The next day as I walked into R’s at noon, I secretly hoped Harry would come early today. Today’s a Friday, which means it should be regular, but since everything that happened yesterday was totally weird and off, I wasn’t expecting the normal. I took my place behind the counter and shot Madyson a text asking her what her plans for tonight were. She wasn’t awake yet when I left the apartment because her shift was super late the night before, but I knew she’d reply when she woke up. Working at R’s was fun, because I was a music whore, but sometimes it was pretty boring, since we didn’t get very many customers. I checked the usual sticky-notes left by Alice from the shift before mine, and found a few tasks I could complete to pass the time. There were albums to restock and new coupons to print, which could easily take an hour of my time up.
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By the time I put away the last box of CD’s, it was 12:40, which was probably a record for all the work I had completed in 40 minutes. I pulled my phone out of my pocket as it buzzed, receiving a text from Madyson. She said she had planned on bartending a bit later tonight for some extra cash, and asked if I’d want to meet there and keep her company after work. I sent back a text agreeing, and set my phone down, putting the last few CD’s into their bin. I then walked back over to the counter and fiddled with the computer, changing the music that was playing from the shop speakers to Sleeping With Sirens, which was one of Madyson and myself’s favorite bands. Just as I got bored playing with the music selection, I heard a jingle, and my head automatically snapped up. Sure enough, it was Harry. I glanced at the clock displayed on the computer screen, and it was 12:55. A bit early today. We made eye contact as he slowly walked over to the row of bins closest to the counter. My heart started beating faster as his green eyes locked with my brown ones for a moment. They were still cloudy and dark compared to their usual, but his outfit today was clean and how it used to always be. His hair was better than yesterday, but still not exactly how it was before. Harry made his way through the bins, sometimes stopping on one disc and taking a few extra minutes to examine it. I busied myself checking the shop email, because if I didn’t do something I knew I’d be caught staring. I delved into the emails, successfully answering each one I opened with helpful information. A bit later I was thrown back into reality by a voice next to me.
“I never did find out your name.” Harry said, standing in front of the counter, holding my phone that I must’ve left in between the bins while restocking discs. “J as in.. Jade, Jill, Jamie, Jasmine..?” He questioned while looking down at my embellished phone case.
“J as in Jane.” I answered, smiling a bit at his attempt to guess my name.
“Jane.” He stated, holding my phone out to me, grinning a bit.
“Thanks,” I said, smiling, and taking my phone from his hand. “Harry.” I added his name at the end of the statement. He nodded in response, his grin slowly diminishing. He walked back over to a specific bin, pulled out an album, and without even analyzing it like he usually would, he brought it to the counter to ring up. It was the album called ‘Phobia’ by Breaking Benjamin. At first I thought his selection of CD was random, or that he had picked it out before bringing my phone to me, but then I remembered my favorite song from the album; The Diary Of Jane. As I made the connection in my head, I blushed madly, because this song was infact my favorite song a few years ago, and I found it cute that he so quickly connected my name with a song and then decided to buy the album. Without looking up, I quickly rang up the album and told him his total. When I looked up I saw a blush had adorned his cheeks a moment ago also, but was fading, as was mine. He handed me what he owed, again in exact change. I ripped his receipt off the little printer on top of the register, signed my name with Sharpie on the “Helped today by: ____” line and automatically went to throw the receipt in the trash can. We usually ask each customer if they want the receipt or not, and every time I’d asked Harry in the past it’d been a no.
“Wait.” He said, quietly, a more noticeable blush once again adorning his cheeks.
“What?” I questioned, confused, pulling my hand and his receipt away from the trash can.
“I’d like the receipt today.” He said, looking down at the counter.
“Oh, alright. Sorry.” I said, almost embarrassed that I’d thought I knew his answer. I handed him the receipt and he smiled, almost apologetically.
“Have a nice day.” I said, smiling back as he turned around. He nodded still smiling, and walked out of the shop. Once he left I was left basically doing the same thing I was the day before; and realized again, it wasn’t Tuesday.
