Lesson 55- If you’re stuck inside, use your imagination. It’s like turning your home into a playground!
I turn to leave but pause when I notice a flash of colour in a plastic bag on top of the overflowing filing cabinet by the door.
“Torin… Did someone buy you flowers?” I ask in a teasing tone, turning back to face him. Torin gives me a flat look.
“You really think someone would get ME flowers?” He says as if the entire idea is ludicrous. I shrug.
“Okay so sure it isn’t super likely, but it’s not IMPOSSIBLE. Does that mean you got yourself flowers? You shouldn’t leave them in a bag like that. They need water. Is there a vase around here somewhere?” I question. Torin is blushing again.
“Just one. They’re for the vase in your room. Your flowers are probably starting to dry up by now, right?” He asks. I tilt my head.
“They were from you? I wondered but I wasn’t sure. I love them, but why are you leaving me flowers?” It seems like a strange gesture from him, flowers are usually more of a romantic thing. Then again, I don’t think he’s the most socially experienced person out there. So maybe that didn’t occur to him. He’s not dumb though, so maybe it did. Torin shrugs.
“You’re stuck inside. I thought it might help to have a bit of nature in your room. I would have gotten you a plant or something but I don’t know anything that would survive in there.” He explains.
“Awwww, Torin you absolute sweetheart. That’s adorable. And you’re right, I definitely appreciate them. I am starting to get a little stir crazy. If I wasn’t so busy working and hanging out with Jane it would be a lot worse though.” I add thoughtfully. Torin frowns.
“What?” I ask. He shrugs.
“I don’t want you to be unhappy here. I don’t know what else to do to fix that.” He answers. I’m tempted to answer that he could give me my phone back and let me call my brother. I suspect that there are probably cops looking for me by now. My brother is a firefighter and he knows a lot of people in law enforcement too. He always complains about the police, I think they have something like a friendly rivalry with the firefighters. But if he needed something, I’m fairly sure he has them on speed dial, and anyone who knows my brother knows all about his little sister. If only so he could make it clear to them that I was totally off limits. Overprotective? Yes. Unwelcome? Well… I would have thought so before, but right now dealing with my overprotective brother sounds amazing. But I don’t want to get into that right now, if I start I’ll probably end up in tears. So I go back to teasing Torin.
“I’m not unhappy, at least not yet. And I think you’re adorable for thinking to get me flowers.” I smile at him and Torin blinks.
“... Adorable?” He repeats incredulously.
“Yes, adorable. You’re very thoughtful. You didn’t need to sneak around though. You could have just told me, or given them to me directly.” I inform him. Torin shrugs.
“I didn’t want you to feel like they’re a gift, you shouldn’t have to be grateful for them. I’m just trying to make staying here a little more bearable. I… I can’t let you go. But I never wanted to be your jailer either.” He admits.
“So, I’m not allowed to say thankyou for the flowers?” I ask.
“I’d rather you didn’t…” He trails off.
“Alright, then I’ll just say thanks for being my friend. You know, I feel like I need to commemorate this somehow.” I say thoughtfully.
“Comemmorate… Friendship?” Torin responds haltingly.
“Yeah. Oh, I know. You need a nickname. I’ll think about it.” I declare. Torin just nods but he looks super confused.
“I had better go get everything ready for work then if I’m setting up by myself.” I reason, heading towards the door. Torin follows me.
“I’ll help you.” He insists. Torin also grabs the flowers from by the door and offers them to me.
“Maybe put these in water first? I don’t really know what I’m doing. You’ll probably do a better job.” He says shyly and I grin.
“Sure, I’ll meet you in the bar.” I answer.
As I replace my flowers I can’t help but worry a little about how attached I’m getting to Torin. Next time I have internet access I should look up Stockholm syndrome… Just In case. I pull my hair back into a ponytail and head out to the bar where Torin has already started prepping for the evening. This should be easier than the first time I worked alone, it might be busier but at least I know how to use the cash register this time. Also I’m not in full on shock… I don’t think. It’s been at least a few hours since my last traumatic event. I even slept for a little bit.
“The flowers look great Tori.” I tell him with a grin.
“Tori?” He repeats. I shrug.
“What? Do you not like it? I could pick something else but that’s the obvious nickname.” I explain.
“No. It- It’s fine.” he responds. I narrow my eyes and look him over carefully. Is he just saying that to be nice? Because he doesn’t want to hurt my feelings? Nah, I think I can see a hint of satisfaction in his expression and there’s a little bit of extra bounce in his step. Torin likes the nickname.
When we open it’s fairly quiet at first, and even when the evening starts to pick up I’m doing okay. A few people heard the screaming out back last night and we didn’t try to hide the ambulance. Apparently supernatural people are huge gossips because tonight everyone knows that something happened to Kyle, although the stories of WHAT exactly happened seem to vary a lot. Most of them are fairly close to the truth, that someone tried to break in and there was a fight. There are a few wildly inaccurate rumours too, most of them are pretty funny. But when I hear a story going around that Kyle pissed off Torin and ended up in hospital I can’t let it stand. Speaking a little louder than I really need to, I approach Torin who is sitting at his normal spot at the end of the bar, mostly just waiting around in case I need help with something.
“Hey so I never got to say thanks last night. For saving Laura, Kyle and I that is. It was really brave of you.” I practically announce. Torin blinks at me then glances around the room, clearly realising what I’m trying to accomplish. He shrugs.
“I would never let someone get away with hurting my employees.” He answers. I roll my eyes.
“You can just say ‘friends.’ Or are you feeling a little shy Tori?” I lean over the bar and ruffle his hair which makes him freeze in place. The bar goes silent for a minute, then the gossiping starts up agai, louder than ever. Still, hopefully that took care of the nasty rumour. Sure, it wasn’t all that subtle, but it was better than just bluntly telling everyone to shut the hell up, plus that would kill the vibe. I’m pleased with my efforts, not to mention everything is going pretty well. I’ve only had to add an asshole tax to a few drinks, and I haven’t gotten too overwhelmed yet. Right now I feel like I can handle anything, I don’t think anything can surprise me anymore.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
