I walk down the streets of New York, my warm coffee in hand. It was freezing out. I was wearing a green sweater and a pair of jeans with my platform converse. I wasn't particularly walking anywhere, just walking. I come upon an old record shop I love going to. They have old vintage records, along with newer ones. I open the door and step inside the smell of books, coffee, and records filling the air. As I close the door behind me, I hear the song Juliet by Cavetown playing. I mouth the lyrics along with the song as I look around the shop.
They had gotten so many new records since I had last been here. I picked up Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish, looking at the cover and back. It was so pretty. I set it back down, then continued to look through the records. They had a lot of Taylor Swift, but also Lorde and The Beatles. That's why I loved coming here. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a black and red cover. I can feel my heart skip a beat.
I walk over to make sure I saw it correctly. I did. Superache by Conan Gray. I couldn't believe I had finally found it after searching for a few months. I picked it up excitedly, looking at the cover and the back of it. I trace my fingers along the words, reading them carefully and taking them in. I run my finger down towards the bottom, looking at the price. $37.99
I take my wallet out of my pocket, skimming through my cash. I was four dollars too short. I stared at the price tag, feeling my heart sink. This was embarrassing, I couldn't afford a measly record! I just looked at the record again and again, checking to see if the price would magically change. Surprise, it didn't.
Suddenly I see a boy next to me, looking at me. I look up at him, giving him a confused look. "I...sorry...I just saw you looking at that record...do you like my music?" I just stared at him, my brain overwhelmed. "C-Conan-" I say, my throat starting to sound rough. I feel my face get hot as my eyes get teary. I set the record down as he pulls me into a big hug. "Nice to meet you" he says through a soft laugh.
After pulling apart, he looks at me. "So, Superache huh?" he gestures to the record. "Oh...uh...yeah...well, um...no" I reply. He looks at me with a questioning look, tilting his head slightly. "I...I'm four dollars short" I can feel the blush run to my cheeks as the embarrassment starts to creep in. "Love, that is nothing to be ashamed about! Here, I got it" He grabs the record, walking towards the cash register. After purchasing it and saying thank you, he walks back towards me.
"Here you go" he says, handing me the bag with a polite smile. I open my wallet, my hands shaking as I try to give him the cash. "No need, really. My treat" We walk out of the store, him opening and closing the door for me. "So, where you heading?" he asks. "Um...to my apartment I guess, I don't really have anywhere else to go" I reply.
"Yeah, I should probably head home also" he says. I'm about to wave goodbye when he reaches out towards me. "I almost forgot! Can I uh...get your number by chance?"
I couldn't believe it. He was asking me for my number?!? I nod towards him, holding my hand out for his phone. He hands it to me before tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. I type it in and hand it back to him, our fingers lightly touching. It sends an electric shock through my fingertips, and for a moment it was almost like it did to his too.
"Alright, well, thank you!" he says. "No, thank you! Seriously, that was very sweet of you" I reply. "I try to be!" he says, pulling me in for one more hug. He squeezes me tight, pulling back holding both of my hands. "I'll text you later" he says. "Okay" I respond, smiling at him. He smiles back before walking in the opposite direction.
I can't believe it. I just met Conan Gray.
