Chapter Four – This could be the start of something

Start of Something
- Britannia High

Rorie

The stupid bear dog stared at me all day, making it impossible for me to get any sleep. My plan had been to nap most of the afternoon because, as usual, I worked tonight, however the dog seemed to have other plans. When it wasn't sitting with mom, thankfully keeping her company and a bit warmer, it tormented me. Ever since we had taken it in almost a month ago now I could not help but feel like the stupid thing was watching me. I had barely gotten any sleep since it arrived for that very reason.

Don't get me wrong the mutt was useful to have around. He kept mom company when I was sleeping or gone to pick up Gwen, at least when it stayed home. It seemed to follow us half the time, when I would bring her to work, it would stop to gawk at the TV screens in the window for a little while, then bound home after me since I had no intentions of waiting for it. It was almost as if it was watching for something.

So after I had picked up baby sis and dropped her off at home, I again tried to sleep. It usually would work for a little while, giving me just enough energy to make it to work where I could drink as much coffee as I wanted—for free, as long as Fankie didn't find out. Tonight however I didn't wake up on my own, and by the time Gwen decided to wake me I had very little time to get to work. Thank God the tub of lard was not at the shop waiting for me, because I was once again a tad bit late.

"You really need to start showin' up on time Ror, otherwise Frank is gonna fire you." Chad laughed, jumping over the counter the second I walked through the door. I tossed off my jacket, really glad that I was not sopping wet for once. I was just happy that it was hopefully going to stop snowing altogether soon, it had to be spring soon, and winter had lasted far too long already.

Chad left as fast as he could, giving me a heads up that Frankie had called and would be by later. Such was my luck.

I raced over to the coffee machine, and chugged one back, scalding my mouth and throat but at least I would be awake enough to deal with customers and the tub of lard whenever he should decide to show up. Luckily for me I suppose the shop was pretty dead all evening.

I spent most of the time watching entertainment news, Oryn Jacoby had finally lost his presence all over the screen, yet still had not been heard from. Since there was never any new news for them to report on him he barely was even mentioned. His CD sales had sky rocketed however so I almost thought he had disappeared on purpose to push his fame to new heights. The concern his parents and friends, one in particular, showed however was enough to convince me that I was probably wrong. Jacoby`s publicist had urged anyone with information to come forward earlier in the month, but even he had stopped so the story faded out of the lime light.

Good riddance in my opinion. Sure I felt bad for his family, and for him too I suppose, if something really bad did happen, but I was just getting sick of hearing about it by now. Oh well, the newest celeb break up had replaced him, and that was replaced by scandals long ago.

Tonight however a bit larger spot was featured about Oryn Jacoby because his best friend had apparently accused his publicist of being involved. The guy seemed a bit crazy to be honest and I guess as some sort of famous tabloid writer he had been brushed off. However even that clip barely spanned 3 minutes.

After a few hours of mindless TV I switched it off. My shift was almost half over and I could count how many people had come in on my hands, it was pathetic to say the least. Frankie had yet to stop by so I figured he would arrive sometime soon, so I made myself busy straightening and restocking the store.

I had been at it for about half an hour, and because of my miraculous system, and lack of customers, I was almost done when the door chime went off. Figuring it was Frankie I called that I would be just a second, however the voice that responded definitely did not belong to that tub of guts.

"Oh sorry, I thought you were my boss." I chimed, heading back up to the counter, trying to fix my appearance. The guy that had just come in was certainly nothing like Frankie. He was probably a few years older than me, and about four inches taller. His eyes were a pale honey brown and his hair was almost the colour of mahogany. His features were well defined yet held a softness. It wasn't until I came around the side of the chip stand that I noticed—he was missing the lower half of his right leg and was using a crutch. For some reason I couldn't help but think it made him look a bit more handsome. He was dressed really well, and from what I could tell he was driving a pretty nice car too.

"It's no problem." he smiled, coming over to the counter, where I had taken up my position.

"How can I help you? You're out awful late, would you like some coffee?" I offered, getting up and collecting a cup for him as he nodded. "Milk or sugar?"

"Just some sugar please... I was wondering if you could tell me if there is a good hotel nearby, I'm not sure how long I am going to be in town."

Going back over to the counter and digging out the stack of complimentary maps of the city. They weren't very detailed so it wouldn't interfere with the sale of real maps, if it did Frankie wouldn't keep them around. "Hmm, well I know there are a few on the water front." I offered, grabbing a pen and drawing the route he should take to get there. "Are you in town for a conference? I think I heard someone mention something about one the other day."

He shook his head, "Nah, I'm just travelling. Supposed to be meeting up with a friend..."

"That sounds like fun. There isn't a lot to do in the city in the way of the party scene, as lots of young people complain, but if you're interested in sightseeing and nature trails and stuff it's not too hard to find something to do." I said with a shrug. "How long do you think you will be in town?" I asked, making a bit of conversation as I tossed my hair. I didn't mean to but I couldn't help but flirt a bit.

"Don't know, depends on how things go. I have a feeling my friend will show up soon so it depends on how that goes." he shrugged before offering me his hand, "I'm Zachary."

"Rorie." I smiled, shaking his hand.

"Should have guessed." He joked, pointing at my name tag causing us both to laugh. It went silent for a minute before he broke back in, "It's pretty."

"Thanks, it's for my dad." I rolled my eyes, I hated my dad.

"That's nice."

"Not really. He left when my sister and I were little... sorry." I brushed it off, going behind the counter. Well I ruined that.

However Zachary shook his head, "No, I'm the one that should be sorry."

"Nah." I mimicked him. Clearing my throat I brought the conversation back to the hotel, "But ya, I've heard this hotel is really great. It's been renovated recently but is under the same management as before so it should be nice inside."

"Thank you." he nodded his head a bit in appreciation. "You know I don't think my friend is going to be in town for a few days, and I don't really know anyone here... would you maybe want to go for coffee?"

"I would, but I don't think I can. If you want to stop by here for coffee some evening I'm sure something like that could be arranged. I'm here pretty much every night starting at 9 until the wee hours of the morning." I shrugged, "That way you can check out the city a bit and will be able to give me a review of that hotel I'm sending you to." I didn't want to get my hopes up or anything so I figured it was best to put him on my playing field. Besides, I couldn't afford to go out for coffee anyways.

Zachary tapped the counter twice, "Alright then. Are you working two nights from now?" I nodded, "Ok, I'll drop by around 11."

"Ok you better." I just couldn't stop smiling, he was way too cute.

"How much for the coffee?"

"It's on the house." It was my turn to make him smile.

When he glanced over at the tabloid rack and picked up a copy of Star I became a bit confused. He flipped to the contents section, scanned it briefly, nodded and put it back. "11."

"See ya." I waved as he turned a bit awkwardly and headed back out of the store. He waved back once he was comfortable in his car, his crutch sitting in the passenger seat. Once Zachary pulled out of the parking lot and had driven a bit down the street I started to giggle. What was I a teenager, I was acting like some sort of school girl.

Resting my head on the counter, I tapped the plastic over the scratch tickets. I sighed after a few minutes, which was greeted by someone clearing their throat. "Shit." I cursed, "Hi Frankie."

"Making dates at work are we?" he mused.

"Oh come on now Frankie, it isn't as if he is going to come back. That guy was loaded, if he comes back and buys anything you should be happy."

I guess that pacified the tub of lard a bit because he didn't continue on the subject any more then to tell me that the coffee would be coming out of my pay. Figures.

"Get the rest of these shelves stocked!" he ordered, waiting by the door just long enough for me to walk past so he could smack my ass. He was gone seconds later, and I went back to sit at the counter. I guess tonight had been rather eventful after all.

I wasted time cleaning up and restocking the store for the rest of the night. Not a lot of people showed up after Frankie left, to my pleasure so the place was perfect for whoever came in the next morning, that way Mr. Boss Man couldn't be more disgruntled then he already was.

When the girl on morning shift arrived I left happily. I was tired enough that even if the dog decided to stare at me again I probably would sleep right through it. I didn't plan on telling Gwen about what happened during work because if it didn't work out like she would undoubtedly hope or fantasise for me both of us would be disappointed, which was something neither of us needed. I had learnt a long time ago to keep my sister out of the tiny amount of a love life I did have, but I guess I just couldn't contain the smiles because she knew something was up the moment I walked in the door.

Strangely however I couldn't tell if she or the bear dog were more intrigued by my recounting of events.