The new guy

The gift shop

“Liz, it’s my mums birthday on Sunday, can you come with me to get her a present ?”

“Sunday? I have to help my mum.” I frowned at the thought of blowing him off. “I can make time for it.”

“Umm yeah...could you do it today ? It’s just I don’t know if I can do it any other day.”

“Oh yeah sure!” I jumped at the chance to spend more time with him today.

I grabbed my school bag from the living room and ran upstairs towards my bedroom.

“What are you doing?” He shouted yo after me, stood at the bottom of the stairs looking very confused.

“Bringing my bag to and doing my hair and make up.” I looked down the stairs and gave him a shy smile.

“You look perfect.” His flawless smile and those words made me blush.

“No. I don’t.” I shouted back.

Feeling giddy at his words, I didn’t waste time doing anything to my hair or make up, I emptied my bag to grab my purse and chucked on an oversized hoodie as it was getting quite windy. I took a quick glance in the mirror and ran downstairs to an abrupt stop, I hadn’t seen him still stood there at the bottom of the stairs. My stupid clumsiness made my foot slip and I ended up on my bum right in front of Dean, who was now looked at me completely amused and trying not to laugh as I have him a dirty look. He helped me to my feet as I grabbed the keys and stormed to the front door, fully aware that he was still laughing at me.

“You coming or not?” I snapped with a giggle.

We started walking down the street, I lead the way of course. I knew exactly what shop to go to, it’s just around the corner. The hour all was silent but a comfortable silence.

“This is the shop.” I pointed out as we arrive the the little fist shop that was colour coordinated inside. Each colour had its own shelf and parts of the wall were painted according to the colour.

“I don’t know what she likes.” He admitted rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.

He looked clueless so I needed to step In, I looked around the shop myself trying to give him ideas.

“Umm do you know her favourite colour?” We both chuckled looking around the room.

“Pink.” He voice sounded disgusted.

“Like my mum then.” I laughed and lead him over to the pink section.

“Let me guess you like pink too?” He asked with a hint of humour.

“No defiantly not, I love black.” I laughed. I have never been a girly girl and I don’t see myself ever being one. I hate pink, flowers, frills, dressed and anything girly for that matter!

“Really? Me too.” He grinned. Dean turned to the pink section and frowned.

I quickly picked up a necklace, the chain silver and the heart pendant rose pink. Something my mum would love, there was earrings to match so I picked those up too along with a bath set that came with a fluffy pink hot water bottle and told him to pick.

“All of them.” He took them off of me and headed to the till where the brunette working couldn’t take her eyes off him.

As the brunette took the items from Dean, she brushed his hand while doing so, placing items as she scanned them she added what looked like a note. Her number? He must get that a lot as he wasn’t phased by it.

He said thank you, flashing her a dazzling smile as he led us out of the shop.

“Thank you, mum can’t complain I didn’t get her anything this year.” He grinned.

We started walking home as I realise I hadn’t messaged Maisie to let her know I was safe. She would definitely be going mad by now, I checked my phone and sure enough I had 3 missed calls and 8 texts. I quickly messaged her back to tell her I was safe and sorry for not replying, I would call her later.

I had a message from Jack too about meeting up to talk about Maisie’s birthday. I told him I would meet him tomorrow as I was busy today. I didn’t know how long I would be with Dean.

“Liz?” He asked carefully. “What are you doing tomorrow night?” A cheeky grin spread across his face.

“What day is it?” I couldn’t stop smiling.

“Tomorrow is Saturday.” He winked.

“Nothing then.” I smiled shyly and started to walk again.

“Do you want to go for something to eat?” He asked without a slight doubt that I would say no.

“Sure! What time?” I grinned.

“Six o’clock?”

“Yeah.” Was all I could manage through my huge grin.

Wait what? Was this him asking me out ? No, don’t be stupid. He has already said he likes someone. He just sees me as a friend, plus he’s probably just doing it because I helped him pick out a gift for his mum right ? And it’s his way of saying thank you or something. Either way, I was going to make an effort tomorrow ! Make up, hair, new clothes, the lot!

We walked the last few minutes in silence, I was trying not to smile like an i***t about tomorrow. As we got to our road, a guy who looked like the younger one of the three from earlier, came out of a house at the bottom of the road, I heard Dean sigh before turning to me.

“My cousin is probably going to come over, I apologise in advance.”

I laughed as we carried on towards him. Apologise for what I’m sure he isn’t that bad.

“Hey!” He shouted very boisterous, one arm in the air waving.

“Kellan, Liz. Liz, Kellan.” Dean waved his hand introducing us.

“Hi.” I said shyly, jeez what is with his family? He’s gorgeous ! Not as muscular as Dean but just as tall and has dimples.

“Liz?” Dean laughed.

“Yeah?” I asked confused, snapping out of my thoughts, blushing a little. I had missed out on the conversation from staring at Kellan.

They both laughed and dropped whatever they were speaking about.

“Maybe we should all go out tomorrow somewhere?” Kellan asked. “Liz can show us around.”

“We are actually going for food tomorrow evening.” Replied Dean.

“Oh! A date already Dean?” He chucked

“No we’re friends.” He pushed him.

Great, good job I found out now before going over the tip with my outfit.

“Come if you want.” Dean turned to Kellan.

“Yeah alright, I’ll see you there.” He winked at me

“See you guys tomorrow.” I turned to walk to my door wanting to get away from the awkwardness I felt. “Dean text me!” I shouted back as I unlocked the door and stepped inside.