fade to black | james hetfield [1]

nine

chapter nine: grocery shopping

James was gone by the time Iris woke up in the morning. Her eyes fluttered open and she realized she was still asleep on his couch, but covered in blankets and a pillow under her head.

Looking over at the time, she groaned. She had to get up and drive back home as soon as possible, having to start a shift at the supermarket where she worked.

Of course, working at a supermarket was far from glamorous. Having to wear a shitty uniform and deal with people while being on your feet all day wasn't exactly a dream job. For Iris, it was only something to get by. 

While she was busy wiping down the register, James happened to walk inside to get a couple of quick things. He noticed Iris almost immediately, his mouth turning up into a smirk as he walked up behind her.

Clearing his throat, he put on a fake voice, trying to sound like an elderly man. "Excuse me miss, do you know where the rectal cream is?" He smirked.

Iris sighed deeply, hating her job more than ever right now. She prepared to answer whoever needed help, turning around to look at them. "No sir, we don't sell—James?" Her eyes were met with the wide grin on James's face.

Instead, she felt her cheeks turning hot. She was never the type to worry about her appearance, but right now, she felt a bit embarrassed that James was currently at her job where she didn't look so ideal. 

James, on the other hand, didn't seem to care. He was happy to see her because he would get to bother her again. "I didn't know you worked at a supermarket, that's pretty cool. Do you get free stuff?" 

She chuckled a bit at his comment, shaking her head. "What are you doing here?" She asked, still feeling a bit embarrassed that James was standing in front of her right now.

"I came to get some stuff. Wanna help me?" He looked at the other register before turning back to her. "I'm sure your co-worker would be fine on their own." He grinned, holding up a shopping basket.

It was a slow day so far and Iris still had a couple hours to go in her shift, so she decided to take James up on his offer in an effort to waste time.

James and Iris walked up and down the aisles together, taking what he needed and throwing it into his basket. They walked so close to each other that they could've easily been mistaken for a couple. 

Eventually, Iris would ring him up. The customers behind him were a bit confused about what he was buying. There was a toothbrush, eye drops, lotion, some cans of beer, and a box of condoms. At least it wasn't rectal cream.

James decided to keep her company for a little bit. It was still empty in the store, so Iris didn't mind standing at the register and talking with him. He was having too much fun making fun of the customers who came in, trying to guess what kind of people they were.

It was only made worse whenever they would get to the register. James would stand behind Iris and whisper something in her ear about the customer in front of her, and it would take everything in her not to laugh. 

One of the customers even overheard what James said to her and yelled at him. "What'd you say about me, punk?" The guy yelled, shooting daggers over Iris's shoulder. 

"Nothing, sir," James smirked. "Have a good day." He said before turning away, trying to hold in his laughter.

When Iris would have to take a second to focus on the register, James wouldn't bother her as much. He couldn't help but laugh to himself whenever he heard her customer voice, which was a pitch higher and more polite than her regular voice.

Sometimes, he would glance at her while she wasn't looking. His eyes would scan the features of her face, admiring her beauty despite the sadness that constantly plagued her. He wondered how someone so graceful could be so hopeless. 

He looked away before she could turn back around, trying not to get caught staring. He would go back to whatever they were talking about and Iris would barely notice, her mind being more occupied with the customers.

Eventually, someone complained to the manager about what they were doing. A lady came around the register, glaring at them. "Just so you know, I told your manager about how rude and disrespectful you two are." She said before slamming her stuff onto the checkout counter. 

After the lady left, James began to grab his bags that Iris had put to the side earlier. "I'm gonna leave before your boss comes out here and starts yelling at us."

"Okay then," Iris replies, laughing a bit. "I'll see you later, James." She turned back to the counter to start on the next customer. 

Just as Iris was helping the next customer, she felt James come from behind her and lean in, planting a kiss on her cheek. Before she could even react and say something to him, he was already out the door. 

Her cheeks turned pink as she thought about the gesture, not used to that sort of contact. She couldn't daydream for too long because her manager came around asking questions.

But for the first time in a long time, a shy smile formed on her face.