Under The Lights

Thirty-six Titan Pierce

Once i know Record is set for a while i go back to the cafe and sneak out the front door, deciding to leave this mess for later as i run across the street to Johnnies.

I didn't want Record to come with me today because i wanted to surprise her with some new vinyl to add to her collection. We can't keep dancing to the same songs and i want her to have more music to choose from.

The problem is i don't have any idea what kind of music she likes, so i guess I'll have to buy a little bit of everything.

The bell dings as i open the door and Evan looks up from his post by the counter and immediately grins at me. "Hey Titan, great party last night. Stella introduced me to your girlfriend, she was hot." He jumps right into conversation, closing his comic book to give me his full attention.

I look around the store and notice about two customers at opposite ends of the store, both glancing at Evan and his loud mouth.

I grit my teeth at his shit eating grin, he knows what he's doing. I decide to ignore him completely as i start searching for records, grabbing anything i think she might like.

I grab a Freddy Mercury album because who doesn't like Freddy? I also snatch a Bob Marley album because it's classic and a pretty solid choice to start off with.

I continue searching the racks, picking up anything remotely interesting.

"I didn't know you had a record player? I think this is the first time ive seen you come in here, do you order online?" Evan leans over the shelf to watch me grab Back to black by Amy Winehouse and add it to the growing stack in my arms along with some Aretha Franklin.

"I don't." I grab a couple different singles from The Cranberries before i turn my back to him and continue on.

I grab a couple of Hoizer songs because i remember her humming to it in the car as well as some random singles from Mazzy Star just because.

"Are they for your girlfriend?" I can practically hear him smiling behind me. Was he always this nosey?

"Yes." I reluctantly breathe out. As i grab the single Feeling Good from Avicii.

"Aw." He annoyingly coos. "shes got you running errands for her already."

I twist my neck."Shes not making me do anything. She doesn't even know I'm here."

"Where is she? I was hoping to see her again."

"Shes at the cafe and don't even think about going over there."

"Hey! I would never leave my shop unattended."

I continue flipping through the music, ignoring him as a particular title catches my eye.

Girl put your Records on by Corinne Bailey Rae. I smile and grab it just because it has her name on it and adds it to the ever growing pile in my hands.

I move on to the hip hop section because i should get some of everything. I decide to go old school with 2Pac, Roxanne Shante, Dr. Dre and LL cool J along with some other big names from the 90s and 2000s.

Evan whistles at the stack in my hands. Still lingering. "I don't think I've ever seen someone buy so many records. You must really love her."

I freeze at his last sentence. I never really thought about it but i guess i do love her. Ive probably loved her for a long time without even realizing it.

I smile when i think about it and shake my head. "Mind your own business." I turn around and shove all the records into his chest. "Start ringing me up, I'm gonna use your bathroom." I don't wait for his response as i walk to the back of the shop, i haven't been gone long but i want to see Record already and surprise her with all these. I try to imagine all the possible reactions she could have as i finish using the bathroom.