Jeff walked into the store with his best friend, Michael. The two teenagers attended Barrie Academy, a private school in their neighborhood. Athletic Jeff, thanks to his captaincy of the soccer team, ranked as one of the BMOCs. He and Michael had been best friends since kindergarten, but as they entered their teen years Jeff pursued his sports interests while Michael shined in academics and the arts, particularly theatre. In fact, he had just landed the lead role in the school's upcoming production of "Peter Pan."
"Look at all this weird shit," Jeff remarked.
Michael, with eyes wide, examined the crowded, dusty shelves. "I don't even know what the hell half this stuff is. Look at this!"
Michael picked up something that looked like the mummified remains of a bat with the eight legs of a furry spider. "Weird!"
They were both surprised when a little man in dark clothes that looked like a fancy bath robe spoke to them. "Ah, welcome to my store. May I help you find something?"
Michael blushed as if caught red-handed and quietly put the spider-bat back on the shelf.
"No, man, we're just browsing," Jeff said.
The little man smiled. "Don't hesitate to ask," he said and walked off.
"Weird dude," Jeff whispered.
"Jeff!" Michael chided. "He will hear you."
Jeff rolled his eyes, but then caught sight of something. He walked to a shelf holding various squeeze tubes. He picked up one. "Hey, look at this!"
Michael walked over. "What is it?"
Jeff lowered his voice. "Looks like lube."
Michael blushed, which made Jeff smirk. "Some of those Asian lubes can make things very interesting."
Michael blushed even redder. They had been more than friends for the past few months. It had happened one Saturday evening at Jeff's house. His parents had been gone, and they were alone. It had started out with just wrestling around on Jeff's bed. One thing had led to another, and they had learned they both had an attraction to each other. Jeff was very unwilling to say they were gay. They were just friends, the kind with certain benefits.
"We should try it," Jeff said.
"No!" Michael gasped. "You can't go up to the counter and pay for that."
Jeff glanced about the store. He grinned at Michael and slipped the tube from his hand into a pocket in his jeans.
"Let's go," Jeff ordered and walked toward the exit.
Michael, too shocked to follow immediately, tried to urge Jeff to abandon his impulsive intent.
Their debate, mostly conducted through meaningful gestures, attracted the attention of the shop owner. "Finding anything of interest?"
"No, but thanks," Jeff said. "We'll come back another time.
Michael watched his friend exit. He was about to do the same, but he felt a cold, bony hand grab his wrist. The little man was no longer behind the counter. How had he moved so fast?
"Your friend a foolish little boy," the man said.
Michael wanted to leap to Jeff's defense, but the words stuck in his throat.
"What is his name?"
"Jeff," Michael said, coughing. "Jeffery."
"Jef-fairy," the little man said with a hint of bemusement.
"The things in this shop are very magical," the little man said, not letting go of his wrist. "You should warn your friend."
Michael realized the old man knew that Jeff had stolen the tube. "I can pay you…"
The man let go of Michael's wrist. "Pay me? You did not find anything."
"But my friend…"
"Your friend must make his own payment," the little man said. "Enjoy what is about to come your way. You may find it very interesting."
Michael had pulled some cash from his wallet. "Please, just let me…"
He came to a stop and looked around. The little man was gone. He had just vanished. Michael felt creeped out and ran out the exit.
"What took you?" Jeff, leaning on a lamp post, asked him.
"Jeff, you shouldn't have done that!"
"Your folks are gone for the weekend, right?"
Michael nodded.
"Great. Let's go back to your place."