Punchline

Chapter 4: Coffee, Sweat, and Desperation

That voice was coming from, a tall boy with messy dark brown hair, wearing a white shirt as well as a blue hoodie and dark jeans. Making his way towards me his face beamed like he hadn't seen me in years.

Okay, stay calm, I thought to myself. Maybe today is the day where he actually buys something at my store and only wastes, maybe a fraction of my precious time.

I put my textbooks away giving him a forced smile. I assume he's going to take a look around the store searching for what he needs, like a normal customer, but of course like always I'm wrong. He instead stops in front of the cash register where I am standing and smiles waiting for me to acknowledge him.

"Hello sir, is there something you need help with?" I said with slight annoyance but still smiling.

"Actually yes, I seemed to have misplaced your number, do you happen to have any more of those?" He questions keeping the sly grin on his face.

With my smile, very indecisive to keep it I retorted, "oh I'm sorry, fresh out of those." I mentally high fived myself for that one, what can I say I'm just that good.

"Darn, well hey I just lost my phone can I borrow yours to call it?" He asked obviously lying.

Give me a break, the outline of his phone was clearly in his pocket.

"I apologize for the inconvenience, but I left it at home," I replied, my award-winning smile now starting to hurt my cheeks.

In case you're wondering, everyone, let me introduce you to Hayden Wesbrook; one of the most, annoying, pointless, aggravating, bothersome, person I know. Why you ask? Well, all he does is come to my store every single day just to agitate the hell out of me. He may buy things for his dog from time to time but it is still best to ignore his presence on most days.

He looked defeated but as if on cue my cell phone vibrated loudly from the shelf underneath the cash register. I tried to ignore the buzzing sound, but it was already clear that the noise was coming from me. He raised an eyebrow while his grin turned to a smirk, I reached for my phone still managing to maintain my smile.

Why was I trying so hard, you ask? Well, you see if an actual customer, keywords on actual, were to walk in with me having one of my bursts toward Hayden they might get second thoughts on coming back. This place is empty enough as it is.

"Hello," I said without checking the caller ID.

"Wait Mori?" Hayli's voice responded through the phone. "You're not my mom, ops my bad," 
and she hung up immediately, I frowned at the phone. My eyes turned to her on the couch as she tried to hold in her giggle. I then gave her the 'I'm gonna get you for this one' look.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're smoking when you're mad, and that's in a good way," Hayden said with a wink.

Most girls would blush or look away in embarrassment at the idea of being complimented by a guy, but let me remind you that this is no guy, it's Hayden. Honestly, if my life were to ever be published as a book he would be the side character no one would bother to remember.

"Get out of my store."

That smile was nowhere to be found and was replaced with pure irritation.

"Woah there," he started while holding his hands up, he then glanced at his watch, "it's that time already? I have to go but hey, you should check me out at my work. I can get you some coffee, cake, and something else that might require a little more than just food, all for the low cost of getting the chance to see your hot self."