I sighed as the sun shined through the many windows of the somewhat packed building. I leaned over the counter and opened the cash register, organizing the coins inside as asked. It was another day at work at the Shuttle Shop, which is just my parents' lame name for our family store. Basically, it's a family business where we sell groceries. In fact, if it wasn't for my family, I definitely wouldn't be working here voluntarily; dealing with annoying customers, the tedious shifts, over priced food, and a smelly kitchen. If you're wondering about the perks, well, there are none. I mean, we bring plenty of money in, considering we're very popular on Montressor, our planet where we live, but there is honestly nothing about this job that puts a smile on my face. well, except for the fact that I get to spend more time with the people I love.
"Star!" My dad shouted and I looked up from the money I was counting as I watched him stock some cartons of a dozen Ktarian, or eggs as humans would usually call it. However, we have to be very careful and specific with the lingo and vocabulary used in the store and store packaging. In our store, at least 90 percent of our customers are of the alien race. But, they're not so different form humans- you have the nice customers, the impatient ones, the rude ones, the old ones who tell endless stories while waiting for their receipt, and the really young ones who try and steal Talaxian, or sweets, from the shelves. Sometimes I let them get away with it, but sometimes it gets a little out of hand.
"Yeah?" I called back to my dad, looking back down at the register, now just playing with the money as I tried to subtly block out my surroundings. "You gotta customer! Pay attention to your work!" He exclaimed, slightly annoyed, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes, but didn't reply. I really do love my family, but like every family, we have our disagreements.
"Morning, I'll just take this. That's all." another customer's voice caught my attention. I looked up from organizing the cash register and nodded, taking the wrapped loaf of bread. A very simple choice, but is that all the food he would need? I knew I wasn't in a position to ask, so I didn't.
"Okay, sir, that would be..." I trailed off from trying to inform the stranger of the price as I felt the customer's hard stare in me. I slowly looked up and my dark orbs met with large, beautiful brown eyes.
Immediately it felt as if the whole world had suddenly stopped. I don't know why but, I didn't really want to look away. I felt as if I knew this person, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. For the first time this morning, the customer was actually human. And a handsome one, if I should add. He was slender and looked around my age, maybe a year older, about 15 years old, was admittedly handsome, brown hair parted at his forehead and tied to a brief rat-tail. He had nice, thick brown eyebrows that hovered his gorgeous blue eyes. What I found more attractive about him was the single, golden small hoop earring on his left ear.
He was absolutely... gorgeous.
I didn't even realize we've been staring at one another, taking each other's appearance in for I honestly don't know how many seconds, or minutes. I snapped out of my thoughts as I realized what was going on.
"Uhm... hi." I greeted him, a small, embarrassed smile on my face.
The familiar looking boy smiled slightly and chuckled, "Hey." He told me. We looked up once more and both laughed as we caught each other's eyes. He seemed so familiar, but I just couldn't put my finger on it. I tried to ignore my curiosity and took the can of Mongrelian Jelly.
I slightly laughed at the small supply, "Feeding a crowd?" I joked and he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, nervously and oh, so cutely.
"Uhm... we ran out at my mom's inn and one of her friend's just loves this stuff, so... yeah." He lazily explained.
I smiled and nodded, understanding what he said, "Oh, ok, I get it." I smiled, swiping the can's QR code on it's packaging, getting the exact price. "But, tell your 'friend', this stuff isn't any good in the can," I informed the familiar looking boy who just smirked at me, leaning over the counter, obviously getting comfortable talking to me.
"Oh?" He asked, acting interested.
I giggled and nodded, "You have to make it from scratch. All of my mutt-spec's that come in always say they prefer it home-cooked." I informed him and laughed, "But, hey, what do I know? I mean, I'm only human, right?" I pointed out and he laughed as well.
"Yeah, that's true." He nodded with a smile and then looked up at me. I couldn't help but to look into his eyes. They were so big and brown, I knew no one could resist them. Right now they were making me weak by looking back at me idly. "Haven't I seen you before?" He asked me and I looked back at him, knowing he felt the same way as I did.
"Uhm, probably." I smiled and shrugged, knowing we probably have bumped into each other once or twice. Montressor's a place where about 70% of the population is filled with aliens, so it's hard to forget any human's face when there are limited amount of us on this planet. The only real place where I am surrounded by actual humans is during school. Right now, humans and aliens attend different schools due to different needs of education, peers and species. So, if I noticed this guy from anywhere it is most likely from school.
The guy leaned over the counter and I gave him a weird look as he stared closely at my chest. I know he's very attractive and all, but I still respect myself. I want everyone else to do the same. I slightly pushed him away by his shoulder, "Uhm... personal space, please." I told him, feeling slightly uncomfortable as I back up slightly. He looked up at me and I noticed the deep shade of red fade onto his cheeks.
"Oh I- I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I was just um... uh..." He trailed off as he stared at me and I saw in his eyes he was truly apologetic. I giggled slightly as he continued to stutter, no longer feeling uncomfortable as I realized it was an honest mistake. "Uh... um..." He continued to stall and I realized he was thinking of an excuse to cover up what had just happened, "Nice name." He exclaimed, pointing to the name tag on my black colored, uniform polo shirt. I looked down at my chest and smiled, realizing what he was doing earlier.
"Oh..." I laughed slightly and he chuckled nervously. "Uhm, thanks," I told him, touching the name plate on my left breast. I smiled and looked back up at the boy and tilted my head slightly as I watched his ear, "Nice earring." I giggled, finding it admittedly... sexy. Is that wrong to say about a boy I just met? I don't think so.
He gave me a look and touched his left ear, feeling the small piece of jewelry hanging from it, "Oh, thanks. It was a birthday present." He explained with a sexy lopsided smile on his face.
"Oh, how old are you?" I asked him and he replied with 15. I then began felt the excitement in me as I realized we were fairly close in age, "I'll be 15 in three months." I smirked and he chuckled slightly.
"Cool. Maybe on your birthday, I could give you one." He smirked back, more flirtatiousness showing on his face as he touched my earlobe, as I knew was simply an excuse to touch me.
I was suddenly taken back as I realized we were flirting with each other. I, Star Stratis, am actually flirting with a boy?! Oh my goodness, what did I drink this morning? I mean I'm Star, I don't flirt! I am not a flirty girl; and was he actually flirting back? Maybe we both had something bad to drink this morning. "Uhm..." I smiled shyly as I began to stutter and slightly leaned away from the counter.
"Star!" A nearby voice shouted and the guy I was talking to and I both looked up and saw my dad watching us. "You got work to do! Young man either pay up or get out!" He snapped. I simply sighed and rolled my eyes knowing my dad was just being rude because I was talking to a boy.
"Daddy!" I whined annoyed and I heard the boy laugh.
"Protective dad?" He asked, turning back to me and I sighed with an embarrassed nod. "It's cool... I should get back and get this to my mom anyway." He said and I smiled sadly, understanding but secretly wanted him to stay. I took his canned food and put it in a plastic bag, handing it to him and he handed me the money. As I began putting the money in the cash register he spoke up. "Jim." He said, holding the bag in one hand and sticking his other hand out for me to shake.
I looked up at his cute face and then down towards his outstretched hand. I smiled, taking his hand, "Star." I told him and we smiled at each other once more.
"I'll see you in school." He told me, letting go of my hand and walking away.
I smiled and nodded, hoping we would see each other then, "Okay, bye." I smiled and he nodded his head, an attractive smirk on his face. Once he was at a descent distance away from me, I sighed dreamily and elbow on the counter and rested my head on my hand. "Jim..." I whispered, remembering the name and missing the face.