Note: This chp takes place the same day as last chp just later in the day. It's a happy chp, promise.
One by one I took customers. My mind was elsewhere; my thoughts and my soul were elsewhere as I checked people out. I was mentally drained. I couldn't even force a smile. I was numb inside, my eyes blank, my mouth closed in a form of a straight line. My expression was blank and my performance robotic as I rang people up.
"Next!" I called out without looking up from my register.
"Hey." I heard a familiar voice say. I looked up only to be staring into his beautiful green eyes.
He frowned sensing something was off.
"Hi." I replied trying my best to give him a smile but failed miserably.
He raised an eyebrow at me questioningly causing his forehead to crinkle a bit. He looked at me uneasily, not sure as to what to say or do. I didn't say anything and he didn't either.
We just stared at each other. It was as if he was trying to read my mind and figure out what was wrong. I watched as he ran a nervous hand through his locks before breaking eye contact and putting his beer down on the counter.
"You okay?" He finally asked looking up at me again.
I let out a breath trying to release some stress I had bottled up.
"It's just, uh; I found out today I failed the Mystery shop this month, it kind of hit me hard." I confessed, looking down as I bagged his beer.
"I'm surprised, you're always great with me."
I lit up at his comment. My eyes met his green ones again excitedly. He gave me a small smile noticing my mood shift.
"Really?" I replied encouraging him to go on, feeling my old self start to come out from the dark. It felt great to hear good feedback especially from someone special to me…like him.
You don't even know him Jasper!
I don't care, I like him!
Yes, but does he like you?
I want to believe he does.
Believing and knowing are two different things.
Oh, shut up!
I argued with my inner self. I shook the thoughts from my head as he continued.
"Yeah man, your great. Don't let them beat you down." He said whole heartedly, making me blush.
I smiled brightly as I handed him his bag.
"Uh, thanks! You can call me Jazz by the way. My names Jasper but I go by Jazz for short." I babbled on excitedly.
He was quiet for a moment taking in all I had just said before giving me a nod followed by a smile.
"Ok then, have a good night Jazz!" He responded as he walked out the door.
I melted as my name left his lips. He said it with such ease and grace.
He could say my name all day and I would never tire of it.
"You too!" I shouted back before the door closed behind him.
My eyes remained on the doors where he had exited in a dreamlike state with a lazy smile on my face.
"Jasper, Jasper, wake up man, we got customers!" My annoying coworker announced breaking my trance but nothing could break my uplifted mood.
"Hi, sorry about that, how are you today?" I asked as I greeted the new customer.
"I'm doing fine, yourself?"
"I'm good." I stated, thinking back to him and his kind words.