Chapter 2

I was up, washed, dressed and out the house before everyone was up. Hopping on the bus, my mind was suddenly shouting “today’s your first day as the owner – make it count!” It took only twenty minutes to get to the shop. After unlocking the door and pulling up the blinds, I found Richard’s old key on the shop counter with a note underneath it. Written in a curly handwriting were the words: “your happiness it in front of you – not behind you. Cherish it. Good luck.” I assumed the note was from Richard since it was under his key. No one had signed the note.

After unlocking everywhere, I started to list my plans and draw – poorly – anything that I couldn’t describe by writing it down. By noon I had a couple drawings and many lists. Hugh and Ashling decided to stop by.

‘How’s it going?’ Hugh asked as he looked around the shop.

‘I’m thinking paint job,’ I answered, glancing at the walls, ‘Ashling?’

‘I’m thinking... black.’ Ashling said with a knowing smile. ‘It’s a lot better than what it sounds.’

‘I have a lot of ideas and plans but I don’t know how I’m going to be able to do it all myself.’ I sighed, ‘everyone has school or work, or they’re pregnant.’

‘Why not hire extra help?’ Hugh suggested as the shop door opened with the little bell tinkling, alerting me that someone was entering the shop. ‘Create an ad; interview people.’

‘Okay... that sounds reasonable,’ I thought about it and glanced at the boy who was looking through the CD section.

‘Expect more visits from the rest of the flock,’ Ashling laughed softly, ‘they’ll be coming when they’ve finished work and school.’

I guessed he was using his future-seeing power. ‘Great,’ I rolled my eyes, ‘so how long are you guys staying?’

‘Only for ten minutes, we-’ Hugh started saying but was cut off by Ashling.

‘Electra, be nice.’ Before I could ask what he meant, Ashling mouthed and counted down on his fingers three... two... one-

‘Excuse me do you have any boy-band music?’ The boy asked scanning the CDs.

‘Duh, this is a music shop.’ I pointed out – a little ruder than I should have done. ‘Look over at the stack that says “Boy Groups”.’

Oh, sorry. I didn’t know it was my fault that it’s so poorly organised. The boy thought; being an angel gave us the power to read people’s minds.

‘It’s not my fault either.’ I muttered and the boy looked at me strangely, so I glared at him.

‘Electra,’ Hugh shook his head, ‘he’s a customer. You’re supposed to treat them well.’

‘He may have never been in here before,’ Ashling pointed out, ‘and the shop has been left in a bad state.’

‘But I’m going to sort that out, aren’t I?’ I raised my eyebrows defensively. ‘I’m just stressed, a little.’

Ashling’s face went blank for a moment, and then he straightened up and said to Hugh, ‘we should be going.’ He had a sly smile on his face.

‘Okay,’ Hugh nodded catching on to something I didn’t understand, ‘we’ll stop by some other time this week.’ They both left as quick and as politely as they could.

Pausing to take in what had just happened, I looked at the boy; he was about my age with spiky hair that had a bright blonde layer on top of a dirty blonde layer. His hair was long but didn’t go past his ears – kind of like a guitar player. Then I noticed what CDs he had in his hands...

‘Are you serious, One Direction and Union J?’ I asked him. ‘I thought it was mainly girls that were into them.’

‘Ha, ha – very funny, it’s for a birthday party. I need a mixture of music: female soloists; female groups; male soloists; male bands; a unisex band, you know.’ The boy placed the CDs back into their slots.

‘Well, if its boy-band party music you want then you should check out The Vamps.’ I suggested as I walked over to pick up the CD. ‘They’re new and their songs can put anyone in a good mood.’

‘Any chance I can listen to them?’

‘Hmm...’ The headphones and CD samplers were broken and needed replacing but... ‘Hang on.’ I took the CD, unwrapped the cover and placed it into my laptop to play the music aloud. ‘There you go.’

In about thirty seconds, the boy started moving to the music and seemed to really focus on it. ‘How much is it?’

‘It’s nine-ninety-nine – unless you want to set up a shop membership.’ I explained to him.

‘I’ll think about the membership,’ he handed over a ten pound note, ‘if the party rocks, I’ll come back and get one.’

Handing over the penny-change, I thought, oh, trust me: you will. ‘Thank you, please come again,’ I said as sweetly as I could, not meaning any word that poured out of my mouth.

‘I just might do that.’ The boy winked and left the shop leaving me speechless. He was just so... arrogant!

After that I started to stack up the CDs so I organise them more neatly – so pesky people like that boy don’t come into the shop and criticise me for the mess that Richard left it in. When I got three quarters done, Rosita and Ryan popped in.

‘Hey,’ Rosita waddle to the chair behind the counter, ‘you really need to get some seats in here.’

‘Well, I was thinking of a mini-cafe...’ I shrugged, ‘anyway shouldn’t you be at home resting?’ I glanced at Ryan.

‘She should be,’ Ryan raised in his eyebrows, ‘but does she?’ He shook his head in a what-you-gonna-do sort of way.

‘So what’s new?’ Rosita sighed as she dug out a chocolate bar from her bag.

‘I’m going to create an ad for a job vacancy – I can’t do this all by myself... and it seems like a lonely job.’ I half smiled and then finished sorting out the CDs.

‘I see,’ Rosita said, but it was clear that she was interested in the chocolate bar more than the conversation.

‘Why not start off with a sign in the window?’ Ryan suggested. ‘Surely employees that don’t have to travel to work will do you better?’ He had a strange smile behind what he was saying.

‘Okay,’ I said as I reached for some card without taking my eyes off of him, ‘so, I just write “Job Vacancy” on here and stick it in the window?’

‘Yep, make sure you write it big though.’ He found a black marker pen and handed it to me.

I wrote in thick black pen “Job Vacancy – see in shop” and placed the sign in the window close to the door.  ‘Well, that’s one less thing to do-’

‘When are you going to wash the dye out of your hair?’ Rosita randomly asked. My hair was a dark brown colour with red highlights through it. ‘It looked better before.’

‘Yeah, well...’ I trailed off with a pointless argument. ‘I might do it later tonight.’

‘Ooh, tonight... there was something...’ Rosita began to think hard about whatever it was.

‘Tonight,’ Ryan stepped in, ‘Ace and Taran are going to the Storm’s house so they can see Aura and Ryvre. Ashling is staying up late with Hugh at work, and Sonia, Randy, Arella and Sonny are coming to ours for dinner.’

So I’m going to be home alone? I thought to myself. ‘Okay, I can do my hair whilst you’re all out.’ I couldn’t help but feel a little disheartened by the obvious fact that I wasn’t invited to go out with any of them.

‘Anyway, we better be going,’ Ryan shrugged, ‘don’t lock up too late, will you?’

‘I won’t,’ not like you’d care anyway, ‘I promise.’

Rosita slid off the chair, made her way towards me and kissed me on my head, ‘be good.’

When they both left I said aloud, ‘what no “I love you” s?’ I let the sinking feeling soak up into my bones. Was I just someone no one wanted?

When the clock was nearly at nine-forty, I was about to lock up but the bell above the door tinkled. Someone was coming into the shop. I turned around to find the same boy from earlier leaning on the counter flashing his brightest smile.

‘Bad party, huh?’ I smiled in a mocking, sympathetic way. ‘Well, can’t blame you; some people aren’t cut out for the music/party industry.’

‘Actually, it was a thirteen year old’s party.’ The boy told me, ‘I came back to say it was – surprisingly – a success; in fact I’m doing the music for the thirteen year old’s older brother’s girlfriend.’

‘And you wanted to tell me that because...’

‘So I could thank you.’ The boy avoided eye contact with me. ‘Thanks, it would have been a disaster if you hadn’t helped me.’

‘No problem,’ I shrugged then after a while said, ‘is there something else I can help you with?’

‘I was going to stick to my promise about a shop membership but I noticed the job vacancy sign in the window.’ The boy started to look around.

‘Yeah, your point... Look, I’m about to lock up and go home so if you please...’

‘I was going to get a membership but then I wanted to ask about the job? There’s no point getting a membership if you get a twenty percent employee discount.’ The boy pointed out.

‘Let me guess you want the job?’ The boy nodded. ‘What makes you think you’ll get it?’

‘I’m really good with technology and music. Also, you seem to be in desperate need of staff.’ He was good.

‘Fine, I will see how you do tomorrow – no promises.’ I said through gritted teeth.

‘Thank you,’ the boy smiled, ‘would you like me to walk you home?’

For a second I considered it. ‘Oh, I can get the bus thanks. I have to get home quickly.’

‘Well, then let me walk you to the bus stop – it’s the least I can do for you.’ He actually seemed like a decent person.

I considered that too, ‘no thanks and you don’t have to do anything for me.’

‘Why?’

‘Maybe, for one, I don’t know who you are... I don’t even know your name.’ I pointed out.

‘Sam Hackerman,’ he held out his hand as I stepped out into the street, ‘and I’m guessing you’re Electra Hunter.’

‘Is that your real name?’ I joked and made him laugh. ‘How do you know who I am?’

‘You got that award for music at school.’ Sam smiled.

‘Wait – you go to my school?’

‘Yeah, you might know me by “Slacker-man?” But I promise when it comes to music and technology I don’t slack.’ Sam looked ashamed but shook it off, ‘anyway when I asked “why”, I meant why I don’t have to do anything for you?’

No one does. ‘I... don’t need anything or anyone.’ I explained to Sam.

‘Well,’ Sam swallowed, ‘I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at ten, then?’ I smiled as he walked away talking to himself, ‘ten, then – that rhymes. I’m such an idiot... rhyming, really?’ And he disappeared into the night.