Falling in Love With Self Part XI

Beauty can be defined in various fashion. Beauty blossoms in a wide array of expressions, forms, and experiences. Found in many vehicles, including people, places, things, materials, possessions, and objects. In truth, beauty, I believe, is beyond definitive description. It would require a full dictionary to begin to describe all that beauty entails. If all the information of beauty was downloaded to the internet, a search would go on and on and on and on with information trying to amass the total sum of its essence.

The day and time will come when our species truly see the beauty in everything, everyone, and every human experience. It’s not that beauty is absent in the person, thing, or experience but it is the perspective of the viewer. With the right perspective beauty can be found in everything, every one, and every human experience throughout this journey we call life. I digress…

Let’s continue our discovery to falling in love with self. There was a tall handsome young man, Brice, 26 years old, who worked as an actuary for one of the largest firms in the city. He was living on top of the world; career thriving, enjoying an amazing human experience, lots of travel both personal and professional and the ladies, literally, could not get enough of him. Enjoying his life on top of the world. A serious relationship is no where in his immediate future or so he thinks. Until he meets her, a dazzling, tall, and glamorous, 21 year old, who literally takes his breath away. This woman, Destiny, literally causes him to first grasp his chest, then adjust his clothing, and lastly grab his head.

It was a Saturday night, Brice, was out with a couple friends, James and Justin. Brice, James, and Justin are standing near the dance floor when Destiny comes in out the rain with her friends, Xiaoli and Chloe. Destiny lets down her umbrella and shakes her hair out before removing hair from her face. James says to Justin and Brice, “Whoa take a look at Rihanna over there.” James was joking, it wasn’t Rihanna but she could definitely pass for her younger sister. Destiny has on six inch heels that she literally walks so effortlessly in it seems she’s floating. The way her hair glides with her walk and lays gently on her shoulders memorizes Brice. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was fitted in a flared top with skin tight jeans topped with a jacket that came just above the waist. Justin had to remind Brice to breathe, he says to Brice, “Dude snap out of it. Close your mouth. Breathe. Dude. You ok?”

Brice is from a small farm town, had only lived in the city for six months. He and a few of his friends from his hometown secretly referred to the type of girls like Destiny, as exotic. Brice went to the bar and ordered two shots of Jameson. He took them both to the head. Then before he could talk himself out of it or over think it he walked straight over to Destiny and her friends. He says, “I don’t know if I should stay, take a bow, or borrow your umbrella. I don’t want to be a rude boy but baby where have you been? Because theirs all kinds of disturbia going on up in here, man down, but Dj please don’t stop the music. Now baby please don’t say what now, please ask, what’s my name.” Destiny laughs and says, “Wow! Not bad. Not bad at all, for a white boy.” Brice swells his chest and replies, “What’s that supposed to mean?” Destiny smiles, “What do you want it to mean rude boy?”

Brice replies, “I want it to mean you’ll let me take you out sometime.” Destiny responds, “I don’t date. Now is not a good time. I got finals and then I’ll probably be moving to another city.” Brice hesitates then replies, “Come on. I promise not to be unfaithful.” She laughs, then looks away. While thinking what to say she plays with her hair. He said nothing but the look of disappointment was all over his face. She asks, “Can you dance?” Brice perks up, “Heck yeah. I created dancing.” Destiny hands her things to her friend who is looking on completely shocked, replies, “I got to see this. Show me what you got.” They head out to the dance floor as Destiny’s friends look on completely shocked.

Destiny does not go off campus often, there’s really no need to, and since her break up she rarely ever goes out. Her friends literally had to drag her out of the house. On top of this she had not so much as talked to a guy since she broke up with her long-time boyfriend, who she always envisioned marrying, eight months prior. Destiny was fun but quiet, very attractive but humble, and engaging but not quick to make close connections. Brice on the other hand was outgoing, always out on the town, and thoroughly enjoyed deepening his connections. Brice was so outgoing Destiny’s normal quiet and reserve nature didn’t stand a chance. They both were on the dance floor having the time of their life.

Brice leans in speaking loudly over the music and asks, “Hey. You wanna go out to the patio? It’s covered and is a non-smoking area.” Destiny responds, “For what?” He laughs and says, “I don’t know. Talk. I mean, that’s what most people do on the patio. What do you say?” Destiny hesitates then says, “I guess but my friends. I’m here with friends.” Brice responds, “Yeah me too. My friends are here too. I think there’s room on the patio for all of us.” Destiny laughs, Brice smiles flirtatiously. She responds, “Okay. We’ll meet you out there in five.” Destiny runs over and points to her friends towards the bathroom.

When they get into the bathroom, Chloe as was almost always the case was the first to speak. Chloe checking her hair in the mirror says, “I guess someone is glad that got dragged out of the dorm tonight.” Destiny smiles and says, “Did you two set this up?” Xiaoli grabs above her chest, “I have never seen that guy before.” Chloe responds, “Me neither.” Destiny smirks, “Are you sure? We just get here and he just comes straight up and talk to me out of the blue.” Xiaoli smiling, “Maybe it’s destiny. They laugh. Xiaoli continues, “I mean fate.” They continue laughing. Destiny replies, “Good one but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that. Is it cool if we meet Brice and his friends on the patio?” Chloe responds, “Brice? Is that his name?” Destiny sighs, “Yes. That his name. Come on. I told him five minutes and we’ve been in here forever.” Xiaoli and Chloe look at each other. Even though she’s trying not to let on they can tell Destiny likes Brice.

They head outside to the patio and meet with Brice, James, and Justin. James and Justin plays the good wing men role and quickly engages Destiny’s friends as Brice and Destiny get to know each other. Brice asks, “Are you married?” Destiny laughs. Brice continues, “Engaged, got a boyfriend, dating, or any baby daddies?” Destiny laughing in hysterics at this point. She says, “Wow! You’re straight to the point aren’t you.” Brice responds, “Why not. I know what I want and like what I see.” Destiny is so not used to this, she’s had the one boyfriend since going to college.” Destiny responds, “No, no, no, and heck no. My studies is my only commitment. But it is a big commitment right now. And like I was I telling you earlier. Depending on the way things go I could be living in a different city in a few months.”

Brice asks, “Why is that? Running from the law?” Brice placing finger on chin continues, “Oh let me guess crazy ex boyfriend?” Destiny laughing again, “No and no. Almost done with college and then off to be an adult. Will be starting my first job. I’m pretty sure I’m going with a company I’ve interned, in between semesters, for the past three years.” Brice says, “Congratulations. What are you studying?” Destiny replies, “Business Economics.” “Oh really. Smart and beautiful. I’m sold.” Destiny blushing and asks, “What about you?” Brice replies, “I’m an actuary. Finished my studies a while back but I’m still learning.”

Destiny asks, “Really? What are you still studying?” Brice asks, “What do you mean?” Destiny responds, “You said you’re still learning. What are you studying?” Brice gives a devilish grin and replies, “Well right now, you. I’m studying you.” They laugh. Brice continues, “No. Seriously in general. I believe learning should be an on-going pursuit throughout our journey. Know what I mean?” Destiny, very impressed with his response, says, “I couldn’t agree more.” Now genuinely interested Destiny asks, “Where are you from?” To be continued…