When Trouble Meets Trouble

[ C h a p t e r - F i v e ]

“Are you even allowed to be on the phone?” he inquired and I sighed.

“No, but am I one to follow rules? Besides, we have no customers and I’m here alone,” I complained.

“When does your shift end?” he inquired. I looked at the clock hanging from the ceiling. I pursed my lips.

“It ends in about an hour, fifty-four minutes to be exact," I shrugged.

“What are you doing after work?” he asked another question.

“I’m probably going to go home and play video games,” I left out the part about taking a shower; like we needed that type of awkwardness in this conversation.

“It’s only noon," he stated.

“It’s raining cats and dogs. There’s nothing fun to do in the rain besides sit inside,” I replied, listening to the rainfall on the roof of the building.

“You can always go somewhere that has fun indoors," he stated and I sighed again.

“Like where, the mall?” I laughed, watching as people raced by the windows with umbrellas in their hands.

“Yeah, the mall; my sisters and I are supposed to be heading there in about an hour. Do you want to join us?” he invited me. I weighed my options.

It wasn’t like we’re going to be alone; his sisters are going to be there. But you can’t really insult the guy with his sisters around. Who says I can’t? Would you like to leave that impression on them that you’re a jerk? Well, I am.

“Sure,” I responded. Silence came from the other end of the phone and I raised an eyebrow.

“Seriously?” he asked, shock flowing through the phone.

“Do you not want me to go?” I asked, flipping through a game magazine.

“Would I have invited you if I didn’t want you to go?” he sarcastically retorted. He stole my words.

“Then why do you sound like you’re shocked?” I asked.

“I didn’t expect you to want to go. I thought you were going to make some slick comment about not wanting to hang out with me because I’m annoying,” he replied, amused.

“You know me so well. Anyway, I’ll meet you in the food court. I have a customer,” I hung up quickly and shoved my phone in my pocket. I really didn’t need another bad review.

“Hello, young lady. How much for the game of Halo?” an old man asked. I blinked a few times. I was surprised by his request. I was expecting him to ask for Trivial Pursuit for Nintendo or something.

“A used game is $40.00 and a new game us $60.00,” I told him.

“I’ll take a new one, please,” he smiled and I nodded, grabbing the game and placing it on the counter. He reached forward to grab it and I stopped him.

“I’m sorry sir; you’re going to have to pay me to get the game,” I informed him and he furrowed his eyebrows.

“Can I get a trivial pursuit game, too?” he asked me and I nodded, turning around. That’s more like it.

I heard footsteps and I turned to see the old man making a run for it with the game. I hopped over the counter (okay, maybe I took the long way and walked around it but that doesn’t sound as cool) and stood in front of the door. I snatched the game out of the old hag’s hand and told him to exit the store.

“I only wanted to see if you have good security,” he swung his walker around.

“You need to leave or I’ll report you to the police,”I told him.