"That's so cute!" Sam gushed.

We were both at lunch and I had just finished telling her about the night and how it went. A dorky grin was on my face the entire time. I felt like a little kid who was given candy.

"I know. And he's the most amazing thing ever and I'm so happy you convinced me on doing it."

"No problem!"

"I just think it's going to be so awkward at work tonight."

"Why?"

"Well, I have to sit there and work and pretend like nothing ever happened, that there was no boat, no dancing, no kiss. I have to pretend I barely know him." I sighed

We were walking towards one of the smaller tables where Jasmine was sitting with someone else I didn't know by name, but knew by face. I got quiet. Nobody needed to know about my illegal romance. Or at least nobody else needed to know. They were talking about school, and boys, and a pretty good-looking English teacher we all had in common. I sat there, texting people about random things and hoping that the lunch ending bell was never going to ring.

By the end of the day I was a hypocrite. I had told Jasmine in Spanish, but it was all good, because she didn't respond too horribly. It actually gave her hope for her and her boss at work. In fact, in my eyes they even had a better chance. He was younger than Jon, a nice 25, and Jasmine was a hell of a lot more beautiful than I was. I was almost certain that if she really wanted to she could have him wrapped around her finger. But that's just Jasmine for you. She has that blunt charm to her.

The entire Spanish class we texted back and forth even though we sat right next to each other. The teacher is kind of a dick about the whole talking thing, but he never really catches anyone when they are texting. The teacher is so annoying. His name is Mr. Marino. He looks like he's from the Jersey Shore and it was kind of scary when I found out he actually was. He's very cocky and he thinks he's the God's gift to the world, but in reality he's a crappy first year Spanish teacher who can't keep the freshman at bay and can barely speak English, let alone Spanish. Jasmine asked me questions and I couldn't help smiling. Mr Marino probably got an ego boost. The class was so fun that girl in the corner can't stop smiling! As if.

The bell rang and I took the bus home. On school days that I'm schedules to work I have fifteen minutes from the time I get home to the time I need to be in work. So, needless to say, the only thing I really do is put the uniform on, chug a glass of water, and fix my make-up. My father usually drops me off and then I walk home.

Retail is crazy during the holiday season. People literally push each other out of the way for light up Santas for their front lawns. I never really got the whole Christmas thing. I mean, it probably has something to do with me being Jewish and all, but still. If some large, old, hairy man broke into my house and stuffed food and presents into my children's socks, ate my food, and then left... I just wouldn't let them even touch their socks or the candy. But hey, that's just me.

"Code 5 on Main register." I announced over the loudspeaker.

Within minutes Jon was at my register. I had too much money. He inserted his manager key and his password. His hand met mine under the counter. I tried to keep my face straight as he took out a few grand from the register. His face was like stone and showed no sign of emotion. His thumb swirled circles on my skin and that fuzzy feeling started forming in my stomach. He gave me it a quick squeeze before he ran off again.

The entire night I was motivated to sell as quickly as possible. The more money I made, the more frequent Jon would come. The more frequent Jon came, the better I got at pretending. An hour before my the store closed I was put on the floor and calling on him wasn't an option anymore. My movements were sluggish from lack of motivation. I didn't want to move. I wanted to go home. Facing was boring.

"Attention Walgreens shoppers," Jon's voice came onto the loudspeaker as I straightened the shelf or crayons, "the time is now 9:55. Walgreens will be closing within the next five minutes so please make your final purchases. Thank you."

Finally. Almost time to go home. My feet were pounding. In a half hour I'd be at home, in bed. I moved onto the paper and binders. Nothing was going to stop me from getting out on time. The fifteen minutes flew by. I had finally finished in cosmetics and was about to head out to the lockers to grab my bag when I heard the crackle of the phone being picked up.

"Bethanny to the stockroom at your convenience." Jon's voice rang.

I diverted my path to the stockroom. I figured he probably just needed help with a new shipment or he needed a rain-check on an item that we were out of. I opened the beaten brown door that lead to the hall to not only the stockroom, but also the break room, and the coat area. Turning the corner, I could see the lights from the stockroom down the hall were black. I questioned what was going on, but continued down the hall. I opened the door to black nothingness and held it there.

"Hello?" I asked, looking for any sign of life.

I jolted back without any warning and screamed. I fell on something sturdy. My heart skipped a beat and my mind went blank. I heard laughter.

"You jerk!" I said, gently punching Jon on the shoulder.

He was still cracking up. He had grabbed me by the belt loops of my pants and pulled me into the coat closet, where he was waiting on the floor for me to come by. I landed on the floor next to him, frightened and confused. Of course he would think this is hilarious.

He pulled me into his lap and wrapped me in a backwards hug on the floor. His heavy hands were guarding my stomach and his face was meshed into the curtain of my hair.

"I didn't want it to looks suspicious on camera. This is the only place the cameras don't reach. If someone had seen us just walk into the closet together willingly it would look kind of bad."

"Yes. But me being jerked back into the coat room minutes after you came in isn't suspicious at all." I said sarcastically.

"Hey. It made sense in my head, okay? Besides, you know no one ever really looks at the video."

He tightened his grip on me and I placed my cold hands on his. The coatroom was dark, but it didn't matter. Nothing mattered at that point. He kissed my temple and I closed my eyes. I leaned back on him and we just sat there for a little while.

"I missed you." he whispered.

"I missed you too." the response was robotic. Like it was known.

"You're so beautiful."

I laughed "There's no light in here, smart one."

I felt him shrug "So?"

Even though it made no sense, it still did. Or maybe it just didn't matter. Either way, I wasn't going to question it. My hands meshed with his and our breathing became in sync.

"What's on your hand?" I asked, playing with a small metal band.

"Ah." he said, as if he knew I was going to ask "It's a claddaugh ring. My father gave it to my mother when they were dating. My father had gotten it when he turned eighteen. It's a bit of tradition in my family."

"And you got it when you were eighteen?" I was twisting it around his finger, trying to see it with my hands.

"I got it when I was ten. My father died, so my mother wanted to give me something to remember him by. It's supposed to represent a lot virtues like respect, honesty, and all that other stuff. They're pretty common in Ireland."

I stayed silent and squeezed his hand. His breathing had become a little strained when he had talked. You could feel the heartbreak in his voice. We stayed like that for a while. Neither of us were really keeping track of the time. We could have stayed like that all night and I don't think either of us would have cared. The only aspect keeping us conscious was the cold.

I sighed "I should be getting home."

"No." he said, wrapping his legs in mine "Stay with me."

He kissed my jaw and sent tingles through my body. I turned my head and kissed his stubbled jaw.

"I wish I could, but I have school in the morning." I whispered.

"So? I do too."

"So, the state marshal won't come and arrest you if you skip. I will, though."

He laughed "I forget how young you are sometimes."

"Me too."

It was the truth. I was forced to grow up fast and that definitely affected the level of my responsibility and my personality. I've already played mother to three children and still am. Between school and my job, I work full time. I cook every night and barely ever see either of my parents. I have bills to pay and people who depend on me. It sucks the kid right out of you.

I felt him take a deep breath and let it out on my skin. His nose touched mine and I opened my eyes. In the dark you would never know he was older. In the dark he was just someone. No age. No height. No past. Just a person. A person who wanted me. A person who enjoyed me. When we're alone, everything is perfect. There's no wrongness to it. Nothing is illegal or judged. It's just us. It's all we can be.

I kissed him without any thought. I kissed him because I wanted to. It's the first thing I had done in a long time just because I wanted to do it. His lips moved on mine and my mind went blank. One of my hands moved to his jaw. The kiss was slow and passionate. His lips lingered before he pulled away. I smelt the sweet and smiled.

"You're so handsome." I said

His chuckle spread the smell further "It's dark in here."

"I know."