Pretty Birdie

Working in a corner shop might not be glamourous but it pays the rent. Standing at the till, scanning customers items can be so tedious but the place does sometimes have its perks. For one, working with my best friend, Anna. We'd known each other for years, going to the same school. We even go to the same college now, only working here part time. But with it being the summer, we've found ourselves with a lot of free time, most of which I spend here, picking up the extra shift when I can.

Anna, of course doesn't have rent to pay, still living with her parents. That stress sat solely on my shoulders, choosing to stay in the place I grew up, rather the leave when my mother upped and left for a man, moving hundreds of miles away.

I now live in a small one bedroom flat, barely able to pay for my bills while I put myself through college. I bet there's not many teenagers out there who can say that. Suffice to say, I know stress. I've had my fair share. But I was in my last few months at college and I could see the end goal in sight. Hopefully, after I leave, I'll be able to find a better paid job and not have to live pay check to pay check, but until then I took the small joys where I could get them. And being with Anna was one of them.

Leaning over to my best friend, I whisper to her, only loud enough for her to hear.

‘He’s back. That’s the second time today’

‘Who, Xander?’ She asks as she scans the shop before spotting him. ‘He definitely has the hots for you, Birdie. Maybe this time he’ll actually ask you out?’ She teases, watching the way my cheeks turn a deep shade of pink.

It had become this running joke between the two of us that he likes me. But who was I kidding? A guy as good looking as him with his baby blue eyes and dimples wouldn't look twice at me.

‘Yeah, sure’. I reply sarcastically while I keep glancing at him, imagining a world where he might actually like me.

I loved Anna's confidence. This stuff comes so easy to her. She’s never had a problem attracting guys. She's stunning and has a body to die for. Long brown, flowing hair that looks like she’s just walked out of a salon, long fluttering eyelashes and plump full lips. When we first met, I thought she must of spent hours getting ready in the mornings. But I’ve slept over at her place countless times after going out clubbing and annoyingly she has woken up looking this good every time. Evvvveerryyyy time!

Me on the other hand, I’m a lot shorter than Anna. I’m definitely not as naturally pretty as her either so I have to work twice as hard to look half as good. The only two things I have to offer are my striking blue eyes that come from my father and the my impressive cleavage. That one coming from my mother.

‘Maybe he’s here for you?’ I suggest because that seemed a whole lot more likely.

‘Yeah? Then why is he staring at you?’ She chimes back, a wide grin stretching across her face.

I turn quickly to look, before I can stop myself and end up locking eyes with him. I quickly look away feeling my cheeks get hot and I just know I’ve turned a beetroot red.

‘I don’t get it though. He could have his pick of any girl. What could he possibly want from me?’ I ask, feeling a little deflated.

‘You don’t give yourself enough credit. You’re beautiful Birdie. I wish you could see what we can all see’ Anna reassures me. ‘He’d be lucky to have you’

‘I dunno. Have you seen him?’

Xander's this beautiful, boy next door type, only living a few houses down from the shop. He’s tall, blonde and has such a nice smile. I don’t think I’d be exaggerating by comparing him to the guy from that 50 shades of grey film, but somehow more attractive. Sure, he's a little older then me but it still didn't stop the way he makes my stomach tighten whenever I saw him. I’ve been working in this shop for a little while now and I see him everyday, without fail. He’s the part of the day I look forward too the most.

When I know he's stopped looking our way, I gaze at him. The florescent light of the shop, shining on him from above almost makes him look angelic as he scours the stationary isle. I almost forget to look away when he starts walking up to the till. It's then that Anna turns to me and pumps her eyebrow suggestively. I frown at her, hoping Xander didn't just see that.

‘I’m just going to grab that tthhhhiiiing from out the back.’ Anna says loud enough for Xander to hear. As she walks off, she turns her head to me and licks her lips before slipping out the back door.

It's moments like that where I'd just love for the ground to swallow me up because there is no way Xander didn't just see that.

‘Hey, Birdie.’ My not so secret crush says and he reaches the till.

‘Hi.’ I reply. ‘Back again?’

‘Yeah, I forgot these.’

He hands over a pack of envelops as smiles at me, his dimples catching my attention as always. It's not until he coughs that I realise I'd frozen in place staring at his pink, plump lips, wondering what they'd feel like to kiss.

Blushing, I scan the envelops, trying not to look back at him in case I get caught staring again.

‘That’s £1.99, unless there’s anything else?’ I say focusing on the till screen.

He stays silent for a second before he opens his mouth.

‘Actually...’ He starts to say, pausing like he's not sure if he wants to say what's in his mins or not. 'I was wondering if you wanted to go out for dinner or something Friday night... If you’re not busy that is?’

My heart skips a beat. I can’t believe it. He's asking me out. Anna was right. He likes me. Like, he really likes me. I've only ever imagined him asking me out before and now it was happening in real life. I was so happy. In my mind I was already planning an outfit out and where he might take me, before it dawns on me that I'm busy this Friday.

‘Erm, I actually have this birthday thing I’ve been invited to that night for one of my friends. We’re going out into town.’ I tell him, annoyed with myself that I'd already agreed to go out for Katie, a co-workers birthday.

‘Oh. What time is that?’

‘Sometime between nine or ten. We haven’t settled on a time in the group chat just yet.’

'Maybe we could grab something to eat before? And then we can all go out to town after?’ Xander offers.

‘Yeah, that sounds like a plan.’ I don’t even have to think about what he’s asking before I say yeah. Maybe I should have pretended to think about it because after all, I don’t want to seem to desperate. But I have had the biggest crush on this guy since I started working here and I wasn’t going to let this opportunity slip through my fingers.

‘Great.’ He replies with a biggest smile on his face. ‘It’s a date. I’ll meet you at seven at that restaurant at the top of the high street? That way we can go straight to the bar and meet everyone when we finish?’ He suggests.

I smile at him, nodding like an over excited child. I'm pretty sure I would have agreed to anything.

Xander then grabs his envelops from the counter.

‘Great, I’ll see you Friday.’ He says, heading towards the door.

Before leaving, he turns to me and winks. A swarm of butterflies takes flight in my stomach, keeping me staring at the doorway even after he's left. I don't even realise I'm stuck in another day dream until I hear a cough. Turning my attention back to the till, I see Wes standing there with his mess of a shopping basket.

Wes is the guy who lives above the shop. I get to see him often, although its the opposite of how I feel when I see Xander. Wes is the neighbourhood bad boy. He plays loud music all hours of the day, he rides a super noisy motorbike and is covered in tattoos. They start from his neck and disappear under his shirt then reappear sprawling down his thick arms, finishing on the back of his hands. He’s like a Henry Cavill with Tatts and a mean disposition. I might have been able to see what other girls see in him if he wasn’t such a dick.

‘If you’re done drooling over that douche can I get served?’ He questions.

My smile fades.

I look down at the shopping basket and start grabbing items out ready to scan. I start with the crisps and dip, putting them into a carrier bag.

‘Nice and healthy.’ I say sarcastically.

The further into the basket I get the more repulsed I am. Chocolate sauce, Strawberry lube and a pack of condoms. I shudder inwardly thinking about what he’s going to be up to tonight. Then as if on queue a stunning brunette walks over to him, putting her arm around his waist as she leans in to whisper something into his ear. He smiles and then looks at me.

‘Nah, I don’t think she’d be into it.’ He says talking to her, whilst looking at me. ‘She looks a little too innocent for something like that.’

‘What a shame.’ the girl says to him. ‘I’ll meet you upstairs.’

She looks over to me, giving me a small smirk before sauntering out of the shop, moving her hips in a way that makes Wes just stare at her arse. And I won’t lie, it got my attention too.

I turn to him. ‘What was that?’ I ask.

‘Nothing.’ He chuckles.

‘Okay then....’

‘Fine.... She was just wondering if you’d want to join us upstairs after you’ve finished work. She wants to watch you...and me, but I don’t think you’d be up for what I have planned for tonight.’ He says with a wink.

Eeh, why did he have to wink at me. Now he’s ruined the one I got from Xander earlier...

‘Ohh, that’s a shame. I really wanted to hang out with you and your new friend.’ I tell him, obviously not meaning it.

‘We’ll be doing a lot more then hanging out, trust me.’

Not wanting to get anymore information out of him than that, I stay silent whilst I quickly scan the rest of his items.

‘That’s £23.78.'

He swipes his card over the top of the card reader and takes the shopping bag, grazing my hand with his finger tips. Whether he meant to touch me or not, I feel a small tingle. One I choose to ignore.

‘Thanks B.’ He says as he takes the bag from me and leaves.

I catch myself watching him stride through the door. What is wrong with me?

But then Anna comes back from out the stockroom, just as Wes leaves.

‘What was that about?’ she asks.

‘Just Wes being his usual gross self.’ I reply, pretending I wasn’t just checking him out. ‘I honestly don’t know where he finds all these girls. It seems to be a different one every time I see him.’

‘Do I detect a little jealousy?’

‘Ew, definitely not.' I protest. 'But guess what?’ My tone a little lighter.

‘What?’

‘Xander asked me out!’

‘Oh my god, finally! When’s the big day?’

‘Friday.’ I tell her. 'Before we go out for Katie’s birthday. We’re going to go get something to eat and then we’ll meet everyone in town after. Do you think Katie will mind I’ve invited Xander?′

‘Of course not. The more the merrier.’ She assures me. ‘Anyways I don’t think she’d notice to be fair. She’s invited tonnes of people including Wes. I think she has a thing for him.’

‘Eh really? Well I suppose I can just pretend he’s not there. I’ll be too busy with Xander anyways.’ I smile.

I still can’t believe he’s asked me out, my mind running over the excitement of what's to come.