He Who Wants A Rose, Must Respect The Thorn

Exploring

Vibrating to my right woke me from my deep sleep. As I slowly came back to reality, I realized it was my phone. I scrambled for it, accepting the call to whoever it may be.

"Uh, hello?" I croaked. "So you're up!" Nicholas boomed down the phone, much too loudly. "I guess I am now" I grumbled back, causing him to laugh. "What time are you going out today?" 

"Um, what time is it now?" I asked, crinkling my face up. "10" he answered, warranting a groan from me, as I flopped my head back down onto my pillow. "Well I guess 11 then. Why am I so tired?!" 

"I haven't a clue" He answered. "Why are you calling me anyway? Haven't you people to boss around?" I laughed, "yes and you will be one of them soon" he smirked. I could hear  him smirking. "You reckon?" I grinned back. "Yes little sister. Anyway, the reason I called: can you pop by the grocery store and pick up some things. I've left a list on the kitchen counter." he said, I nodded, "Yeah, okay. I want to head out today and have a look around. Call me if there's anything else you need" I told him, and after saying our goodbyes, I cut the call and rolled out of bed to grab a shower. 

...........

I seemed to be out earlier than I expected, deciding to skip breakfast, I'd snatched the list off the counter along with my house key and headed out through the door. It didn't take me too long to walk into the town centre, it helped that the weather was pretty pleasant again today and I was happy to take a nice walk. 

I passed a few stores, ranging from greeting card places, to a hardware store and even a pet shop. I held off from entering the latter for fear of purchasing a little critter for my brother's house. So, to take my mind in another direction, I headed into the next best place. The local candy store.

...............

I was in love with the place as soon as I stepped through the door. The little bell above the entrance dinging delicately as I entered. It brought a smile to my face, along with the warm welcome from the store's owners. "good morning Ma'am. How are you this morning?" The lady smiled at me. "good morning, I'm good thank you" 
"that's good to hear, now, am I right in presuming this is your first visit to the Harbor Candy Store?" she asked, I nodded, returning the smile. "well my dear, please take a basket, and fill it with your favourite treats. When you're done, bring it up here and we'll ring it through the register." she smiled. "thank you" I took the little basket off her and turned to the enormous array of goodies that awaited me...

.................

I seemed to be in there a little while longer than I expected. There were so many things I recognized, others versions of English sweets and others I had no clue on what they were. I had vaguely heard the door bell chime when I was staring at the numerous Hershey candy bars but I forgot all about that when I came face to face with some colourful Peeps.

"you gotta love a Peep" a deep voice said, causing me to jump a little. I looked round to find a guy standing there, a few feet away from me, smiling. "sorry ma'am, I didn't mean to frighten you" he smirked a little, but in a cute way. Christ he was cute. "it's just, well you seemed to be staring at the candy a little overwhelmed" he added, holding a little basket of his own I noticed. "oh, um, it's okay, I just...there's so much to choose from, I'm kinda stuck" I blushed, looking down to the floor. Did I mention how cute he was? 

"well, may I make a recommendation or two?" he offered, stepping a little closer to me. "sure" I nodded, looking into his blue eyes. He smiled at me, causing my cheeks to flush pink and came to stand beside me. "now, you gotta go for an original Peep, if you haven't had one before?" he asked, I shook my head no. "cool. Oh and you gotta have some Hershey's...oh and a Musketeer bar. And Reese's" he said. "and definitely Twizzlers. I gotta have those bad boys" he said throwing a pack of each into my basket, and a second one of the latter in his. I couldn't help but giggle at his enthusiasm. "ah, yeah I guess I love candy a little more than I should" he blushed lightly, scratching the base of his neck. "there's nothing wrong with that" I giggled, "but I do gotta get some Milk Duds. They're my weakness. Skittles too, but I have them at home" I said absentmindedly. I threw some in my basket and found that it was almost full now. "I guess I should go pay for this before I grab another basket" I grinned, then hearing him chuckle. "I think you better, before I find something else you gotta try" he smiled. Oh my that smile... "well thank you for your help" I said, looking down to my basket a little shyly. "you're welcome. Glad I could help. Hope you enjoy your American Candy" He said, looking back at me, whilst holding his basket in both hands. "thank you." I blushed again. "Bye"

"Bye" He smiled back, watching as I turned away from him and headed to the counter to pay. It wasn't too expensive, and I knew I'd be visiting there again once these candies had run out, and to buy others to try of course. I bid the lady goodbye and I left the shop, back onto the quiet side walk. 

The sun was shining, illuminating the beautiful autumnal colours of the leaves on the trees. I felt so happy to be here right now, and chilled. But my stomach started to grumble. Why did I have to skip on my breakfast?! 

As I argued with myself at the silly action, I heard a faint voice calling out. I frowned a little as the voice got a little louder, turning round to find the guy from the candy store jogging on over to me. "hi um, again" he smiled a slanted grin at me. "hey" I giggled lightly, then frowning a little as he just looked at me. I raised a brow and he caught on he was staring. "do you like coffee?" 

"Do I like coffee?" I asked, raising my second brow. He looked at me with an innocent face and nodded. "yeah actually I do" I answered him, biting my lip a little as he smiled at me even more. "well in that case, you have to try the best coffee in this town. American Coffee, and donuts" He added, I couldn't help but giggle. Since when had I become a giggling mess?! "would you like to join me?"