Across the Universe

Pumpkin Spice and Random Novelties Pt. 1 (Bath and Body Works/Hot Topic AU)

Wanda rested her head in her hand as she leaned on the checkout counter. Like most days, it was a slow workday in the Bath and Body Works where she worked. People walking down the hallways filtered in and out, buying little hand sanitizers or little lotions. Maybe a candle or two, but never anything big. To say that she hated her job was an understatement. She loathed it. The pay was shitty, the hours were shittier, and her boss practically stepped out of the 1940s.

The employee door beside her to her left swung open, creaking loudly as her friend and co-worker Carol stepped out, securing her apron behind her waist. Groaning loudly and following Wanda's current stance, Carol leaned down on the counter, resting her head against the fake wood.

"You almost done your shift?" she asked the brunette, her voice muffled by the counter. Wanda chuckled and rolled her eyes, sitting up straighter and taking her head off her hands.

"Got one more hour to go," she muttered, feigning cheer. Carol picked her head up and gave her a small smile and nod before she walked around the counter and deeper into the store, examining different products and moving them around to rearrange the shelves. "So, you and Maria doing anything for your anniversary?"

"I was thinking dinner? To be honest, I don't know what I'm doing. You think you can offer some advice?"

"Ha! You're asking the wrong person, my friend," Wanda laughed, coming around the counter to help Carol restock and rearrange the shelves. Carol laughed and playfully shoved Wanda.

"Such a big help."

"I'm sorry. You know my track record with dating. God, when even was the last time I had a good relationship?"

"Something good will come. Someone good will come. Just be patient," Carol said, giving Wanda a sincere smile and a friendly pat on the lower arm. Wanda scoffed but didn't pull away from the touch. She lowered head and frowned a bit. Her track record with dating was...sub-par to say the least. She always ended up being the more committed one in the relationship and was often let down and discarded...like old trash. At this point in her very young life, Wanda Maximoff had given up on love.

"Do we have any more of those...cheesy Halloween pumpkin hand sanitizer holders? I think we ran out in the front."

"Um...there may be some in the back, but I don't remember seeing any. Do you want me to check?"

"Do you mind?"

"Not at all," Carol smiled. "I'd love to do mindless work as a break from this mindless work."

Wanda laughed and continued to restock the empty shelves. Her mind drifted as she lined up new bottles of lotion and body wash. She didn't hear or notice the beautiful redhead enter the store, looking around lost and confused, eyeing different bottles of lotion and candles, her eyebrows scrunching in confusion. She looked up and over and saw Wanda, and walking over to her, she tapped her on the shoulder, startling the darker haired woman.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"Can I help you with something?" Wanda asked in her somewhat fake polite costumer service voice.

"Actually, yeah. I was looking for a gift for a coworker and I don't know what to get. Do you think you can help?"

"Okay, well do you know what they like? Are they allergic to any particular scents?"

"Um...not that I know of?"

"Wow. Could you sound any more unsure," Wanda said sarcastically, her growing frustration becoming apparent in her voice without her meaning to. As soon as she realized what she said, Wanda's eyes widened and she slapped her hand over her mouth, and the little bit of her cheeks that were visible turned a bright and very noticeable red. "Oh my God, I'm so, so sorry! I didn't mean to say that! At least not out loud!" Wanda braced herself for the unknown woman's harsh reaction, waiting for her to scream at her for her rude comment and demand to talk to a manager, but the woman just...laughed? Wanda's face of shock and surprise turned to one of confusion as she watched the woman shook with laughter.