Page 4 of Haunt the Mall
Oh, she was concerned I’d been ditched by all my friends. Well, coworkers.
< Me: I had to miss part of it. I’d love to see it again for the full experience. >
< Tori: Ok well…I’ll be your backup next weekend :) >
She was sweet, but I could imagine her slinking down in her seat and covering her face with her jacket much like Willow had done with her hair. At our parents’ house, my sister would cuddle up next to me with a blanket and do nursing homework while I jokingly quizzed her on how to treat disembowelment and demonic possession. We couldn’t do that in a theater–and I was not bailing on the show to take care of someone again.
After cleaning up breakfast and making sure Jinx had his morning kibble, I went to the mall for my opening shift. About five minutes into my walk past the metal detectors, my phone buzzed. An old classmate commented on my post.
< Yo, we’re going tonight at 6 if you want in >
< Me: I’ll be at work :’( >
A few other people commented, but no one could go to the super late showing tonight or tomorrow. Stupid weekend hours. Stupid plans. How long was I supposed to avoid the internet?
I unlocked the store and flipped on the lights.
A few minutes later, AJ saluted me on his way in for his shift. “Hey, boss.”
“Hey.” I still had the urge to check over my shoulder for my predecessor whenever someone said that.
He jerked his chin at the west side of the mall. “Thanks for organizing the movie last night.”
“No problem.” It would’ve been nicer if I actually got to watch it.
“Are we gonna be doing more of that? Because the theater has a whole series of horror movies this month.” He grinned, his glasses shining with the overhead lights.
“Maybe, I hadn’t planned on it.” But it’d have to be something family-friendly if Willow was joining in. “Any music requests?” I asked.
“Nah, go ahead,” he said.
I selected a nostalgic band and hoped the memories of experimenting with winged eyeliner and hanging out in people’s basements would distract me from the urge to read movie spoilers. After all, I’d seen plenty of spiders in those days. Nothing to obsess over. Jinx would probably bat them into submission if they dared to take on the dark corners of my apartment.
The workday was fine until AJ put some chain belts on a hook. “Oh, this reminds me of that scene in The Widow–”
“No spoilers.” I balled up a discarded dressing room shirt and tossed it at him.
“Sorry.” AJ gave me a sheepish grin. “You really need to see the ending.”
Didn’t I know it? I just wanted to find someone to go with me.
The rattle of combat boots drew my attention to the front of the store. A young guy with facial piercings sauntered down the aisle like some punk cowboy. He was even wearing a brimmed hat. Well, a beanie. A green beanie. Vegetable-adjacent thoughts weren’t sexy, but he had the tall, dark, and handsome thing going. Especially with those nice cheekbones. But he didn’t have scythe bangs like the guy at the theater. Not that a hairstyle disqualified someone from date possibilities. I didn’t know—or like—that spider man.
I popped my hip against the counter and tracked the customer as he meandered around the perimeter of the store.
“Maybe you could ask him.” AJ shrugged, folding the band shirt.
“Let’s see what he’s into,” I whispered.
The punk glanced at the cartoon pony gear, cat ears, and animal onesies.
I arched my spine in anticipation. Please keep walking, I prayed.
He picked up a sparkly upside-down plushie from a pile and smiled at the big-eyed pony.
No thanks. I sighed. Just when I thought I’d found someone like me, he turned out to be a furry.
No shame to anyone in that lifestyle, but it was not for me. Too much hair. And fur. I had enough lint-rolling to last a lifetime with Jinx. Most of my wardrobe, and his fur, was black, so I didn’t have to deal with it too regularly.