A Fresh Start

Chapter Sixteen: Checking Out?

{Clarke's POV}

I made my way to the front where the cashier is. For the first time I realized, Claire isn't here. "Where's Claire?" I question Matt at the front desk. "She's back in Australia, visiting family. That's why I asked to move this meeting from Saturday to today. Chris and I are meeting her" Matt explains. "Oh, that's nice" I say honestly.

"Is this all for today?" He questions. I had put down two new waxes, a new leash for my short board (Makai ripped it off), a wetsuit hood (magically lost my old one) and lastly a hoodie (for Lexa; she seemed to like mine, so why not?). "No. I'm just waiting for two wetsuits" I explain.

As if on cue, Madi and Aden walks over with his wetsuit. "All good?" I question. "Yes. I don't know what you guys were talking about. I had a great time putting it on" he says. I honestly couldn't tell if he was joking or not. I laugh and take the wetsuit and put it by the rest of the stuff. Now we wait for the brunette herself.

"Where's Lexa?" Madi questions. "She's getting her wetsuit off. She Uh-has some trouble" I say honestly. It's nothing to be ashamed about. It really isn't easy. "I'll be right back. I see a friend. You remember how to work this, right?" Matt questions. I reassure him that I do and he walks off.

I then walk around and go behind the counter. I felt-important being here. I mean, I own the store but, being behind here makes it all the more real.

"Checking out?" I question the lady walking over with clothes. "Yes. It's my husbands birthday, so" she explains as she sets all the clothes down on the counter. "Well I hope he is happy with this" I say honestly. I begin ringing her items (hoping that I was doing it right), ignoring Aden and Madi who was quietly making fun of me.

"You wanna know who you remind me of? That-that one surfer-" she begins as I finish ringing her up. "I forget his name. The one who passed away, you-you look just like him" "If your talking about Jake Griffen, then he-he was my father" I say hesitantly.

She immediately regrets bring him up as she places her hand to her heart. "I'm so sorry, sweetie. If I would've know-" "You didn't, and it's okay" I say honestly. At this point, Lexa was back with her wetsuit. Chuckling when she saw me behind the counter.

"Total is $57" I say. "57? No, that's impossible. I-I got enough thats well over 100" she explains. "The rest is on the house. Birthday discount" I was quick to rely. "Since when does that exist?" She questions. "Since right now" I say simply. "No, no. I'll pay" she demands. "Seriously, it's ok. Tell your husband Bunger wishes him a happy birthday" I say as I give her the bag. "Thank you. Thank you so much" she says as she walks away.

"Checking out?" I question my beautiful girlfriend. "I'm checking you out" she jokes. "No. Stop" Both Madi and Aden say at the same time, making us laugh.

I begin to put the items into the cashier. Considering, I own the store, it's free. But I still have to put it in the system for stocking purposes.

"How much do I owe?" Lexa questions, making me laugh. "Not a single sent. It's on me" I say simply "Clarke, don't be ridiculous, I'll pay" Lexa demands. "No, you will not" I say simply. "What kind of girlfriend would I be, if I made you pay for your items in a store I own?" I question. "A normal one" she snaps. "Well I'm not normal then" I say simply.

"Did you survive?" Matt asks when he gets back. "Yes sir" I say honestly. I finish ringing everything up...I try and do it as quick as possible, so now one sees. But I take out my card and swipe. The total came out to $932. The major cost was the two wetsuits, which were $400 each. But, I'm fortunate enough that $932 dollars...isn't a lot.