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 Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2020 6:56 pm
Dark brown hair was racked through by slender fingers before he went back to the waiting bin, and the load of scripts sitting there. The baskets were filled with scripts to be put away, of course no one else would put them away while he was busy with the line of customers, it would be a miracle for anyone to help him. He hated this job. He hadn’t at first, and he still found things he liked about it, but it was the people he worked with. Some of them, only three or four people in fact, made him miserable and made work a real task.
Sorting out the scripts, back to front, he went about putting away the front ones before handling the ones in the back. It took time, he had a lot to put away, he kept having people turning up that he had to handle. This was why he never got anything done, at least not without taking a lot of time to do it, because no one helped him and he always had a customer turning up.
Finishing with the latest customer he quickly finished putting the scripts away and slowly, without a word spoken, moved past the production table where everyone else was, and went to go over the bins and pull anything that had been filled fourteen days ago. He still wasn’t done with pulling them - no surprise there.
So far today he’d barely managed twenty spoken words to his co-workers and no one questioned it or wondered why he’d been so silent. He wasn’t normally a silent person, he tried hard to be social enough to fit in, but as of two and a half hours ago he’d fallen silent. That was when most of his spoken words had passed his lips.
Shaking his head as he let his own thoughts travel down various paths, mostly about how lonely he was, how no one noticed he was silent, no one spoke to him...or helped him when he obviously needed it. He just had to get through the day and then he could leave, anywhere but here, he wanted to just go home and watch some video on youtube - he needed it.
It was another four hours before the gates were coming down and he was finishing putting things away. A soft spoken good night to everyone as he clocked out and ignoring them he headed out the backdoor of the pharmacy. Making a bee line right for the breakroom in order to grab his things. As the others filtered in, talking and socializing, he tried to join in...well sort of. Wishing them all safe trips home as he mentioned being tired himself. Perhaps an excuse for him taking off so quickly...or a reason for him being so silent. He didn’t join in on the conversation going on. He hurried off. He couldn’t be here...it hurt to be around them. He’d wanted to work with them - to work in the pharmacy...and he’d gotten to. But that wish, that want, it hurt and he’d done it to himself.
Standing at the front doors, ignoring the customer who walked in past him, he let the manager check his pockets before he headed out to the small suv he had. This was one reason he kept slaving away, taking more hours than he wanted, and why he dealt with the emotional abuse and stress. He needed to pay for the insurance and payments on this. The walk to his car was slow, wanting to savor the cool air. As he climbed in Larkin took note of the text message from his mother. She wanted to know if he could make a grocery store run for her - she needed milk and a few other things.
Sending a reply back to her he headed for the nearby grocery store, maybe he could get a few things for himself as well. That in mind, and smiling just a bit, Larkin felt a bit better as he pushed a small cart into the store and went right for what his mother needed first - before he forgot. He really did hate his job...he felt alone back there. He felt used and sort of looked down on even.
Pushing the thoughts to the side, for now, he let himself wander the grocery store grabbing things as he went.
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2020 7:07 pm
Caleb had decided to take the Grocery shopping chore for the week and was pushing his own cark through the aisles, looking eagerly at everything that was on the shelves. He had missed cooking. Missed eating more so than cooking, but that was besides the point. He was in the spice aisle, glancing at the rows upon rows of spice jars and pondering how adventurous he felt. Finally, he grabbed about seven different spices, things that he wouldn’t normally try and tossing them into the cart, he moved off and ran right into the cart of another patron.
“Oh, God, I’m sorry! I wasn’t paying any attention to…well. Anything.”
He gave a sheepish laugh. “…You didn’t get hurt, yeah? You want to exchange license and registrations?” It was a joke, but Caleb continued to grin, utterly embarrassed.
“…Seriously though, I didn’t run over your foot, did I? I got seduced by the spices. You can’t blame me, right?”
He needed to stop talking. This guy obviously didn’t care. Why would anyone care.
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2020 7:08 pm
Lost in his own thoughts, no matter how much he tried not to be, Larkin was taken by surprise when his cart was hit into by another. “Oh!” Surprised he jumped a bit, wide blueish eyes staring at the other. “It’s ok...and I don’t know. I mean I don’t think I have a license for a shopping cart.” Normally he wasn’t the sort to joke about, especially given he’d just gotten out of work, but it was a bit of a cute joke...and maybe it would help lighten his own mood.
“No - no. I’m fine...and yeah...the spices are good. I can understand staring at them all.” It was, if he thought about it, a bit intimidating. All those spices and not knowing what to do with most of them, not even knowing what most tasted like, but the curiosity….but what if you got the wrong thing? It was a wonder to look at though.
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2020 8:52 pm
Caleb nodded, slightly amused. It seemed that he wasn’t the only one who had been spacing out, and that honestly made him feel a lot better about being such a dunce. “I apologize, it was just a joke, ah. Yeah. I’m looking in to cooking some nice things for my roommates. I enjoy trying new recipes, and it’s easier if you have the spices already on hand rather than running out constantly to the market because you don’t have any garlic powder.”
Which had happened. Twice now. Not just for garlic powder but…when you’re trying to cook at midnight…the stores that are still open are more than a little creepy.
“Ah…what brings you to the store? General shopping or…are you planning on making something special? I’m Caleb, by the way. It’s nice to meet you.”
He didn’t know why he was still talking. This was going far beyond the normal amount of small talk that was acceptable. Perhaps he was simply lonely.
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Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2020 5:25 pm
"I've had that happen...the midnight runs for things you suddenly need." when he didn't work the next day he tended to stay up late and so he would make food late at night. It had happened a few times but he generally either gave up or improvised somehow. The stores were so lonely feeling late at night, it felt like work in a way, and he was a lonely enough person when at work so he didn't like going shopping at night. He did prefer right after work or day time shopping.
"Oh no, nothing special. I'm not much of a cook...I just tend to toss everything together and hope for the best. I'm not really good with things...and everything just winds up tasting similar when I cook." Because he didn't want to risk being adventurous, though he was curious. It's why he bought food from other places and got adventurous that way. Because if he tried to make it...he'd fail and he knew it. He wasn't that good.
"Larkin...and it's nice to meet you also." Offering out a hand to the other. "I'm here because of a text from my mother and then deciding to do some of my own shopping." Though for what he didn't know. He didn't know what he wanted.
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Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 6:24 pm
Caleb nodded. “It’s a pain.” He was surprised by the hand, but he broke into a smile at the gesture. “You can shop with me if you want…it’s always nicer when you have someone to talk to, but seriously, Larikin…if I’m being annoying or you’re creeped out by this obviously lonely stranger trying to make a friend…just tell me and I’ll completely vanish into thin air. Promise.”
He forced his face back into a more neutral expression, though still looked amused, and rather pleased. “What did your mom want you to pick up?” Caleb shook the male’s hand and went back to his cart, gripping it loosely. “Anything specific? If you don’t mind me sticking around, I’m…pretty good in the grocery store.”
It would be nice not to have to be alone for a while.
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Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 7:32 pm
"I don't mind...I promise. If anything I'd say I'm lonely as well." So this was fitting then, in a way, for two lonely people to meet in the grocery store. "Milk, bread, eggs, tea bags." All things for tomorrow morning for breakfast. She'd likely been looking around the fridge, planning what to do for breakfast tomorrow morning, and discovered they were missing several essentials.
"All breakfast things..." He added slowly, not that he needed to. But perhaps he just wanted to to talk to someone, finally. He could talk to someone who wasn't a customer, since his co-workers didn't seem to like talking to him. "You can stick around - please." He didn't like always feeling alone when he wasn't home; he doubted anyone honestly did.
"I was just going to poke about for myself....I don't know what I want." He didn't know if he wanted anything even.
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Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 6:52 pm
Caleb gave a smile and nodded, looking rather pleased. “Breakfast is great. I like breakfast. I like all foods, honestly.” He began walking again, trying to look cool and collected, and not break into some stupid little dance at finding a friend. Someone new who didn’t cause gut twisting feelings when he saw them...it was nice.
“Ah, what’s your favorite food? Maybe I could give you some ideas for dinner? You live with your mom?”
That was kind of adorable. He had spent so much time living away from his parents that he honestly...couldn’t imagine living with them once again. Not that he had any desire to leave the city...not anymore.
A dark look flashed across his gaze but he shoved it away, grinning. “I’m thinking of maybe doing italian for dinner. It sounds good to me. I’m in a rather cheesy mood.”
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Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 7:01 pm
"I like to try all kinds of foods. I like to eat." Not that he looked it, thankfully, but he found comfort in food and it was often around food or drink that he spent time with his family and especially his siblings.
"Mm, I'm only 21 and working but it's not enough to live on my own." Plus he sort of liked the idea of living with other people, even if they were family, so he wasn't alone all the time. it was bad enough at work....he didn't think he could deal with living on his own as well. "I have three siblings as well and my father." He lived with them all and they all got on well, it was nice. It meant they could joke and tease each other and they could shop together or hang ut in the kitchen, or living room, and have a drink together.
"It's getting chilly out so something warm and filling...something hearty. I like soups and stews during the colder months." As it felt good to be warm from the inside out with good food. Summer and spring was time for lighter foods with herbs used a lot. It was also time for salads and fruits and such.
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Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 7:52 pm
“I’ll be twenty one in January!” Caleb grinned. “It’s nice to have friends my own age...ah. It seems like the older you get the harder it is to really make friends.” ...And the less he really wanted to make friends. There wasn’t much of a point when they would simply get hurt, killed or taken from you.
A rather haunted look passed across Caleb’s face and he gave a small sigh. “Ah, yeah, I like soup and stews too. I should look into getting some...that actually sounds pretty good...maybe we can have a beef stew for dinner tomorrow.”
He hoped that Xi would like it. Reaching out, Caleb got a few things off of the shelf, placing them into the cart with a thoughtful hum. “...If you ever want to come for dinner, let me know okay? I can uh. Give you my number maybe? We can...text? Or...However you...make friends?” For a moment...he felt dumb, but he was trying.
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Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2020 10:11 pm
"I agree....work is work and friendships happen there....but it's harder." They weren't in school any more and they weren't younger where they had less responsibilities. It was easier when you were younger, or maybe it was just the two of them who obviously had an issue with making friends.
Laughing at they others awkwardness he nodded his head. "I'd like that and I prefer texting over calling, it's always hard to hear someone on the phone for some reason. It's not as clear as I wish it was. Texting is quick and easy." And if it was while he was at work he could text when he was free, which was whenever there wasn't a customer since they rarely let him away from pick up.
"I think dinner as friends would be nice...I think a new friend would be nice - I need one. It sounds like you do too." he added the last part after a few moments of hesitation, unsure if he should say it. "It sounds like we're both a bit lonely and need a friend." He knew he was lonely and needed a friend...but to meet someone else who seemed to be in the same boat. It felt sort of nice...not that he was happy the other was lonely! Never! But it was someone who could understand it.
Grabbing a few things as well, having to step away a few steps to do so, he tossed the few items into his cart. Such random items but he wanted to get a few things...he wanted to do something while he was here.
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 4:57 pm
Caleb nodded, giving a little laugh at the other male’s reaction. Maybe people his own age were just lonely. It would make sense at least. “Then, I’ll text you. We can do dinner and you can meet the rest of my friends and we can go from there?” It seemed as good a plan as anything and Caleb wore a small smile now, not and expression that he had had for a while but...it was nice to have it once again.
He fell quiet and took a moment to look over some different oils, selecting a bottle that seemed as though it would work. For what? He wasn’t sure. But, he thought it would work for whatever.
“I think I’m just about done shopping...but...I’ll text you soon?” He held out his phone, a fresh new contact page open for Larkin to enter in his information. “If you get brave though, or lonely or whatever. You can call. Even though we’re in that generation who hates phone calls. I get it, but. I’ll make an exception. For my friends.”
Any of his friends but...Larkin didn’t need to know that.
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Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2020 7:27 pm
"I think I'd like that...I don't get out and around other people much." And when he was around other people, his own age, it was at work and then he wished to be anywhere else but there. He liked his job, he honestly did, it was his co-workers and a few of the customers. If he could get better coworkers than it would be all good, he could handle a few angry customers if he had a good team to work with. Maybe he could convince his stores manager to let him transfer....it was an idea. Depending on how he worded it he might convince her it was a great idea - great for the pharmacy and not just something he wanted.
Taking the others phone he put his information into the others open contact screen. "Thanks...and calls aren't too bad." He was one of those who did prefer texts though, half due to being so busy with work. "You can call me also...whenever you want. I might not answer, if I'm at work, but if that happens just send a text. Those I can respond to at times." He hid his phone under his counter and could text back. "I should be done shipping in a few minuets as well. Just need to get moms things." Since he'd been grabbing things for himself. It was time to get what his mother wanted.
"It was nice...to meet someone else who feels like I do. I don't feel so bad. Thank you." He didn't feel so alone or like he was strange or anything. He felt comforting in a way. He liked that. He could smile right now and it didn't feel forced or like some act, like it did at work. It was rare for a smile given when working to be genuine, though it did on occasion happen. A few customers he had a soft spot for.
"Thank you for tonight...it meant a lot...even if it wasn't much." Just talking, connecting, and making a friend. It meant a lot to him. More than the other likely knew...or maybe he did know.
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Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2020 7:12 pm
Caleb grinned and nodded, looking and feeling really happy. “Thank you too, Larkin. I’m...I’m not normally so chatty but. You were easy to talk to, and I appreciate it.” He gave a little wave and pushed his cart down the aisle. “I’ll text you later tonight! We can plan...to hang out or something if you’re interested!”
He was.
It sounded terribly fun.
Now all he had to do was go home, unload his groceries...and wait what might be considered an acceptable time before reaching out to the male. Before really working to cultivate this new friendship.
...Two hours seemed like a good enough span. He could handle that, no problem.
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