He always comes in around 10pm which is when I start closing up my parents shop in Newtown. 10pm is prime time for misfits to rush in for last-minute contraceptives and smokes. So when he first came in with a white cravat, black leather jacket and a hairstyle from circa. 2010 (which is trending now), I figured he’d want the same. Instead each weekend he comes in, he’d ask me something new about myself. I tell him he’s a creep every time but I always answer him.

He always says in response, “if you can tell me I’m a creep with that tone of yours, I’m not a creep to you”.

It was another late-night shift at the shop when he came in. This time his gait looked different and when he opened his hand to place a box of condoms on the counter, I think I paled.

> I WAS PREPARING TO SWIPE THE ITEM AND WISH HIM A “GOOD NIGHT" WHEN HE LOOKED STRAIGHT AT ME AND ASKED, "DOES ME BUYING A BOX OF CONDOMS PERTURB YOU?"

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I bit my lip, I wanted to say no, do what you like with your life. But i couldn't.

He sighed and took the box from my hands. "I don't need them. I just wanted to see if it bothered you if I was to buy them." Placing his palms on the counter, he leaned in close to me and whispered, "I can see that it does bother you and I don't mind that at all".

I groaned and crossed my arms, "you can buy ten boxes and that won’t bother me".

Smirking, he took another box from the neighbouring shelf, "than i will buy two boxes. One for you if I forget and one for me because I need them when I am with you".

I told him he was stupid and lewd. He laughed and patted my head,

> "THAT’S MY GIRL, I'M STUPID IN LEWD FOR YOU. I LIKE YOU, YOU KNOW THAT".

I told him I knew and pocketed the box of condoms he bought me. You know, just saving it for a white night with vows.