∞ corner ѕтore

@✧yang jeongin raises my eyes, suprised at the strange request, although after a moment of thinking, became rather more understanding. the younger boy did have a small stature, and innocent face, walking alone could indeed be more dangerous for him that it was for myself. i pursed my lips, wondering if there was a more specific reason he might be scared, but deciding not to dwell on it, not wanting to be too intrusive to someone i barely knew

"oh, of course i can. I'm not in a hurry... ill wait for you" i give a singular nod, taking my bag of shopping, and going to stand nearby the door, while i wait for the cute shop boy to gather his things and close up. i take a few peeks out the window every so often while i wait, just in case the boy has a stalker or something that i might need to watch out for

@✦lee sangyoon I'm confused and slightly disturbed when my name leaves his lips. Then I look down at my nametag and feel like an idiot. Not only am I making a fool out of myself, but I'm doing it in front of a handsome man who I probably wouldn't have a chance with anyway so why am I even tryi-

"If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you accompany me on my way home?" I nearly jump out of my skin at my own question. I must be insane. I'm asking a total stranger to walk me home barely two minutes after figuring he's probably not going to lure me somewhere and dissolve my body in acid.

Ok, whoa...I need to lay off the crime podcasts.

@✧yang jeongin Although I notice the younger boy fumbling a little with my items, I remain unaware what really happened, and just offer a warm smile, in a hope to suggest there's nothing wrong, and no hurry, as I wait until it's done. Almost caught off guard by your question, I fumble around in my coat pocket, before pulling out a card, holding it up for you to see before moving it over the sensor ready to pay.

"Thank you... Jeongin!" I announce, taking the tap of your tag as an invitation to use the name upon it; I take my bag of items and nod politely in thanks. "You must be closing now, right? I won't keep you any longer, I'm sure you must want to get home."

@✦lee sangyoon My shoulders relax. My breath stops hitching. Under the fluorescent lights of the store the man seems more like a friendly gentleman than a shadow monster itching to chop me into little pieces.

I take items and ring them up one by one while studying his features. He manages to look kind and welcoming while having sharp, defined lines molding his handsome face. I’m so distracted that I ring the beer up twice and curse under my breath while I fix my mistake. I hope he didn’t notice.

“Here you are, sir.” I place his items in a bag and slide it across the counter. I tap my name tag out of nervousness. “That’ll be $15.82. Cash or card?”

@✧yang jeongin I'd been working late a lot lately, trying to secure a promotion, but it meant I had to rush in order to get here. I let out a sigh of relief, managing to get into the store just before it closed for the night. Being single and living alone meant I didn't tend to keep a large amount of food at home, so, if I hadn't have made it in time, I mightve ended up going the evening without eating.

I'd noticed the cute boy through the window as I made my way in, he seemed to work the late shift, I'd noticed him since I'd started coming in so late. I always considered it rude to say something to him while he was working, but it was nice to see him, and admire him from afar as a little perk of coming into this store, rather than any other.

I searched the shelves for some easy food, microwave dinners, chips, and a 4 pack of beer, just to last a couple days, and carried them up to the counter, setting them down, and taking a reusable bag out of my crossbody.
"just these, please. I can pack them myself, I don't want to give you any extra work."
I showed the younger boy a soft smile as I pointed to my bag, not wanting to make his late shift any harder than it had to be

@✦lee sangyoon It's been one of the longest shifts I've ever worked. Or...at least that's what it feels like. After 4 hours of ringing up snacks, getting yelled at for pulling down the wrong pack of cigarettes, and nearly face-planting after helping an elderly gentleman carry his basket around the store, I'm so ready to get back home and take a nap in the bath.

My eyes find the clock for the billionth time in the past five minutes and a sigh escapes my lips. I swear, it's running as fast as a sloth late for work on purpose. Besides the clock that's damn near ticking backward, everything seems to be going smoothly. I've stocked the shelves and cleaned off everything. As long as no one else comes in, I should be good to leave.

That's when I notice the man standing at the window and I shiver. He's been showing up nightly now. I usually just nervously scuttle past him. But, no one else is on the street right now and I'm not trying to get kidnapped or murdered. .

Just as I'm formulating an escape plan, the door dings and I put on a plastic smile. "Welcome in, sir."