𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐂, 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 | 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞

chapter twenty-two; the last goodbye

꒰꒰・┄┄・𓆩♡𓆪・┄┄・꒱꒱

"FAVORITE MOVIE. GO" Keith, who was usually seen with his hand inside a Cheeto's bag, points to Robin and Steve from behind the front counter of the video store. His eyes narrow as he interrogates them, wanting to know more about their taste in movies before deciding whether to give them a job or not.

Robin answers the question with ease, naming three movies that Summer had only heard of but never actually seen. Unlike the blonde, Steve seemed to struggle a little more with the question as he wasn't particularly the most movie-savvy person. In fact, the only times he'd really gone to see a movie was at the drive-ins and even then there were usually other things that seemed to grasp his attention.

The boy comes up with a mumbled answer, even trying his best Ewok impersonation but Keith remained unfazed by his efforts. The taller boy was more than unimpressed with Steve, his presence alone peeved him off, but it wasn't just how he had been treated by the 'King of Hawkins' High' in the past that irked him. It was a well-known fact that Keith had been pining over Summer for as long as anyone could remember so his hatred for Steve only grew stronger the second he heard of their relationship and there was no doubt in the girls' mind that he'd make the situation personal and not hire Steve, but Robin insisted that they still try.

Seemingly unsatisfied, Keith stares at the two, his eyes trailing off to Summer for a second before he finally speaks. "You start Monday." He points to Robin and then moves his finger to Steve. "You start never."

Disappointed but not surprised, Steve heaves a sigh and shrugs before leaning into Summer for comfort. Getting this job was just as important to the boy as it was getting hired at Scoops, granted he wouldn't have to wear the dorky sailor suit, but he needed to yet again prove to his Dad that he was capable of doing so.

Robin and Summer look at one another with sympathetic eyes. They knew how excited he was about applying for this job and hopefully being able to work with Robin again because while she may have been annoying at the start, the two were now the best of friends. Summer included. A lot of people didn't understand the friendship between the boy and girl, some even rolled their eyes, but then again no one knew what had really happened to them that had formed such a bond.

Summer, on the other hand, had come clean to Robin about overhearing her conversation with Steve in the toilet stalls of Starcourt Mall. It wasn't an easy thing to admit and Robin was embarrassed but Summer reassured her that it wasn't going to affect their friendship at all. In fact, she was kind of flattered by it. Though Robin no longer felt that way about Summer and every chance they got Summer and Steve would try to scope out potential new love interests for the blonde which she thought was both endearing and annoying.

"Hey, babe, why don't you give us a minute?" Summer whispers in Steve's ear and presses a quick kiss to his cheek. He looks at the two girls, his brows pinching together with confusion but agrees to it anyway. He yanks his resume aggressively from the counter and heads over to the display shelves filled with movies.