We meet again

-9-

I grinned as we went in the mall, shrignold immediately leaving us alone. I looked at Harry, nudging him.
"Oi, if you need help just text me. I'll come throw hands."I said, him chuckling at he shook his head.
"See ya."I said, turning and walked away. My posture slumped as I walked away, smiling as I put one earbud in. I've been in this mall quite a few times due to my tech crewmates dragging me here so fortunately I knew it pretty well. I go from store to store before heading to hot topic, waving to a helper I kinda knew as I browsed the jewelry. They had great stuff, though none I felt like buying.

"Decided to all normal today, huh?"I heard, making me look at a guy, one I also knew since I came to this store a lot. I smiled.

"Yup, I'm a normal human today."I said, chuckling.

"Well, a handsome human."He added, my smile growing.

"Absolutely."I said, my chest feeling warm. I absolutely love being mistaken for a male. Makes me happy.

"Tristen, I need your help at the register."The other girl called, making him sigh.

"I'll be right over, Sierra."He called, looking back at me.
"After my shift, do you wanna hang?"He asked, making me think.

"When do you get off?"I asked, feeling eyes on me which made me look around.

"I'm off in an hour."He said, making me smile.

"I'll come back at an hour then. I'm here with friends so they might tag along."I said, shooing him away.
"Now go do your job."I said, lightly shoving him. He chuckled, leaving. I smiled, walking out of the store.

"And who was that?"I yelped, looking around find Shrignold.

"what are you talking about bug boy."I blankly said, raising a brow a him.

"This Tristen fellow."He grinned, wiggling his brows. I rolled my eyes, walking while he followed me.

"He's a friend. Aren't you suppose to be scouting for people?"I asked, him sweat dropping.

"I uh, they threaten to kick me out."He said, my eyes widening.

"Seriously? Please don't get me kicked or banned from this mall, I like coming here."I said, him nodding.

"I won't, but how about you and that man? Feel anything for him?"He asked, making me shake my head.

"This isn't a game show, shrignold. Don't try pairing me with people."I said, him huffing.

"I'm just trying to nudge you into a relationship."He said, making me huff.
"Now, how do you feel about him. Be honest."He demanded, making me sigh.

"You know what, fine. I'll play your game. Let's sit down somewhere though."I said, heading to the food court. I sit down, shrignold sitting in front of me. After staring at him for a couple of seconds I sighed.
"Tristen is a nice guy, plus he's very supportive of my appearance and about my interest."I explain, shrignold starting to open my mouth.
"Before you ask, I mean the fact I like both genders. Some don't like dating bi girls, especially cause they think they'll cheat on them with the other gender."I explained, him nodding.

"Good to know. Now, we know you like Harry. What about him?"He asked, making me frown.

"I..... Harry is amazing. He's kind, supports everything I am..... And he understands I'm not okay. He understands I'm mentally not okay, and doesn't push me about that. He also knew me from before I cut my hair and..... I don't know."I said, shrignold smiling.

"You really like him."He said, making me look at my hands.

"Your right."I said, sighing as I closed my eyes.
"But I won't act on my emotions. I'm pretty sure he likes me but....."I open my eyes, looking at him.
"I rather be alone than hurt him. He already is worried about me, I don't need that to triple if my issues get worse."I said, smiling at him.
"Now, how about we talk about something else."I said, him nodding. I lightly gasped, grinning.
"Hey! For someone who tries so hard to get others to date, have you dated anyone?"I asked, him shrinking.

"I- uh- um-"He stammered, unable to answer.

"Seriously?"I questioned, his ears drooping as he looked down.

"I've never thought about finding someone."He admitted, making me think.

"Guess you were married to your work. Well, I'll be your divorce lawyer. Let's get you a girlfriend."I said, his eyes widening.

"wait, hold on-"

"No, I'm uno reversing this on your ass. Now, do you fancy anyone?"I asked, him blushing slightly.

"Well, there is this flower- But she wouldn't feel the same! I've taught her well and she is also focused on helping others."He explained, making me nod.

"How about you give your cult a goal. Not only will you help others, help eachother find someone. If they fancy an outsider then y'all can add them to your cult too."I said, him frowning.

"It's not a cult."He said, making me narrow my eyes at him.

"You kidnapped me and told me to forget everything I ever knew, plus almost forced a ring on me. It's a cult. I'm sorry I had to be the one to tell you this."I said, him sighing.

"Sorry about that."He said, making me smile.

"I forgive you. Your not so bad when your not focusing on forcing me into a relationship, plus your being gentle about it now."I said, him smiling back. I jumped when I felt arms wrap around my neck, making me panic before I recognized the laughter.
"You fucking asshole!"I said, Tristen grinning as he chuckled in my ear.

"What? It's cute when you get scared."He said, making me frown.

"Maybe for you but for me it can cause me to tick or worse, hit you on reflex."I said, him raising his hands in surrender.

"Okay okay, I'm sorry. Won't do it again."He said, making me sigh. Shrignold watched us, thinking.

"Hey Valeria, I'm gonna go see if Colin and Tony have stopped fighting. Have fun on your little playdate."He said, leaving me. My eyes widen, frowning.

"We're just hanging out you damn pest!"I said, him disappearing. I sighed, looking at Tristen as I stood.
"So, wanna go somewhere in the mall?"I asked, him humming.

"I do have a discount at the food court. Want me to buy you Boba?"He asked, making my eyes widen.

"Boba?"I said, interested. He chuckled at my happiness, nodding.

"Come one, we can get to know eachother on our playdate while we drink."He said, winking as we started walking. I frowned slightly at the playdate part.

"It's not a playdate, that's for kids."I said, pausing.
"Nevermind, I'm basically a kid with how I act heh."I said, him shaking his head. We make it to the food court. Smiling as we got in line. I laughed with him as we got our drinks, not knowing a certain Red man was watching. He silently watched us interact, especially keeping track of my face.

"Hey, do you have a job?"Tristen asked, making me nod.

"I'm a techie at the theater house in town. I work in tech crew and basically take the roll of stage manager sometimes."I said, him nodding.

"Next time you work a show I'll come. How about I give you my number?"He offered, making me nod. I opened my phone, handing it to him. He handed it back, making me laugh.

"Mr. Hot topic? Lol."I said, him chuckling.

"Any particular name you want me to put as your contact?"He asked, making me grin.

"I'm sure you can come up with one, especially with how unique I am."I said said, him chuckling.

"Your not wrong."He said as we finally got to the register, him paying for my drink.
"Where you wanna sit?"He asked, making me look around.

"The two people tables are there sooooo there."I said, heading over there. He smiled, watching me sit down.

"So, let's chat"

(because I can, tristen will give off Peter vibes from Your Boyfriend vibes. Why? Cause I can)

(edited Dec 8)