X'd Out

Chapter One

-The Definition of Cliché-

A slender pink haired woman pushed a cart down one of the aisles of the local supermarket just outside of Jersey City. She glanced around on each side of the aisle, trying to see if she needed anything. She was of average height for a woman, with light jade eyes and an outstanding figure. She lifted her hand up and ran her fingers through her short locks, making them fall around her face.

She reached the end of the aisle and went into the next one, stopping when she felt something vibrate. She dug her hand into the front pocket of her black sweatshirt and pulled out her phone, seeing her mother calling for about the twelfth time. Natsumi rolled her eyes and silenced the call, placing it back in her pocket and pulling down her shorts that had risen up slightly.

"Oh perfect." She smiled, stepping around her cart and reaching for her favorite bag of Hot Fries, grabbing it just as another hand took hold of the other corner.

She looked over and saw a pair of deep, forest green eyes staring back at her. They belonged to an attractive looking man, with short, semi-spiky black hair and pale skin. He was dressed in a pair of black slacks and a light blue button down shirt, with the cuffs unbuttoned and the sleeves rolled up to just below his elbows. "My apologies." He said with a nod, letting go of his corner and letting her have the bag.

"Oh no, my bad, sorry. I wasn't really paying attention." She smiled, offering him the bag. "Here, you like Hot Fries?"

"I love them." He smiled. "But, there are other bags. I wouldn't want to cause you the trouble of having to pick out another one that was just right." he said, reaching over and feeling the bags for one that was filled the most.

She laughed, nodding and placing the bag in her cart. "Well thanks." She said, grabbing her cart and giving him a small wave before heading down the aisle and around the corner. She finished up her shopping and got in line at the register, humming softly to herself as she scrolled through a couple text messages she'd received from her now angry mother.

She sighed and pushed forward, starting to place her items on the counter for the cashier to ring up. She paid and stopped at the front, attempting to grab her bags so she wouldn't have to bring the cart back in. That is, until she realized she wouldn't be able to carry them all on her own.

"I can help you carry some of those if you wish." A deep voice said.

Natsumi blinked and turned around, seeing the man from earlier. "Oh um." She pursed her lips, looking a bit reluctant. She glanced at him once more and took in his appearance. He really was handsome, and he seemed nice enough. "Thanks, that would be helpful, if it's not too much trouble." She said, picking up the ones that she could.

"It's no problem." He smiled, moving all of his bags onto one hand and then grabbing the rest of hers. "Your car is probably on the way to mine anyways."

They walked out together then and over to a nice dark red Santa Fe. "Thanks again." She told him, using her keys to open up the trunk and set the groceries in.

"I'm happy to do it." he helped her load up her car. Once everything was in she closed the trunk and then looked over at him, wondering exactly what to say. She didn't have to think long though, because he spoke up once more.

"Look, I know this sounds cliché and all, but I don't normally do this." He said, running his hand through his dark locks, looking at her in slight uncertainty. "Can I take you out for coffee sometime?"

She looked taken back and a bit embarrassed. "Like a date?" she asked, fumbling around with her car keys.

"Only if you want it to be." He told her. "It could just be two people meeting in a casual place to get to know one another and see if they wish to date."

"Uh sure," she said quickly, gasping and shoving her keys in her sweatshirt pocket. She held her hand out to him then. "Sorry, I'm Natsumi."

"Akito." He shook her hand. "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise. So do you want my number or something?" she asked, pulling out her phone and beginning to enter his name.

"That'd be great." He said as he pulled out his own phone and opened up his contacts list. They exchanged numbers, and then put their phones away. "So, I'll call you to confirm a date and time, because I need to check my work schedule, but let's pitch it around Saturday morning, maybe around ten?" he lifted a shoulder in a shrug.

She tapped her chin and pulled out her phone once more, looking at her schedule. "Uh yeah. That shouldn't be a problem. I've got a shoot tomorrow but it should go until Saturday. If there's any confliction I'll just call you."

"A shoot?" he asked curiously. "What are you, some kind of model?"

"A lingerie model." She corrected, appearing proud.

His eyes widened and he looked her over, nodding appreciatively. "Nice. My job isn't so glamorous, unfortunately. I'm an architect."

"Really?" she blinked. "I used to want to be an architect when I was little."

"Interesting." He glanced down at the groceries in his hand. "Well, I'd like to stay and continue this, but I have cold things that are thawing, and you probably do too, so we should probably draw this meeting to a close."

She hit her hand to her head and cursed. "Yeah. My mom's been calling me all night. I should head out and call her back. Thanks again." She smiled and hesitated slightly, before she got up on her tip toes and kissed his cheek. "For helping me and all. See you Saturday." She said, before moving around him and getting in her car.

"See you then." He waved, turning and walking across the parking lot towards his own car, a pleased smile on his face the whole time.

Natsumi walked into her luxurious penthouse and put away all her groceries before flipping open her cell, finally calling her mother back. She walked over to her black, chic angular couch and sat down, waiting for the woman to answer.

"You better have a good reason for not answering any of my calls or returning my text messages young lady." The elder woman's voice said through the phone. And it was clear by her tone that she was not pleased.

"Yeah I do Mom. I was trying to be normal, if for only a night. I was grocery shopping and…I, uh, met someone." She replied, trying to stop herself from smiling, even though she was alone.

"What kind of someone?" Sakura asked, sounding slightly suspicious. "Is this someone going to become a person with a name? Because you know you can't have a normal life sweetie. Not with the profession you've chosen."

"How come? Dad doesn't do this kind of work." She frowned, already feeling defensive. "Why don't I get to try and have a dating life? He helped me with my groceries and asked me out to coffee. And he's an architect."

"All I'm saying is that you need to be careful, okay? I just don't want you to put yourself in a compromising position. You know how your father and I worry."

Natsumi sighed. "I know. So why were you calling? About the shoot? Time, place, and photographer?" she asked, pulling out a pen from the side table drawer as well as a notepad.

"Yes. You need to be at the Empire State Building in New York at no later than eight o'clock tomorrow morning. The photographer's name is Peter Demmingway. Just Google him for examples of his work. Make sure you're ready to go on time. This is an extremely time sensitive shoot. More so than usual." Her mother instructed.

She jotted down all the information and nodded. "Got it. I will use absolute precision with this. I'll be the model he'll never forget." She smirked. "Love you Mom. Talk to you later." Natsumi said, hanging up then and tossing her phone aside before she stood and headed into her bedroom, changing into her sleepwear before calling it a night.

She climbed into bed and snuggled into her silk sheets, smiling at the thought of the man she'd met tonight. He seemed so nice. He was handsome, and based on his attire he was a pretty skilled architect and handled his money well. Maybe it was finally her chance to have something normal. With those last thoughts she fell asleep, needing all the rest she could get for the next day.