Yes, I am still around. No, I'm not writing as much as I would like to be. Still, here's the last chapter. Enjoy, everyone!
Mush made a sour face as he climbed out of bed that Monday morning. Due to the fantastically unsuccessful nature of Blink's bright idea, he had two broken ribs and an eye that had swollen shut overnight, but no girlfriend. He looked terrible. He felt worse. Nevertheless, mush pulled himself out of bed, washed and shaved around the cuts and bruises on his face, and slouched out the door in the direction of the distribution center.
The lovestruck looks on his friend's faces didn't help his mood.
"Hey, Mush," blink said, before turning to the counter. "Hundred papes," he tossed at Weasel, flipping Morris Delancey off, non to discreetly, as he did so. Blink moved forward to make room for Mush.
"Fifty," Mush said, his voice expressionless, not even moving to insult the Delanceys.
"Look, I'm sorry it didn't work out with those girls-" Blink began, but Mush stopped him.
"Don't worry about it," he said tonelessly. Before Blink could respond, he walked off.
It was the worst day Mush could remember. Nothing went right. He sold fewer papes than he had expected, couldn't invent any good headlines and, what was worse, he had to put up with watching potential customers kissing when they could have been reading papes. Red and pink were everywhere. Even the boxing ring near Bottle Alley was covered in limp red, pink and white streamers. Looking at it made Mush sick.
As if that wasn't enough, there was some new girl selling in his territory. He showed up to find the usual assortment of bums and drunks who bought from him already holding papes. When he asked where they had bought them, the answer was always the same.
"From that girl. Don't you know her?"
It wasn't until afternoon that Mush finally caught up to the girl.
"Hey," he said roughly, grabbing her shoulder. "This is my territory. You need help finding your own, go talk to Jack."
"Excuse me?" she replied, turning around.
Mush's breath caught in his throat. She was pretty. Not just pretty, but pretty. Her hair was a dark, chocolate brown with subtle red highlights that shone as the afternoon sun hit them.
Perfect.
Her eyes were a deep blue and seemed to smile, even as she glared at him.
Even better.
"I'm sorry," he was quick to apologize. She smiled at him. And it could have been his imagination, but he could have sworn she was blushing.
"It's okay," she said. "I should have checked first. I mean, I'm new at this and…"
"No, really, it's okay," he said. "By the way, I'm Mush."
"Charmd, I'm sure," she replied. Only after she spoke did she realize that he hadn't gotten the joke.
"My name is Charmd," she repeated and he laughed, sheepishly.
Then, not thinking before he spoke, he added, "Do you want to go to Tibby's? That is, to dinner? Do you want to? Go, that is. If you want to."
"I got it," she laughed, and he thought he could hear bells ringing. "Sure."
Somehow, as they walked in the direction of the diner, her hand found his and she smiled up at him.
Maybe, he thought, Valentine's Day isn't so bad after all…
Did you enjoy it? I know the last chapter was short, but oh well. I'm thinking of doing a 'series' if you will, of holiday stories. Tell me, would I have a readership for them? Review, please!