Touched

7

"Ma'am I'm sorry but I can only give you a store credit, I can't give you a cash refund without  a receipt." I'd been explaining the same thing to this woman for the past fifteen minutes, but she insisted on telling me how I could and couldn't do my job. I had to ask myself if a car was worth the headache of working retail.

My eyes quickly darted to the computer screen in front of me, hoping it was finally time for me to clock out. I still hadn't heard from Carter since last night. After the kiss we shared, I knew there was no way he'd suddenly start ignoring me again, right?

"I want to speak to your manager, do you know how much money I spend in this store every month? How hard is it to give me my money back!" Her voice carried across the store as others began to look on, obviously interested in our exchange.

"I can give you your money back...as a store credit. It might come in handy since you're such a loyal customer." My voice was calm, with a smile so sweet I could give her a toothache.

It was at that moment when Tara, the manager on duty, finally made an appearance. I sighed in relief as she'd finally taken over. This job was proving to be twice as stressful as I thought it would be. My sentence was finally over and it was safe to clock out. How did people do this crap day in and day out? 

My parents had always been stickler about us focusing on school and getting good grades, the only time we were allowed to work was during school breaks. The most I'd ever done was supervise a bunch of screaming children at summer camp and after school programs. I didn't like kids, not one bit...but even that was better than this.

The slight aching sensation radiating from the balls of my feet told me it was definitely time to find somewhere to sit. James was home for the next week or two and would be picking me up any minute now.

"Hey Charlotte," I looked up to catch the eyes of a sauntering Kyle as he made his way towards me with sneaker bags in hand. He'd motioned at his two friends to leave without him. "Funny running into you here."

"Well it's a mall. And it is...in fact...public." After the shift I had I was in no mood to entertain him. Plus, I still had no missed notifications from Carter. My shift had been six hours long, and we weren't allowed to have our phones out, but I figured he would've at least said something by now.

"Feisty today huh? What's got you in such a sour mood?" He took the liberty in plopping down on the bench beside me. Clearly personal space was a thought that surpassed him.

"Is there something you want Kyle?" I gave him a pointed look while glancing up from my phone.

"Just to get to know a pretty girl like you." His smirk was suggestive.

"You've seen me how many times before now? Why the sudden interest?" My legs crossed and uncrossed as I tried to find a way to make myself comfortable, his nearness was making me squirm. I didn't like how close we were sitting in the off chance Carter happened to pop up. Which was highly unlikely, but a girl could imagine.

"I mean we're both adults now right? You've graduated, got some fancy school you'll be going to...can you blame a guy for wanting to take a chance at getting to know you better?"

"If that guy happens to be friends with my brother, it'd probably be in his best interest not to." I smiled. James' friends knew they'd have him to deal with if they even so much as thought about coming near me, he was protective in a way that any older brother would be.

"Ah, I'm not worried about the Jamester. Pretty sure I can take him." He replied smugly.

"You sure you wanna put money on that?" James walked up with a look twice as smug. "And what'd I tell you about that name, make yourself scarce before I have to remind you who's tackle is better." They bumped fists, obviously messing around.