MC stood slumped behind the counter at his convenience store job. It had been almost half an hour without a customer. That’s just how the flow of the store went at one in the morning. He’d just completed the list of nighttime tasks and then downed an energy drink. This was when the boredom usually started setting in until the rush just after two A.M. when the bars and clubs closed down.
MC leaned against the back display wall behind the counter with his arms crossed and just thought for a while. He didn’t enjoy being alone with his thoughts so he turned on the radio. It told depressing stories about another shooting incident and a car theft before warning not to associate with people who had tattoos of black diamonds on their body. Some group called the Black Diamond was using the symbol to identify its members. It explained what everyone in Strongzinburg city already knew. If you saw a person with a black diamond tattoo, usually on their neck or face, it meant to turn around and go the other way.
He tried to stay busy to pass the time but no matter what he did he couldn’t help but feel out of whack. He despised the night shift. Not only was it a total pain to acclimate to the schedule, it was boring and a little creepy at times. His thoughts drifted to a scenario of a shady figure walking into the store and robbing him at gunpoint as he stood there scared and alone. The news radio didn’t seem to help his paranoid delusions so he turned it off. He shuddered and pushed the possibility of the scenario from his mind.
To his delight, a customer walked in right about then. It was a girl wearing fancy-looking clothes with her hair all done up in colorful pins. She had on a pink shirt with a bow tie and a dark jacket with fur around the hood. Her short skirt flowed in the wind as she walked with a certain aura that seemed to brighten up the store. MC tried not to stare as she headed back to the refrigerator section, but he couldn’t help himself. He didn’t get a good look at her face, but there was something familiar about her. He had a sense that she was one of the regulars that he’d often talked to.
Oh man, I'd love to ask her on a date. Should I talk to her? Would she think I’m weird? Would it be extra weird because I’m working right now? There’s no way a girl like that would go out with a guy like me. I’m just a convenience store clerk after all. Sweat touched the top of MC’s brow as his overthinking got the best of him.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
His anxious thought train was interrupted when he saw her turn around and head for the front of the store. He shifted his gaze and pretended to look busy as she approached the counter.
The girl set a water bottle on the counter.
“Hello, did you find everything alright?” he asked as he nervously grabbed the bottle of water. He was too nervous to even look up at her.
“Yes, thanks, MC,” she said.
“You remember my name?” he asked as he scanned the water bottle. She must be a regular customer after all. I probably gave my name during some small talk.
“Yes, and well, you’re wearing a name tag,” she said with a laugh. “Here’s a test. Do you remember my name?”
When MC finally looked up at her he couldn't believe his eyes.
“Aiko? Is that you?”
Aiko blushed and giggled. “So you do remember me.”
“I didn’t expect to see you here. It’s been so long. What… almost ten years?”
“Just about,” she said. There was a momentary pause as they both were unsure what to say next.
MC told Aiko her total and she scanned her card for payment. “So what have you been up to all this time?” MC asked.
“I’m going to college right now. Working on a degree at Strongzinburg City University.”
“That’s exciting! I’m happy for you. I always knew that you’d do something important with your life.”
Aiko looked at her phone. “Ahh, I’ve gotta run. It’s getting pretty late and I’ve got class in the morning. It was great to see you.” She turned and headed for the exit.
“Hey…” said MC.
Aiko paused. “Yes, what is it?”
”Oh, uh I was just going to say that it was a good choice to buy a cold bottle of water. It was a hot day. Still pretty warm out there. They’re saying the same for tomorrow.”
“Thanks I will,” she said and headed out the door.
The internal struggle had gotten the better of him. He desperately wanted to ask for her phone number or if they could meet again, but he wasn’t able to muster the words. He just watched as his old friend walked right out the sliding doors.
Aiko got in her car and cracked open the ice-cold bottle of water wondering what it was that MC really wanted to tell her on her way out of the store.