Chapter Text
It's been three weeks ever since Leeroy first saw Abigail and his situation isn't doing any better. You see, usually after a week whatever fluctuations he may have would've disappeared, but not this time. Instead of his affection fading away it doubled in size every passing day working at the cafe. It seems she really liked the service and came back often, he doesn't know whether to complain or give his sincerest thanks to Zoey for servicing her well. If she didn't well perhaps he wouldn't be as enamored, yet he truly is glad she keeps coming back. Grant was right, she really is kind, even if he wasn't the one taking her order she would sometimes make conversation with him to pass the time while her drink was being made.
Always there by the counter next to where she's being served, seen her order being made enough times to do it in his sleep, at this point even a few of his coworkers have figured it out. The first to piece things together was Gummigoo, after watching Leeroy fumble and spill a customer's order once she walked by he knew almost instantly. And of course he had to do something about it.
"Hey Mateo," He greeted as a smile formed on his face. "You alright this new day? Can't help but notice that you've been a lil' distracted is all."
"Distracted by what exactly..?" Leeroy questions but then again he already has a good idea on why he came up to him in the first place. If you couldn't tell Leeroy wants nothing more than to rip out Gummigoo's guts… And maybe also get with Abigail, but that's besides the point. Gummigoo however, Leeroy isn't sure of what he thinks of him.
"Why who else if not Ms. Brooks the counter over, y'know with the way you're holding up I don't think you'll be gettin' with her anytime soon," He says as he watches Leeroy begin making the order he dropped again. His work apron was soaked, as in, horribly. "Now how about after this we head out back together? We gotta talk about your plan of action and replace that gnarly apron, doesn't look good on ya, definitely not the attire to try hittin' on a woman." Looking him up and down, Gummigoo has half the mind to not call him a moping wet rabbit.
"What do you mean, you can't possibly be talkin' about me taking a shot!" Leeroy hissed out as he finished the order, "And keep your voice down I can't have the whole cafe knowing about that."
"HA, dude I think they're catching on already no need to be embarrassed." The other man said while pushing Leeroy to the back.
Maybe Leeroy is just really clueless or completely pathetic, but he might, just might, need this guy's advice. He despised admitting that. But, he gets women for a reason doesn't he? Gummigoo, as much as Leeroy hates to admit it, is a rather attractive man for society's standards and he has this thing about the way he talk that seems to be some sort of hook for attracting women.
Gummigoo, with his hazel and green colored highlights in his short mullet, tall ass posture, and unfortunately gorgeous tanned skin, has better game than lousy lookin' Leeroy. That'll be changed soon though. Hopefully.
The door to the break room closed shut with a quiet thud behind the two. Leeroy looked around just to check if any of the others were there to eavesdrop as they usually did. Surprisingly enough there was no one in the room but Gummigoo, himself, and Leeroy's apparently horribly obvious feelings.
"Now let's just get this straight, you like Abby no? Just gotta make sure I got her right." The other finally said in the previously silent room.
"Uh huh, she unfortunately is the one…" Leeroy admitted to the other man, honestly they should really start talking faster this conversation is a little too slow paced for his tastes... But what if Abigail would prefer it if he talked slower? Or, maybe if he put in more effort into what he'll say? What if-
"Earth to Leeroy, hello?" Leeroy snapped out of his thoughts to see Gummigoo right in his face. (seriously what is with people getting in his face?)
"There you are, dude you really cannot be zonin' out now! You need advice, I have advice so you better listen close!" Gummigoo stared intensely in Leeory's eyes, it felt like looking at a high cat.
"First of all," The other man finally snapped the weird tension from the apparent staring contest. "You gotta wear more flashy clothing!" He said as he took in the chud like outfit Leeroy had unfortunately decided to wear that day. The fashion murder of the day was a greasy looking white tee paired with black jeans that seemed ready to fall off at any minute, and the only thing that looked of value being the beaten up red converse Leeroy had on.
"Ok, my clothing style can't be that bad-"
"Your clothing style is the reason your dad left." Gummigoo suddenly cut in, Leeroy wasn't surprised he said something like that though he supposes he's used to it by now. "You cannot be genuinely considering doing on dates lookin' that atrocious ok dude? Have you ever seen a guy in the movies land a woman wearin' somethin' of the kind you're wearin'? I figure not."
"Okay, damn. What would you suggest then?" He replied.
"Well, I gotta see what's in your closet first-"
"There is no way in hell are you goin' into my house" Leeroy said sharply, there are many things he doesn't like admitting and telling others of the state of his cheap apartment is one of em'. If he remembers correctly, his area is bare as in almost empty, with a broken light bulb dangling in his kitchen, a shabby ass closet with one or two holes in it, and an air mattress on the floor. He does not want others seeing that.
"Fine jeez, just send me a photo of your most glamorous articles of clothing, ya got it?" The flashy man said, offering a compromise instead.
"Deal." He finally muttered out as he turned towards the breakroom door to go deal with another walking-talking asshole.
.
.
.
After Leeroy's miserable shift ends he scurries back home as fast as he can, to the old people walking nearby he looks akin to a tiny bunny rabbit escaping from who knows what. He locks his door behind him as he arrives at his house. His phone has been pinging non-stop with texts from the tanned man asking for his most flamboyant outfit. The sad closet across the room could barely be called a closet honestly, he bought that miserable thing back when he was still living with his mom, back then the closet was pristine with little holes and a working door. But while he was arguing with his mom she broke the hinges open and all the contents flooded out. That was the same night he ran away, with his closet though. That thing was precious to him.
He lookes onto his pile of clothing inside the closet and fishes out what he thinks would look best on him. But when he grabs his phone to take a photo to send to the other man he only then realizes he shouldn't be wearing that shit to a date. Actually, none of the things in there could leave good first impression on a first date! No real man would wear that!
His phone was still blowing up from the other man's texts. He couldn't just ignore it all. So begrudingly, he punched in the other's number and waited for him to pick up.
It didn't take all too long, he only had to wait until the second ring to be answered.
"Hey Mateo! You mind tellin' me why you couldn't just send a pic?" The flashly man asked from the other end of the line.
"Yeah, well that's sort of the problem. I dom't have anything to wear it's just now that I'm realizing all my shit is casual wear." Leeory replied. He doesn't think he'll be able to buy anything either, at the trift shop he might find some valuable shit but most of the junk there are just nonsense.
"Well you coulda just said that in the first place! Meet me by Centro Mall at eight sharp tomorrow, we got some shoppin' to do for you boy." The other man said it as if it were the obvious thing to do.
"WHAT?! The fuck you on about, I am broke as hell! I don't have any money to spend." He exclaimed, he doesn't have any pennies to spare and even if he did he still wouldn't have enough to go on a shopping spree.
"Ehem, I don't know if you've fogotten but I am a trust fund baby. I've got too much cash just layin' around to waste. A shopping spree is the least of my worries for my money, so unless you wanna stay pathetic you better show!" Gummigoo ended the call there and Leeroy was left with the deafening silence of his empty apartment.
He stared at his phone like it had suddenly became sentient, an unbelieving expression masked on his face. His calendar was free tomorrow and Gummigoo knew that, he had no reason to be a no show and Leeroy's pride was too high to be looking like some wimpy broke boy who was too scared to step foot outside. It cannot be!
So before he went to sleep that night, he set up a reminder for the following day. Tomorrow he's got to, unfortunately, to outside.