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prompt: it's two in the morning and you're here in the convenience store staring at the tampons aisle do you need help
Dakota's been to the convenience store at the most ungodly hours many times this week and it was almost considered normal. Her parents were out of town and she had no curfew. Who could blame her for wanting to leave the house as often and as late as she pleased?
It wasn't like she was getting into any trouble after all. She only ever went outside to stargaze or pet Mrs. Merceli's dog across the street or, most often, to buy food from the store opened 24/7 located just down the block.
That day was the third time that week that she was walking around the store. Marianne, the girl who served the graveyard shifts in that shop, was already greeting her by her first name when she came in, and the fact that she was there on a school night wasn't a sight that was out of place anymore.
The boy, on the other hand, the one with a zipped hoodie and faint pillow lines tracing his cheek who stood at the corner—he was out of place.
No one was ever in the shop at 2 o'clock in the morning and Dakota nearly jumped at the sight of him the moment she turned to the aisle he was stood. His clothing was dark and his posture looked intimidating but the moment she caught a glimpse of the unruly mop of curls poking out the top of his hood, she breathed out a sigh of relief.
"Hey," She called out, walking to where he stood. She didn't miss the confused expression on his face turning into shock, "You're Avery's kid, right?"
"Y-Yeah," The boy coughed out and shoved his hands in the pockets of his jacket, turning to face her, "You actually know who I am?"
"We live in a compound with less than 20 houses, my friend, of course I do," She smiled and held a hand out, "I'm Dakota."
"Yeah, I know," He smiled back but it faded instantly as he flinched, probably realizing what he just said a beat too late, "Not that I—Uh, I met your mom once. She mentioned you."
"And she didn't introduce you to me?" She raised an eyebrow and he shrugged.
"I was just helping her carry grocery bags from her car and you were already on your way out. We didn't have an actual conversation, she just pointed at you and said 'that's my daughter, Dakota.'"
She let his words sink in and let a soft smile fall on her lips.
"And you never bothered to introduce yourself to me?" She narrowed her eyes and grinned as he nervously fiddled with the drawstrings of his hoodie.
"Never got the chance," He chuckled and dorkily pointed a finger to his chest, "I'm Jack."
"Nice to meet you Jack," she nodded at him, a smile tugging up the corner of her lips, "What brings you to McKinley's Convenience Store at such an ungodly hour?"
