Supernova||Book 1 [Wattys 2024]

Episode 9.5 - A simple Lesson

More than 15 minutes had already passed in awkward silence. After being led to that room Norris had no idea what to do next.

The boy he'd picked from the line sat there patiently waiting..

"So.." Norris looked at him. "What's your name?"

"My name is Ai Sir." The young man replied politely. Norris blushed and sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.

"Ohhhh..your name is I?"

"Yes Sir." he confirmed.

"How do you spell that?" Norris asked

"A-I. Sir."

"Ok wait." Norris held up his hand "Please stop calling me sir." He held out his hand to Ai and smiled. "Nice to meet you Ai. I'm Norris."

Ai took Norris hand and Norris shook it warmly after which silence cloaked the room once more..

"Do you want to get started now?" Ai asked.

"S-started?" Norris mumbled. "With what?"

Ai looked at Norris curiously. It seemed it was his first time at a place like this. No wonder he looked like a deer caught in headlights. Perhaps he would have to initiate. Seeing that Norris wasn't moving, Ai moved closer to him. Norris immediately inched away.

"Is something wrong?" Ai asked

"No. Nothing's wrong." Norris replied. "It's just..I don't.." his eyes were apologetic. "I'm sorry." his eyes dipped. Ai looked at him. "I should go." he stood to leave.

Ai also stood up. "Go? Why?"

Norris sighed. "I know why I was brought here, but I don't think I can do it." He looked at Ai. "Sorry for wasting your time."

There was a wrinkle in Ai's brow as he looked at Norris. Disappointment was in his eyes as he plopped down on the bed and sighed deeply, hanging his head.

Norris stopped. "Sorry." he apologized again.

Ai looked at him and smiled sadly. "Its ok." he shook his head. "I really am terrible at this. I should just quit."

"Quit?" Norris asked in surprise, walking back to the bedside. "No. I'm sorry. It's not you. It's me. You were great." his head dipped. "I just.."

Ai looked at the young man and sighed again. "You were my last chance." he sighed. "I was so happy when you picked me. Now I'll be fired for sure. I should just quit and figure something else out."

"Your last chance?" Norris sat beside Ai on the bed.

The young man nodded. "I'm new at this job. It's only my second full week here." he looked at Norris. "In my first week I was so nervous I couldn't do a single thing with any of the clients. Some of them complained." Norris was shocked. "I had to beg not to be fired."

Norris' heart sank. He didn't want to get anyone in trouble but he honestly couldn't just bring himself to do....that.

"No." Norris put a comforting hand on Ai's. "You didn't fail. I'll tell them you were wonderful and that I had a great time with you."

With grateful eyes, Ai looked at Norris. "It's fine. Really. Maybe this is my sign to give up and do something else."

"Something else. Is there something that you've always wanted to do?" Norris asked out of curiosity.

"I've always wanted to be a stylist." Ai confessed. "That's how I ended up here. I took this job to help save up money for my tuition for university."

"Oh..You're in school."