Thirty-five

Yibo's Pov

"Okay then. Make sure to stop by again!" Sandra waved at Zhan before she headed off into the back room.

"So, pick you up at seven, right?" Zhan asked, looking back at me.

"Yeah." I nodded with a half smile. My expression might not have shown it but I was beyond excited.

"Alright, six-forty it is." He said, throwing up a hand and leaving the diner without another word. I don't know why but I felt a blush coming on. Sometimes loving him can feel like the best and worst thing in

the world.

Around ten minutes later Sandra came out of the back.

"Sorry for leaving ya out here all alone. A shipment just came in and I was a little preoccupied sorting through it." She explained, using excessive hand motions.

"It's okay." I assured her in an overly cheerful tone.

"I'm assumin' you've had a job behind a register before." She said, smiling at me.

"No actually, I have some idea of how it works though. I used to watch cashiers and workers intensely as a kid whenever my parents went shopping." I explained with a slight chuckle.

"Oh, that's good to know! I'll give you a quick rundown of how I work things around the shop." And she did just that, explained everything there was to know. The only thing that stopped her from

continuing was the sound of the door chime.

"Perfect timing, show em what'cha got lion." She winked at me and then walked off into the back room. Oh gosh, okay you can do this Yibo, don't mess it up.

"Welcome." I greeted them with a smile.

"Hello there, handsome. I'm here to pick up the bread I ordered this morning." An old woman said, making her way to the counter. I blushed a little before processing her order.

"Ah, right this must be it. " I lifted a basket of bread from a nearby shelf. It had a label on it.

"Mrs. Darcy?" I questioned, reading the tag.

"That's me." She confirmed.

"Here you are." I said, handing her the basket.

"Thank you dear." She said gratefully, pulling out her wallet. She put on reading glasses and counted the money.

"You know, you look handsome, just like my grandson." She complimented upon returning her sight to me. I reddened, I couldn't keep myself collected.

"T-thank you ma'am." I stuttered.

"Oh please, call me grandma. Everyone here does." She ordered, heading out the door. She seemed chill, I like people like that. Zhan and Xichen are pretty laid back as well. I find it easier to relax around those types of people.

"Sorry, I couldn't make it yesterday." I heard a muffled voice apologizing in the back. I wanted to see who it belonged to but I couldn't leave my post during work.

A few minutes passed and the back door opened once again.

"Hey Yibo, this is Micheal, the guy I told you about yesterday." Sandra said, appearing from the door with a man. At first, I was wondering how she knew my name but I forgot I sighed my name on a

piece of paper she gave me earlier. She even got me my name tag. Gosh, I am forgetful.

"Uh hi, nice to meet you." I said extending a hand to be polite. I studied his appearance, he looked to be in his late twenties, with rugged clothing, and black hair.

"I hope she hasn't bad-mouthed me while I was away." Micheal said with a chuckle.

"No, not that I'm aware of." I respond with a smile growing on my face.

"I have the right to criticize ya if ya don't make it on time." She jabbed. "Not sayin' I did though." She quickly added, raising her hands. We both chuckled.

Sandra and Micheal returned to the back room after chatting with me for a bit. I returned to the counter and waited for the next customer. Man, today sure is a slow day.

The sound of the door chimes suddenly went off making me look up to greet the person.

"Welcome." I said scanning the customers. Yes, there were two this time, a mother and her daughter I assumed.

"Hi, my daughter and I were looking for something sweet." Yup, I was correct.

"Here's what we're currently offering." I gestured to the menu and the display cases.

"Mommy, I want a cupcake!" The little girl bounced around.

"Alright sweetie, we'll get cupcakes." She responded, walking over to the display cases. She and the little girl still couldn't decide what flavors to get, it was almost like watching teenage girls prancing through a mall.

I decided to put the professional act aside and acted freely "Uh... I would suggest chocolate. It's super delicious, the sweetness of the chocolate and the light cake taste amazing together." I suggested getting on my knees to meet the little girl. She smiled at my animated self, and a giggle followed soon after. She was so cute I could eat her up... not literally of course.

"Mommy let's get chocolate." The little girl said, tugging on her mother's long red shirt. The woman looked at me with a warm smile and nodded.

"Alright, let's get chocolate." She confirmed, looking down at her daughter.

"Four chocolate cupcakes please." I nodded and opened the display, quickly pulling out four cupcakes and placing them in a clear plastic bag.

"Here you are ma'am." I said, handing her the bag. She pulled out a ten-dollar bill and took the bag.

"Keep the change.' " '' She said as I was about to round up the cost. She mouthed a thank you before heading towards the door.

"Have a good day!" I wished, genuinely. They walked out and got in their car. I watched as they droved off.

"My, ya handled that very well." Sandra complimented, making her way around the counter. I smiled at her and took a seat.

"How long do ya plan on workin' hear? I could use the extra help 'round here." She spoke, leaning her elbows on the counter.

"Well..." I went into thought. How long would I be working here? "I need to save up as much as possible so... maybe until I graduate?" I replied, not knowing I was speaking aloud.

"That's quite a while." She raised a brow.

"I know, I just really need the money." I sighed.

"Alright, well lemme get out ya hair. I have some paperwork to do." She strutted off into the back room once again, with a wave.

The hours passed by slowly as I watched the clock closely. I seriously couldn't wait to spend time with Zhan. It's the best feeling in the world. It helps me cope with my excuse of a life.

The sound of a familiar engine captured my attention. I sprung from my seat and prepared for none other than Zhan to enter. I chuckled when I looked at the clock, it was six thirty-nine.

Zhan's Pov.

I was really happy Yibo agreed to come over. His company is the best company.

I made sure to get my room looking as spotless as possible. I didn't want Yibo feeling uncomfortable in any way tonight. Though the burning question I've finally prepared myself to ask him might do just that. I want to find out which way he swings and we'll see where it goes from there. Of course, I don't even know where I stand on that.

My mind kept going over what happened earlier today. Who would vandalize my locker like that? I haven't done anything to piss anyone off, have I? I know my brother wouldn't go this far so who could it be?

Well, all I know is when I get my hands on them it isn't going to be pretty. Normally I wouldn't care for something as foolish as this but they crossed the line when they smashed the picture of my grandmother. She was very dear to me and I wanted to remember every day how much she impacted my life. She passed away a few years ago, and ever since I've been holding onto that picture, but now it's ruined. Mom and dad probably have more laying around the house somewhere but that one was special. We took it on her sixty-eighth birthday. We all had a blast that day. My grandfather's barbecue was the best. My father bought a pack of soda and we sat out on the porch and ate as we watched the sky. My parents were just as clingy then as they are now, but they were more clingy with my sister at the time. My sister Yanli invited her friends over; she would have refused to attend grandma's party otherwise. They played catch and chatted about girl things. Her friends got along amazingly with our grandmother. They had each other laughing back and forth. At first, Yanli found it annoying but she eventually came to terms with it. She'd get easily worked up over the littlest. things, even now she can act like a snob, but it just takes a little time to get to her heart. She can be a fun, warm woman.

I finally made it to the diner and pulled into the small dingy-looking parking lot. I shut off the engine, grabbed my keys, and headed in.

Yibo's bright beautiful eyes were glued on the glass door as I entered, sending a smile across my face.

"You're early." He stated, breaking a smile.

"I am." I replied with a smirk as I took a seat at the counter.

"I'll be ready to head out at around twenty." He informed, scanning the building for a clock.

"You really want to wait that long?" He asked, giving me a worried look.

"Yeah, that's nothing." I assured him with a little wave.

We spent the rest of that time just chatting about random things. I watched as he moved from place to place as he was serving customers. Only two came in during that period so it gave us a lot of

alone time.

Sandra went home early so Yibo had to lock up. He shut out the lights and locked the doors behind him. We shuffled off to my car in the creeping dark. We quickly shut the doors escaping from the cold

night air. The silence capturing the car as we got settled in was peaceful, it almost brought me back to our trip. Those days were some of the most peaceful in my life. I started the engine, making the headlights flash on, covering the side of the building in light. I pulled out of the parking lot and headed for my house. It had already begun getting a little late so I hoped to have Yibo out was okay.

"Your parents don't mind you being out this late?" I asked, just to make sure.

"No." He responded in an awkward tone and turned his gaze to the passing bushes off to the side of the road, but I didn't question it.

After pulling up in my driveway we stepped out of the car, being swallowed by the chill off the night. We ran down the path to the entrance of my house like mad men. I bet my mom thought we'd lost it along the way, so we busted through the front door. Yibo giggled uncontrollably as he knelt on the welcome mat. His small body fell and rose as heavy breaths escaped his parted mouth.

"You two seem excited, how was your day?" My mom asked, wearing a bright smile. I would have brushed her off but Yibo replied almost instantaneously.

"Great, and even better now that I'm here." He said in the most adorable tone. It struck electric through me, sending chills coursing down my body. His voice is enough to completely capture me. He could have me in a second. All he would have to do is ask and I'd be his. My feelings for this boy grow enormously with every passing day.

"I'm really glad you like it here." My mother said excitedly.

"Dinner should be ready soon if you boys are hungry." She announced heading back to the kitchen after remembering she had something on the stove.

I grabbed Yibo's small hand and pulled him up the stairs with me. His eyes lit up as we stepped foot into my room, just like they had the first time.