Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Romance

Chapter 24
          Chris’s sling bag was exceptionally heavy as it was filled with the flyers he was assigned to give out. He was walking up the slope leading to the school, feeling refreshed and energised, like he can conquer the world.
          For the first time in a dreadfully long time, after Chris and Bea parted ways last night, because of how tired he was, he knocked out as soon as he head landed on the softness of the pillow and didn’t dream, waking up only to his alarm. Chris felt utterly grateful to the many Gods above that he could finally get a good rest. Recently, he has started to fear that he wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully without being haunted by his memories. 
          Chris learned so much about his new attained job in a span of a few hours. The first thing he noticed when he entered the house was that the house definitely looked smaller from the outside and was surprisingly spacious on the inside. The entire house emitted a homely atmosphere that Chris immediately felt welcomed the moment he stepped foot into. There were books everywhere and he meant everywhere. On the table, on the couch, on top of the TV and many scattered around the ground, Chris chose to ignore why there were only a few on the shelves, where books rightfully belonged. 
          Chris picked up a random book on the ground and flipped through it, it was a picture book. 
          “So, what do you know about my business?” Mrs. Helda asked Chris as she served them food. Chris's mouth watered at the sight of homecooked food, having not had one since he was 4. 
          “A mini library, I was told.” Chris answered, shoving a spoon of marinated chicken cubes in his mouth. 
          “To be exact, I run a bookstore. All the books here are for sale. But because I only sell kid’s books. I slowly opened up my house into a place where kids with a love for books would come to hang out. A day care of sorts.”
         Chris kept nodding his head. His mouth stuffed with food, savoring the glorious taste of healthy food. 
          “I understand you have your own life and I wouldn’t want to tie you down to your job so you can come anytime you are free. Of cause I’d still pay you the same.” Chris's new boss carried on saying. 
          Chris almost chocked on his mouth full of baked veggies. This was the first time Chris has come across such a carefree adult.
         "T-Thank you." Chris managed to say after swallowing his food. He would be a fool to reject such a delicious offer. 
          “I'll need you to be available anytime I call. And there is one thing I’d have you keep in mind though. The customers here are kids and they are the toughest customers to deal with, believe it or not.”
          Chris let out a nervous laugh. Completely unsure if he just got himself into something weird. 
         They exited the store after Chris's third serving of food, he rubbed his belly, letting out a sigh of satisfaction, “I don't mind dealing with the worst of criminals If I get to eat such delicious food. ” He said. 
          "Mrs Helda does cook some killer dishes." Bea agreed. 
          "I can't believe I finally landed myself a job." At least now he doesn't have to go hungry. 
          "Mrs. Helda sure treats her workers amazingly. I can't believe that she allows us to not have a clock in or clock out. My last manager fired me for being late a minute." Chris said. 
          “I want to be just like her when I’m her age!” Bea proclaimed, proudly. 
          “You can’t be serious right?” Chris asked as they walked in the direction of the school.
         “I thought you would like her since she’s bubbly and cheerful?” Bea asked. 
          “I do, I just find her demeanor intimidating." 
          “She lost her husband and son in a fire around 10 years ago. I think she’s doing her best to stay strong.” Bea said, visibly depressed at the talk of death. 
          Chris stared at Bea. The way Bea talked so fondly of the shop owner, she clearly viewed the woman as a motherly figure. Chris walked up to her and placed a hand on her head, in an attempt to comfort her, “She has a strong personality, you don’t have to worry.” Bea froze at the touch but eventually warming up to him. She looked up at him, offering him a smile. Chris lifted his hand and continued walking ahead first. 
          Chris left his right hand buried in his pants pocket to hide his bruise, not bothering to take it out even after turning to acknowledge the person calling him. Chris's perfect 20/20 eyesight caught sight of two of his friends. He could hear them bickering from a mile away. Eric picked up his pace and ran up to him, leaving Dominic behind. 
          “You’re too cruel Eric, how could you leave a sick person behind.” Dominic cried out.
          “Because of you, I’m going to be late.” Eric complained. 
          Eric waved at Chris and walked ahead of him to the gate while Chris stopped to wait for Dominic. 
          “Chris! Help me, Eric dragged me to class today. I’m clearly not fine yet.” Dominic cried out, finally catching up to Chris. 
          Chris eyed Dominic. “You look in perfect health.” 
          “I may look fine, but I swear I’m not.” Dominic said confidently, a dead serious look in his face. 
         Chris rolled his eyes and started to walk forward, leaving Dominic behind. 
          “H-Hey! Not you too! Wait up!” Dominic ran to catch up with Chris. 
          “I give props to your girlfriend who seems to be the only one who is able to put up with you.” Chris ruthlessly said. 
          “That’s my charm!” Dominic knudged Chris, a smug grin plastered on his face. 
          After the final bell, while Chris and Eric exited the class, a very dejected Dominic came walking up to them, shoulders slumped and his head hanging low. He looked so depressed, one can literally see the dark cloud hanging above his head. 
          Chris and Eric exchanged looks before Chris sighed and walked up to Dominic first, he draped his left hand over his depressed friend's shoulders.
          “What has befallen you, my dear friend?” Eric asked.
          “My girl is mad at me and I don’t even understand why!” 
          “Why don’t you get on your knees, cry and beg for her forgiveness like you’ve always done? She’ll forgive you in no time.” Chris offered, patting the shoulder of his friend.
          “I even bought her her favourite food and she still wouldn’t tell me what I did wrong.” Dominic looked like he was about to cry. 
          “Heads up and stay strong man.” Chris encouraged his friend by patting Dominic’s chest strongly, forcing Dominic to lift up his head and straighten his back. 
          Dominic turned to face Chris, puppy eyes all out, asking, “Chris, Eric needs to study so he isn't free, would you accompany me and my broken heart?” 
          And Chris's heart truly went out to his friend, but he and Eric both knew that Dominic exaggerates over the smallest of problems, so he released his arm around his friend’s shoulder, his right hand reached into his bag to pull out a flyer and shoved it into his friend’s face. 
          “What’s this?” A dumbfounded Dominic asked, peeling the piece of paper off his face as Chris handed another to Eric.
          “Helda’s Mystical Book Graden?” Eric read out loud. 
          “It’s my new part time job. I have to distribute flyers around town.” 
          “I see...... " Eric nodded his head understandingly before placing a hand on Dominic's shoulder, continuing, "...... I guess you’re stuck with me then.” 
          “NO- ” Dominic screamed, pulling a long face as Eric dragged him away.
          Chris waved them goodbye. Only were they out of sight did he pull out his phone to dial Bea’s number. 
         “Who is this?” Chris heard Bea ask.
          “It’s Chris. Wait, I saved my number in your phone, you would have known immediately that I was the one calling.” Chris asked accusingly, no real threat in his voice though. 
          "You did? When? How did I not know?" Bea feigned ignorance. 
          Chris own playful nature surfaced at the teasing tone evident in her voice. "You didn't delete my number did you?" Too can play at that game. 
          "I wouldn't dare." Bea replied exasperatedly. 
          Chris was about to ask where she was when she said, “Wait for me at the school’s front entrance. I'll meet you there. "
          And who was Chris to decline? He would be lying if he said he wasn't eager to see her. Hence, he wasted no time on starting his journey to the front entrance. He certainly wasn't alone. His shoulder brushed against many others as other students were just as eager as him, though most of them were eager to leave school. 
          Chris observed many on their phones, waiting for transport while others were hanging around and chatting among each other. He pulled out his phone from his pocket, thinking of checking his texts when suddenly someone collided into him from behind, causing Chris to lose his balance, stumbling a few feet forward before he steadied himself. Whatever object he had in his hands weren't that lucky though, he dropped his phone and bag. Some of the flyers fell out of his unzipped beg as a result.
          “Hey!” Chris looked up to see whoever knocked into him. Because they were so many students, Chris had a hard time focusing but he managed to spot a figure in a black hoodie running away suspiciously. Chris was about to chase after him when someone patted him on the shoulder. 
          He turned to see Bea next to him. 
          “What happened?” Bea questioned as she looked at the mess on the floor. 
          “Can this be considered a hit and run?” Chris joked. 
           He bend down to pick up his phone and Bea helped to pick up the spilled flyers. 
           “I’ll help you in distributing these flyers.” Bea explained her presence, looking at the flyers in her arm. 
          “Are you not needed at the store?” 
          “I usually don’t go so early, so I have some free time until my shift.” 
          Distributing flyers to people on the streets is as easy as it sounds but when it has to be done under the hot afternoon summer sun, the same task suddenly is the worst job in the world. Thank god Bea is alongside him, at least he wouldn't die of boredom, as they engaged in small talk whenever possible. 
          Chris spotted Adele sitting on the bench opposite one of the flower shops. He sneaked up to her quietly, tip toeing over to her. 
            Suddenly, a strong breeze hit and Chris had to hug the flyers to his chest to prevent them from flying away. His sudden jerking movements without a doubt blown his cover and alerted Adele as she spotted Chris almost immediately. 
          “Is that you Chris?” She asked. 
          Chris admitted defeat once again. “Miss Adele, this is for you.” Chris passed a flyer to her. 
          She strained her eyes to read the paper. “Are you working now, Chris? Is this a new shop?” 
          “I work there now, and apparently it has been in business for at least the past 5 years.”
          “Oh my, I had no idea such a store existed and I’ve been living here for most of my life.” Adele exclaimed. 
          Chris had left Bea to talk with Adele and when he looked back, he saw Bea looking for him. He bid Adele farewell and reunited with Bea. Noticing that Bea has already distributed all of her share and since there were only a few left in his bag, he decided to call it a day and head to the store which Bea insisted Chris absolutely must meet the children there. She wouldn't stop talking about them during the whole walk. 
           Before they even entered the store, Chris could hear laughter coming from within the house. From the window, he saw about a dozen kids ranging from the age of 4 to 10 while Mrs. Helda was no where in sight. Any form of commotion died when he entered the door and all eyes landed on him. 
          “This is Chris, he’ll be helping out around from today onwards.” Bea introduced Chris. 
          “H-Hi...…” Chris gulped nervously, he was not used to being in the presence of a bunch of preschoolers. Or rather under the gaze of many. He awkwardly raised his hand to wave but before he could say anything, a book came flying in his direction. Chris ducked just in time before it could smash directly at his face. 
          Chris turned to see the poor book hit the wall behind him and fell on the ground.
         “Get him!” Chris heard but before he could react, he was being tackled to the ground by a bunch of kids. 
          “Oof!” Chris was squashed as one kid pulled onto each of his legs, another was on top of him, another were pulling his hair. 
          “Why is his hair brown?” One curiously asked.
          “He must be an alien! He has grey hair!” Another exclaimed, tugging wildly at Chris's hair. 
          “I don’t have grey hair!” Chris shouted back despite the pain. 
          Chris looked over at Bea to see her covering her mouth with a hand, doing her absolute best to hold in her laughter. She caught Chris's silent cry for help but merely shrugged her shoulders, helplessly. 
          “What is this?” Another one pulled out Chris’s phone from his pocket and started fiddling with it. 
         “That’s my phone!” Chris shouted. 
         Suddenly, Chris heard a dork bark.
          “Luffy!” A kid called out in glee before the little monster jumped right on top of Chris and started licking his face.
         “That’s enough kids.” Miss Helda suddenly announced, appearing out of nowhere, all attention landed on her the moment she clapped her hands. One by one, all of them scattered away from Chris and ran to Helda’s side. Only Luffy was unwilling to let go and kept sticking to Chris, ravaging his face. 
          His hands finally freed, Chris forcefully pulled Luffy away from his face and sat himself in an upright position. He wiped the saliva off his face.
         “I don’t remember signing up for this.” Chris jokingly told Bea as he accepted the helping hand she offered and stood up.
          And Bea couldn’t contain her laughter anymore, doubling over in laughter. 
          “Alien.” The same boy pointed at Chris.
          And everyone burst out laughing at the remarked that Chris just knew he was going to have to deal with for as long as he stays in this job.
         “I don’t have……” Embarrassed, Chris started to protest, but his words died in his throat when his eyes met with Bea's, he definitely didn't miss the affection in her eyes. And as much as he tried to refrain himself, Chris couldn't help but smile back. 

All Rights Reserved @ 2018 by Anne Teng
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