Original bimonthly web series by S. J. J. Salamanders
The mall was deserted, as was normal for a mall in the late 2010’s. Nyx had been unsure if there would be much selection from the stores still left, but Allison had asked her, quite solemnly, if she would take her to the store where she’d gotten her two most-used sweaters, and Nyx obliged. Allison was still wearing androgynous dark clothing in public, but at home, she sometimes walked out of her room in shorts with “princess” on the butt.
The empty light sockets and great empty chill made Nyx uneasy, but Allison was humming and spinning. “There’s no one here!” Allison whisper-shouted. “I can try on whatever I want!”
“Of course,” said Nyx.
Shorts with “princess” on the butt, it turned out, were not especially Allison’s style, but long flowy tops and wide, lacey sleeves were. Nyx had to admit it, Allison looked really cute.
“Would you like to stop in the pet store, before we go?” Allison asked lightly.
They were something like barstool friends now, a bit closer than just housemates, but hesitant about friendship.
“There’s still a pet store?”
“A pet supplies store at least, I think.”
“Sure.”
They walked in.
“I’m not sure,” said Nyx, “if I’m glad that they aren’t breeding pets for sale when there are so many in shelters, or if I’m disappointed that we can’t pet the dogs.”
“You can be both.”
“I’m definitely both.”
There was a rustling from the back, and a lanky, long-haired man carrying a 65 lb. bag of cat food jogged towards them. “Hello!” He set the bag down and brushed his jeans off. He smiled at the two, giving Allison just a little too long of a glance, but his face was good-natured and innocent. Allison blushed to her eyebrows, and Nyx smiled back.
“Hi,” said Nyx.
“My name is Christos,” said the man. “How can I help you today?”
“Oh, we’re uh, just looking.”
“Alright. What kind of pet do you have? We may have more options in the back that aren’t on the shelves yet.”
“I, we don’t have one. Yet.” Allison looked straight forward at the man as she spoke. “I’ve been thinking of getting an emotional companion. A dog.”
“That sounds like a fine idea,” said Christos.
“We um, should go,” said Allison, walking into Nyx as she tried to turn around.
“Yeah, thank you! Have a nice day!” Nyx took Allison’s arm and shopping bags, guiding her out. She held the shopping bags until they got in the car.
“He was cuuuuuuuuuute,” giggled Allison.
“For a guy, I suppose,” said Nyx as she turned the key.
“Hm?”
“I’m into women,” said Nyx. “Exclusively.”
“Oh, I didn’t know.”
“It didn’t matter. And still doesn’t, unless you and Lula have some objection to me bringing women home in the alternate universe where I can get a date.”
“Hey, don’t say that. You’ll find someone! And of course that’s fine.”
Nyx didn’t respond, and they headed home.