PARKER | Dark H.S. AU

xxvi. #alexfromtarget

Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2014

~UNEDITED~ bc lazy af!

Soft blue eyes glued to her like a sticky fluid would to a piece of paper. His lips couldn't contain the subtle coy smirk that fights to be displayed on his face, exposing his attempt at being cool. His eyes travel from her, to the purchased items he is scanning, to the cash register, and then back to her.

ALEX, his name tag reads as it was pinned against the fabric of his red uniform.

He is quite charming, to say the least. What with the brown chestnut colored hair, brows that appear to be always brushed in place, sharp jawline, pearly white teeth…and the eyes, the blameless blue eyes that despite its cold hue send warmth to any objects that they lay upon.

Only the girl he is trying to catch isn’t interested. She thinks he is way too young for her, and she has her eyes set for someone else already.

Charlie smiles back at him when their eyes meet, finally – something that the blue-eyed boy was waiting to happen. He grins even wider.

He looks down at himself for a moment, a bit embarrassed. He then clears his throat. “Um, that’s 34 and 6 cents, miss. Paper or plastic?”

“Plastic, please. I’m way too clumsy.”

His ears perk up a little at the sound of her slight chuckle.

Grabbing a white plastic bag under the counter, he places from item to item carefully into it as Charlie nods and reaches for the wallet at the back of her pants.

She smiles at the boy. It was just a mere sweet smile; one that expresses gratitude, one that an ordinary everyday customer gives to an accommodating and polite employee who gave them a good service – in this case, as was Alex to Charlie.

The charming young man knows right then and there, his fleeting crush towards the nameless blonde would lead to nowhere.

“Here you go, miss.” He hands the bag over to Charlie, smiling as he does so. “Thanks for shopping at Target. Please come again.”

“Of course. I always shop here. You’re new? Haven’t seen you here before.”

The delight on the young man’s face is hardly obliterated by the obvious giddy smile that goes back on full display. He is glad that the gorgeous girl right in front of him is giving him the opportunity to talk with her.

“No, I…” He scratches the back of his head as he eyes the small proximity between them, the cash register going in between them. “I’ve been here for three months now.”

“Oh.” Charlie nods, her lips pressed together as she darts her eyes at a distance, as if processing the idea to her head. “Well then, see you around, Alex…that’s your name, right? …unless you exchanged uniforms with another employee.”

It was a lame joke, but Alex laughs nonetheless. He nods. “Yes, that’s me. Alex.”

“I’m Charlie.” She removes one of her hands from the handle of the plastic bag before stretching it forth to Alex. He is surprised, though, when the blonde girl leans in closer to him. At first he thinks, she is going to kiss him. So instantaneously, he closes his eyes…waiting for the precious impact. Shame on him when he feels the little tingle of her breath by the shell of his ear. “That makes us friends now. Next time, give me discount, okay?”

His eyes shut open immediately and he watches as Charlie pulls away from him, smiling expectantly.

Alex scratches the back of his head again, eyes momentarily lost at the sight of the hem of his red shirt. He can feel her eyes are still on him.