Blurred Stitches (Boyxboy)

Chapter Three - Empty Things

December 21

For the first time this year, the snow is coming down forcibly in northern Texas. The weather came down unexpectedly and the city streets are still crowded and cold. I pull my jacket together tighter. I tried to get the smell of smoke out of my clothes earlier today, I hope I succeeded.

Blasted! Layers upon layers and I'm still shivering. I even added a rather fancy cap today. I've forgotten what they're called. With many shops around, I have trouble deciding where I should go first for Christmas shopping. Cars honking and dangerously zipping by tend to distract me along with the thousands of people that are out, probably doing the same chore as I.

I look back down in my bag, I've already bought Grandma's presents; a beige wool blanket and green scarf. I do hope she loves them. I continue to walk like I'm aware of where I'm going.

After some wondering, a store catches my eye. It looks like a strange new toy store. I figure it wouldn't hurt to look around. One wall is lined with shelves full of different dolls, the other side stuffed animals, and the middle of the store held carousel's of snow globes & plastic figurines. Of course, the stereotypical train was riding around the top of the store. Cute.

A few children & even teenagers were gathered around a mechanical butterfly that a little boy was flying. I smiled at them. My eyes scanned the shelves and stuffed animals when something familiar caught my attention.

A stuffed violet wolf I had as a child. I wasn't able to recover it from the boxes when we moved. I'm not sure why I bought it or why I shouldn't have really. I figure the aroma of positive emotions caught the best of me.

On the way out of the toy store, my phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling it out I see the number I'm greatful to see. "Hello?" I answer.

"Is this Jake English?"

"Oh yes."

"Your custom order is ready at Grey's"

"Okay thank you. I'll be there to pick it up in a minute." My, I pray Leo will love his present. I spent quite a lot of cash on it. Most of the money I'm using came from all the cash I've saved, but I've also received a job at a record store in the mall. Thank God vinyl is back in.

Entering 'Grey's', a unique scent that only versions of this store share
surrounds me. I approach the front desk. "Um, Hello I have a custom order."

"Name?"

"Jake English." The young woman shuffles behind the counter and places out the custom made lighter before me. 'Leo Eberheart' is engraved on the front. On the bottom of the metallic lighter is a message from myself to him.

"You can pick out a bag or something to put it inside if you'd like." She says. I nod, taking the lighter, and walking torwards the section where the gift bags and wrapping paper are located. Ugh what color? Should I just choose white or maybe the plaid print? Fuck. What am I even thinking? He wouldn't care.

I turn my head to get a quick glance of who else is in the store. I see a glimpse of blonde hair and black hoodie. And back to my browsing- Wait. What? I take a second glance. Holy shit. Dirk. What is he doing here? Well it is Christmas time Jake it's not like he doesn't have a right to be here.

I bow down in the corner, pretending I can't see him. Maybe he won't notice but ... I think I want him to say hi but then again I really don't. I wonder if I'm visably shaking right now. Oh for fucks sake man, just pick out a bag and leave. I clasp a random bag, it's the black & white plaid. Not bad, I think.

Suddenly, an impact on my left shoulder sets me into a new panic. "Dag nab it" I mutter under my breath.

"Oh hey Jake." Did he just run into me on purpose? He did didn't he. Dork. Never called him that before but it is in fact necessary now.