Cool", said Linc, laying down. He was fast asleep in seconds.

The next day they left.  Linc said he had to make a quick run before they departed and so they got in Josh's car and drove off. Josh dropped Linc off at the inn while he headed to find a store to buy some clothes. He found one forty-two miles away called the Rockville Outlets.

He browsed the shops finding what he needed then he saw her. He took in her her jet- black hair, tipped with blonde around her shoulders, her milk-chocolate skin, thick thighs in dark- blue jeans, and a tight, red shirt that framed her just right. She glanced at him, and he saw her hazel eyes and was instantly mesmerized.

Jessica, Stephanie, and Ashley walked in the outlet glancing through the glass windows in front the green and red Christmas decorations and the festive outfits. They had to  go forty-two miles out for decent clothes as they didn't have the good stuff in their hometown.  The outlet had shops lined up, Jessica and her friends talked about what they would do that  weekend as they walked shop to shop. Holiday Celebration was still weeks away, but they wanted to prepare for it to early. The town celebration was held in the square and a lot of people came from all around the world to gaze at the big Christmas tree that had millions of lights on it. Little Christmas decorated cottages would line the square brandishing various scenes like Christmas under- water, with Jessica's favorite, Christmas in the jungle, and other themes.  It was a small town, so most everyone went.

Stephanie said, "I hope I can find something to wear today,  'cause I have nothing at home." She spoke with her lip poked out.

"I'm sure we will", said Ashley. "Right, Jess?" Jessica's mind was on the man walking into a men's clothing store. "Huh, right. Let's go into the store right there. It has clothes."

"Men's clothes?"

Jess walked off, leaving confusion in her wake. She walked in the store looking left and right. The store had racks on each aisle and each aisle left enough room to walk.  She stopped and looked intently at something. Stephanie followed her gaze and laughed. "Oh, that's why we're in here, " she giggled.

Ashley followed Stephanie's gaze and smirked. They walked down the aisle, Ashley and Stephanie broke off, pretending to look at the rack of clothes on the next aisle.

Jessica started looking through the pants the handsome man was looking through. He seemed to have noticed her already because as  soon as her friends left to browse other aisles, he walked over to her and said hi. Jessica turned and said,  "Hi,  are you new here?" He put his hand through his black hair that fell right back in his face. His sun-tanned skin and pink lips complemented his blue eyes.

"Yes", he said. "So what are you doing in a men's clothing store?"

"Shopping for a gift for my brother", Jessica said.  Which was a lie, she had a baby sister not a brother. 

"Ok, well my name is Josh."

"Jessica, nice to meet you."

"Can I get your number? It would be nice to know someone here."

"Yeah."

They exchanged numbers and Josh promised he would call.  He walked up to the register to pay for his clothes. Meanwhile, Jessica hurried out of the store with Stephanie and Ashley following. 

"So?" asked Ashley.

"We exchanged numbers."

"You still got it, "  said Stephanie, giving Jessica a high- five. They walked off,  still talking about Josh. They saw a baby clothing store Jess wanted to go into to get a Christmas gift for her sister. After that, Stephanie saw a clothing store she wanted to go in. She tried on many outfits. They all actually bought matching dresses in different colors, Ashley had blue, Stephanie had green, and Jessica had red. Each of them shopped for gifts for family members and left.