I sighed with so much frustration, anyone woulda thought I had anger problems right now. The customers walking past me gave me the occasional look as though I did something offensive, but I paid no mind and got back to work. "Diggy, when you're finished, you have to stock up on the plain t-shirts, we're out of mediums and extra small women's." my manager Laura told me. I replied "Yes" through harshly gritted teeth before she walked away to give more instructions to my other co-workers on the shop floor. It wasn't her fault I was annoyed. It was this job. It was so stressful. Working in retail was not what I'd normally recommend to anyone. You gotta deal with the most indecisive, messy and frustrating people at all opening hours and I mistly got the brunt of it.
I worked at American Apparel here in New York, so you know I had so much stress to deal with everyday. The best part about my job were my co-workers and the jokes we'd have when we got a little free time.. or even the customers who were so warm and genuinely nice to us when they came. I never had a shot with any of the attractive ones. My co-worker Tyrone always got em and their digits while I was sent on jobs and told to tidy the shop floor and shit.
I got to stocking up as Laura told me to and came back from the stock room with all the t-shirts folded and stacked high in my arms.. I couldn't even see where I was going.... till I heard a little shriek and some clothes fell from my hands. I quickly looked to the side of me and saw a girl stumble to the side, shocked and surprised as she regained her balance, I jumped to her rescue immediately. "God, I'm so sorry" I apologised sincerely and frantically, hoping she wouldn't be hysterical and tell my manager that her employees were incapable of watching where they were going. "No it's okay.." she chuckled it off cutely, smiling and waving her hand like it was nothing but a little accident on her part. I crouched down to pick up the shirts I'd dropped and she helped me gather them.
I glanced up at her as she helped. She was dressed in a pink playsuit, her hair slicked back into a ponytail with a middle parting, and her make up was fresh and simple.. but I couldn't help notice how her smile was so intoxicating... and how her eyes gleamed at me when she realised I was studying her. I quickly looked away and stood up with some of the shirts. "Well, thanks.. and again, I'm sorry" I nervously spluttered, piling the clothes and taking the rest from her hands. Perfect nude manicured nails too. "It's okay, don't worry about it" she shrugged with that smile againand turned to walk away. "Wait.. I didn't catch your name" I stopped her, kind of hesitantly and unsure if I should be asking. She turned back. "Y/N", she beamed. "Daniel.." I smiled back before she reciprocated and shortly turned her attention to a rail of clothes.
"Daniel, what did I say about stocking up on the shirts?" Laura growled when she approached me. "I'm kind of busy with a customer, that's why..." I said, unsure if she'd buy my excuse. She turned when she saw my eyes were focused on Y/N. "Sorry, is he helping you?" Laura asked her. Y/N looked at me for a second. "Yeah, he's helping me out", Y/N smiled. Laura gave me a warning glanced before walking off and I thanked God that Y/N literally gave me a shot with her.
For the rest of the time she was in the store, I was constantly thinking about her, even approaching her at some moments to just hear her speak and get a feel of her vibe.. and I liked it. "That colour would be really nice on you" I nodded at the dress she held in her hand. "Really? Should I try it on?" she asked. "Yeah" I nodded enthusiastically and showed her to the changing rooms. I gathered a lot about her for the past few minutes. She loved to smile as I could see, she'd been working all week, had her own money, was at college.. and was great to laugh with. Everything I wanted basically.
"Daniel, how does this look?" She asked concerned as she came out of the changing rooms in the scarlet red dress I'd complimented her on before. I was lost for words.. she was... stunning. She didn't even notice it and looked really unsure while I had to blink a few times so I knew this whole situation was real "No, no. it's.. it's beautiful. You look amazing" I breathed with what little breath was still left in me. "Okay. I think I'll get it" she twirled around in the dress before disappearing behind the changing room curtain. "Damn." I muttered to myself, realising I wouldn't get this same moment twice and I had to know more about her.
Ten minutes later, she emerged out of the rooms and followed me to the cashier with all her clothes. "So, is that all today?" "I think so.." she sighed. "You know, you're one of the most fun customers I've had all week.." I admitted as I folded and bagged all her clothes and she chuckled. "I bet you say that to all the girls you help out" she laughed as she grabbed her card to pay with. "No, seriously! I actually had fun with you today.." "Well I'm glad it was me.." she smiled at me with a slight smirk. "Thank you" she beamed as I put the receipt in her bag and she grabbed the bags to walk off with.. "Wait..." I called to her and she turned back. "You forgot something" I lied with a nervous lump in my throat. She came back over to the till and I whispered, "You didn't give me your number..". She looked up at my eyes and smiled as I nervously awaited her rejection. "Oh yeah.. I forgot that" she laughed. "You got a pen?" she asked happily before I handed her one from the side, she scribbled the numbers and her name in neatly joined letters before winking and mouthing "Call me" and walking out of the store...
"Daniel.. back to stocking, you're finished with that customer now" Laura was still on my case about that. "My bad.." I replied and walked from the till and to the stack of shirts I'd left there on the table around half an hour ago... I was still thinking about Y/N of course as I folded them and smiled like a geek to myself. Damn.
Probably the best day I've had at work so far.
