Damaged

Three - I Don't Like Anyone

I arrived to a quant little rundown store at the end of the street. Was this what she the place she was talking about?

A bell attached to the door dinged as I swung the door open. I pulled my sunglasses off my face to look around. As many times as I've been in LA I never noticed this little store.

The air was thick and musky, and the lights were dim. Boxes and boxes of old clothes were stacked all over.

"Oh my god! No way! This is a from an actual concert!" I heard a familiar voice squeak. I peaked over some boxes.

"Well well well, look who ditched his boring band mates for dusty old clothes!"

"How the hell did you find this place?" I asked.

She stayed quiet for a second, and simply said, "It's my favorite place to go."

"Really? Why?"

"Look at this!" She held up an obviously old, worn Nirvana shirt. "It's from one of their tours!"

"Wow that's actually really cool." I took the shirt in my hands, and pointed something out. "What's this? Is this a signature?"

She looked at the spot I was looking at, "Oh my god."

"What? What is it?"

"OH MY GOD ASHTON! KURT COBAIN SIGNED THIS!" She jumped up and down, waving the shirt around.

"Oh my fucking god are you serious? That's awesome!" I took the shirt back and checked the signature. And sure enough, Kurt signed it.

"See Ashton I told you! This place is awesome!" She exclaimed. 

I smiled & nodded. We kept looking through old clothes til just past lunch time. 

"Do you know any quiet places where we can have lunch?" I said completely jokingly. 

"Yes I do actually! C'mon!" Aspen grabbed my hand and walked out the door. 

"I was totally kidding," I laughed and went along with her, "But okay"

She turned a back corner and walked down the street. There were small book stores and record stores and cafes all down this quiet strip.

She talked into a small cafe.

"Hi Pen!" A tall, nice-haired cashier perked as she walked in the door.

She smiled confidently walked towards him, letting my hand go. "Hi Bryan"

Bryan's smile quickly faded as he saw me standing behind her. He eyed me a bit then returned his focus on Aspen. My mind lingered on the nickname, 'Pen' he had for her. They obviously knew each other well enough to have nicknames, which led me to believe that this was her regular cafe. 

Aspen picked up on Bryan's curiousity about me, "Bryan, this is my friend Ashton." she motioned her hands to me. "Ashton, this my friend Bryan" 

 I forced a smile and gave him a lazy wave, while he just nodded his head, 

He kept his focus on Aspen, "Your usual for today Pen?" he smiled a toothy smile. 

"Yeah sure, and the same for Ash" She said handing over a couple wrinkled dollars and some change before I could even offer to pay. 

I leaned down to her ear, "I could have paid" 

Aspen shook her head, "No, I brought you here." She moved down the line to where you pick up your order, "We're not on a date, we're just friends. And I'm being friendly." 

I was getting used to how blunt she was, so I decided to be just as blunt, "I have more money than you" 

She laughed a sinacle laugh, "Ashton, friendship doesn't care how much money you have. Plus I don't want you thinking I'm using you for your money. I work for my money. It's okay, its just a couple dollars. You can fuck me later and that will repay me" 

I laughed & shook my head, "You are definitely something" 

"Better than nothing!" She grabbed the food, which consisted of 2 bagel sandwiches, 2 brownies & 2 mocha frappes.

She walked over to an empty booth and sat across from me. I kept noticing Bryan's eyes on her. A weird pang shot in my stomach. Could I be jealous of a barista? Over a girl I barely know? 

"That guy keeps looking at you." I blurted out, she smirked.

"Yeah. He has a crush on me" She took a bite of her bagel sandwich. "It's cute" 

"Do you not like him?" I asked taking a bite of my sandwich. 

She shook her head, "I don't like anyone." 

~

Sorry I haven't updated in forever & this one chapter is really short, for anyone who is still even remotely interested in this.

I want to start writing this again because I'm actually really in love with the plot & the characters, I've just been busy. So I wish to continue it.

Let me know you're thoughts? And what you think of this so far?