My Knight in a Black Hoodie

13: Do you like him?

All of the Jason's group came up to the cash register with snacks and drinks. I ring them up and Jason pays for all of it.

"You guys go on. I'll catch up," Jason says and they nod. We watch them exit the store and then stare at each other.

"You probably don't want to talk to me after everything I have done, but I just wanted to apologize." He sighs. "I'm really sorry, Lillian. I was a jerk, but that guy, your knight, knocked some sense in me. What's his name?"

"Zayden." The doors open and he walks in. He rushes over to us and glares at Jason.

"That's him," Jason smiles at Zayden. "I just wanted to thank you."

Zayden looks confused and raises an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"You helped me realize that I was being a jerk and a wimp."

"You were a wimp?" I ask Jason.

Jason nods and pushes himself off the counter. "I wouldn't admit my feelings for you." Then he walks out to catch up with his own group.

I close my mouth and keep staring at the doors. What?

"That is not what I wanted to happen!" Zayden mutters to himself and puts his head in his hands.

I glance at Zayden and the doors. I shake my head, trying to forget what just happened. "Did you come in here for something?"

He looks up at me and throws his hands up. "I can't remember!"

I roll my eyes and I smile at him. "Who is it for? You? Your brother? Your mom?"

He stares at the ceiling and crosses his arms across his chest. "I came for something for each of us, but I can't get what I want." He says and starts wandering around the store.

What does he want? He cannot want me. Can he?

A few minutes later, he comes back to the counter with a few items. "What days do you work here?"

"Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays."

He nods and after he pays, he leaves without a word.

A week later, Jason comes back to the store. He smiles when he walks in and comes right up to the counter.

"Hi, Lillian."

"Jason," I nod.

"How's your day been?"

I shrug. "Pretty good, I guess."

"Is it okay if I make it a little bit better?"

"And how would you do that?"

"Just give you this," he says and gives me a flower.

"Is it real?" I ask and take it out of his hand.

"Yeah, it's real."

I smell its sweet fragrance and smile. "Thanks, Jason."

"I'm just trying to do a little good in the world." He smiles and takes a few steps backwards. "Bye, Lillian."

I glance down at the flower and smile. Maybe Jason is actually a relatively good person.

Another week passes by and Jason comes back again with a different flower for me. "Back again?" I joke with him.

"Only for you." He winks and I blush.

The doors open and Zayden walks in.

"Bye, Lillian." Jason waves at me and leaves me and Zayden alone at the counter.

"What time do you get off work?"

"Umm."

"She is off right now," my boss answers as she walks up to us.

"What?"

"You have been working hard. I'm giving you half of the day off."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive."

"Okay." I grab my purse and follow Zayden outside.

"Do you like him?"

"Who?"

"Jason."

"I like that he likes me and that brings me flowers."

Zayden sighs. "What did my mom say to you when she was talking to you the night you were at my house?"

"Pretty much to stop talking to you and that my parents should be better parents."

"Why didn't you try to come talk to me before you left or something?"

"Zayden, I was mad. Your mom doesn't know me and neither do you."

"What are you talking about?"

"My parents are dead, Zayden. They aren't coming back. You showed me the only way that I will be able to see them again. You were my knight in a black hoodie."

He shakes his head. "I'm not a knight. Your real knight died on the cross for you."