One Week Later…
Colin sat at the counter and took a big breath; Marcy’s deep cleaning and spicy noodles cleared his cold right up. And what a relief that was; without her help, he might’ve accidentally nerdified someone else, possibly one of his own lovers, but that was not here or now.
The here was Bargain Co.
And the now?
The closing shift on Saturday.
You see, the evening workers Bargain Co were there until til 4 AM on Saturdays.
The “Graveyard Shift” was the quietest that Bargain Co was at any day of the week.
Marcy was sweeping, Wendy was counting out her drawer, and Tina was busy filling the drink coolers back up.
And Colin?
Well he was just at the register with one thing on his mind… dealing with the few late night customers Bargain Co had this close to closing; the drunk being lead through the store by her friend.
“Can I help you?” Tina asked.
“Can I have a *urp* … a red … red cow?” The brunette asked in a slurry haze.
“She means a Red Bull.” The blonde in the leather jacket explained as she held her friend up by her armpit.
Tina quietly handed the energy drink to the blonde and stuffed the last two in the cooler.
“Alright, looks like that’s the last one.” Wendy said as she flicked the register light off.
“Ahhhhhh they took the last…. *hic* last peoples…” the brunette said as she stumbled over.
“We are the last people, Fern.” The blonde said as she dumped her friends snacks right on the belt of the register.
Colin wasted no time scanning the pile of chips and candy as Fern started smiling at him.
“Where you goin’ after this, cutie?” Fern blushed with a sloshed smile, resting her hand on his shoulder to keep her balance.
“Oh, I was actually gonna go home and have dinner with my friends.” Colin blushed as Marcy and Tina started scowling from behind as he scanned the tea and entry drinks, hastily stuffing them in the bag as he shoved it in Fern’s hands.
“Hol- Hold this, Imma get my card….” Fern hiccuped as she dug around for her wallet.
“Relax, it’s on me.” The blonde said as she got her wallet out.
“Don’t embarrass me in front of the stud, Sasha.” Fern belched.
“That’s Jamie’s boyfriend, leave him alone.” Sasha whispered.
“Jamie?” Marcy asked.
“Jamie Benson, cheer captain at the College north of here.” Sasha said as she pulled up a picture.
The glossy blue eyes and dopey smile confirmed it was their Jamie.
“I fixed her car at my dad’s shop and we started hanging out.” Sasha said, “She talks about this guy all the time.”
“No kidding…” Tina said with a forced smile.
Colin interjected with “That’ll be $27.56!”
Sasha sighed as she swiped her card and gave Fern her Cheeto Puffs.
Colin handed her the receipt as Wendy pulled his drawer as Colin started walking to the bathroom as Fern grabbed his hand.
“Can I give you my number?” She asked as she grabbed his phone.
“Hey! Let go!” Colin snapped.
“That’s enough Fern!” Sasha said as she grabbed her friend by the shoulders, “He’s taken!”
“Get off of him!” Marcy shouted as she pulled on Fern’s arm.
“Ma’am I’m gonna need you… to… let…. GOOOOO!!!!!!!” Wendy yelled as the combined force finally pulled Fern off of him.
Colin was flung straight into a cart corral crotch-first with a thunderous crash.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!” Colin screamed as a blast of pink light lit up the whole store.
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“And where is Colin right now?” Sam asked Tina.
“See for yourself….” Tina said as she opened the bedroom door to show Sam what was going on.