Climbing in my car I felt as if I should still persuaded Jayda to let me take her home. She looked so distracted that she needed some rest instead of a day out doing something she didn't like. The real plan was to take her to this theme park that I wanted to go to but not alone so since I had Jayda with me for the day I figured I'd just get her to come with me. There was still some time before the theme park opened as it mainly opens at night so I took Jayda to the store that sold these dolls that I also wanted since they came out. I found them when I was searching for creepy dolls to go with my aesthetic but when I stumbled onto these I had to have them so I bought some online and they're waiting for me to pick them up at their storefront which was in our city nonetheless. I figured that was fate or something so now I'm on a mission to buy the whole set. I pulled right in front of the store and parked my car. Looking at the store's front view I couldn't help but feel excited. If I were an anime character I'd probably have those four pointed sparkles in my eyes and around my head with a halo-like glow. The store had this royal purple awning with black stripes going down vertically. It had the store logo on top which was the head of their most iconic doll ever to sell after the business had launched. There's been talk on the internet about a boycott by members of the right-wing and bigots. Since this is a state that has made it legal to be open and safe for all queer members the fact that the dolls that promote our community has come out they started selling like crazy. It's as if the members of the Barbie dolls and the American Dream Girl dolls came together and made a doll line with each doll with his, her, or their backstory on cards that come in their boxes. It's like the people that made them knew that they'd need to go big or don't come at all. I looked over the building and the tall windows had cardboard cutouts, miniature statues, and accessories in view. I was so excited that I had to remember that I had Jayda with me so I looked over to see she was staring at me and I suddenly got embarrassed. I became so shy that I instinctively lowered my head. The next thing I knew Jayda had placed her hand on my thigh which made me shoot my head back up and lock eyes together.
"What's wrong?" Jayda asked confused.
"Are you sure you don't mind coming here?" I asked uncertainty evident in her voice.
"We're already here and now you ask?" she chuckled.
"I just don't want to make you uncomfortable. There are some cute dolls but there are also some very creepy dolls. I wanted you to see the store so you know it doesn't put you off but I would understand that you would like to leave if you don't think you're willing to go in."
"Oh, I see. Listen cutie, I understand that you're worried that your interests might make me want to run away screaming and possibly in a literal sense but I assure you that I'll stay by your side and I promise that I'll let you know I'd rather leave if I feel like I can't stay in there any longer." Jayda reassured me not breaking eye contact.
"Wow, I um… I didn't expect you to say all that. Or… any of that to be frank. I'm glad you did because I feel a lot of weight lifted off and I can now breathe easier so thank you for that. So before I lose any of this carefree light feeling why don't we just go in and test some waters."
Jayda smiled and nodded as we opened the doors and crossed the street. Before heading inside I saw the large logo on the glass door and my excitement was welling up inside me. Looking around the handle to see if it was push or pull I pulled the door open and motioned Jayda to go first as I chuckled, "Beauty before Cutie." We quietly laughed as we walked inside.
Inside the doll store was so amazing. The walls were the same dark purple with black strips and filled with the most beautiful dark-based figures that would have every emo, punk, goth, alternatives, and horror fan flock to this store just to take a look at them all if nothing else. I honestly don't care about their styles. They all looked so adorable that I just wanted to buy out the whole store. As we browsed their inventory I walked up to the counter and saw there was a bell with a note that said "Ring For Service" in red bold lettering. The first thing that came to mind was how extremely retro that was. I rang the bell twice and waited for about ten long seconds before someone came in through a door that led to a separate room in the back. The guy looked average and like a normie. No piercings, no tattoos, and not even any branding. I requested for the two dolls that I had delivered here and after giving him my information he went back to the back to grab them. Walking over to Jayda I saw her taking an interest in one of the dolls. She was an alternative black pop punk doll with green and blue twists. Her clothes were ripped and had fishnets under her large baggie of blue genes with pumped boots. Pop-punk makeup covered he face and she looked really cute.
"Would you like to get this one?"
Jumping from my sudden appearance I backed away and apologized. "I'm sorry for scaring you. I didn't mean to."
"Oh no, you're more than fine honey," She said. "I was just lost in thought is all."
Do you not like it?"
"No it's cute but it's not something I'd get."
"Ah, I see. I hope it's okay that I had already bought a couple before we got together."
"Of course it's okay baby." She says as she turns around placing the doll back where it was. "I don't expect you to not get the things that make you happy. Just don't go crazy with the whole collecting thing."
Chuckling I said it was a deal and went to kiss her when the guy came back with a bag and asked me to come get it. Walking over while holding Jayda's hand I drug her to the counter with me. Using my free hand I checked the bag to see each box to make sure I was taking home the right dolls. Satisfied I picked up the purple and black striped bag and thanked the guy before leaving. Taking Jayda back to the car I unlocked the doors and climbed in. Putting the bag in the backseat I put the keys in the ignition and then put my seat belt on. Looking over to make sure Jayda put on her seat belt as well I started the car and pulled off.
There was an arcade closer to the theme park so I took her over there and parked in the parking lot close to the cameras I could see. Looking over to Jayda I asked, "Do you feel up for a couple of games before the park opens?" To my surprise, she was as excited as I was when we were at that doll shop. With a smile on our faces, it took every ounce of me to not grab her hand as we strolled down the parking lot to head inside. We first went to her favorite game after we put some money in the machine to spit out a card. Handing me her heels and lifting her dress a little before picking a song on medium mode to dance to Jayda composed herself. Looking at her from behind was great for a moment but then the song started and she started hitting the arrows with the most passion I had the best time seeing her enjoy herself and I felt my heart start to flutter rapidly. With each joyful smile, my heart stopped and my lungs forgot how to function correctly. They say life flashes before you die and the things you see were meant to be a warning if you survive to change things for the betterment of your future. If that is the case then my only regret would be to die without expressing my feelings towards Jayda. After making a mental note to find the perfect time to tell her I realized that I was staring at her for too long so I looked at the screen and realized a second time that she is amazing at everything she does. Her dancing to the arrows seemed to be exciting instead of draining. After she got off she was nearly out of breath as I handed her back her heels and when we passed one of my favorite games in the entire place I didn't swipe the card because I wanted to just show her what I liked and express that to her. It was supposed to go like 'Here's my favorite game' since we're passing it but she was fueled with excitement and adrenaline that she wouldn't let me go anywhere else until I played at least one game I wanted to so instead of trying to persuade her against it I swiped the card. The yellow light turned red letting me know the card didn't have enough currency after I had swiped the card enough times for Jayda to enjoy her dancing.
"Looks like I used all the money on here for your dancing and we don't have enough for this game."
"That's perfect timing. Now that the adrenaline is calming down I need to go to the restroom. You get the card filled up and I'll meet you back here."
"How about we meet each other back at the counter instead?"
"Sure that's better. I'm a bit thirsty myself." She said then giving me a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving.
I walked over to refill the card for more games and I couldn't help but feel like I was being watched. I turned my head to look around but I couldn't see anyone throwing daggers my way so I pushed the feeling to the back of my mind. Heading to the bar was a small task with that feeling not vanishing until stool that had another open one next to it and sat down. I was about to place my bag on the second stool beside me when someone quickly sat down. I looked up to tell them I was saving the seat for my date when I saw Rebecca glaring at me and she looked upset.
"Oh hello, Rebecca. It's nice to see you but a little shocking to meet you here at this moment. Is there something that I could help you with?"
"Nope. But I got a warning for you." She said with some spite and hostility in her voice. Like us, she came straight here from work since she also didn't change out of what she was wearing. "I don't know what you think your relationship with Jayda is like but you are acting delusional." Rebecca spat venomously. "She books those appointments that create that space between you and her to keep you from breaching the line inappropriately. Jayda and I will be on the road for my shows she has personally booked in a few states but I assure you by the time we're done she's going to be mine and your fake ass won't even be remembered. I'll make sure of it."
"Okay, Rebecca I don't know what Jayda told you or what you think you know but whatever the fuck you got going on with her or whatever you got going on inside your head the fact is what I do and what Jayda does in our private time is none of your business."
"Oh really?"
"I wasn't done." I cut in holding my hand up between us. "What Jayda and I do may not be your concern unless you two are dating but Jayda has made it seem like she was single and that's it. If you want to tell me otherwise that's fine but you need to bring it up with her if she isn't being faithful. Now if you don't mind I'd like to order myself a soda because I am a little thirsty. Unless of course, you would like to discuss that possible collaboration you brought up back at work."
"I don't think that would be necessary anymore."
"Didn't think so. Please have a good day Ms. Rebecca and let me get back to mine."
She got up with a big huff but I didn't care what she did afterwards so I just sat there waiting for Jayda to come back. I looked at my watch beneath my wrist and I couldn't believe it's been nearly an hour since we got here. When my drink was handed to me I took a few sips before I looked at my watch again to see that it's been nearly fifteen minutes since Jayda went to the restroom. I started to get worried when someone's hand rubbed my back which freaked me out until I saw Jayda looking at me with a smile. Smiling back I decided to check on her.
"You okay babe?"
"Yeah, why?"
"It felt like you took a bit longer in there and I was just checking to see if there's something the matter."
"Oh, no honey. I was fine in the bathroom. I was just stopped by someone from work that I didn't expect to have come here."
"That wouldn't have been Rebecca would it?"
"Yes actually," she said sounding confused. "How did you know that?"
"Well, she stopped here first and painted a picture of either a jealous lover or a stalking creep."
"That's a bit harsh don't you think?"
"Well, when someone says that the person I'm dating is booking gigs for one of their artists that they're traveling with just to escape them when we just started dating what else am I supposed to think?"
"Wait, Rebecca said what?"
"You heard me correctly."
"Are you sure you didn't misheard her?"
"No, I don't think so. I suggested that she leave after saying all that unless she wanted to discuss our possible collaboration and she declined since she was just here to tell me that she was going to make sure to take the chance she had with you on the road to permanently take you away from me."
"Wow, that puts a damper on today's activities a bit."
"Does it?" I asked concerned.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I won't lie and say that the altercation didn't make that moment suck but right now you're here with me so I would assume that you're choosing me right now instead of leaving me to go with someone else, right?"
"Well yeah…"
"Then what happened is the past and what's happening right now is the present which is being spent talking about what can't be changed. I'm thinking about getting out of here and going to the theme park we were originally here for."
"Are you sure?"
"Do you want to discuss what happened?"
"I, I don't know how to respond to that."
"I get it. We might need to discuss some things but honestly, I'm scared that if we do I'm going to find out something that I don't want to know about."
"I don't know how to respond to that either."
Okay," I said reluctantly. "let's go to my car. This is a discussion best left private."
"Okay, I understand."
I took one last sip from my soda and picked up my belongings to head out of the arcade. As we walked to the doors I caught a glimpse of Rebecca sitting at one of the tables looking upset as she watched us leave together holding hands. Part of me felt good about her being bent out of shape witnessing that Jayda chose me over her but I had to remind myself that the conversation we were about to have might be as heart-dropping. Walking to my car in awkward silence was pure torture as all kinds of thoughts were swirling around in my mind. The feeling my heart would drop to my stomach became a legitimate fear after we sat in our seats and the silence lasted for what felt like an eternity when we closed our doors and I waited for Jayda to speak. I was having so much fun today that I forgot that things were bound to get difficult but I didn't expect all of this to start due to someone I could work alongside at my job and with my newly obtained relationship with someone who also happens to be my boss. I had enough of my ears vibrating due to my heart pounding I took a deep breath to steady my breathing before speaking.
"So are we going to talk about this or should I just start the car?"
"No, you're right. It's time I said what was going on since I agreed to this. I just didn't think I'd ever be in this situation. You must understand, that after my relationship ended I didn't think I'd find anyone special again so I closed my heart off and through my need to get some release I just found willing participants but made it clear that I wasn't looking for anything serious with them."
"Does that include me?" Jayda didn't say anything after that for about five seconds but instead just looked down at her feet. I grabbed my keys and put them in the ignition. "I think it's best that I take you home now."
As I started the car I went to put it in reverse when Jayda's hand was placed on top of mine. Taking a deep breath I turned my head to see her eyes sad and staring at mine. With a small tug at the corner of my mouth, I didn't move her hand but I pulled the stick down to back the car and soon we were leaving the parking lot of the arcade and on the road to take Jayda back home.