loser - larry

5. we.

The One Where They're Forced Contact:

the next morning, i came into work expecting to be fired. i've pissed off ashton enough to deserve it, but that isn't what happened.

instead, harry and i were forced to sit next to each other and wait outside of ashton's office until he was ready to speak with us. he seemed to take longer than a target manager should. especially when the target he's manager at has about one customer every three hours.

harry was looking at the ground intently. like he was focusing on one certain speck of dirt sitting there. i looked at him for a second, he didn't acknowledge my stares so i looked away.

"louis and harry." ashton sighs. "come in." when i walk in, he's wearing big, brown glasses. there are papers lying everywhere. its a big mess and ashton seems to, actually, be really busy. nobody would believe me if i told them, though. he comes off as the annoying boss, but he seems to be doing much more work than we've all done the entire length of our time here.

"now," he removes his glasses, placing them on a pile of unknown papers and sighing again, "what in the hell was that about yesterday?"

"harry was-" i start but harry begins his explanation with the same words, just replaced his name with mine.

"you know what, no." ashton interrupts harry and i's rambling and arguing about who's fault it really was. "i don't care. i'm just going to tell you your punishment because i don't have time to hear excuses." he sighs and rubs his temples. "you two need to work at a checkout, together. instead of solely you working there, it'll be both of you. and whenever one of you is called to stock an aisle or mop or anything, the other is going to have to go as well."

"what?! this will just make us hate each other even more!" i exclaim. this is never the solution. never. the more time i spend with this doofus the more i hate him.

harry just smirks at me and how annoyed i'm getting at our punishment, he doesn't seem to mind a single bit.

"then so be it." ashton shrugs, moving his hands from their folded position to his lap. "but if i catch you two fighting, you'll both be fired."

"what?!" harry asks, just as pissed as me now.

"i've worked here two years more than him and as soon as the new kid pisses off one veteran here, they'll be fired? that isn't fair." i defend myself.

"it's completely fair. you both need to learn to act your age." ashton says, i stay quiet. i wouldn't want to make things worse for myself.

"fine." harry stands up and leaves without another word. i look at ashton and nod before doing the same.

i walk to my checkout and sigh. at least i have this last shift alone before i'm forced to share my quiet time with harry. it'll also be harder to charm costumers with my good looks and positive personality assets with him around. i always ask them to mention me to ashton and i make 25¢ more on my next paycheck. so long extra cash.

"you start now." ashton calls from his office. harry and i look at each other, obviously annoyed and not willing but we do it anyway for the sake of keeping our job.

we both wait for the other to approach our own checkouts. i refuse. checkout one has been my home. when i first arrived here i fell in love. i even keep condoms and lube in a special cupboard. they're cherry flavored.