Aftertaste [COMPLETED]

Chapter 10 :: Where In WWII Is Waldo? (Part I)

BERLINS P.O.V.

**

I STEPPED INTO BANANA Republic, and immediately, I felt uncomfortable and out of place. This place was so uppity, and I was so...well, not.

I looked about as all of the customers did their - more than likely routine- shopping with their noses in the air. I had no idea where I was going - or what I was even looking for for that matter - so I walked over to the customer service desk to ask for guidance.

"Excuse me," I said politely to the man who was standing there, "but do you have any idea where I might find your jacket department? I'm thinking more semi formal, something nice that can be worn on a regular basis and keep a person warm at the same time."

Then, as if appalled and highly offended that a pheasant such as I would be so daring as to even talk to someone of his rank and stature, the man gave a shriveled look of offence as stalked off, nose in the air.

"Well fine then." I said, offended, but then again, I actually had the right to be. Then I mumbled under my breath, "Jackass."

I turned back around and let out a deep sigh. "Well then, it looks like I'm on my own."

I walked aimlessly about the store for nearly ten minutes before I finally found the section I was looking for. "Jackpot," I said as I approached the men's jacket department, but my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when I began looking through the pricetags. They're outta their minds! These prices are absolutely ridiculous!

I grew irritated and began to mumble angrily under my breath as I attempted to find a nice jacket at a reasonable price. "Stupid James and his Banana Republic. What the hell even is a banana republic anyways?"

I then got an odd stare from a man - not much older than me - nearby. But luckily, I was saved from the brutal awkwardness when my phone range. But then I felt the awkwardness creep up again when I read the caller ID.

Rory

I felt a knot fitmimg in the pit of my stomach. I hadn't spoken with him since our falling out nearly three days ago. I sucked in a quick breath before I answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Um, hey, Berlin? I was just wondering, are- are you, busy?"

"Well...yes, actually I am," I said softly.

"Oh..."

"Well, why do you ask?"

"Umm, I was thinking that maybe you wanted to visit the novelty book shoppe with me? Maybe we could pick out a book to read to Gerry. You know, since... I heard that infants respond well to story time," he laughed slightlty.

He was trying. I couldn't help but smile slightly at this. He was making an effort to put our last encounter behind us and for that I was grateful.

I thought for a moment. "Well, I'm actually at Banana Republic right now trying to find a jacket for James for his birthday, but what do you say I meet you there when I'm done here? Say," I checked the time on my phone, "about an hour?"

I heard him perk up at my words. "Uh, yeah. Yeah, sure, that's- perfect."

"Okay. See you then."

"I'll see you."

I hung up the phone and exhaled deeply as I looked at the rack of seemingly endless and perpetually expensive jackets. I tapped my chin. "What to buy...what to buy."