20 TPN STORIES IN 20 DAYS CHALLENGE

Day 12 - The Chocolate Girl

[Submitted by @Jartz120]

It was a sunny summer day, it was mild in the morning and the temperatures would rise as the day progressed. Ray would take his shift at 6:00 a.m. to fill the shelves of the grocery store where he worked, he had just graduated from high school and had gotten the job in that grocery store, he had left the city for a village a little further up in the hills. He often ran into the same people. There were these two kids who often came to get firecrackers and candy, one of them had an onion head, there was also this grumpy thirty-year-old with his zebra hairdo, he was the boss's friend but he was not always tender with him, he called Ray "the guy from the city" even if he was basically a very nice person ... But there was especially this girl of his age: Blonde with blue eyes with an angelic look and who exuded a lot of good mood and kindness. Lucas (the boss) had already talked about it with him.

Luc: I think you caught little Anna's eye.

Ray: What do you mean?!

Luc: Well usually she hardly ever comes, or once a week to do the errands, and since you are here she comes every day, if it was for me she would have come a long time ago haha.

Ray: Pff you're just delirious that's all.

Luc: Oh yeah? Look at her manners when she talks to you... Because she almost only talks to you, I'm telling you.

Ray: If you say so...

He raised his eyes to the sky and shrugged his shoulders, he could hardly believe what Lucas was saying, Ray had always had trouble with social relationships, there were his two best friends but they had stayed in town and for the first time in ten years they would hardly see each other all summer long... but at least he was making money, that was mostly why he had come. But it's true that thinking back she came every day and she always took the same article, always a bar of dark chocolate, it was funny as a coincidence because it was exactly the same one that Ray took in the shelves from time to time, so we had to recommend it often because between Anna and Ray, the stock went down at a crazy speed each time.

If Ray could take chocolate during his service, it is because Lucas let him take a snack from time to time and moreover it was deducted on his wages and not on Ray's wages. Lucas was a nice person, a little rough and demanding on the work but he was a good boss, he always paid a drink to Ray after his shift and he always proposed to Ray to do something if he saw him alone on Friday evening, a simple but friendly guy, that was Lucas, and that brought out Ray's qualities, he was less tense and rigid than when he started and he really liked it here and the inhabitants returned this sympathy to him well.

The day was going normally, customers came and went as the day went on, talking with Ray, Lucas and Oliver (the second employee, Lucas' adopted son). It was the only business in the village so everyone knew everyone a little bit, they allowed themselves to discuss everything and nothing, to drink coffee with them and when they couldn't pay immediately, Lucas would give them a credit, there was an account register and it was perfectly organized, Ray used his keen sense of organization to follow the receipts and write as he went along, his speed of understanding surprised everyone in the village, and the business was running better than ever. It was an extremely efficient partnership and everyone was happy with it.

Ann: Hello Mr Ray.

The shy voice of the young girl had taken Ray out of his thoughts. He had shown a smile when he answered her

Ray: You know you can just call me Ray, I prefer when people call me Ray.

Ann: Oh sorry mist... sorry Ray.

Ray: It's okay, don't worry. What will it be?

Ann: The same as usual.

Ray: Alright, I'll get that for you... HEY! ONION HEAD, NO PLAYING WITH FOOD!

Lan: Sh- ! Thoma, let's leave!

Ray: Oi! Not so fast you two!

Ray had grabbed them by the collar and was arguing with them, which made Anna laugh a lot, Lucas had arrived and was arguing with her about Ray.

Luc: He's nice, isn't he?

Ann: Very... He's a nice guy.

Luc: It's obvious that you like him, you come here on purpose, don't you?

Lucas' teasing look made him blush...

Ann: N-no... well yes... well a little.

Luc: You should ask him out on Friday night, the village should be lively and it will be a starry night.

Ann: I... I don't know if that's a good idea...

Oli: I'm sure it is, just find the right time and everything will be fine.

Ann: Yes! Thank you guys!

She had paid for her chocolate and before leaving had made a big wave to Ray who greeted her back with a gesture of the head, his two hands being always taken by the two boys. He had dropped them before sighing as he returned to the counter.

Ray: Ugh those two...

Luc: They are a little turbulent but they are two nice kids.

Ray: Anyway everyone is nice in the village... Especially you Chris, my favourite customer!

We could hardly see the little boy but Ray had noticed him, he was an adorable boy with black hair with midnight blue highlights. He was doing the errands for his mother because she hurt her knee, his brothers were bigger and stronger but he absolutely wanted to do it for his mother. He had a lovely and caring personality and he thanked and greeted everyone with hugs, Ray included.

Ray: Tell me what you need Chris, I'll make you a basket and we'll meet at closing time as usual.

Chr: I made you a list today, since you seem to like lists!

Ray: Oh that's nice of you lil' buddy, you're adorable. I'll do that to you, I promise!

Chr: Pinkie promise?

Ray: Yessir!

And the two boys had made this promise to each other with their pinkie, it reminded Ray's childhood when they did this with Norman and Emma, like the time they went to the beach on vacation together.

The day had ended in a very pleasantly mild climate, Ray had just finished little Chris's basket when he appeared.

Chr: Shall we go ?

Ray: Let's go. Oliver, I leave! See you tomorrow!

Oli: Alrighty then! See ya later!

Luc: Bye Ray!

Ray had left with Chris holding his hand, they were talking on the way under the sun that was slowly starting to set. They were talking about what was happening tonight in the village, a small party on the big square, Chris had begged him to come and he had accepted with a big sincere smile. On the way they had met Anna, and if she seemed hesitant for a short moment she had come to approach the duo, she had first greeted Chris by ruffling his hair before talking to Ray.

Ann: Hey Ray... Can I ask you something?

Ray: Of course!

Ann: So here it is... Do you want to come with me to the village party tonight?

Ray: Yes, I would love to, Chris what do you think?

Chr: I'd love to as well!

The young girl was over the moon, she had the opportunity to spend a privileged moment with the one who has been turning her head since the beginning of the summer, and Ray was also happy, it was the occasion to return the kindness that Anna had towards her. The three of them had continued on their way to Chris' house, the boy had opened the door and they had been able to drop off the food at Chris' mother's house, the two boys had greeted each other before making an appointment for the evening. Ray had also walked Anna home and they greeted each other. Anna thanked him with a kiss on the cheek, which Ray couldn't do much but smile like an idiot. He went back to his rented house to get ready for the party.

To be continued in part 2 :)