Fun in the mall, and also some cuddling

So far, the date has gone surprisingly smoothly. You didn't have much trouble finding parking, and the walk in was pleasant enough. Over some lunch/dinner, the two of you make some small talk. You've learned a little bit more about Morgan, and she's managed to tease out some of your personal details, much to your chagrin.

For one, unlike you, she doesn't need her job at Bailey's to make ends meet. She's not ashamed to admit that her parents make a fair bit of money, and they're more than willing to front the cost of a higher education. Despite that, her mother drew the line at giving out cash for non-essential purposes, hence the part time job. While you can't fault her reasoning, you also can't help but feel a little envious that she's in a much more stable financial situation than you are.

When she asked you how things were going, you were at a loss of how to answer. Eventually you let her know you're living with your cousin while you figure out what to do with yourself. You're not particularly interested in going back to school, and you can't really see Bailey's working out as a long term employment prospect, but you try your best to make it sound like you're just in a transitional stage at the moment. Which, of course, you are; you have no goal, and no idea where that transition is going to take you.

If any of that bothers Morgan, she either doesn't care or isn't showing it. You're sorely tempted multiple times to check if anything's changed on the app, but you resist it. After all, checking your phone in the middle of a date seems like a real dick move.

It takes some more walking and talking before Morgan finds something else for you the two of you to do; namely, clothes shopping. You can't help but imagine she already had a shopping trip in mind when she suggested the mall in the first place. And based on how easily she leads you around the place, she's probably a regular here.

The first place she drags you into a store that appears to be selling "Alternative Wear", which you assume is a marketing phrase for "Goth, Punk, Scene, and what the fuck else ever". She makes a quick scan of the store, again looking completely within her element. She's got her eyes on some sort of black leather jacket with metal studs all over the shoulders. To you, it looks like something an 80's metal-head would wear, but then again, you're not exactly a bastion of fashion.

Morgan holds it up to her torso. "So, your thoughts. Is this 'me'?"

You shrug noncommittally. "Honestly, I'm not sure. I've mostly only seen you in work clothes. You'd say you dress goth, right?"

She sighs dramatically at your answer. "I'm not exactly fond of labels."

"You're wearing all black, and you've got a chain on your pants."

"Well yeah, I'm dressed goth right now. That doesn't mean I won't be wearing something else tomorrow."

"Fair enough," you reply, as you start to scan the store for a somewhere she can change. "You want to try it on? I can grab you a dressing room or something."

She scoffs. "It's a jacket, Jason. It's not like I have to strip. I'll just swap it out right here."

You shrug again as she starts to unzip her hoody. Underneath it, she's wearing some sort of long sleeved crop top, leaving her abdomen exposed. You're surprised to note that she's actually got a bit of definition to her flat belly. It's not like she's sporting a six pack, but she's definitely more toned than you'd have guessed. You also can't help but notice the way her breasts seem to stretch out her top; she's somewhat busty. Not that you'd go so far to say they're huge or anything, but there's certainly enough there to provide a noticeable contrast with her petite frame. Strange how you've never noticed before. Her uniform polo must be really unflattering. Or maybe she usually wears a sports bra to work? She does have to jog a bit, whether it's through the lot or on a price check. Your managers are always on the baggers' asses to "hustle" more. Given that, you'd imagine it'd be a bit of a hassle to have her tits bouncing all over while she's trying to work.

You quickly clear the thoughts of bouncing boobs from your mind. You don't think she'd react particularly favorably to you blatantly checking out her body, no matter how attractive it is. This is a first date, after all.

Once she's got it on, and she turns around to show you the back, you can't deny it's a good look for her.

You nod appreciatively. "You know, now that you're in it, I think it looks kind of cool."

"Maybe I'm just jealous of your leathers, but I kind of like it," she explains.

"Can't blame you. I look pretty damn good."

She doesn't laugh, but she's giving you that adorable smile. Then she takes a look at the price tag. "Oof. I don't think I like it this much."

You chuckle a little, but start looking around as she takes it off to put it back on the rack. "Let's keep looking, maybe we'll find something else you like."

Two hours later, and a multiple stores down the line, and the two of you haven't bought nearly anything. She's got one bag with a couple of graphic tees, and you've decided to splurge on a new pair of casual shoes. Black, of course. "When in Rome" and all that. You briefly considered trying to convince her to go into a local gaming store, but decided against it; even if you know Morgan is a gamer herself, you're not about to risk being the kind of boyfriend that's distracted by games. Not that you're even her boyfriend yet. And anyway, you're mostly a PC gamer nowadays. You haven't even taken any of your consoles out of the storage bins since you moved in with Taylor.If there's one thing that makes this whole trip worth it though, it's how much Morgan seems to be smiling. You've definitely never seen her in this good of a mood at work, earlier today notwithstanding. She seems like she's in her element, moving from store to store. And she's not ignoring you; she's asking your opinions on everything, and the two of you are working up your normal vitriolic friendly repartee. It seems weird to say it about a girl like her who seems to try so hard to not conform to a traditional definition of feminine... but she's actually really cute like this, even when she's insulting you to your face.

Eventually though, after a couple hours, it seems like she's slowing down a bit. After the two of you leave her most recent boutique of choice, you both head over to a nearby bench to take a seat and rest your feet for a moment.

"It's been a while since I've had some retail therapy," she admits candidly. "I was almost expecting to buy more, to be honest. Especially since I've got a mule here to carry my shit for once."

"Fuck off with that mule shit," you reply. "If I'm any kind of barnyard animal, I'm a fucking Clydesdale."

She chuckles at that. "If you're such a Clydesdale, big guy, why don't you drop trou and prove it?"

Briefly you consider her offer, tapping your finger to your chin. "Mmm, it's tempting. But I'm not sure you've earned it yet."

"Oh fuck off," she says as she pushes you playfully. "You boys and your fucking dicks."

"Hey, you're the one who suggested I let loose the dreaded anaconda!"

At that, the two of you break down into laughter for almost a full minute, occasionally punctuated by one or the other of you saying some strange synonym for penis. It's a strangely cathartic moment for you both, and after the laughter dies down, the two of you have a moment of silence together. Without saying anything, Morgan scooches over to you and leans against you, placing her head on your shoulder.

You're somewhat surprised by the move, but it feels natural. You decide to lean into it, and place your arm around her. You can feel the warmth of her body, and you're acutely aware of how soft she feels, even through her clothes. Her breathing is natural and steady, but you're certain that if you could feel her heartbeat, it'd be pounding just as hard as yours is.

The two of you sit like that for a while, watching the crowds of mall-goers shuffle by in a seemingly endless dance. People pop out into your vision only to sink back into the crowd a moment later, a never ending cascade of humanity. It's almost hypnotic.

"You're a nice guy," Morgan finally says to break the quiet.

"What do you mean?" you ask.

"Not, like, a 'nice guy'," she clarifies. "You're nice to be around. There's something... I dunno. Comforting about you."

"Must be my sense of humor."

She gives a little half-laugh. "No, it's something else. There's something about you that's almost magnetic. Like I want to grab you and not let go," she continues to clarify. "Is that weird? That I feel so... safe right now?"

"Probably. But I think I feel the same way," you answer truthfully. You can't deny that something about Morgan is special. Normally when you're just getting to know a girl, it's all butterflies in your stomach and worrying about what you're saying. But right now, you're just at peace. Maybe it's the app. Maybe it's something else. But whatever it is, you're sure you don't want it to end.

You're not sure how long you were there, leaning into one another, watching the crowds move. But it's a moment you'll remember for a long time.