Henry

She told me to have a good shift. No one has ever told me that.

"Henry you're late !" Ray yells as soon as I step inside. I shoot a laser at him from my watch. It hits him right on the nipple causing him to scream and pat it.

"I'm actually 10 minutes early. You're just dumb." I quip and he sticks his tongue out.

"Big meanie"

"Big baby"

"Just because you're assistant manager now doesn't mean you get to be a jerk." Ray still has his hand over his nipple. I just shrug and set my watch to work mode so I'm clocked in.

"Are you going to take your break now or no? If Jasper gets here before you break, you'll have to answer his questions." I tease and Ray rushes to get his stuff.

"Be back in an hour." He calls out from the elevator. Why'd he go downstairs when the doors were right here ?

I set up behind the register and wait for Jasper to come so I can go downstairs. We usually take turns between holding down the store front and monitoring crimes downstairs.

I pull out my phone and go back to scrolling through Charlotte's profile.

This girl is fine as hell. Girlfriend or not, I'd love to take her out. She probably has a great body. Dammit, Charlotte is better than that for me to think like this about her ! SWIMMING PICS !! SHE HAS A BANGIN BODY ! Oh the things I would do to her 

"Wassup Hen ?" Jasper comes inside pulling me out of my thoughts. Thank god too because I almost caught a boner. I adjust my pants just in case.

"Sup bro, good to see ya." We bro hug and Jasper clocks in with his watch.

"So did Ray leave ?" Jasper asks and I nod.

"Why won't he change my name? I know I don't go out with you guys that often but I don't want to be bucket boy anymore." Jasper groans and I just laugh.

"You chose it." I throw in and he rolls his eyes.

"I really wish I hadn't. I want something cool." He huffs.

"Think of anything?" I ask him and he nods.

"It's not cool but I was thinking maybe Frost." Jasper muses and to demonstrate he makes a snowflake.

"So like Frost Kid or Frost Teen ?" He has to have either Kid or Teen in his name. Ray's orders.

"Teen Frost ? I think that's decent." Jasper concludes and I nod in agreement.

"Again, I'm still sorry about that bud." I apologize referring to Jasper's powers.

"Small price to pay." Jasper shrugs and the snowflake he was playing with disappears. 

A while ago we were fighting a new villain named Gidget Wiz. Ray and I were unconscious and Jasper came to save us. Just as we were winning, Gidget Wiz tried to freeze me with a cold gun but Jasper took the hit for me. He immediately turned blue and fell, cracking his head on the ground. Out of rage, I made sure Gidget Wiz wouldn't make another invention ever again. When we finally tended to Jasper, Schwoz found that the wound Jasper should have had on his head was frozen over and healing. He felt cold but his temperature readings were normal.

He woke up and slowly returned to normal until one day I found him in the locker room creating snowballs and it was sweltering hot. He got powers because of me and I never forget the fearful look in his eyes because he didn't know what was going on with his body.

"Alright, I'll be downstairs. See ya in 30." I say and ride the death elevator downstairs. The Man Cave definitely grew up with us. We got it redecorated so it's a lot more bachelor pad-ish looking. The bright blues and reds became dark blues and reds. The white became grey and everything else remained.

After checking the crime monitors, I get bored. Schwoz is on vacation and I don't necessarily want to train.

h_Hart : I just got here and I'm already done with my load for the day 😩

She might be busy. Earlier I was being a little too eager, I should at least exit my dms so it doesn't look like I'm waiting for her to text me.

My phone dings and it's ugh Bianca. Oh shit my girlfriend!

B : Are we still on for our date tonight?

H : can't, got work, text you later

Ugh, I'm still not used to being in a relationship. I miss being able to text her lazily and just not have this obligation to talk all the time.

[ h_Hart ] : (Lottie_bear) : That's kinda sucky, my best friend Dawna came over. Do you remember her ?

h_Hart : Yeah, she was hilarious 😂 and the girl can eat

Lottie_bear : yup that's my girl, we're just chilling rn

h_Hart : please tell me she'll be there when we hang out

Lottie_bear : of course, I don't do anything without her. We're a package deal

h_Hart : Jasper will be ecstatic ! I won't tell him anything

Lottie_bear : 😮 does he like her ?

h_Hart : He told me she was and I quote " realllllyyyyyy cute"

Lottie_bear : aw, gotta set them up

h_Hart : Alright got it babe

WHAT? BABE ? Oh no baby what is you doingggg ??? Delete delete delete! Bianca gets on me all the time for calling girls this but I picked it up from her!

Lottie_bear : Do you call all girls babe or just me ?

She's teasing? Okay, that means I'm safe right?

h_Hart : Just you babe 😏

Lottie_bear : Oh Hen, you're something else

No Char, I think you are something else

h_Hart : Go hang with Dawna. Jasper and I are about to switch jobs so maybe I'll get something to do.

Lottie_bear : Later babe ☺️

Death of me I swear

h_Hart : 😂 Later 

"Henry, Ray texted saying to close early up top." Jasper comes in the Man Cave.

"Early ? We close at 8 already." I question and Jasper just shrugs.

"He said close at 6. Apparently we got some intel to go over when he gets back." Jasper explains.

"Alright, it's 4:30 now so I'll do an hour up there and close if no one's inside" I get up and make my way to the elevator.

"Alright, I'm gonna be sorting out files down here. I know we have all kinds of papers in here to go through." Jasper walks to this file cabinet we have and takes everything out. I just go upstairs and get ready to work the counter. I find a few customers looking around. I leave the counter and check in with them all.

"I'm looking for a toy for my cat. Is this good?" An elderly woman asks as she holds up a can of bug spray. I put it down and guide her to the pet section.

"Ma'am I think this stuff would be better. Would you like me to help you out ?" I ask politely. She just smiles and shakes her head.

"You're too sweet. I'll be good from here." She thanks me and I move on to the couple looking at decorations.

"Engaged or newly weds ?" I ask and they beam at me. Newly weds.

"We just came back from our honeymoon. We went to Bore City. It was amazing." The lady says. I smile back.

"I have a friend who lives there." I make small talk and just like that I got them buying a bunch of crap.

"So now you've got bowls, mugs and a rug. I think these will complement your home perfectly." I guide them over to the register.

"I can't believe this was once someone's junk." The guy says.

"Well one man's trash is another man's treasure." I say as I ring up the items. A line has somehow formed behind this couple. Screw me.

" Thanks again Henry." The lady repeats as her husband swipes his card to pay the $40 for their stuff.

" No problem, you guys have a nice one." I hand them their bags and their receipt. The next person who steps up is the elderly woman. She puts down a cat toy and smiles. I ring it up.

"Alright ma'am that's going to be $8."

"Perfect here's a 10, keep the change you sweet boy." She slides a 10 and takes the toy then walks away. I create the change and slide the $2 into my pocket.

Another couple comes up this time. They put down a bunch of funny looking picture frames. The frames  must be from the sales section.

" These are all on sale right ?" The shorter one asks.

"Got that right." I start to ring up their items. The two of them squeal and kiss. That's not awkward.

"This will be perfect for our collection." The taller one exclaims. The two continue chatting and I ring up the last frame.

"Your total is $20." For 24  frames, that's a good price. They squeal again and one swipes their card. They share another smooch and this time they go until the card machine beeps. I look up to see the customers behind them looking uncomfortable and I see that it's because the couple in front of me is invested in a make out session. I hand them their bags and receipt.

" have a good one." I say pulling them out of their affection. Next a rather tall, older man purchases some gum and leaves without a word.

"Hi honey." Bianca says sweetly. Really,she's my last customer?  " Don't you go on break soon ? It's been an hour already. We can grab dinner."

"I have to work at least 4 hours before I get a break. It's also really early for dinner. I promise I'll stop by later. Thanks for stopping by though." I remind her and she just nods. She leans over and kisses my cheek.

" Later Henry." She calls with a smile. She really is a sweet girl. I shouldn't be so hard on her, I'm her first boyfriend. She's excited. It's only been 2 weeks. She'll calm down eventually.

h_Hart : Char, I just had the most awkward experience at work, I'll tell you in about 15 minutes.

I check the time to see that only 30 minutes have passed. Well now that I had a bit of a rush I can take the time to reorganize the stuff left and then set out some more junk for the next customers. I can't wait til next week.