The Photobooth

Chapter Two

"Aww come on Harry please come to the pub tonight, everyone from school is going. It's the leaver's tradition to all get together for one last drink" Rosie pleaded with her best friend as they walked home from school for the last time.
"We're all under age Rosie" Harry replied, apprehensive to go, as not only did he hate big gatherings, he also didn't like half of the people in his year.
"Yeah, but you know old man Marshall doesn't really care. There's school kids in there most nights, and he always just turns a blind eye" Rosie countered as they reached 'Smithson's Newsagents' which Harry's family owned and lived above.
"I bet he wouldn't if the police came into the pub" Harry gave Rosie a look that said 'you know I'm right'.
"Please Harry? I'll fight off any bobbies that come our way; they won't dare try hitting a girl back" Rosie puffed out her chest and stood on her tip toes to try and emphasise her point. Of course she would never reach Harry's height of 6 ft 3 with her tiny 5 ft 2 stature, but a girl could dream she thought to herself as she did so.
"Whatever you say munchkin" Harry chuckled, using his nickname for his small best friend, amused at her declaration.
"Hey! You know I hate that nickname" Rosie huffed as they entered the shop, the bell that hung above the door signalling their entrance.

"Ah, Harry lad glad your back. I just need to ring one of our suppliers in't back, would you be a good lad and see to this customer here for me please?" The booming yet warm voice of Harry's Father rang out upon their entering of the shop.
"Okay Dad, no problem" Harry replied, hopping round to the other side of the counter, always happy to help his family out. Especially his parents as they worked so hard to provide for himself and his only other sibling, Connie his slightly older sister, who had just left school the year before him and was not attending a typing course at a local college. It gave you all the right qualifications to work in an office, as their Mum always drilled into Connie. And office work was highly thought of and sought after; although Connie had other ideas. She wanted to go to drama school because she loved and always had done acting and singing, and Harry had to admit she was very good at it all; but with parents like theirs who only saw in black and white; it wasn't a proper job. Hence the typing course for Connie and Harry having to work in and eventually take over the newsagents.

"What can I do for you?" Harry asked the customer who stood before him, his head bowed as he flicked through one of the magazines on the rack, as he waited to be served.
"A pack of ciggs please. The cheapest you've got" A familiar husky voice said as they looked up and met Harry's gaze. Harry's heart stopped for a second, and his breath hitched in his throat. It was none other than Joey Carter, the school's resident and well renowned bad boy, and also the most popular lad in school. Known for his joking around and well oiled charisma. All of the girls fancied and swooned over him; as did Harry but he could never really admit so now could he?
"How many?" Harry cleared his throat nervously which caused Rosie to look up from a magazine she had picked up on the latest fashions to hit the London scene. She was obsessed with fashion, always making her own clothes, some were amazing, but then on the other hand a lot of them were disasters. Rosie knew Harry was gay as she was his best and most trusted friend, sure he had a few other pals, but Rosie was practically his second sister. She wiggled her eyebrows at him, knowing full well he was crushing on Joey Carter. To which Harry blushed and turned around to grab the cigarettes for Joey.
"Here you go, that'll be a shilling please" Harry replied trying his hardest not to stutter.
"So Joey Carter are you coming to the pub tonight?" Rosie asked in her usual brazen way. Harry's eyes bulged out of head as Joey turned to face Rosie, mouthing,
"What are you doing?" Whilst waving his arms around to try and stop her, if you knew anything about Rosie Brown it was that she would never stop until she got what she wanted.

"Why yes little one I am, are you?" Joey replied, amused at Rosie's brash nature.
"Yes I am. I'm still trying to convince this on here to go with me however" She said, pointing her thumb towards Harry who was stood with a very stunned look on his face as he watched the scene play out in front of him.
"Well as I said I'll be there" Joey turned around to face Harry again, handing him the money as Harry passed him the cigarettes. As he did so their fingers brushed, sending a warm fuzzy feeling through Harry's entire body; "If you do go I'll buy you a pint" Joey winked.
"Erm t-thank you" Harry replied unable to stop the stutter this time, his heart was beating ten to the dozen, and his hands becoming rather clammy, as he thought about what Joey had just said. Was he flirting? Or was that just wishful thinking on Harry's part?
"Right, I had best get off to get ready for tonight. I might see you there then. See you later Harry Smithson. Little one." Joey smirked as he turned and walked out of the shop.