Chapter 9

That whole morning, the only thing they did was joke around and laugh like there's no tomorrow. Rowie thought him how to manage the cashier. She also thought Clyde how to fix the foods and fill it whenever it runs out. She didn't have a hard time teaching him because he learned them fast. It was not that hard as well, though.

Gloria left after an hour to check out her other business. And unexpectedly, well not really, the convenient store was filled with people. They were, indeed, female teenagers with raging hormones. They didn't even put an effort on hiding their grins and giggles as they watched Clyde.

Rowie rolled her eyes while watching as the store filled with girls. The other girls sitting outside were glancing inside, watching Clyde's every move.

She couldn't help but look at him. She couldn't really blame them. There were so many reasons for them to swoon around him. But she didn't understand why she felt nothing but admiration. Clyde was indeed hot while carrying the box of goods, the sweat on his face did not affect his handsomeness. In fact, he looked hotter that way. But unlike the girls, she just found him admiring, that's all.

"I'm finished there. I'll help you with that." When Clyde accidentally touched her hand, the girls groaned. Rowie noticed it, of course. She could feel the daggers behind her like they intended to kill her if Clyde's not around.

"No, thank you. You just take this to the girls who ordered outside." She gave the orders to the girls who were waving outside.

"Okay, sure!" He smiled.

He's so nice, too. Rowie sighed but tried to smile in front of the costumers. She calmed herself to prevent herself from shouting. Because even though the girls were irritating, they were still costumers. They paid for the goods... and maybe for the service, too.

Rowie and Clyde ate their lunch together, customers were still present. Rowie couldn't help but sigh with satisfaction after drinking a glass of water.

"That was so refreshing!" She beamed.

Clyde chuckled. "What? It was fun working. Why is it that it looks like you've gone into a war or something?"

"This is the first time that this store is filled with girls. Thanks to the new part-timer and my partner!" she said as a matter of fact.

"What? I didn't do anything. I was just working." He said, wondering.

"You may not know it but almost every girl is here just to watch you carry the boxes like you're some kind of a fiction character or something."

"Is that so? Well, it's not like I'm interested with them." He shrugged.

Rowie raised her head to look at him, confused. "You're not interested? Ow, maybe you already have someone in your heart, that's why." She nodded like she was so sure.

"Not really."

Her eyebrows furrowed with confusion. She couldn't think of any reason. This was the first time she heard of someone said that they were not interested with girls. Except for girls, though. And --

Rowie's eyes widened. "Tell me I'm thinking stupid."

Clyde slowly shook his head. "Maybe not. Maybe yes." He was smirking and looking at her with astonishment.

"For real? You're gay?" She hissed. She even looked around to check if someone was listening. When she was convinced that no one was listening, she returned her gaze to Clyde who was already a few inch on her face.

Clyde lowered his gaze. He looked straight into Rowie's eyes, his smirk already gone. "Hmm. What do you think?" he asked with a serious face.

Rowie blinked, unable to find her voice. She pouted. "Well, I can't judge you, right? I mean, I barely know you. Maybe you have a reason." She answered honestly.

They stayed like that for a minute before Clyde leaned back. He sighed and smiled at her. "Thank you."

Clyde went back to his work while Rowie stared at the air. She was still doubtful but she had a clue. Was Clyde just afraid to tell her because they only met just hours ago? She couldn't blame him if that was the reason.

But she knew to herself that it was fine. She didn't have any issue about gays. She's open about them. She could wait until Clyde opened the topic again. When that time comes, she could tell that it was okay and he shouldn't worry. She would keep it as a secret, too.

They went back to work. Good thing Clyde was still on his usual jolly and playful self. Rowie was happy. She thought that she just found a friend in him.

It really didn't matter how much or how long you met someone. As long as you're both comfortable with each other, and you knew that you could share some secrets with them, you could actually be friends. Clyde seemed to be a good guy. He was just afraid to admit something -- scared of being judged by others.

Everyone does.