Synopsis : When simon moved into a town after his enlistment was up he found himself being pulled back to the corner store with the kind cashier.
When I first walked into the corner store I didn't expect much, honestly.
The bell greeted us as Soap, Gaz and I walked in.
This place was something else Entirely .
The down cast light coming from the old inconsonant was a golden glow, the floor was a faded light blue tile, and the selves, trim, and countertops were all a dark oak. Giving the place an outdated and rustic look.
The guys spread out browsing the various isles and items. I stood there not knowing exactly what to do, I felt exposed and out of place. I almost waited for my radio to crackle orders , but when I reached for it, all I grasped was my hoodies drawstring. No plate carrier, no radio. I felt downright vulnerable without my normal gear, helmet, and sun- " You finding everything alright? or are you looking for something in particular?'' A cheerful voice from my right brought me out of my head.
My eyes wandered from my front of my hoodie to the face of a smiling young women wearing an apron. She waited patiently, eager for my response.
In that moment I could only guess I felt embarrassed, feeling the tips of my ears start to burn unfamiliarly.
She expectantly asked again . "So…?"
I cleared my throat. " Oh nothing much, just looking around…''
"Well let me know if you need any recommendations, the strawberry cheesecake ice cream is my favorite. It stays super cold and doesn't melt easily.''
I nodded, giving her a bit of my dry humor. " Cold? Might have something to do with the temperature. ''
Before she continued Soap, my buddy, was waiting at the checkout with Gaz.
Soap had a bag of Twizzlers and Gaz had a small bag of Pop Rocks. The young women excused herself to attend to them, leaving me standing there like a bloody fool.
I just couldn't tear my eyes away from her, she had held eye contact the whole time we talked, almost unnervingly so, her eyes were almost a translucent (E/C)…
''Hey L.T!'' soap held up his bag of Twizzlers like a prize. "wanna split?''
"Come on dont be a brute now, this is supposed to be enjoyable but you didn't pick out a single thing.''
"I'm just choosing!'' I gruffly reasoned. I grabbed a bag of english whipped butterscotch taffy and practically slammed in on the counter. Anything to settle the scots ego and shut up that little twerp.
Soap grinned widely and I glared at him. The cashier smiled while she rung me up. "Ooh good choice, I've never had these before but they look scrumptious. Tell me how you like them.''
I took my receipt and payed without thinking much at all, then left with the guys. My feet felt a bit heavy while we walked out the door, I ignored it.
Gaz and Soap chatted while walking side by side, eating as they went. I lagged behind, staring at my new purchase .
Soap tried to include me in the conversation. ''The cashier seemed so nice and bubbly. Pretty little thing, eh simon?''
I didn't look up at him as I slowly unwrapped a candy and placed it on my tongue. I chose my words carefully, responding a bit slow.
I made it back to my place, Soap and Gaz going there own ways and leaving me to my own devices.
My new house was sparsely in order, random boxes were stacked against the wall and furniture wasn't in the right spots. I didn't care much, I wasn't in the mood for moving things. I was exhausted and my chest felt a bit tight, which was weird because I hadn't even had a drink that day.
I took a cold shower and crashed on the couch for the night hoping to feel better in the morning.
Sleep didn't come as easily as I wanted it to, the house constantly creaked and popped. Not like I was scared. I was used to artillery fire and mortar rounds going off, but this was different. The space in the dark was empty and stagnate. The place felt hollow, this place was a house, not a home…I felt like I was an intruder on my own place.
I tossed and readjusted every few minutes trying to get settled, but all that came to mind was the face of the smiling cashier I had met today. Which bothered me more than anything, why would I care? I Simon ghost Riley never cared, so why was this different? Gosh..I didn't even get her name..
The next few days went smoothly enough, more of my things came and the guys came over several times throughout the week. We played some video games and grilled out.
They proposed a hang out Friday night to watch the game, and I was volunteered to host. Problem was I was out of beer, and whats a hangout with the guys with out beer?
So I slipped on my sneakers and walked down to the same corner store. Only to be disappointed when I didn't see the same cashier. Standing in her stead was an older women, late 60's with square frame glasses to big for her face.
I picked out a case and went to the counter to check out, I did my best to ask casually. ''have you happen to have any other employees? ''
The hag nodded, ''why yes we do. Lets see now.. I have a helper that comes in to work,(L,N) actually. She's such a sweetheart.''
She handed me my change and my bag and the proceeded to dig through some papers showing me one with shifts, your last name was printed for next shift. I thanked the lady and left.
The time was imprinted on me, your next shift was a late one, 11pm on Saturday.
Her last name hummed in my chest constantly.
That Friday night with the guys I wasn't there mentally. I played it off as trying to settle in when Gaz asked during the halftime.
''you know, you're acting a bit funny..everything workin' out? Did you have any trouble with the job listings?''
''oh you know..'' I cleared my throat, taking a swig of my beer. ''Just set'len in is all.''
Soap and Gaz shared a look, it screamed 'bullsht'
The rest of the night was a haze, I didn't remember much. I just remembered waking up on the couch again. I must've fallen asleep…
Today was not different from the others. I made coffee and sat on my laptop looking for jobs and putting up listings. I needed a civilian job and a steady income but I didn't recive any emails back, I had no interviews.
My phone's alarm blared at 10:45 and I snoozed it, before throwing on my hoodie and kicking on my shoes, slipping wallet and keys into my pocket.
I trudged down the sidewalk to the 24 hours cornerstone, hoping to catch you as you started you shift.
I entered the store, the bell rung sweetly in the night stillness. The only noise was the hum of the freezers in the back.
I wandered around for a bit, waiting anxiously. Trying to look busy while reading random labels off a box of mothballs.
Footsteps approaching caused me to peer up, a familiar figure coming from the back and going behind the counter.
I approached awkwardly and requested a pack of camel cigarettes from the shelf behind her. She took it off the shelf and I started at her tag on the front of her apron. It said 'assistant clerk' in bold letters and below that, her name printed in block letters. (F/N) (L/N).
(Y/N) cleared her throat causing my eyes to wander up to her face.
"I-I um missed that. Say again?''
"I said do you want you receipt?'' She waved it at me trying to get me to focus.
Shoot! Had she really caught me staring!? And why was she acting so unbothered? Considering I was looking a bit too low, this did not make a good impression!!
My face heated up, staring from my neck and working up.
I stammered. 'Yes please''
I took the receipt and crumpled it into my sweatpants pocket and slid the pack of cigarettes into my hoodie pocket, trying not to make eye contact.
But before I turned to leave she started talking.
''Hey you new around here? Have only seen you a couple times.''
''Oh um, yeah just moved here…'' I rubbed the back of my neck trying to find something to say.
''You know you're kinda a dry guy. Whats your name?'' She inquired.
''Gh- er Simon would be fine.''
"alright simon, I'm (Y/N).'' She pointed to her name tag.
"Thats a lovely name you have..alright then…I guess I be off..'' I stoped momentarily at the door to hear her call.
''Have a good night! Come again!!"
I smiled to myself as I walked home.
Such a lovely Lass she was.
