"Excuse me, dear, I don't think I want this either," the elderly lady said, handing me the seventh item she decided against after I had packed her groceries.
She had bought groceries worth $350, and after we bagged them for her out of sympathy, she began removing items from the bottom of the bag. At first, it was endearing, but now, as she rifled through the bags for the seventh time, my patience was wearing thin.
It was nearly closing time, and Axel had promised to pick me up after my shift. I regretted taking the semester off because now I had too much time on my hands, doing nothing but existing here. It had been a month since we left the beach house, and I still felt the need to look over my shoulder at every turn. Axel had insisted on leaving guards at my house, a no-questions-asked decision. I didn't argue because they made Lara and me feel a little safer. February had passed, March had arrived, and I was still here, cashing out customers and regretting my decision to take a semester off.
"You know what, it's fine. I'll just take it all. How much is it now?" she asked, stuffing the rest of the items into the bags.
"That'll be $290.09. How would you like to pay?"
"I'll use my credit card, dear," she said with an apologetic smile.
I needed to learn to control my facial expressions because if my voice didn't reveal my feelings, my face certainly did.
"Okay, go ahead, ma'am." Just as I input her information, the overhead speaker blared with Asma's shy voice.
"Attention customers. The time is now 9:55, and the store will be closing in five minutes. I repeat, the store will be closing in five minutes. Please bring all your items to the front where we can cash you out. Thank you again for shopping at the Corner Store, and have a great night."
I looked around, and thankfully, the store was empty. Mrs. Lewison was our last customer of the night. Jason was closing down the produce section, Landon was done with his area and was relaxing in Nate's office, Asma was closing up her register and counting money in haste – not that I blamed her.
I handed Mrs. Lewison her receipt, wished her a good night, and finally signed off. My legs felt numb from standing the entire time, especially since I had been asked to stay late. I wanted to have a word with whoever decided cashiers shouldn't use chairs. Have they ever tried standing up, scanning items, dealing with difficult customers, and trying not to overcharge anyone?
Yeah, I didn't think so.
I jogged in place a little to loosen up the stiffness, then made my way to the break room upstairs. I swiped out, then lay down on one of the couches. It was getting late, and my eyelids were getting heavier and heavier. I planned to wait for Axel to call me, using the ringtone as an alarm.
Maybe just close my eyes for a minute?
A few seconds?
Just for a blink?
I swear I only blinked once, but before I knew it, I woke up in a panic, drenched in sweat, my phone ringing loudly.
The clock on my phone read 11:25 PM.
Hell. To. The. No.
I answered my phone, still disoriented. My eyes couldn't focus enough to read the name.
"Uh... hello?"
"Sophia Grace Powers! Where the hell are you? I've been waiting for you out here, and you never came out! They said you already left, and you're not home – I'm there right now. Explain yourself, young lady!"
"Calm down, Grandma, my God. I must've accidentally slept in the break room and just didn't hear my phone..."
"Wait... you're still at the store?! They locked it up! How the hell are you sti... Oh God, I'll be right there. Don't go anywhere."
YOU ARE READING
The Corner Store
Teen FictionI fell for a boy with the kindest blue eyes, and a charming dimple. He made me feel loved, and cared for, and most importantly he made me feel safe in his presence. He came right in the middle of a tornadoe and managed to turn it into blue skies. He...
