Working for the 24 hour photo lab, though not one of Clarke first options of a job but it had its upsides. The first being the flexible hours, that really helped while she was trying to finish Bachelor of Arts being able to work on her own paintings whatever hour creativity struck was awesome. The second being her workmates, they were a hoot she could hang with Jasper and Monty for hours and never get bored. She had met Monty on her first day of work he was quiet and shy and in Clarke's opinion way too smart to be working in the Photo lab, he was working his way through a Biomedical Engineering degree by working nights and weekends at the Photo Lab. Jasper turned up a week later more outgoing than the quiet Monty he was working while studying chemistry. Monty and Jasper she soon found out have been best friends since kindergarten and quickly included her in their group of friends.
The most resent reason for loving her job was unfolding before her.
"Oh my god" Clarke exclaimed drawing Jasper and Monty's attention. She had been developing some photos for a 10 pm pick up and after a couple of photos of a pretty brunette and a happy looking Border Collie came quite a surprise
"What is it" Jasper asked making Clarkes head snap up to him
"Uhh…" She desperately began to come up with something as she picked up the photo and held it against her chest "Nothing?" She tried
"That" Monty pointed the knife he was using to cut poster board with "Was not a nothing"
She gave him a look before she turned away from the developing machine to turn towards the front counter. She pulled the photo away from her chest and took in the photo before her, there right in front of her was a half-naked man smiling to the camera, curly dark hair, dark eyes and as her eyes scrolled down the she felt the heat grow in her stomach. The guy was built long and lean with nice arms, pecks and hot damn abs to top it off. If she had to pick the perfect classical body this one defiantly ticks all her boxes.
She sighs and puts the photos into the envelope, writes the name Blake on the top and puts it in the draw for pickup.
She turns to go back to the computer to start the next lot of photos for printing only to meet the terrible two standing shoulder to shoulder behind her
"Would you like to share with the class?" Jasper smiles at class gesturing with his eyes to the pick up draw. Clarke rolls her eyes "Nothing to share, if you two would excuse me" she pushes them aside to walk back to the computer "I actually have work to do"
"Sure you do" Jasper mutters as he and Monty go back to work.
They manage to work quietly and efficiently for the next hour, the boys working on large custom prints and Clarke working traditional prints through the machine and working the desk. Working quietly should really be a sign that the boys are up to no good but Clarke was in a rhythm bopping to the radio that was playing in the background
"So Monty" Clarke hears Jasper say "When was the first time you saw a customer nude pic"
Clarke whips her head around to face the two boys
"Well I don't remember Jasper, when did you?"
"Well people don't really print nude pics anymore, but I think Clarke found one tonight" he laughs
"It totally" Clarke begins trying to hold back a blush "It wasn't a nude pic..."
"yep, I believe that one hundred percent" Jasper replies
"Well not like nude, nude it was just some guys torso"
"Must have been one hell of a torso" Monty comments with a sly smile
"Just… come on guys" Clarke mutter running a hand through her hair as the two boys laugh at her "Pull it together"
The boys are still laughing at Clarke when she hears the door open she glares as them as she turns to deal with the customer, the boys laughing dies down as she faces a Tall slightly irritated looking guy
"How can I help you today" She gives her best customer service smile as she looks up and meets his eyes, Holy crap it is the guy from the photo
"I have a pickup for Blake"
"Oh... right... yeah sure thing" Clare moves towards the draw running a internal mantra
Don't blush, don't blush, don't blush
As she pulls the envelope with the photos out of the draw, she shakes her head to compose herself, you see it is store policy she must show the customer the photos or at least the first one to ensure they are the correct photos and she knows what the first photo is.
"So, I just need to confirm these are your photos?" She shows the guy the photos in her hand, the photo of, well him. She looks up at him to gage his reaction taking in his face she realises that he has freckles; really cute freckles over his face and down his neck. They were not clear in the photo she looks to his eyes which have suddenly gotten very large and surprised. She watches as faint blush comes over his cheeks and a hand rubs through his hair and the back of his neck.
"Uh yeah" he clears he throat and meets her eyes "yeah their mine"
She grins at his blush as she places the photos back in the envelope
"That will be $9.99"
He hands her a $10 as she skims his hand briefly as spark runs up her arm and she glances up to catch his eyes suddenly the blush she has been trying to control work its way up her face, She rings up his receipt and hands him his photos . She keeps a her grip on the photos as she trails her eyes up from his hand to meet his eyes
"I really enjoyed your photo's, I appreciate a good landscape"
He lets out a loud laugh and she smiles he leans down slightly to be at her eye level looking at her through his lashes, a half smile on his face
"oh, so do I" he winks at her taking his photos turning to walk towards the door
"Have a nice night" She calls behind him he shakes his head and smirks as he exits the shop
As she watches him leave she just hears delirious laughter coming from behind her. She shakes her head at her own embarrassment this is just not her night, but she would not mind seeing that Blake again.
