June Schlieb is the adopted sister of Kevin Schlieb. It's a known fact, but that doesn't mean the wounds of her complicated adoption history aren't still fresh. Who would've thought she would've found bandages from her Battle of the Bands rival.
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the goddamn camels ｡･:*:･ﾟ★ Chapter 4
I always thought it had to be raw talent to be able to make someone doze off on cue, with constant chatter, meaningless. That was harsh, but it didn't feel that way when this random guy was practically threatening my conscious streak in the store.
"Ah, and how is Laurie doin'?" The lumber-jack-lookin' guy grabbed his pack of fire wood, finally moving off from the topic of his daughter's wedding.
Oh, that's right, he wasn't random. He was some kind of distant cousin. His comment would've been very eerie if I hadn't remembered that fact. I smiled, internally chuckling at the banter that had previously occurred in my head.
"She's doin' just great." I took a note of his lack of concern for my dad's well being. "Here's the receipt."
He nodded, giving me those pursed, polite smiles, "Thanks. Stay out of trouble, June."
I wanted to ask when I was ever in trouble, but I guess that's another weird thing adults say to teenagers. Because we're all crack-snorting whores— is what can be read on most of their faces.
Someone dropped a few items on the counter. A lighter, a six pack of Bud Light, and a box of condoms. I didn't think anything of it until I looked up.
"Hey. How's it going, June?" Hunter Sylvester gripped the edge of the counter.
Kev was right after all. I think I stood in awe for about two and a half minutes— before my hand slapped over my mouth, failing miserably at muffling my obnoxious laugh. His eyes narrowed.
"I'm so sorry, I-" I basically snorted, unable to cough up the rest of my comment. "It's just— I'd hate to see you waste money on stuff that's gonna be put to use... ever."
While my other hand was occupied with covering my malicious smile, the other held up the box of condoms. Hunter snatched them, back onto the counter.
"Jesus, you choked yourself half to death and only came up with that half-assed comeback?" After giving me the most annoyed eye roll I think I've ever seen, his stare averted to the wall of cigarettes behind me, revealing a silvery credit card from his jacket pocket. "Yeah, and could you grab me a pack of camels."
I tilted my head, catching his gaze once more. "Hilarious, but the joke has run its course. You need an ID for half of this junk. And, as hard as it is to believe, you've only turned 17, not 8 years old."
He just stared at me, and for a second it looked like he actually expected he'd walk out of here with all that stuff after a little sweet talk. The nerve. I shook my head and put majority of his items under the counter, except for the lighter.
"And how do you know I won't need those?" Hunter pointed to the box of condoms as I tossed them under. If I hadn't seen the joking smile on his face, I would've taken him for being sincere. I laughed.
"Because I know you."
"Ouch." He replied, dryly.
It was silent for the next few seconds. And not the kind where you'd stare lovingly in someone's eyes. It was the kind where I was awkwardly rocking back and forth on my heels, thinking of something else to say. But I didn't need to, before he leaned over the counter and began to whisper.
"Give me the lighter and cigarettes, and I'll put 50 dollars in your pocket."
Not a very good deal, but he obviously didn't realize that either. "It's nice you think you're worth losing my job over. Now, if you're not gonna buy shit then leave."
"Alright, alright. I just want this lighter... and could you get me a pack of gum, please."
I flashed him a get-it-yourself glare but soon obliged and turned to get a pack of Trident spearmint gum from a nearby pop-up, cardboard shelf. I rung everything up.
"Your total is $4.79. The EZ Reach lighter, so you don't burn you fragile baby fingers, is two bucks and the gum is a dollar and thirty, plus tax. Have a nice day, asshole."
"I will, thank you." He snatched the plastic CVS bag that held his items and made his way to the door. Once he was mere inches from exiting the building, he held up his hand, and between two fingers was a pack of Camel cigarettes.
Mother fucker.
Unfortunately, those exact thoughts could easily be read off of my expression-- wide eyes and a murderous scowl.
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Yay another chapter!! Thanks for reading. I'm gonna take another break from this to assess and update my other fic!
