I OWE YOU - Bearface/Ciaran McDonald

The Vintage Store

Saturday 6th June 2020

"Hurry up Josie, I'm going to be late for work" Ellie called up to her house mate from down the stairs. It was 8:30, and Ellie was getting ready to leave for her second shift at the vintage store. She had recently moved to LA from the U.K. in hopes she'd eventually find her dream teaching job.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Josie shouted back. The pair had met from Ellie's previous trip to America and as soon as Josie found out that Ellie was moving to LA it was only right that they moved in together, to make up for the time they lost during their long distance friendship.

As they left out the door, they were hit with the warm California air. As they got into Ellie's car, Josie asked, "are you ok to drop me to Starbucks on the way to your store? I have to pick up coffees for everyone at work."
"Yeah of course" Ellie replied.
For the rest of the journey they planned what they'd do for the rest of the weekend as Ellie didn't work Sundays and there was so much in LA she wanted to do.

"Here you go, I'll pick you up at 4:30" Ellie said as Josie started to get out the car. "And don't be - " but before Ellie could finish her sentence Josie had already slammed the door and crossed the road to Starbucks. "Late" Ellie muttered to herself.

It was 8:47 when Ellie arrived to work, so she decided she had time for a quick cigarette. She never used to smoke but once she started, something about it just always seemed to calm her nerves. She smoked a lot more since moving to America, her new surroundings just didn't seem to feel like home yet.

"Good morning Ellie" her manager called from the till.
"Morning Sam, does the rest of the delivery from yesterday still need to be put out?" she asked.
"Yes it does, had a bit of a rush after you left yesterday and didn't get a chance to finish putting it out."

Ellie nodded and made her way to the stock room. She carried out the clothing and set herself up ready so she could put the clothes onto hangers, then put it out onto the shop floor. Ellie found this job a week into moving to LA and couldn't be happier. The job itself is pretty easy for Ellie and she loved being surrounded buy all the vintage clothing, as it allows her to be the first to find the one of a kind pieces.

A couple hours had passed and only a few customers had entered the store. While "Ivy" by Frank Ocean was playing through the speakers, she heard the bell on the door go, signalling that someone had entered the shop. Like always, Ellie would give the customer a couple minutes to have a browse before approaching them to see if they needed any help.
"Excuse me, I was wondering if you have this T-shir - " as Ellie turned round the guy stopped what he was saying and stared at her T-shirt. It was a vintage Prince tee that hung loosely to her body making it slightly oversized. Ellie looked at the shaggy haired guy confused, waiting for him to finish his sentence. "Um.... that T-shirt" he said as he pointed towards the top she was wearing.
"Fan if Prince huh?" she asked.
"Yeah I am, been looking for that T-shirt for ages to add to my collection and I saw on your website you have them in."
"We did in fact get some in but unfortunately I bought the last one" she replied with a slight pout.
"You got to be kidding me?" He huffed. "They literally just came in yesterday." A couple moments of silence went by before he spoke again. "How much do you want for it? I'll pay anything" he said as he started to pull out his wallet.
"You really want this shirt don't you?" she questioned.
"I really do, I've wanted this one for so long."
Ellie was thinking of what to say, she had always been a fan of Price but she got the sense that this guy was a bigger fan than her. Although she loved the shirt, she knew she'd be a lot happier knowing someone who desperately wanted it had it, knowing it would be cherished.
"Put your wallet away... You can have it" she responded.
"No way really?! At let let me give you something for it?"
"No no, it's ok. You can have it, no charge. I can tell you want this a lot and it'll make me happy knowing it's going to a good home. That's payment enough" she said with a smile.

A couple more moments of silence before Ellie spoke. "Well I can't exactly give it to you now, as umm, well, I'd be in just a bra. But I can take it home and wash it for you after I finish work, then drop it to you if you like? I would say pick it up tomorrow but I don't work Sunday's."
"That's perfect, thank you so much."
"Here, give me your phone. I'll put in my number and you can text me your address" and with that she put her number into his phone. Once that was done, the guy turned to walk away. After a couple steps he turned around and said "I'm Ciaran buy the way."
"Ellie" she said back with a smile. Then Ciaran was out the door.

It was 5pm and Ellie had already picked up Josie and put the shirt into the wash.

5:07 - Unknown number: Hey, it's Ciaran. Thank you again. My address is ** **** **** ******.

Ellie smiled at the message remembering what happened earlier on.

5:10 - Ellie: No worries at all, I'll drop it round about 6:30ish if that's ok?

5:11 - Ciaran: Perfect. See you then :)

Ellie closed her phone and took out the shirt ready to be dried.

5:45

"Hey Josie, I'm just popping out. Won't be long" Ellie called up to her house mate.
"Where are you going?"
"Just to drop something off, I'll explain when I'm back."
Ellie grabbed her keys and headed to Ciaran's house. While she was driving she thought about how she folded the T-shirt perfectly and put it into a flat, square box. If he wasn't going to wear it, she wanted to make sure it was kept safe. She smirked at the little note she left inside the box.

"I hope you take care of this shirt. I know it's going to a good home so I can't be too upset. Just make sure to come to the store wearing it to prove you're taking care of it because there are like only 10 of these in the world. Also, so I can see who wears it better ;)"

15 minutes of driving had passed and she finally arrived outside Ciaran's house. 'Damn this is huge' she thought as she walked up to the front door. As she went to knock the door, someone had already started to open it as though they had already seen her coming. "Oh, sorry. I think I must have got the wrong house" she said as she stared up to the tall guy with a bowl cut.
"Who were you looking for?" The guy replied.
"Ciaran. I'm pretty sure he said this was his address" she said with a question to her tone.
"Yeah he lives here, I'm Joba... I also live here. CIARAN! Theres a girl at the door for you" Joba shouted into the house. With that all Ellie could hear was the loud banging of footsteps running down the hall.
"Hey Ellie"
"Hey Ciaran," Ellie smiled.
"I'll leave you to it," Joba said as he walked away.
"Here you go," Ellie said handing him the box.
"Thank you so much, it honestly means a lot."
"Good! I'm glad you're happy."
"Did you want to come in?" Ciaran said leaning on the door frame.
"I'd love to, but I've got an evening planned with my house mate. Still so much of LA I wanna see."
"Okay, no worries. Are you sure you don't want any money for it?"
"I'm sure."
"I guess I owe you then," Ciaran said.
"I guess you do" Ellie smiled as she walked back down the path to here car.