Adam clicked Enter and put the receipt on the stack on the left, facing down, then grabbed another from the stack on the right--

*THUD*

Adam closed his eyes and sighed internally, turning towards the small back office's window, that face he could never really get that mad at, waving back at him--

Why was he covered in makeup?

“Your friend?” A raspy voice yelled from the front of the store.

“Yes,” Adam yelled back, returning his gaze to the window and gesturing at his friend to come in.

David disappeared into the darkness outside and Adam got up.

He saved the progress on last month's sales report as his boss walked into the room, broom still in hand.

He stepped back as she approached the computer and examined his work, looking between the various stacks of receipts.

“Those are the days you concluded, right?” She questioned, pointing at the various stacks put aside, bound with paper clips and dated with post-its.

“Yes, Ma'am. I got all the way to the 23rd. I still have a few from the 24th to put in.” He explained, pointing at the stack closest to the computer.

She nodded and lifted her hand.

“Well done, Adam.” She said, a slightly warmer version of her usual serjeant-like demeanor spreading over her hardened features.

“Thank you, Ma'am.” He smiled, his heart pumping with excitement as he gave her a high-five with his good hand.

*tling*

“Adam? Are you ready?” David called to him from the front of the store.

“Just a moment,” Adam yelled back.

“Well, hurry up. My boss gave me some coupons for McDonald's!” He announced, “They expire tomorrow, come on!”

“I--”

“Open your arms.” She ordered, grabbing his jacket from the coat hanger.

Adam complied.

His boss helped him get bundled up for the cold outside, carefully passing his wounded hand through the sleeve and closing his jacket, then grabbing his beanie and shoving it down his head until his ears were covered.

“About time you bust out the winter coat.” She advised. “Or do you not have one?”

“I… I'm not really a fan of coats. They're just heavy and-- I don't know, they're just not my style.” And way too expensive for something that could stop fitting him, once he inevitably hit a growth spurt… that was definitely coming… any day now…

“You do you, but I don't want you coming here without a scarf and some gloves, you hear?”

“Yes, Ma'am.”

“Good, now run along and see you Monday.” 

“Have a nice weekend, Ma'am.”

(...)

The McDonald's was, as expected, rather still.

The kitchen wasn't. Oh no, it wasn't. Even while sitting at a far, secluded table on the opposite side of the restaurant, Adam could hear the dinner rush in full detail.

*bip* 

*clang*

*tsssssss*

*bip*

*sprrrr*

*clang*

If he closed his eyes, he could even picture the methodical chaos to its last detail, as order after order was bagged and delivered to the couriers outside.

Honestly, if they were going to prioritize take-outs this much over dine-ins like him, they might as well close up the dining area and turn it into even more kitchen, so they can bag even more food, instead of serving it to him.

He crossed his arms and leaned back, looking at the cold light bathing the even colder streets.

Did all McDonald's have this problem? The one at the mall never took this long… Maybe they should've gone to the mall instead. His birthday was coming up, and he needed to go there soon anyway to get something for Spice. He could have killed two birds with one stone.

This was a very poorly planned date--

“Tabemono is here!” David announced.

“Woo!” Adam cheered in response.

David put the trays down and sat in front of him.

“Finally. I'm starving.” Adam said, grabbing the small cardboard box and--

Adam hissed and recoiled his hand, his stitches stinging as he tried to wrap his fingers around the disposable cutlery.

“Fuck.” He let out, examining his bandaged hand closely.

“Did they open again?” David asked, visibly concerned.

“...No. I don't think so.”

David let out a discreet sigh of relief and grabbed the plastic knife and fork.

Adam didn't even bother protesting, and let him prepare his food. 

“So… what's with the new look?” Adam questioned, filling in the near silence of the dining area.

“Mr. Silva's grand-niece was spending the afternoon at his house,” He explained as he went about cutting up the patties, “Spent my whole shift being used as a model, instead of actually working…”

“A model? She made you do the cat walk?” Adam joked.

“Yup, taught me to 'vogue' too.” He explained, closing the box and shaking it.

“Sounds like fun.”

“Kinda was. Jane's cool, but her parents need to check what EyeShare is feeding her.” David confessed, placing the box in front of him, “Bon appétit.” He said with a bad French accent, opening the box to reveal his awaited Burger Salad.

“Thank you.” Adam grabbed the spork with his good hand and dug in. “Hmm~ Finally, some decent food…”

“If you say so.” David rolled his eyes with a smile, grabbing his oh so superior Deluxe…

Adam ate quietly, letting David tell him all about how Jane, at the ripe old age of 7, was obsessed with her weight, had a skin care routine with more steps than she could count, wore more makeup than a trophy wife trying to stay young, and insisted all her clothes had to be name brand. At least she seemed to have a few career paths figured out. A makeup artist, a nail tech…

Adam's attention derailed to a passing truck outside.

It had an ad for a collaboration palette between ColourPop and “Care for me like a dog”.

He wondered if Cassie would like to watch it… with him--

He tried to shake the thought away and focus on the voice scratching at his ear, trying to process his friend's words again, yet… He couldn't stop picturing them, in the dark of the cinema, eating chips, drinking root beer, sitting right next to each other in the privacy of the last row… Adam would reach for the chips… Their hands would touch and… those beautiful, beautiful amber eyes would meet his, illuminated by the big screen along with each adorable facial feature... and then… His lips would be smeared with black lipstick, his hands stained with foundation, and--

“Ah!” Adam yelped, getting up and shaking his shirt until the ice fell to the floor. “David, what the fuck?!”

“...You looked like you needed to chill.” David joked.

“Ugh.” Adam cringed, sitting back down.

“But for real, dude, you're so down bad…”

“...Can't I?” Adam scowled, his ears growing warmer.

“I never said that. It's just… kinda adorable.”

“Fuck off.”

“So, what's the attack plan?” David questioned, taking another bite of his burger.

“The attack plan?” 

David swallowed and took a couple of sips of his Coke.

“Yes.” He put the cup down. “How are we turning Ms. Williams into Mrs. Castillo?”

“Well,” he pulled his beanie down a little with his good hand, “I was thinking I could take her to see 'Care for me like a dog'?” Maybe we could also get dinner or something? I don't know-- I don't even know if she'd be into me or… Yeah, I don't know.”

“Dude, I think she's already into you.” David said, “You saw the way she kept smiling at you? She totally wants a piece of that emo femboy flat bread.”

Adam closed his eyes, a tight smile stretching his lips painfully.

“God… Do you ever stop saying stupid shit?” he mumbled.

“I only speak the truth, my friend.” David laughed, “But for real, you two would probably make a cute couple. But dinner for the first date might be a bit much. And the movie selection? A bit too on the nose.”

“What do you suggest? Share your wisdom with me, oh David the lady whisperer, Mr. I get girls.”

“Hey, coaches don't play.” The world's most sought-after bachelor excused.

“Sure--”

*THUD*

Both teens jolted in surprise as a small figure fell next to them, turning to see a kid sprawled on a wet, ice-covered floor--

“Maaaaaaamaaaaaaaa!”