The New Girl

(Morning)

She is beautifully untamed. Her long, frizzy light brown hair reaches the bottom of her back, and even though she has such a small frame, she's still tall enough to place the items on the shelf without standing on her toes. "You know, you could ask her out." He's startled by his father's sudden appearance, before he swiftly turns to the muscular man and breathes in relief. "So, what will it be?"

He crosses his arms and leans them on the counter, "What will what be?"

"Will you ask her out?"

The brown-haired guy looks back at her, gazing over her red tank top and shorts, as he mumbles, "Am I even allowed to?"

"You don't own the store," he informs. "I do. You're on equal ground with her."

He turns back to him, "So, I could if I wanted to?"

"You're not in a position of power, so there's no conflict of interest." His eyebrows raise, "I see no reason why you couldn't." His son looks back at the new girl, watching as she rolls the top-stock cart into the back room. "Well. What are you waiting for? Go get her."

He smiles at him before hurrying off, but when he enters the back room, he halts. He gulps, watching her take the remnants from the cart and separating them into the recycling bins. She pushes the cart to the side wall, and when her clear blue eyes meet him, she smiles. He grins, and she walks over to the sink. He walks towards her, "Um." She twists the water off and turns to him. He nervously asks, "So, how is it going?"

"Going?" her head tilts, moving forward with wide eyes.

He laughs, "Eh. How is your day so far?"

She grins, "Fine. Thank you."

"Oh," he suddenly frowns in realization. "I'm Noah." He smiles again, before he puts a hand out towards her.

She glances at his hand and moves hers forward, "I'm Nadia."

His smile cracks, before he takes her hand and shakes it, "Nadia. That's Russian for hope, isn't it?"

She's quiet for a moment, "I'm not sure, but I like it."

"I like your accent," he compliments, and she grins. "Where are you from?"

She unsurely answers, "The outskirts of Charmington and Sleeping City."

"I would have thought somewhere farther," he lets her know. "Like the north mountains."

"It is a secluded area," she slowly explains. "No one really leaves there. I learned language there. That is why I sound different."

He nods, "Well, for what it's worth, I think you have a beautiful voice." before he notices he's still holding her hand and quickly moves it away, running it over his hair. "So. Uh."

"Uh," she repeats.

He meets her bright eyes and slowly says, "I was wondering if you eat."

"I'm about to eat now," she informs, before she walks over to the table.

He follows her and watches as she puts two scoops of protein powder into the blender bottle, "What I meant was—" before the sound of the metal hitting the plastic interrupts him, as she shakes the blue bottle. She sets the bottle down, "What I meant was—" and he notices her take out baggie of brown, grainy flakes. "What's that?"

"Nutrients," she simply says, before she pours it into the drink, covers it, and shakes it.

"Right," he shakes his head, before he clears his throat. "Anyway." She faces him, and he whispers, "Could you eat with me sometime?"

"Why?"

He watches her take a drink, before he slowly answers, "I'm trying to ask you out, like on a date. Do you want to?"

Her blue eyes scan over him, before she places a hand to his chest, "I cannot give you what you want."

He places his hand over hers, "I want you."

"You want stability," she disproves.

He lets out a breath, "I just want to get to know you."

"Get to know me," she tests the words, the way they feel and sound.

"Yes," he breathes. "Will you let me?"

The girl smiles, "Very well." before she eyes over him. "You eat at my place tonight?"

"Yes," Noah quickly agrees, before he frowns. "Where would that be?"

"Oatmeal for dinner," Noah comments, as he watches her set the bowls down in front of them. "That's…"

"Do you not like oats?" she inquires.

"Oh, no," he quickly responds. "I mean, yes. I do, but…"

"But?" she laughs.

He smiles, "It's just traditionally a breakfast food."

"Traditionally?" she questions.

He breathes, "Of course. It doesn't have to be only for breakfast."

She sprinkles some brown flakes over the oats, "What do you eat at dinner?"

"Well, you know," he begins. "What most people eat, I guess. Meat. Potatoes. Corn."

"I don't eat meat," she informs.

"Oh," he quietly says, before he watches her take a bite and then notices the spice shaker she had used.

When he reaches for it, she slides it closer to herself, "That is not for you."

He eyes the brown flakes, "What is it?"

"What I had earlier," she merely states, before she sips her water.

"The nutrients," he slowly recalls.

"Yes."

He frowns, "You know, the protein powder has nutrients in it."

She smiles, touching the shaker, "This gives flavor."

"What is it?" he asks again.

"Maple."

He watches her take another bite, "Maple?"

"Yes," she confirms, before she points the spoon at his bowl. "Now, eat."

He looks down at the off-white glop, "What's in this?"

"Oats, water, and honey," she lists.

Noah spoons through the glop, "And nuts."

"Yes. Macadamia Nuts."

He takes a bite and then nods, "It's good." before he eyes the shaker again. "Can I have some maple?"

She grins, and her blue eyes shimmer, "You do not want it."

He makes a face, "Of course, I want it."

"No." She shakes her head, "You don't."

Noah sighs, "Will you at least tell me what it is?"

"But I told you," she comments in confusion.

"Yes, maple," he frustrates, before he lets out a breath. "Maple what? And what is it?"

Nadia takes a napkin to her lips before folding it, "It is maple leaves."

"Maple leaves?" he slowly repeats.

"It is my favorite," she informs.

"How?" his eyebrows scrunch. "I mean, doesn't it just taste like dirt?"

"Noah," she looks down for a moment, before she takes his hand and meets his eyes. "If we are to continue this, perhaps there is something you should know."

He glances from the hand to her, nervous, "And what's that?"

"Noah," she breathes, hesitant. "I am a dryad."

He lets go of her hand and shakes his head, "What the hell is a dryad?"

She frowns, "You think I am going to Hell?"

It takes him a moment, "No." as his eyes shift. "It's just a saying."

"Oh," Nadia thinks before smiling a nod. "Hell to you too."

He squints, slowly questioning, "Where did you say you came from again?"

"The Enchanted Forest."

"Between Charmington and the Sleeping City," Noah recalls. He thinks, "And what exactly is a dryad?"

Nadia takes his hand and grins, "I will tell you."

- Posted: 04/06/2019 (American Standard)