Admiring From Afar

"Ah it started to pour", the sound of water hitting the ground was quite relaxing. I looked at the wall clock, "it's almost 3 o'clock", I said with a smile and headed towards the door, as soon as I opened it a girl with a shocked look on her face greeted me. "Come in," I told her, to which she replied with a shake of her head indicating a no. "It's raining outside, you'll get cold" and I dragged her inside and made her sit on a chair. "Here have some", I handed her a cup of hot cocoa. "Thank you", she said with a sweet smile, the one she always had while looking through the window.

"Why do you never go inside the shop? I always see you looking through the window"

"It's because I can't buy anything here" her expression turned sad.

"You don't have to buy anything to be allowed to go in" I reassured her.

"But, I'll be just a bother, plus I'll make things dirty, look" she showed me her hands which are covered in dirt.

"You were never a bother, and these hands are cleaner compared to those spoiled kids who always mess things up here" I patted her head, and tears suddenly started to build upon the corner of her eyes.

"Say, how about a trade, I'll give you one thing you want from this shop, but in exchange you should never stay outside, go in and help me greet the customers".

"Thank you, for the warm drink and the offer, but I'll have to decline it" her smile was a bittersweet one, and it made my heartache.

"If you're worried about the other kids, I'll take care of them".

She just shook her head from left to right.

"You don't have to worry about me, I enjoy admiring them from afar, but still thank you for everything". She then took her leave as soon as the rain stopped, worrying that her mother might be looking for her. That was the last time I ever saw her and days working for that shop from there on became dull.