BBS

sho[p/rt] life - pt. 1

hello! happy new year! :)

i understand that i haven't posted in quite a while, but i still write from time to time because i love writing :) here's a 2-part story which I've been working on throughout the holidays! i haven't really edited it, but i hope you still enjoy!

<3, icykiwi

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He sits at the counter, staring intently at the sign hanging at the other side of the window. The letters are scribbled in a messy font, spelling "Little Rings", a donut next to it. He doesn't seem to realize that the fact that he can read the sign means that his sign is evidently facing the wrong way.

Evan lets out a faint sigh as he glances around the store. Months ago, he was living on the streets, homeless, bankrupt, kicked out by a scheming liar who robbed him off his hard work.

Repetition yields consequences, but one mistake could ruin it all.

It's a simple mantra that he goes by, having already experienced it once. He knows that it's not a nice feeling, and Evan is determined not to let it happen again.

Ding!

The sharp sound of a bell jolts him back to reality, and he almost jumps out of his seat.

"Are you done?"

It's a harsh, familiar voice, though he can't quite put his finger on it. Pushing that thought to the back of his mind, he mumbles an apology before getting his gloves on.

"Strawberry donut with vanilla icing. The heart shaped ones. 2 of those. That's all."

The customer barks, curtly, as he taps his polished leather boots on the ground. It is that that catches Evan's attention - the customer must be pretty rich to own a pair of those luxurious shoes. He can almost feel his heart drop as he thinks about his bills, rent — all of which he's barely been able to pay. Brushing it off, Evan quickly puts the donuts in a paper bag before shoving it to the customer, and giving him his change.

"Nice to see you doing something for once."

Wha-

Evan opens his mouth to protest, confused, but the customer is long gone, having stalked out of the tiny establishment. He furrows his brow a little, attempting to count the money in the register, but all he can think about is that line, his bills, the donuts, the customers in his store-

It takes him a while before he finally realizes why all his strawberry donuts are gone.

It's Valentines Day.

He frowns a little as he watches the couples in the store devouring the heart-shaped strawberry donuts as they chat, and a heavy feeling fills his heart. For a moment, his stare hardens, fixated on the remains of the pairs of heart-shaped donuts, which seemingly mock him for being single, for his terrible love history, and his spirits dampen. Grumbling to himself, he heads over to the counter to wipe it a few times before he almost screams.

"Hi!" The tiny hand sitting at the edge of the counter thankfully has a body attached to it, "Can I have a donut?"

Evan peers over the counter and his heart nearly melts.

The kid at the other side of the counter is gaping at him, his bright eyes shimmering in the darkness of the evening. Tugging at the threads of his torn hoodie, the child, once again, attempts to reach for the counter. Customers have begun to leave, and the store, for now, is nearly empty, the chatter having died down. There's a long but comforting silence between them, before Evan finally speaks up.

"Where are your parents?"

The child's shoulders suddenly droop, and Evan instantly regrets his decision. Grabbing a random donut from the shelf — a lime flavored one — Evan hands it to the little boy, who gasps in awe. "What's your name, lil' buddy?"