More Than a Purchase

Chapter One

[Seamus' point of view]

I was awoken by the radio going off in my left pocket. 'Great, I slept in my jeans again.' I brought a hand to my face in disappointment as I scrunched my nose. Not wanting to hear anymore of the depression that spreads throughout broadcasters and news reporters, I reached a hand in my pocket and pulled out my phone alarm. I switched it off and swung my legs out of bed. 'Just another day in paradise.' I laughed to myself and shook my head. My part-time job at Target was excruciatingly unbearable, but I had to make do or else I'd have nowhere to live. I walked over to my closet and brought out tan business pants and my red target uniform. It was 3:00, and I had no choice but to wake up earlier than the rest of my employees to open the doors. After finally getting ready for work, I grabbed my keys and headed out for a day of slavery in customer service.

[James' point of view]

I uploaded my first video on YouTube because I was bored. It was one of those popular internet meme origins. I put my computer on sleep, and went to grab some breakfast. As I was opening the fridge, I noticed a sticky note attached to the door handle. "Get more food." Was bluntly written in red ink. I placed a hand to my head in anger and looked at my watch. "Well, my local Target better be open at 3:00." I muttered as I snatched my keys and headed out the door.

[Seamus' point of view] 

I couldn't help but feel annoyed as the red Target symbol loomed above me. 'They could at least save energy and keep the lights off.' I thought as I parked into the employee parking lot. I stuck my hand into my pocket and pulled out my keys on a Target lanyard. As I was about to head inside, a truck pulled into the parking lot. 'Who would be up at this time?' The truck door swung open and out stepped a man around my age wearing Cookie Monster pyjamas. I could help but smile at his matching Cookie Monster beanie. For some reason, I couldn't stop watching this guy. The man headed up to the doors and I remembered my job of opening them. I waved at him so he could use the employee entrance instead of waiting outside while I opened the store.

[James' point of view]

"Hey!" Someone called behind me. Startled and confused, I looked behind to see a man around my age in a Target uniform calling me over. I immediately thought I violated a rule of some sort and I quickly rushed over. "Is there a problem, sir?" I said to the employee. He shot a childish smile at me when I called him 'sir'. "Nah." He shrugged. "I just thought you might want in a faster way." He said, pointing behind him with his thumb. I noticed the door and smiled. "Yeah, thanks." I replied. He fumbled with the keys and went to unlock the employee door. "So, who are you? I didn't catch your name tag." I said. "Seamus." He replied as he held open the door for me. I walked inside and he followed behind me. Almost immediately, someone who looked like his boss began to usher us back outside. "Mr. O' Doherty!" The boss sternly said to Seamus. "Bringing a customer through the employee doors are we?" The boss continued, tapping his foot. "Yes, sir. The front doors were locked so I just thought it would be easier if-" The employee said before he was interrupted. "Easier? Would you like to know what is easier Mr. O' Doherty?" The man said. I watched in horror as the employee nodded. I felt a ping of sadness when I knew what was going to happen. "You're fired! There!" The man snapped as he ripped off the employee's name tag and grabbed the lanyard from his hand. I winced as the door slammed shut and both of us were left standing bewildered outside. The employee brought up both of his hands to cover his face and groaned. "Well, there goes my job." Seamus said, bringing his hands away from his face. I felt like I needed to say something but I didn't know what to say. Suddenly, he waved farewell to me, left to his car, and drove away. I stood there shocked, feeling half embarrassed and half sad for the employee. I got in my truck as well, and decided to try a different super-market.

[Seamus' point of view] 

I sped home as fast as I could, not caring if I got pulled over. Police weren't out at 3:45 in the morning anyway. As soon as I got home, I ran and jumped on my bed. The pressure of finding a decent job and paying bills was too much for me at the moment and I started bawling my eyes out onto the pillow.

[James' point of view]

Luckily, Shoppers was open 24-hours, so I bought my last-minute groceries from there. I don't think I'll ever look at Target the same way again. I began to drive home, but I still couldn't get my mind off of the blonde-haired, blue-eyed employee. The sun was just beginning to rise, and more people were starting to hit the road. When I arrived home, I sat on my couch, staring at nothing. I twiddled my thumbs and bit my lip. I had to do something, guilt was beginning to eat me alive. I replayed the Target scenario over in my head, noticing how violently the boss had ripped off the employee's name tag... 'Wait, the name tag!' I thought as I reached for the phone book on the coffee table. Here it was! "Seamus O'Doherty..." I said to myself as I listed off the numbers inside my head. Immediately, I grabbed my phone and called the number. After a minute of waiting, I thought I had the wrong number. Suddenly a stuffy-nosed voice rang out on the other end. "Hello?" Seamus said. I almost hung up; his voice sounded depressing as hell. "Uh, hey. It's me, from...Target." I winced as soon as I heard the sentence leave my mouth. "Oh." Seamus said as he sniffed. "What's up?" He asked. "Oh, uh. Nothing, really. Wanna...hangout sometime?" I said. I felt like a lonely child trying to make friends on his first day at class. I was nervous, and hopefully Seamus couldn't tell. "Uh, sure. By the by, I never got your name." He stated.  "James." I replied with. "Nice, tomorrow then? Who's place?" Seamus said. "Mine, if you want." I said as I began to list off my address. We said our goodbyes and I could already feel heat rushing to my face. "What have I gotten myself into?" I said while groaning.

READ ME: Huehuehue, looks like the boss actually did something right. I know that Seamus doesn't mind Target at all, and that he quit himself, but c'mon; this is a fanfiction. It's not meant to be anything hurtful towards both Seamus or James. This was just a teaser. More coming tomorrow! That is all. :]