oh god, sorry for not updating in like forever but, well, school's been murder since it's HSPA week, plus i'm switching schools and all sorts of other crap. i think its a bit longer? also, i totally have chapter 5 like halfway done kay? r&r please :)


iv.

The dull fluorescent lights of the Buy More aren't made for college-bound (Stanford; Ellie's so, so proud) high school seniors studying for finals but that's never stopped Chuck from trying.

It's 1998 and he's running through physics and calc. in his head, all while trying to stay awake because no one ever comes into the Buy More at this time. He runs his fingers through his hair, and tugs at it, humming under his breath and that's when he sees her.

She's eighteen, has honey colored hair, and the bluest eyes he's ever seen.

A slight flush crawls up his neck; he's never been a ladies man and his palms start to sweat (just a bit) and Chuck's fairly certain his jaw's dropped a little as she walks (waltzes) to his desk. He clears his throat and opens his mouth,

"W-welcome to the Buy More, how may I help you?" And then he curses inside his head because, really Bartowski, could you be any more nervous but a slow, shy smile crosses her mouth and she hands him a Walkman, motioning to the back with one long finger.

"I don't know what's wrong but it just won't play…"

Her voice is just a bit soft and he thinks that she's dangerous; men probably fall at her feet just from one word.

He takes it from her, careful not to touch her fingers because god forbid she think he's trying something; he hadn't been able to explain away the black eye away to Ellie last time. He holds the CD player in his hands for a bit, the cool plastic warming from his hands and a slight flash of annoyance crosses her face.

"You—I think you're supposed to open it or something?"

"I—Right. Yeah, just… wait a bit"

His fingers fumble with the screwdriver, he nearly drops it and amusement is clear on her face. His cheeks redden and he opens it, sharp eyes catching the problem. He points to the open back and fixes it.

"See all I have to do is twist this… " He twists the screwdriver "and good as new"

He gives her a grin, and is surprised when her lips part to reveal white teeth in a full-blown grin back.

"Thanks…" she glances at him, eyebrow raised expectantly

"Oh---it's Chuck "

There's that smile again, soft around the edges and her baby blues are really bright. Her hand reaches out for her CD player, palm up and when he hands it to her, her fingers brush his and there's a spark of fire at the base of his spine that travels up, up.

"Well I'm Sarah and thanks Chuck."

He gives her his geek smile running a hand nervously through his close cut curls and then watches her push against the hard plastic of the Nerd Herd desk, certainly to leave and waves bye before turning around, cheeks a bit red and pretends to busy himself with some inventory.

.

(He doesn't see her scrawl her number on a scrap of his calc. notes, telling him: Chuck, call me at…)