Nicholas traipsed into work, pausing at the doorway, fear gripping his heart. It was the same story every day: He promised himself this was the day he would tell Brigitte how he felt about her, then he’d arrive at work, see her with customers, dread the moment he should tell her, and then go about his day as though nothing was and go home disappointed in himself.

They had most of their shifts together, so he seldom had a day where he could just avoid her or reassess his approach.

Nicholas bowed his head. He felt like such a fool.

How could such a beautiful young woman ever feel for him the way he felt about her?

He looked up, steeling himself for the day ahead where he would have to resist all urges and ignore all sensations once again, and he stepped through the doorway into the shop proper.

Brigitte looked up and away from the customer she was helping and she beamed at him. Nicholas smiled wanly back and trudged towards the backstore to set his bag down. Working retail wasn’t the most exciting of jobs, selling decorations and scented candles at least made his clothes smell nice.

He walked out of the backstore and approached a customer who was looking at an antique-looking oil lamp.

‘This isn’t a real antique, is it?’ she asked, looking dismayed.

‘No, ma’am. It’s an imitation antique, which means,’ Nicholas put on his best smile, leaning towards her and lowering his voice conspiratorially, ‘it makes for the perfect house decoration. Looks like the real thing but is much more affordable.’ He leaned back on his heels. ‘But your friends don’t need to know that.’

The lady suppressed a smile before her lips curled into a smirk. ‘Go on, then. I’ll take it.’

‘I knew you had good taste the moment I saw you.’ Nicholas grinned and walked to the cash register. He took care of his customer and bid her to have a good day.

‘You’re so charming!’

Nicholas looked up from the register to see Brigitte smiling at him.

‘You have such a way with customers. I haven’t made one sale yet today,’ she went on

Nicholas felt his face flush. He smiled. ‘You think I’m charming?’ He moved from behind the counter towards her, feeling emboldened by her compliment.

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The dance music was pumping out of the speakers when Toby and Jack arrived at the dance. Jack looked about, scanning the crowd.

‘Well, we have our usual clicks going on but nothing out of the ordinary,’ reported Toby.

‘Hey! Geek squad!’ Steve called out as he approached them from behind, draping an arm over each of their shoulders.

‘Oh look, Toby,’ Jack said pointedly, ‘it’s the traitor.’

‘What?’ cried Steve. ‘I’m not a traitor!’

‘You ditched us for your more popular gang of friends,’ complained Jack.

‘I became the school quarterback,’ protested Steve. ‘I didn’t ditch anyone.’

‘Then explain not hanging out with us since the start of school, huh?’ Toby folded his arms.

‘I’ve just been busy. Look, I was hoping we could all hang out tonight.’

‘Because that’s not gonna end in disaster,’ muttered Jack.

‘Come, let me introduce you to the gang.’ Steve steered Toby and Jack towards his teammates who stood huddled and eyeing the girls passing by. ‘Guys, meet my friends, Toby and Jack.’

‘They’re your neighbours,’ corrected Dylan. ‘Doesn’t make them your friends.’

‘Dylan, play nice,’ warned Steve. He walked up to his teammates, grabbed a couple of glasses of punch from the table behind them and passed them to Toby and Jack. ‘So this is Dylan, that’s Geoff with the beard.’

‘Sup!’ Geoff raised a hand in a small wave.

‘And that’s Don with the tattoo,’ said Steve.

Don sized Toby and Jack up and down and nodded but said nothing.

‘Toby and Jack are two of the smartest guys in the school and my oldest friends,’ explained Steve. ‘I thought it would be nice for us all to hang out.’

Geoff shrugged. ‘Sure, whatever, man.’ He turned to Toby and Jack. ‘You boys know how to beer pong?’

‘Well, I mean, we know,’ began Toby.

‘Good, then we’re cool. Game later.’ Geoff grinned.

At that moment, Beth, the most popular girl in school, walked by. Her short sparkly dress was cropped mid-thigh, her hair was tied up with locks curled to perfection. She was the lead cheerleader. Jack and Toby shared a glance.

‘Hey, Beth,’ Dylan cooed, sliding to her to stop her. 

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