Disclaimer: If you recognize it, I don't own it.

A/N: Sorry it's been a little long. School is getting stressful. But thanks to everyone who keeps reviewing, I appreciate it!

Closer

"Excuse me? Can you help me find a CD?" Xander asked the nearest female employee of Rock Porium. She had her back to him, alphabetizing a bunch of magazines on a bookshelf. He was confused when the girl turned around and he saw Madison's face. "Hey. You work here?"

With a shy smile, Madison nodded. "Yeah. I've been working here since the summer."

Xander was surprised. They had been getting closer after being in anatomy together for almost an entire school year, but there was obviously some things he still didn't know about her. Rock Porium wasn't a store he regularly went to, anyway, so unless she told him, he wouldn't have known she worked there. "Seems like a fun place to work. How do you like it?"

"I like it. Our boss Toby is a little wacky, but he's a good guy."

The Australian glanced around the store. Another girl stood behind a set of turntables in a corner, and a redhead boy was running around using a broomstick for a sword. Xander recognized the girl as Madison's sister Vida, but he had no idea who the other teenager was. "That's good. I, uh, I'm looking for a CD for my mother. Can you help me?"

"Of course." Madison set the magazines aside. "What CD are you looking for?"

Scratching the back of his head, Xander gave her a helpless look. "I'm not sure, exactly. It's for her birthday, and my dad just bought her a new CD player for her car. I thought I'd get her a CD, but I have no idea what she would like."

Madison let out a soft giggle. "Well, that sure makes it easy. Come here, I'll show you what we have."

Xander followed his classmate over to the CD stands. She pointed out the different genres of CD's they had, but he still felt like he was at a loss. His mother had never been interested in a variety of music groups – not American ones, anyway. When he told her that, she grinned.

"Well," she began as she pulled two CD's off the shelf, "these are two of my mother's favorite bands. Journey and Heart."

He took the two items from her and read the list of songs on each disc. After giving it a moment of thought, he looked back up at her and flashed her a trademark grin. "Which one do you like better?"

"I'd go with Heart," she replied, pointing to the CD in his left hand.

"Okay. I'll take this then."

His lab partner put the other CD away and led him to the cash register. As she rang up the CD, he noticed a sign hanging behind the desk that read, Now Hiring. Several Positions Available.

"Can I have a job application?" Xander surprised himself when he said those words; the thought hadn't even crossed his mind. Then again, he usually always spoke without thinking. But he had never had a job before, and he knew it would hinder his social life. Madison handed him an application, though, and he couldn't say he suddenly changed his mind.

"You really wanna work here?" she asked. She looked surprised, too, but she also seemed hopeful.

The Australian hesitated. Did he really want to work at Rock Porium? Well, he'd be earning extra money, which was always a good thing. And plenty of kids his age shopped at the store. If he was going to get a job, it would be a lot better if it was at a place where other high school students hung out. Not to mention it would be a good way to get closer to Madison outside of school.

"Yeah. I think I'd like working here with you." He exchanged a smile with her before she looked down at her shoes, blushing. Xander thought she was adorable when she acted shy.

He left the CD store that day desperately hoping he'd land a job.