It was that time of the week again. Tuesday morning, 9:00am, I was clocking into my shift. I had gotten used to my timetable by now, the early mornings were made up for by the evening closing times. The key to the shop slid into the lock with ease, turning with a small click before I pushed the glass door open and stepped in. The lights were soon switched on and I made my way into the small staff room in the back of the shop. It was always so peaceful in the shop when it was just me, I found it easier to get to work and begin my task list. Way easier than when Tobias was here anyway. He was always talking and talking, doing the least work whilst making the most noise. I sometimes wondered how the man hadn't been fired yet.

But there was no use in thinking about him or working with him anyway. Afterall, today was my shift with my co-worker. I was glad to be here before her, it gave me time to get an early start and busy myself with something so she would hopefully avoid conversation with me. I removed my coat, hanging it up on the rack followed by my scarf. My long black hair flowed behind me as I walked to the opposite side of the room and picked up my apron, putting my head through the loop and then tying the strings behind my back. I finished by adjusting my name tag, my expression remaining blank as I read over the task list left for me on the whiteboard.

Dust the tops of the shelves, unpack the new books, upload them to the catalogue, organise the vinyl's-

My thoughts went silent as I heard the jingle of the front door bell. My co-worker? She wasn't expected here until....well at least 10:00am. I finished getting my apron on before I creeped towards the door of the staff room, my hands fidgeting nervously by my sides as I peeked my head out and glanced towards the front of the shop. There she was, coming into shop with her phone in hand. Wow...her hair looked so good today...she looked good in general today. I swallowed nervously, inching back into the staffroom and contemplating what I would do or say. It would be rude of me to be silent, wouldn't it. I chewed on the inside of my cheek, my hand raising to smooth out my hair before I stood in front of my locker, pretending to look busy so she wouldn't know I was so eager to see her.

As she walked into the staff room however, the urge to look at her again overtook and I snapped around to face her. I watched her go about her usual routine, taking off her coat and hanging it up before grabbing an apron. 'Say something' I urged myself, clearing my throat before my words awkwardly fell out.

"...what are you doing here?"

Great. I sounded like an asshole. It was a simple question, meant solely due to her early timing, but it came out so stiff and unenthusiastic, I felt my mouth grow dry as I stared blankly at her, waiting for her response.