Mario walked into Jaquis room only to find her still undressed ”woman its nine thirty! And your still not dressed?!”
“I cant figure out what pants to wear.”
He sighed. “what shirt?”
She gestured toward it with her head.
“ooh. When did we get this one?”
“today. I passed by the falls to drop off my forever malfunctioning ipod and I saw it in Gap. It was on sale for fifteen dollars.”
“very nice.” He walked towards her closet and started going through her pants. “ok wear these.” He tossed her a pair of dark demin jeans.
“you sure?”
“honey im always sure.” He said as he walked out of the door. “and you’re the fashion major” he retorted
“um excuse me…I heard that!” she yelled back in response, and Mario just laughed
She finished changing up and looked in the mirror. The shirt was a halter top. It was cut low in the back, with s string of rhinestones slinging across her back. it showed a small amount of cleavage but just enough to look sexy, with a classy twist.
She smiled at her reflection. Perfect.
*
Club suede was like nothing she’d ever been to. With its infitate roofs suede seating and stainless steel tables, it wasn’t your usual club.
She sat down at one of the steel tables and took a sip of her drink.
“im going to hit the floor. Are you in?”
she shook her head. “ill join you a little later.”

“suit yourself.”
She smiled as she watched him walk away.  Mario always did know how to have a good time. She felt as if someone was looking her way and looked up, but he tried to be slick and looked away. He couldn’t help but keep looking her way. The way she was laughing, and her gestures. She was beautiful…not hot. She was the rare type to find and he had spotted her. But now that he had spotted her, he had to talk to her. A girl like that would not stay on the table alone for long.
“Bro Ima be right back alright” he let his friend know
“uh…what are you gonna do? You do know you can’t just be walking around like it’s nothing” the instigator of the group decided to add her 2 cents
“relax alright. i’ll be right back”
“let the boy be…he’s young, he has a life. If worse comes to worse, we got him. We know what to do, and security is aware” his friend came to his defense
“exactly” he did his handshake with his friend and began to make his way over to her table where she sat alone for the moment being.
She was almost done with her apple martini when she noticed someone sit down in front of her. She looked up and couldn’t help but feel slightly mesmerized by his dazzling smile. He was extremely attractive, she was not going to try and lie to herself. She was definitely excited by his approach.
She noticed him looking and her being the way she was she spoke before he could think of the words to say. “hi” she smiled at him “can I help you?”
He chuckled, he knew she was definitely his type of girl. “I’m sorry, I just couldn’t help but notice you were sitting here alone. I thought I could join you…were you waiting for someone maybe?”
“no, no mister I’m here with some friends but they’re out there dancing”
“and you..you don’t dance?”
“I dance”
“yeaa…so then you wouldn’t mind dancing with me right? Cause you I am the most good looking man up in here an uh-“ she knew he was kidding and liked his personality
“lets go dance” she laughed
“wait wait wait…you know I love dancing with beautiful strangers, but gorgeous ones I have to know.” He let his hand out “I’m Justin”
She blushed. “Jacqueline. But you can call me Jacqui”
“Alright Jacqui”
With the swing of her hips and the touch of his hand she felt herself transported to a whole other world. The way he lead her around, the way his body felt against hers, well let’s just say this was instant attraction.
With every bead of sweat that formed on his brow he could feel his body heating up, and his curiosity for this unknown woman growing. She didn’t seem to know him for his popular persona, which was an added plus, but God. He’d only known her for a few minutes and she was rocking his world.
As she drank a sip of water he reached out and touched her hand. “what do you say we go somewhere a little quieter?”
She cocked an eyebrow up.
He blushed. “just to talk.” He could see she would not be an easy one…she was going to be a bit of a challenge, and he was definitely up for it.
“alright.” She said with a smile.
“do you wanna pass by that cafe across the street?” he asked as they made their way outside to the warm fall air.
“yeah sure.”
*
With the chiming of a small bell they were instantly greeted with the comforting smell of coffee. They ordered a few lattes and took a seat in a corner booth.
“so Jacqui. Tell me about yourself.”
“that’s a rather vague question no?”
he smiled. “well for one where are you from? That accent is irresistible.”
She blushed. “im from spain. I moved here four years ago.”
“why’d you move here?”
 
“I wanted to pursue my dreams. They do call this the land of opportunity.”
“that is true…so tell me what is it you like to do?”
“im big on fashion. I can only dream of having a boutique one day.” She paused, “and what about you?”
“I dabble a bit in music.”
“oh..so you sing?”
“a little”
“ahh…I would love to hear one day”
He chuckled because now he was sure she wasn’t aware of who he was “maybe” he decided to change the subject “how old are you?”
“im twenty two. And you?”
“twenty three.”
She smiled. “do you live here in Miami?”
“yea just recently. I used to live in Orlando but I was always coming down so I figured id buy a house now.”
“ooh. I see.”
“yea.. do you live here?”
“mmhm. I go to UM.”
“smart girl…good school from what I hear.”
“well thank you.” She chuckled “yeah. They have a good design department.”
They continued to talk for what seemed like nothing but a moment, touching words on everything and anything. He appealed to her in the way that she felt very comfortable in his presence. He was a very good listener, and had great views. She was interrupted mid sentence by a strong vibration in her pocket.
She looked down at the small screen. ”shoot.” She looked up at him with apologizing eyes. “im sorry but I really have to go. My roommate is gonna kill me if he doesn’t find me soon.”
“he?..”
“yes…oh no, no he’s gay” she laughed as the expression on his face fell and he visibly relaxed
“alright. I understand. Let me walk you back to your car?”
she yawned. “oo such a gentleman”
“yeaa mama taught me well” He held open the door for her. Perfect gentleman …she thought.
They walked in silence for the short minute towards her car, but it wasn’t an empty silence. It was more of a silence full. Full of understanding, just enjoying each others company.
“well here it is.” She eyed Mario in the distance and couldn’t help but smile at his questioning stance.
“yeah. You know I’d really love to keep in touch with you.” He bit down on his bottom lip as he watched her eyes open a little wider and a smile start playing on her lips in reaction “look…here’s my number”
“alright…and here’s mine”
They exchanged numbers and he kissed her cheek softly. “it was really great getting to know you Jacqui. Expect a call soon.” He winked and started to walk away.
She smiled and started walking towards Mario’s suv. “yeah yeah I know. I have a lot of explaining to do.”
“damn straight girl. Who was that? you seem to be on a helluva roll today.”
She smiled. “just some guy.”
“just some hot guy. Name?”
“Justin.”
“Justin huh?”
“mmmhmm.” We all got in the car.
“so is he hot?” toni asked from where he sat next to Mario.
“you guys are way too much. Yes he was good looking.”
“is he much of a dancer?”
“ok let me just tell you all you need to know. Hes an AMAZING dancer, hes a perfect gentleman, completely educated, flawless complexion, hes super sweet, has great views, and he has a great smile. Is that enough?”
“no way there’s gotta be something wrong with this guy. He sounds way too perfect.”
“yeah.” Toni agreed. “hes gotta be some sicko or something. No ones that perfect.”
“ok stop being so pessimistic.  Do you think he was gonna present his flaws on a first meeting? Of course not.”
Mario nodded. “true true.”
“so is he better than the guy you met this morning?”
Jacqui sighed. “I knew Mario couldn’t hold on to something that juicy.”
He smiled. “oh honey you know me all too well.”
She laughed. “I don’t know. I just met the guys.”
“tell me about the guy you met this morning.” Toni said turning around.
“ok well he’s tall, handsome as you cant even believe, and he has these amazing eyes. Like they just captivate you.”
“oooh.”
“he’s older though. But that makes it kind of exciting.”
“how old is he?”
“well…”
“oh God.” Mario stopped at a gas station. “you forgot to mention this Jacqui. How much older?”
“well hes 27”
“twenty seven?! Oh my lord.” Mario stepped out of the car.
Toni smiled. “he worries about you sometimes.”
“oh please. I can take care of myself. Besides. I talked to the guy. Hes not a sicko.”
“how is he?”
“he’s really great. We have so much we can talk about. He’s really laid back. Really intellectual. But he’s also really fun. Like he’s slightly sarcastic. Its cute.”
“sounds like you like him. How old is Justin?”
“twenty three.”
“hmmm. Sounds like you might have a dilemma.”
“I just met the guys. Im trying not to rush into things. I ok being single. I promise you.”
He smiled. “I know you are.”
Mario got back in the car and yawned. “if I wasn’t so tired, id keep on interrogating you. But I’ve got a memory like a cow so I wont forget.”
Jacqui and toni burst out laughing. “Mario. Its elephant. the saying says elephants never forget.”
“yea yea. I’m still gonna ask you in the morning. So done you worry.”
*
That night sleep didn’t come too incredibly easy to Jacqui. She was tired no doubt about that, but she couldn’t seem to get her mind at ease. She was happy. Ecstatic that she finally seemed to be going out of her circle and meeting new people. She felt a slight sense of adventure, knowing that these friendships meant a new journey she was going to begin.
She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep with those initial blue eyes at the corners of her mind.