Getting a possible crush on somebody you just scammed is not an ideal situation to find yourself in.
Earlier that day, Timey's dad was lecturing them about how beep cannot keep using his money to buy things. There was no denying that Timey had been a bit reckless with their dad's credit card, but they knew he had tons of extra cash anyways. He'd always been quite frugal, and Timey never really understood why. They were always able to afford everything.
However, he was serious this time when he said Timey had to get a job, "to learn responsibility," he said. Timey had a hunch he was just tired of dealing with beep being home.
Timey felt he was fair enough. They'd stopped doing beeps schoolwork ages ago, just not having the will or motivation to do it after struggling with it for so long. Sometimes things just didn't work out no matter how hard beep tried, so why try in the first place?
However, this whole job debacle was another issue. Timey didn't understand how to make an effective résumé, and didn't have much connection to any subject to get a full-time job.
One idea was to start small. Something simple and easy, so Timey settled for a lemonade stand.
Making a lemonade stand without the money to get everything necessary would be tricky though, so beep had to find some short-cuts and stand-ins. Such as using vinegar instead of lemons.
Citrus trees just weren't very common in Aadshend. Most of the lemons at the market sold out pretty fast to restaurant owners, leaving the lesser-wanted ones. Unless one were to buy from some corporate fruit-producing business, which were usually more expensive.
However, with some ice, it was a bit convincing.
The other problem is that it was currently the middle of Autumn, and there was already snow present outside. What if nobody would be willing to buy lemonade in the middle of snow?
Timey figured the best solution was to make as much money per purchase. It was already unlikely anybody was going to buy lemonade in the middle of the snow, so why not go all out?
Timey wrote in large letters, "Lemonade!!! $50!!!"
Once the stand was finally set up, all Timey had to do was wait for somebody to buy from them.
An object would pass, and Timey would speak up, "get some ice cold, super fresh lemonade!! Right here folks!! The best in Aadshend!"
Most of this would go ignored, but Timey had a feeling if beep kept trying, maybe beep can convince somebody.
"Nice fresh lemonade! Only 50 bucks!" Timey said, another object passing. One would buy.. they had to...
After sitting there for a while.. maybe hours.. Somebody approached the stand, staring at it with hands on their sides.
"Lemonade!" Timey said with a smile.
"Why the fuck is this lemonade so expensive?!"
Timey kept the smile going. "Inflation."
They'd heard their dad complain about inflation raising prices all the time, so this felt like a reasonable explanation.
The object, a stainless steel metal straw, stared at Timey for a moment, before chuckling lightly to themself. "I assume it's some good lemonade then, yeah? Any way I can get a discount?"
Timey briefly considered the offer, before shaking their head. "Sorry, no discount. I want to make a profit."
The object sighed. "Only because I'm thirsty... and not allowed in the local convenience store... and willing to support a small business."
They pulled out a 50 dollar bill, and Timey smiled, pouring the "lemonade" into a cup.
Metal Straw hesitantly handed the 50-dollar bill to the alarm clock. She would have tried finding a vending machine, but for whatever reason they couldn't find any. The mayor had been putting a lot of funds into stupid benches and parks. Plus, he wanted to humor himself as well.
The alarm clock smiled widely, pouring the lemonade into a cup, and finally handing it to her.
Metal Straw smiled back to the clock, and finally took a sip... and then immediately spat it back out.
"WHAT IS THIS?!"
The alarm clock held an aloof expression. "Lemonade!"
Metal Straw furrowed its eyebrows. "That is NOT lemonade!! Not normal lemonade at least! Is it poisoned?! What'd you put in it?!"
"Just lemonade ingredients," Timey said vaguely.
"Like what?! This doesn't taste ANYTHING like lemonade!"
"It's vegan."
"OKAY??? THAT DOESN'T EXPLAIN ANYTHING."
"Well.. I used vinegar instead of lemons.."
"VINEGAR?!"
"I remembered the ice though," Timey said.
"You??? I paid 50 dollars for LEMONADE!! I only have like, a few hundred bucks in my name.. can I have a refund?! I was thirsty.."
Timey stared at Metal Straw for a good second, an amused smirk on beeps face. "It isn't my fault you don't like my lemonade."
"It's not lemonade. You didn't use lemons. REAL lemonade doesn't consist of vinegar."
"Maybe my definition of lemon IS vinegar. Maybe for me, this IS lemonade!" Timey felt quite philosophical saying that.
Metal Straw groaned. "Fine. I'll find some other source of hydration I guess."
Timey frowned as the other started walking away.
"Don't you wanna buy more?" Timey asked, following the other.
"No," Metal Straw said.
"Okay, but I pranked you pretty good, didn't I?"
Metal Straw sighed. "Sure, yeah."
Timey chuckled to beepself, continuing to follow Metal Straw.
"Why are you following me?"
Timey took a moment to consider the question. Why were they?
"I dunno, I guess I'm surprised I was able to convince somebody to buy my lemonade!"
Metal Straw rolled their eyes. "Well, I'm the stupid fool. Now unless you're going to give me a refund, go away."
"Where are you going?" Timey questioned, ignoring what Metal Straw said.
"None of your business. Away from you."
"Dang," Timey exclaimed. "Can I get your number?"
Metal Straw stopped walking, and stared at Timey for a moment. "Why would I give you my number?!"
"Would you give me it for 50 dollars?"
There was a silence between the two, before:
"Fine. But you'd better not scam me again."
The two exchanged numbers, and Timey gave Metal Straw its 50 dollars back.
"Guess no profit today.. but hey, economy!"
Metal Straw stared confusedly for a moment, before snickering. "You're weird."
"I get that a lot," Timey responded with a smile, and then noticed a tall tree.
"Wanna see how high I can climb that?"
"Uh.. sure?"
Timey gave a thumbs up, and then began climbing.
Metal Straw was a bit surprised at how high up the tree the other climbed.
"Woah! I'm so high! Hello down there!" Timey exclaimed, waving down to Metal Straw, but then losing balance. "YIKES! AAAAAA!"
Metal Straw gasped. "AH!"
Metal Straw reached out, managing to catch the alarm clock.
"Are you okay?!" Metal Straw asked the clock, which he was now holding.
"...I think!"
Metal Straw put them down. "Y-you gotta be careful! You can't just climb up random trees!"
"But you wanted to see how high I can climb!"
"No I didn't!"
"Yes you did."
The two talked for a bit, before finally separating... for now.
[Note: This was written over a month ago.]