The Corner Store

Chapter 3

My eyes are glued to the tiny box of a TV as I mindlessly surf through the channels. Static lines periodically ran up the moving pictures, making the images a bit fuzzy in certain places, but still watchable. Especially since there weren’t any other options for entertainment available. 

Slowly my eyes start slipping shut, my breathing growing quiet. There was suddenly a firm grip on my shoulder and I nearly fell out of my chair as I scrambled to get away from whoever was behind me. My brown eyes are met with candy apple green orbs. 

Jeremiah stood there with a stupid grin on his freckled face. Of course, it had to be Jeremiah. Fucking little shit. I wanted to punch him square in the kisser. Maybe it would wipe that grin off his ugly mug.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Sleeping on the job are we Ann Marie?" He shook his head and clucked in mock disapproval before leaning against the wall.

I frown at him, "No. I was resting my eyes. What are you doing here? Your shift doesn't start till midnight."

That stupid grin only grows on his face as he holds up his phone showing the time. The clock displayed 12:00 am. Shit. I slept through my entire shift.

"Mm, your shifts over now. You're lucky I'm the one who caught you and not Taylor," he shrugs, giving me his well-practiced smirk. 

"Taylor is just a bitch. I don't care if she sees me or not."

Jeremiah raises his brows in mock surprise at my harsh comment, "She's a bitch, but she's a bitch with authority. You should be careful with how you talk about her. You know she loves to watch the cameras." 

I shrug, "So? She's a shift leader in training. That means nothing to me."

Jeremiah shakes his head, an exasperated smile on his face, "You just never know when to stop, do you?" 

I roll my eyes, "Why do you care so much?"

"I don't," he says simply, showing me his phone screen. "I finished that one last night." A proud smile plastered on his lips.

I saw the picture and arched my brow, "You still do that shit? You’re going to get caught if you keep it up. I mean, it looks cool. But vandalizing a public area is a serious offense. Not to mention the fact that you’re making important people look silly and they might start taking offense to that. For someone who says I should worry about Taylor, you're looking to piss off people a lot scarier than her."

Jeremiah rolls his eyes, "So? They don't mean shit to me. And if you watched the news, you would know how much trouble and bullshit they cause. Besides, it's only illegal if you get caught." A mischievous smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. 

"Whatever man. You do whatever makes you happy." I say. "I'm going home to sleep."

"You slept for your entire shift. How are you possibly still tired?" Jeremiah exclaims, struggling to hold in his laughter. 

"Shut up asshole. I like being fully rested." I retort, holding up my middle finger. "Night J. I'm out."

Still chuckling, "Have a nice night Anna." He says, his tone low.

"Ann Marie."

I turn, "Yeah Jeremiah?" 

"Be careful out there kid. It's a crazy world we live in." 

My cold heart melted a bit hearing that from him. As much as he gets on my everlasting nerves and pretends to not care. I know somewhere deep down he does. I see it on his face and behind his eyes each time he takes over the shift for me. Or whenever we meet up outside of work.  

"I'll try J."

"Ann Marie."

"Yes, Jeremiah?" Turning back around to face him once again.

"Seriously, be careful out there." He says, his eyes searching mine, the expression on his face unreadable. He opens his mouth to say more but closes it, deciding not to. Frowning, he shakes his head as if disagreeing before saying, "I-I love you, Ann Marie."

That took me by surprise, what? He's never said that to me before. Biting my lip, I nod, "I love you too Jerry.."