Giggling is something associated with teenage girls. When girls giggled, it is cliché to be over boys, or clothes, or even at someone’s expense. The act of giggling is mostly known as annoying or a cheap way of flirting. When Jackie giggled it was because she didn’t have the effort to laugh. She stood in the small office her Mother now worked in. Jackie sat on a wooden stool beside the counter. Tallwood newsagency was slow, but the customers were always nice older people. Her Mother sat behind the desk on a similar stool, flipping through a car magazine. There were no customers in the shop right now and the owner, Martha, a little old lady, shuffled around contently. The store was filled with very small, low isles and lime-blue couches in the front. Not only was this store the only newsagency, but they also dealt with packages that came in. that meant the someone from the mail-people came by everyday at 11am to drop off the packages.

Jackie only knew this because she was getting hired when her school holidays came up. She was a little excited about the idea, but today wasn’t her day. School had worn her out – it was the first back after all. Her Mother had promised that the two of them would go out to dinner, just the two of them. And of course, she was excited about that.
The two of them really needed to sit down and… talk.

The abrupt chime of the bell above the door to the shop caught the attention of her Mother. Instantly, the woman hopped off her stool with a smile, the magazine discarded on her counter as her eyes zeroed in on her customer. Jackie’s eyes lingered on the customer, who just so happened to be Mr Keith. Mr Keith shuffled through the lolly isle, barely looking as he picked out what must have been his regular. Next, he awkwardly glided over to the kids and teens magazine’s section, his eyes skimming over the magazines with concentration. Smiling, Jackie’s Mother walked out from behind the counter slowly. Jackie stared on as her Mother approached her teacher that had given her homework on the first day – the only teacher to do so in fact.

“Can I help you?” Her Mother’s customer service voice asked sweetly. Jackie almost snorted a laugh when Mr Keith jumped in surprise. “Sorry about that,” her Mother giggled.

“I – yes,” Mr Keith’s full cheeks started to grow pink, and so did his forehead and along the bridge of his nose. He continued to grow redder as he stumbled as he tried to find the words to say to her Mother. Jackie found it ironic, that her English teacher couldn’t English right now. “I’m looking for the new issue of…” he trailed off, clearly finding the magazine he was looking for. Jackie recalled Nia mentioning the exact magazine before. “All the girls around here apparently need this.”

“You have a daughter?” Her Mother asked nicely, eyes never leaving Mr Keith. Mr Keith could only nod. His embarrassment was getting the better of him. “If you need my help with anything I’m the one behind the counter,” her Mother joked, making her way back behind the counter. Mr Keith made a lap of the store before he came up to pay. Jackie bit her lip, knowing exactly how he felt, she herself was that awkward.

“Jackie? I didn’t know you worked here?” Mr Keith balked, suddenly noticing his student sitting on the stool beside the counter.

“Hey Mr Keith. Nah, I don’t work here yet,” she said, shrugging. Slouched on the stool, she offered him a warm smile. He glanced at her, then to her Mother.
“Are you on of my daughters’ teachers?” Jackie’s Mother piped up, glancing between Mr Keith and Jackie. “I’m Diana, Jackie’s Mum,” she extended her hand to Mr Keith, who shook it instantly.

“I’m Arthur,” he smiled widely, face still a pink tone.

Now it was awkward for Jackie. “Are you usually up to date with kids fashion, or is it a recent development?” Jackie asked, eyes focused on the teen magazine he had brought to the counter.

“It is for my daughter, I believe you know her?” Arthur asked, catching onto Jackie’s bluntness but not saying anything about it. After all they were out of school hours and Jackie was with her Mother. She was her problem.

“Yeah, Nia and I are good friends,” Jackie said. She couldn’t help but smile, noticing that Arthur wore the same hideous line of sweaters. It was cute. The look brought warm feelings towards the two, who had the love for literature and a soft persona outwardly.

“I’ve only heard nice things,” Arthur smiled warmly, placing his small haul onto the counter sweetly. Nothing was said between the three as Diana kindly rung up his sum, and Arthur paid. “It was lovely running into you, Jackie. And it was lovely to meet you, Diana.”
Arthur took his handful of things, waving a chalk stained hand before he left the shop. The chiming of the bell sounded again, Arthur walking away across the street. Before her English teacher could disappear out of sight, he sent the store on more look, a shy smile on his face.

“Did you just…” Jackie trailed off, turning on her stool to look at her Mother. Diana simply smiled as she flipped through her car magazine again.

“Your teacher seemed lovely,” she grinned, flipping the pages in a way that told Jackie she really wasn’t reading it properly anymore. Huffing, Jackie folded her arms, but couldn’t hide the smile on her face even if she tried.