8From his usual location, Xavier was able to watch the way the food court gradually filled up. Lunch break was always the best time for the food shops. He glanced around and spotted the same man every other day wearing the same black and white suit with a dark navy tie. He also recognised the short, plump Italian woman who was the owner of the shop three doors down. But where was Jay?
Time passed and the absence of Jay was beginning to eat away at him. Maybe she was avoiding him after all, who wouldn't after the strange way he introduced himself. Or rather, asked her for her name. Damn it, maybe she thought he was an idiot.
"Xavier, get a move on, can't you see the lady in aisle one needs some help?"
"Sorry mum, getting there," replied Xavier instantly. He stood thinking for a moment. Nineteen years old and still working in his mother's modest shop. Plus, he gets caught out worrying over some girl he knows nothing about. He sighed and approached the customer in red.
Oh my god, I'm really going to get caught this time, thought Jay. Professionally, she hid the stash in her oversized jumper and walked out, pretending to not have found what she was looking for. After walking exactly thirty paces, she clutched her jumper, and the items within, and ran madly until stopping before a traffic light. She cursed herself for forgetting to bring her wallet but she didn't walk all the way to the shops for nothing. Even if she had brought her wallet, the money in it would not have been enough to pay for all the items cleverly hidden. Anyway, she was becoming a real amateur at pinching things and the more she did it, the better she became.
When will the darn light turn red, she thought as impatience boiled inside her. Taking a quick look at her watch, it was now well past her lunchtime. Damn it, now she was late for her free lunch at Central Food Court. Oh well, better late than never.
Just when Xavier had given up hope of seeing her ever again, there she appeared, looking a little flustered and breathless. Despite that, she still managed to look as appealing as ever. She was wearing a pair of loose black trackpants and a loose, grey jumper that looked like it could have fit two of her. On her feet were a pair of worn-out runners and she held in her hand a bulging, navy-coloured eco-friendly shopping bag.
Well I got her name last time, wonder what today will bring, he thought to himself. Glancing around to make sure there were no customers, but more importantly her mother, around, he gradually made his way out of the monotonous shop.
Jay was served the usual; a burger, coke and small fries. Fatty and filling. But most of all, free. Sitting at the same table and holding the burger up to her face, she noticed the same boy who had approached her last Sunday, slowly make his way towards her. What was his name again? Jay tried for a couple of milliseconds to grasp his name but soon realised he had never given it. What does he want from me?
"Hi Jay."
"Hi." She continued to eat her burger.
"May I uh, sit down?" Breathe in, breathe out and stop stuttering!
"Why not?" she shrugged to emphasise she really didn't care.
They both sat in silence; Jay munching quietly into her free meal with him staring outright at her. Not a word was passed between them. Jay, who couldn't stand the silence and the awkwardness of the situation finally said,
"Fries?"
"Yeah thanks," What am I going to say? "So you come here a lot?"
"Mm-hm," came the vague reply.
"Yeah, I see you every Sunday, eating the same thing," God, I must sound like some stalker.
"Hm." What does he want?
More silence. The girl was obviously not going to converse with him in more than one mono-syllable word. She was making him feel like an idiot.
"Uh thanks for the fries and I guess I'll see you next Sunday," ended Xavier.
"Yeah." So he wants to see me next Sunday. Whatever, as long as he keeps his distance, thought Jay.
She was fascinating him. Xavier was so used the way girls would tilt their heads and smile flirtatiously at him. But Jay acted like she didn't even care about his presence. He laughed to himself; she's a tough girl but I'll break her wall down eventually.