SKAM britain - shame

Saturday - 8:37am

Levi hated stacking the shelves at the best of times, but the way his head pounded and his stomach churned every time he bent down to put a tin of peas on the bottom self made him regret every decision he made last night; especially that last tequila shot.

He was only in work this early because Brooklyn had begged him to come in with her to cover someone on holiday so she wouldn't spend all morning alone with their creepy co-worker Brian. Brian, a middle aged man that still lived with his mother and ate beans cold and straight from the tin, was unable to replenish stock due an old back injury (one which Levi and Brooklyn doubted even existed).

Instead, Brooklyn was stood next to him, putting tins of sweetcorn on the shelf above them, all the while sending him disapproving looks. Levi was well known for having a short fuse at the best of times, however, as a cold sweat formed on his forehead, and his stomach churned once more, he could not tolerate the holes currently being burnt into the side of his face any longer.

He looked either way down the isle, which only had one other person in; a petite, pretty girl with brown hair that was thrown up in a ponytail, wearing grey sweatpants and a black crop top. He didn't notice the glances she kept sending his way as she shopped, clearly interested in him.

"Brooklyn I swear to fucking God, I will be sick all over you if you don't stop sending me judgy looks." He warned through gritted teeth. She turned away from him, huffing as she threw the plastic from the case of sweetcorn into the bag on the back of the cage and grabbed another case to put out.

"Its just... I thought we talked about how going out to parties every weekend with the three stooges was not healthy behaviour." She muttered under her breath, this time keeping her eyes on the task and not her friend. Levi sighed letting his head loll back and closed his eyes, not in the mood to deal with a Brooklyn lecture right now.

"I can't right now Brooklyn really, I can't deal with you nagging me, I'm too hungover to even pretend to listen to you." He murmured, letting out a heavy breath through his nose as he tried to keep down what was left in his stomach.

"Okay, okay." Brooklyn agreed, going quiet as they both continued on with their task, neither of them noticing the black haired girl getting closer as she continued to sneak glances at them.

"Look, I know that Grayson being bipolar was a bit of a bombshell, but that is no reason for you to self destruct. Have you even spoken to him yet? I think that-"

"Excuse me?" The black haired asked quietly, sending Levi the softest smile she could. Levi turned to face her and she blushed as she took another step, putting her right in front of him. Leaning into him, she got very close, her eyes not leaving his as she grabbed a random can from the shelf which turned out to be spaghetti hoops.

"You have very pretty eyes." The stranger commented, taking a step back as she threw the can into her basket haphazardly.

"Uhrm, thank you." Replied Levi, sending the girl a half smile. "You too."

Brooklyn scowled at the tins of sweetcorn she continued to put away, clearly unhappy. Reaching up to grab a jar of Nutella from the top shelf, the girl's top lifted up, exposing half of her lace bralette to Levi. He let out a startled sort of choke as she did so, and quickly continued his task despite the nausea, avoiding her gaze.

"I'm Carly." She smiled.

'And I'm not interested', is what Levi wanted to say. "Levi."

"I know that this is a bit full on, and I don't usually do things like this but I'm trying to do things to push myself out of my comfort zone more, but anyways, please could I um, have your insta?" She asked blushing the entire time.

Brookyln's eyes widened and she stopped what she was doing, instead turning to face the drama unfolding. Levi sighed, wanting to cry as every thought in his head turned to Grayson. He turned to the shelves as he willed the tears away, unable to face the girl stood in front of him.

"Listen you don't really want my insta. You don't want to get to know me, I am a terrible person, and I'm a terrible boyfriend. I cheat, I lie, I party a lot, I'm so self-centred I won't even notice if you have a fucking mental disorder, I've got no money to buy you stuff, crazy runs in my family, Im going nowhere in life, I-"

"Levi she's gone, you can stop now." Brooklyn murmur quietly, causing he to turn, and turn enough the girl was at the end of the isle and did not look back. He sighed leaning his head against the shelf as Brooklyn wrapped her arms around him, leaning against his back. They stay like that for a minute as Levi tries to gain his composure.

"You're also kind, and loving, and sensitive, and really fucking funny. Im here for you. As are the boys, and Xave and Lucas. And I love you... like a brother though." She whispered, hoping to make him even just a little better. And she did. The nausea Levi was feeling eased ever so slightly.