It was another monotonous work day Shaun thought as he sat down for his well earned break. He'd been trying for near enough an hour to get off the shop floor and start his break, however customers appeared everytime he managed to get a few feet within the coded locked door that lead to the stairs and to where he currently resided.
He slumped back into the chair at one of the three tables located in the room and sighed contentedly as a breeze rushed through the open window and brushed along the back of his neck. Recently he had begin to tire of his job. He'd worked in the well known entertainment shop for over 1 year now, after his sister Hannah had helped him get a job there as she was apart of the administration and human resources department.
He was 19 years old now, and it was his first and only job thus far in his life, and he had little prospects outside of his current employment due to missing substantial amounts of schooling. Shaun hadn't had the easiest time in his life; his father walked out on his mother and two elder sisters when he was 4 and hadn't been seen since, then once he had hit his teens his confidence was so little that he began to suffer from depression, anxiety and panic attacks. In his last few years at school, he barely went for a whole month and ended up getting home tutored due to his circumstances and did well to scrape four passes without any course work, just his exam marks. Once out of the education system, his confidence was still at rock bottom and his depression spiralled and he almost did stupid things on more than one occassion, but he came back from the brink and had managed to scrape what litte confidence he had and with the help of Hannah got this job and had managed to never miss a days work.
Slowly over the course of the year his confidence had grown and was at it's highest since he was a young kid and when he didn't have a care in the world. But one thing that had hindered his growth over the years was that he was supressing and hiding apart of himself deep within himself. He wasn't ashamed or angry at it, it was just that old age problem of lacking in confidence that he couldn't take that final leap and tell his family and friends that he was gay. His two sisters he was sure would be supportive, his mother was a question mark, but still it wasn't his main reason of not spilling the beans.
Well, at least he thought he was gay. He'd never been with a man or a woman, but since the age of fifteen he had only been attracted to the male form and not once had he done anything about it. The opportunity had never arose, Shaun had never gone out to meet new people, nor had he met anyone in his day to day life that made him sure of his feelings. He'd considered putting himself out there, but everytime he'd back down and retreat back to his usual routine of staying home(that he shared with his mother and sister Lauren). If he did put himself out there, Shaun thought he might meet some nice guys. I mean he hadn't exactly fallen out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. He was a shade under 6 foot, blue eyes, short light brown hair that he gelled and spiked up and despite being slim, had a muscular build to him. He wasn't the best looking guy, but he was certainly nearer the top of the good looking list than at the bottom.
As Shaun slipped his eyes shut and listened to the breeze whistle through the window once more and the dull hum of the traffic that the staffroom over looked at the entry of the business park, the door to the room swung open and Shaun heard footsteps enter. Shaun turned his head and one eye crept open to see who had joined him. Shaun opened his other eye and sat up in his chair as the new guy he had heard about crossed the room and sat on the opposite side of the table from him.
Shaun looked over to see the man slump back into the chair and he greeted him with a warm, welcoming smile that was returned. The mystery man Shaun immediately thought was good looking after drinking in his features. The man looked older than him, with short light brown hair that wasn't really styled and with a thin blondish beard that made his smile pop even brighter. His arms were quite thick and the uniformed t-shirts all member of staff were forced to wear hugged his chest and arms perfectly. However, what really caught Shaun's attention was the sparkling ocean blue eyes that shone his way.
'Hi, I'm Allan'
'Shaun'
'Nice to meet you' Allan smiled again as he looked away nervously.
Shaun watched on as silence began to engulf the room, feeling uncomfortable and trying desperately to not let his lack of confidence make Allan think he was rude, Shaun swallowed hard and forced himself to talk and make Allan feel comfortable within his new job.
'So, first day huh?' Shaun asked, which was quickly answered with a nod and a look of relief washed over Allan's face as Shaun initiated a conversation. 'How are you finding it?'
'It's been good, I'm trying to learn as much as I can' Allan answered.
'Well, don't worry if you don't know something, I'll always help you if you can find me' Shaun affirmed.
'I saw you earlier, I was going to ask your help but you were rushing around already so I didn't want to disturb you'
'Yeah, I'm one of a few people that know how to do everything from admin, to the checkout, to pricing so I'm ususally running around busy. Not to mention a few of the managers leave me to look after the shop floor while they fuck off for a smoke or lunch or to just sit on their ass!'
Allan laughed before responding 'Yeah, the female manager...erm Charlotte, I saw her doing nothing but talking on her phone all morning'
'Yeah, that sounds about right' Shaun nodded. 'She hates me aswell which makes my work life all the better'
'Why does she hate you?'
'I have absolutely no idea. My friend Gypsy, she works here too, told me that she just decides to target people and have a vendetta against people. Gypsy worked with her previously at a different store'
'Oh, I see. There always seems to be someone like that in every job' Allan smiled reassuringly over at Shaun.
'I wouldn't know, this is my first job'
'Really? How old are you?'
'I'm 19. I started here just over a year ago' Shaun answered. 'My sister works here too, you would've talked to her as she works in admin and human resources'
'Oh yeah, Hannah right?'
'Yeah, that's her. She helped me get the job, I was kinda in a rough spot for awhile' Shaun said before realising he had said to much and Allan would inevitably ask questions.
'What was wrong?'
Shaun sighed and shouted at himself internally. 'It was just some personal stuff' He replied, hoping that Allan wouldn't query further.
'Sorry, I didn't mean to be nosey' Allan began to apoligise.
'Don't worry about it' Shaun smiled broadly. 'Anyway, how old are you?'
'I'm 28'
'And what made you come to work in this hell hole?' Shaun joked.
Allan grinned again. 'I was made redundant in my last job and had to find a job quick to help pay my rent'
'You live on your own then?'
'Yeah, I do now. I split up with my girlfriend a month or so ago' Allan nodded solemnly.
'Sorry' Shaun shifted in his chair unsure of what to say. He couldn't help the small twinge of disappointment that bolted through his body at the mention of the word 'girlfriend', not that he had any kind of thoughts of he himself wanting Allan.
'So, do you still live at home?' Allan questioned.
'Yeah, with my Mum and one of my two sisters' Shaun confirmed.
'Is that sister Hannah or...'
'No, my sister Melanie lives with me, Hannah lives with a few of her mates. One of them works here actually, he's a manager his names Dylan'
'Yeah, I met him the day of my interview, seemed cool'
'Yeah, the best manager we've got. Aaron is cool too, and then there is obviously Charlotte' Shaun said as he rolled his eyes.
'Yeah, I can definitely sense the hatred' Allan joked. 'Are you in a relationship then?'
'Nah, not at the moment' Shaun hurriedly deflected the questioning. 'I don't know if you know but some of the work gang is going out not this weekend but the next you should come'
'Shaun to the films dvd section, thank you' Charlotte's voice boomed over the tannoy.
Shaun grumbled as he let out an exasperated sigh as he stood up and walked over to the door.
'About this night out, I'd feel like I was intruding, I haven't been invited' Allan replied dejectedly.
'Well you have now, I've invited you' Shaun smiled brightly, his eyes meeting Allans and their connection was established and formed right at the moment. 'See you later'
'Yeah, see ya Shaun' Allan smiled, as Shaun disappeared down the hallway.
6pm had finally arrived and the shop was officially closed. The few members of staff that worked until closing shuffled out of the building and waited as Charlotte set the alarms, locked the door and closed the shutter.
As everyone said goodbye they all split into different directions. Allan watched as Shaun walked on a few metres infront of him. He jogged up toward him and stopped as Shaun turned his head to see him beside him.
'Hey' Shaun greeted him happily. 'So, your first day is out the way, are you coming back tomorrow?'
'Yeah, it was pretty good actually. Everyone seems really nice, well apart from Charlotte. She gave me some pretty evil glares' Allan claimed.
'What? Why?' Shaun asked.
'I don't know, she was really nice until she heard me talking to Claire. All we were talking about was my first day, and I said that out of everyone I'd met Claire and you had been really great and supportive'
'Ah, big mistake!' Allan looked over at Shaun questioningly. 'You mentioned me, means instant dislike. Charlotte isn't particularly a fan of Claire either really'
'You're kidding me right?' Allan asked his face full of shock.
'I wish, but no sadly she is that pathetic. If I was you I'd keep your distance from me and play nice with her to get in her good books'
'Fuck that! I'd rather be friends with you' Allan smiled.
Shaun couldn't help but feel a rush of happiness despite willing himself to not feel it. 'Cool' Shaun replied. 'Anyway, I turn right here'
'Are you walking?' Allan asked.
'Yeah, can't afford to drive, well that and I don't have the confidence'
'Why aren't you confident? You seem it to me' Allan asked and stated.
'It's a long story, but trust me I'm really not confident. I've got a mouth on me though and I can be rather opinionated' Shaun grinned, before a look of contemplation crossed his features. 'It's weird actually that I can be mouthy when I'm so unconfident'
'Okay, well maybe you can tell me one day' Allan smiled warmly. 'Anyway, do you want a lift? My cars only parked across the road in the carpark' Allan offered.
Shaun wasn't sure what to say, but didn't want to be a burden. 'No, I'm okay thanks, I'm used to walking now'
'I don't mind, where do you live?' Allan persisted.
'Near the college, about half hour away. Where do you live?'
'Not far, about 10 minutes away'
'See, I don't want to put you out. You'd take me home and then have to drive pretty much all the way back'
'I don't mind Shaun I swear' Allan replied sincerely.
Shaun pondered, feeling rude at the fact that Allan would have to do double his usual journey. But before he could decline Allan's offer once more Allan grabbed his arm and told him he wouldn't take no for an answer and he began to drag Shaun toward his car.
During the ride home, the connection that they had quickly formed grew stronger as they talked about each others families, music, sport etc. As they neared Shaun's home, Shaun directed Allan through the estate he lived in before Allan parked outside his house.
'This is me' Shaun smiled. 'Thanks for the lift'
'No problem, I'll see you tomorrow?'
'Nope, I'm not back in now until saturday'
'Oh' Allan replied, Shaun swore he heard a slight hint of disappointment in his tone. Maybe it was wishful thinking. 'I'll see you saturday then' Allan smiled.
'Yeah, later mate and thanks again' Shaun smiled back as he closed the passenger door and made his way into his house, eagerly awaiting saturday so he could see Allan again.
If you have any feedback or comments let me know at brokenspell@hotmail.co.uk
I hope you enjoyed it and more parts are on the way, I just thought I'd say aswell that this is quite a slow burn story so if you're not into that you may not like it much.