A girl who fell in love

Once upon a time, there was a sweet, pretty girl who lived in the urban town of Los Angeles. She was a good girl. She cared for her family. She always tried to do the right thing. She was minding her own business, doing errands, picking up groceries, when she stopped into a 7-11 convenience store to pick up a pack of smokes. Oh I hardly smoke anymore, she thought. I'm not hurting anyone. It's just one or two a day, she convinced herself. She patiently waited in line, as the gentleman in front asked the clerk for two Quick Picks and two Scratchers. Poor fool, she thought. He has a better chance of getting struck by lightning than he does winning the lotto.

When all of a sudden, the door to the store opened, and Malila turned her head to the right. It was at this moment that she looked into the eyes of the six foot plus tall, dark, and handsome man. Their eyes locked for what was in scientific reality only a triple millisecond, but what seemed to last an eternity. The man wore a navy blue uniform, black boots, and had the name, K. Bradley initialed over his left breast pocket. K. Bradley walked towards Malila with an expression almost happy, almost frightened at the same time. He couldn't quite believe his eyes. He had spotted this beautiful fair maiden, girl of his dreams.

The clerk woke Malila from her reverie. Maam, are you ready?
Embarrassed, Malila walked forward to the counter and asked for one box of Camel Lights.
Will that be all? the friendly Pakistani clerk asked.
Yes. I mean no. Can I get a lighter too?
He nodded and rang up the total.
She handed him the cash and dropped the change into her handbag.
Malila didn't want to turn and look for the fireman. She walked slowly towards the exit of the store. She pushed the door open but it suddenly gave way and she stumbled a bit forward. She turned to see why the door became so light, and K. Bradley was holding the door open for her. She gave a gracious smile. Thank you.
You're welcome.
They both stood a few feet outside the store entrance, looking at each other, smiling. Malila began to rub her right thumb with her index finger, something she does when she's nervous.
The fireman finally said, I know this is going to sound crazy, but can I take you out to dinner?
You don't even know my name.
But you're going to tell me when you give me your phone number.
Wow, confident, she thought. But she liked it.
I'm Malila. And you are K. Bradley.
Hello Malila. Pleased to meet you. I'm Kevon.

Malila did something crazy and gave Kevon her number. She went home that night, giddy as a teenager. Her heart beat like something never before. She couldn't sleep. Little did she know that she had met her soul-mate at 7-11 of all places. No, for now, she thought he was a cute date, and was flattered that such a man's man had paid her any attention. She lived in a city, where it seemed more and more of those types of guys were an oddity, near extinction. But there was something about him. Something in his eyes.

Kevon continued to work his shift that night. When he and his partner returned to the station after the last emergency call, he couldn't sleep either. He tossed and turned in his bunk. All he could think of was Malila and her smile. It electrified him in a way no other girl had done to him before. He was astounded that such a girl would even give him the time of day. She was classy, sexy, and gorgeous. He became nervous at the thought of their first date. He would do everything in his power to impress her. He wondered how many dates he'd be able to convince her to go on with him. Little did he know, that on that night on his stop at a local 7-11 store to pick up a bottle of Gatorade, he would meet his soul-mate. There was something about her. Something in her eyes.

To be continued...