Leaf
I wake up without any alarms. I checked my phone seeing what time I woke up at. 11:30 Saturday the 14th. Much earlier than some days I thought. I had slept in enough today, usually I would lay back down and cover up sleeping some more, but I had plans to help out this guy moving out of the apartment. I pulled on some old clothes that I didn’t care if got ripped or anything spilt on them. Ruffling my hair as I went down the hall, to the person I was going to help. When I reach the door before his, I see him struggling to hold a box while coming out of his room and I take the box from him before he completely drops it. Jared was a small guy, he had to use a cane most times despite being 25.
“Hey, you know you didn’t have to do this before I got here I said I would help you” “I know but I was getting worried you wouldn’t show up so I had moved a few boxes already” “I promised you, I keep my promises, but it is true I did mean to be earlier but I slept in” “Oh” “Alright show me where to carry these boxes to” “Follow me” he waved his arm as he led me down stairs to his car, opening the hatch. “You can set that one right there” he pointed to where the seats were folded down, I set the box down and pushed it to the place he said. We walked back up talking as he gave me boxes and I loaded his car for him. “I’m surprised I haven’t fallen down these steps yet” I said while carrying the last box to the car. “Well I would be here to try catching you, but we both know how that would go” “I’m really going to miss you man, you were my favorite hall neighbor” “I'm going to miss you too, you were one of the few that didn’t look at me as some weird sick guy who couldn’t care for himself, even though I had been living alone the last 7 years” “It’s no problem, they look at me weird too. We took care of each other, also do you have anybody to help you with these at your new place?” “Yeah about that I don’t, I don’t really want to ask but I had so much trouble with the first few boxes, would you ride with me and help me out, it just across town, I’ll even get you a drink from that place you always talk about” “I would love to help you out, just let me get my phone and I’ll meet you down by your car, and don’t worry about rushing to get this done I have nothing else to do today” I got my phone and wallet and met my neighbor at his car before heading to the cafe.
Aster
My shift was almost done; it had been a few days since I worked the double shift, and no longer felt the effects of drinking about ten coffees a day. That had been a mistake, my stomach had been hurting for days after and I had been really shaky. The bell chimed and in walked this young guy with a cane and Leaf right behind him. What an odd pair I thought as I watched them talk picking up bits and pieces of the conversation. Leaf was helping the guy move, while the guy wanted to pay for their drink to pay Leaf back for helping him out, and Leaf was adamant about paying for themself. “Hello, what kind of potion or brew can I get for you this mysterious day” “I haven't been here before, but do you have any sugar and gluten free items?” “Yes we do!” I reached under the counter pulling out the health menu stating the drinks in sections with what dietary needs or restrictions they met, instead of what type of drink they were. “Here you go” The guy looked shocked that we had a menu like that, I knew I was, I haven't gone to a place that had a menu like that. “I don’t know what I want yet Leaf, so you can go before me” “I’m still deciding to be honest” Seeing my chance to ask about hearing about the move and seeing if they need help I let out my questions without thinking. “I heard you two talking about moving, I was wondering if you needed some extra hands as my shift ends soon and I don’t have anything else to do today” “We don’t have anymore room in my van for anybody else but thanks for the offer” “oh, I have a car I could follow you….If that’s alright with you” “Well I could use the help, Leaf you good with working with her?” Leaf looked at me embarrassed for reasons I couldn’t see. “Uh, yeah I think we can use her help, uh what’s your name?” “Oh my name? It’s Aster” Leaf quietly said something blushing more but I could still hear what they said which I doubt they wanted me to “Fitting a beautiful name for someone beautiful” I cocked my head sideways slightly amused. “I’m sorry I didn’t hear you, what did you say?” They became even more red than before “AH I Just Said that it was a really nice name!” “Thanks, I like the name Leaf too, it’s a unique name” “Thanks I picked it myself!” “Same with mine!” Leaf looked shocked about what I said, I said it without thinking it was my turn to be embarrassed “So uh, did you two decide which drinks you’re getting?”
The pair ordered their drinks and a snack, then setting down at a table waiting for me to get done with my shift. I learned that the other guy was named Jared when Leaf picked up the drinks.
Leaf
I really think she heard me. I reddened again thinking about it, I called her beautiful out loud without thinking about it. Aster. Aster, she chose that name herself. I wondered if she was joking or if she really did, if she was trans like me or just didn’t like her name before, a deadname either way. She also thought my name was cool. I don’t get complimented on my name much, it made me feel good. I was surprised that she wanted to help out me and Jared. I was happy either way I’m getting help with Jared’s many boxes and I get to hang out with a really attractive person. Like Joey she seemed to actually be happy to see me when I came in, I don’t think the others like me that much, but that was understandable. I've made countless messes. I always tried to clean up my messes and leave extra tips. Aster might not like me after I make a few messes when she’s here. My mind was going everywhere while waiting for her to get done with her shift.
Aster didn’t take long. We all walked outside at the same time, Jared thanking her for offering to help, and telling her about how long it would be until we reached his new home. It was a quick drive, and it took a lot less time with Aster helping, we actually talked some after I got over being embarrassed by saying she’s beautiful. We were almost done when I realized I didn’t have a ride yet. “Hey Jared, any chance you could give me a ride back?” “Yeah sure just let me finish up on unloading this box” “No problem” Aster overheard from over by her car. She was about to leave. “Oh hey, I might be able to take you back to where you need to be If it’s on my way, where do you want to go?” “ I live off of ~ and $, but if anything you could drop me off at the cafe” “oh hey I actually live off of ~, I’ll definitely take you” “Okay I’ll go tell Jared, he’s already in the house” I walked in the door calling out “Hey! Aster is going to take me, my place is on her way, have a great rest of your life! Hope I’ll run into you again some time” “Same to you!”
I sat down in Aster’s car taking in the view of the state of it. The car wasn’t clean but it wasn’t dirty either, it was an organized chaos. “Sorry about the mess, I have been really busy so I haven't been able to clean it” “Oh it’s no problem! I have definitely seen a lot worse, and besides it’s not even that bad.” “Still I feel bad, anyway” she tossed her phone to me that had the aux plugged into it “Surprise me” I picked it up looking at the list she had on it. There was a lot that I listened to so I chose one that didn’t have anything to do with love. I didn’t want an awkward tension between us. She nodded at approval at the song, and went to turn it up, but she her hand hesitated over the dial. “Can I?” “Yeah go ahead, I used to have a friend that had subs that I rode with a lot” “Oh nice” She continued turning it up, we really didn’t talk to each other, but it wasn’t an awkward silence it was comfortable. We rode that way all the way until my apartment.
“Hey thanks for the ride” I said while stepping out the car door. “No problem, I’ll see ya at the cafe sometime” “yeah definitely!” I walked towards the front of my apartment building smiling. I haven't had that good of a day in a long time.
Aster
I lay in bed thinking. I had driven Leaf home just to be nice, but something about their presence just made me feel better. Maybe it had something to do with no longer having my old friends anymore. I could make friends usually pretty quick, but it seemed like I always chose the wrong people. Leaf seemed like a good person, but I couldn’t trust my judgement so easily anymore. I sighed rolling over. I couldn’t keep going like this, making friends, losing them or leaving them, and doing it all over again. I needed at least one person I knew that we wouldn’t leave each other, that I could trust with my secrets.
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