You were in the middle of a part time job at an Halloween store that sells [cheap] costumes and merchandise and things. despite this being your favorite time of the year, it is rather boring... And with the store you work at is a temporary job, you make the most of it while it last. (Since this store will be gone once Halloween is over after all.)
Meanwhile, your friend Danny [or as he keeps calling himself that], pays a visit. "Hey bud-ddy!" You looked to him and pointed at your name tag that says 'Mike'. Danny just laughs. "Come on! We know each other, there's nothing to be embarrassed about!" Danny who mostly have a body for someone who plays Basketball, wraps his arm around your shoulder.
Your not that much athletic, and you're not fat at all. But still need your space.
"Come on Danny! You know I can't waste time talking to you. Do you have something in mind that I can help you with? Or something that you're looking for?" You try to keep the conversation on topic. But Danny want to dilly-dally.
"Hmm..." Danny ponders. Then says. "How about *I* help you? Ever heard of that costume store that just opened?"
You stare at him. "Just open?"
"Yeah! this time it's official, they won't disappear after Halloween is over!" Your 'friend' tells you excitedly.
"Danny..." You told him the obvious statement; You've already got a job in this Halloween store, as temporary as this is, it’s not nothing. "And besides; I don't want to get in trouble if I am caught dead over there."
"What if I tell you I'll get you a costume from there?" You glare at him. Granted you're not above wearing costumes in your college age, but the costumes you see [besides those made by someone who is dedicated] are not very convincing. Most (if not) all of them are cheesy; including the place you work at.
You were asking him 'why is he trying to get you to go there?' and Danny tells you about the ad from "Crimson Titan's Life Changing Store". Just hearing what he says about 'changing your life [even the kind that's impossible]', implies that it's not a costume store at all.
"Look..." You calmly start. "Even if I believe this whole thing. Are you sure you're not confusing a costume store, with a job counseling ad?" You asked.
Danny responds with something you didn't expect to hear from him. "Mike; You may think I'm just some brainless dick who is apathetic about your wants. But I can tell why you like Halloween so much, and it's not for the scares." This got your attention. "You get to dress up as anybody that you want; If you wanted to be a cop, you could. If you wanted to be a satyr, you could. If you wanted to be a Sumo Wrestler, you could."
That last one broke the mood.
"Danny... I never been a sumo wrestler, you did! I may not be Asian but, that feels offensive for you to suggest that." Come to think of it; Despite his sporty body, he does have a habit of dressing up like a fat guy. Something that even you don't understand.
Although you have pale skin, and dark brown hair, you look like you were raised by a white family. But you were actually adopted by an Asian family with a Japanese background. Being the only child, you’d thought you get the most attention. Well you would, but most of the time you were babysat by your uncle [who actually looks more like a sumo wrestler, though you’re not sure if he actually is or was a sumo]. And even when they are around they gave you a hard time, to be fair; at a young age, it was deserved. Although they can be strict at times, they still love you regardless, that’s more than you can say for your so called real parents. Which made you resent your biological parents for abandoning you.
What's worse is that it made it even harder for you to find a place in this world; for you feel... like you belong.
"Sorry" Danny apologized. though he puts his hands up in a 'let me try that again' attitude. "Bad example! But you did get my drift. right?... You have the chance to be anyone!, isn't that what you wanted?"
That is exactly what you wanted. Danny pretty much read you like a book. That made you ask. "How do you know so much about me?"
"Because... We're friends Mike." Danny answers with confidences. Then he reiterate. "Now I'm not saying you have a gender or body dysmorphia. But what I am saying is that you should give that place a look when you can... I even heard they're willing to accept new employees if they have a certain 'quality' they like." He said that last part so quietly.
"What?"
"Nothing! Anyway, I'll see if I can find a costume there that I like and what I want for you to try... If not then I'll give you a meal for supper instead; to make up for an empty promise. Either way, I'll leave a box by your door step!" Danny says it with a smile. It's actually scary.
"Danny?... Are you trying to get a date from me?" You asked.
That shocked him. "What?" Then he hand waves it off. "No-o! No! Not at all! What makes ya say that not at all!..." After an awkward pause he decided to say his good-byes and rushes out of the store.
You sigh as resumed your work. Thinking. 'I only asked a question, he didn't need to get so defensive about it.' You have nothing against the gays, but you don't exactly identify as one yourself. Of course you could be aromatic [be it straight, gay, or bi], but when came to sex, it just never really clicked with you.
Even as these thoughts float in your head. You’d remembered that you did tell Danny once where you actually live. Back when you moved out after graduation. (Not that you disliked your foster parents, you’re actually still in contact with them.) Hard to believe Danny still remembers your place two years ago, and he never visited. You shake your head and went to work.
And just minutes after that; you quickly forgot about your talk with Danny, and went back to working on rearranging the merchandise on the shelf. With your depressed look.
-----
Three hours has pass by already, and your shift just ended.
Before you started to leave you were given an envelope from your boss. It's your paycheck [at least that's what you've assumed]. And after driving yourself back to your own home you see a box in front of your door, and you remembered the promise that Danny made.
You're not sure what it is, but you do know it's from your friend, and he left you with a note a pamphlet of the costume store he mentioned. And the note says:
"Hey Mike! I'm telling you! This is legit!"
"I haven't seen any bad reviews on them whatsoever. So I got you this pamphlet with the box."
"Trust me!... You'll be thanking me for introducing you to that place!"
"-Danny ;)"
Of course this box could be filled with a big meal [like he also said] for all you knew. But still, you can't help but wonder if he got you anything besides the food...
You got into opening one of your gifts.
[Between the Box or the Envelope]