Chapter Text
Pulling into the parking spot, you carefully make sure your car is straight and not out too far. You really don’t want to see the back of your car broken, you shuddered, that would cost too much to repair. Opening the door, you step out the car noticing the clouds were a dark gray. You wondered if it was going to rain.
Walking towards your destination, you saw your target.
Literally.
The building was prim, looked like it had a new paint job. Speedily, you walked across the street, not wanting to hold up traffic or get crushed by a car. Even if you viewed capitalism as one of the enemies of humanity, Target’s corporation had done a damn good job at making it convenient. As you walked through the sliding doors, you stepped inside and realized this place was massive.
And you did not have time to waste, you had your little cousin Cassidy's birthday to attend in forty minutes. You did not want to imagine how upset she would be if you didn’t get her a good gift, after all, you are her favorite cousin. Frantically looking around, you were trying to find the toy section.
Chips, candy, clothing, and there it was the toy section!
You scurried along to get to the toy section, now with thirty five minutes to go, you needed to get a gift. The tile reluctantly let you speedily walk over to the section. As you entered the aisle, you remembered you were looking for something very specific. You needed a plushie of Squirtle from your cousin’s favorite show: Pokemon. She was absolutely enthralled, enamored even with Squirtle, that you were scared she might cry if you didn’t get her a Squirtle based gift.
You saw another person there, but they were on the phone so you paid them no mind. Scanning the toys, you saw a lot of pop-its and beanie boos, which were for losers and your cousin, Cassidy? A cool kid. When you had checked online earlier, this is the only place that had a Squirtle plushie, you had just hoped no one had got to it yet. Walking down a bit farther into the aisle, you finally saw it: the Squirtle plush!
It sat there, cutely sitting on its little legs, it’s arms out looking ready to give someone a hug.
This was perfect, Cassidy was going to love this.
You reached your hand and grabbed the squirtle, how much was it again? As you went to check the price, the other person in the aisle started speaking loudly.
“I’m going to have to call you back, Evan. Excuse me?” They questioned.
You turned towards them, unsure if they were talking to you or not.
You pointed at yourself, “Me?”
They stifled a chuckle, “Yes, you. I am truly sorry, but I actually really need that squirtle plushie.”
Was this random person trying to get you to give up your plushie?
You shook your head confused, “I’m already holding it. I need it for my cousin's birthday.”
Looking at them, you noticed they had iridescent brown eyes, and a rather radiant smile on their face. They had their hair parted down the middle, supple and velvety, and were quite pale. They were wearing a black t-shirt and black pants.
They put their hands together, “I really need it for my little brother. If I don’t show him I got this, he is going to kill me.”
You noticed that they had a slight british accent, and there was no way in hell you were letting a british person have this plushie.
You glared at them for a second, “And? It’s my cousin’s eleventh birthday. I really don’t think I’m going to give this Squirtle up. Sorry, good luck on a gift for your brother though.“
As you turned to walk away, you heard the person swiftly walk towards you. Scared they were going to hurt you, you turned around with your arms up. Only to find a surprising sight.
They were practically bowing with head down, holding their hands out with a waft of cash.
This person was fucking bonkers.
They looked up at you, “I’ll pay you anything, just please give me that plushie.”
Out of nervousness you started laughing, “I am not giving you the plushie. Nothing is going to sway me.”
They tilted their head slightly, before standing up and having a rather bashful look. Were they embarrassed? You knew you would be too after that charade.
They rubbed his neck, “Uh sorry about that! Bye now!”
Then, they turned around and walked away, very fast.
Well, that was weird, but you had a birthday party catch, and this gift wasn’t going to wrap itself.
—------
You parked on the side of the road outside Cassidy’s house, it would’ve been nice to park in the driveway, but you guessed the earlybirds beat you to it.
Getting out of your car for the second time today, you heard small footsteps charging towards you. You turned towards them.
“Y/n!” Cassidy cheerfully yelled.
The small pale girl ran towards you, her dark hair in two pigtails, her bangs bouncing slightly, she had on an adorable, yellow floral dress on.
“Catch me!” She shouted.
Then she catapulted towards you, frantically catching her mid-air, bringing her up to your chest hugging her tightly.
You dramatically gasped, “Jesus Cassidy! Don’t scare me like that!”
She giggled in response to this, hugging you tightly.
Cassidy demanded, “Take me indoors, please!”
You laughed, “Your wish is my command, birthday girl.”
Making sure you had a secure grip on her, you began to walk towards the door. You remembered when your family told you that you were getting an adopted cousin. Originally, you felt happy for them, but didn’t really care. But ever since she met you, she has always wanted you to stick by. She dragged you around when you were fourteen and she was eight. And she always made sure to jump at you to make sure you’d catch her.
“You’re getting so tall! One day I’m not going to be able to pick you up!” You remarked as you walked through the door.
Though Cassidy had always been smaller than her peers, she often dealt with problems with malnutrition that were caused by her previous family.
You put her down and she immediately started holding your hand.
She yapped, “You were one of the last people here, y/n! Now we are just waiting for my bestest friend!”
Right after you entered the door, there was the living room to the right. Little kids were on the floor, doing coloring sheets and eating chips. They all seemed to be having a good time.
You questioned, “Why don’t we go play with the other kids?”
Cassidy looked up at you like you were insane, “I can’t play with them until bestest friend gets here! He needs to be here!”
She huffed, crossing her arms, she was very serious about this “bestest friend” thing.
You stood there awkwardly as she just stood in front of the door staring at it.
You asked, “You sure we can’t just go-”
“No!” She responded.
You didn’t think she was going to agree, but you thought you had to try. You stood there for a few minutes, with the very impatient Cassidy, until you heard a melodic knock on the door. She threw open the door, smiling widely. You stared at her fondly, it warmed your heart seeing her so happy.
A familiar british accent spoke, “Hello, we're here for Cassidy’s birthday-”
Jolting, you turn your attention away from your little cousin to the voice. You met their enchanting brown eyes once again.
“You!” You both said, astonished.
During this time, Cassidy had grabbed the other child by the hand and started running around with him.
You stood in front of the door in a state of shock, how many coincidences had to align for this to happen?
They smoothly said, “Are you going to move, or am I not allowed in?
You couldn’t tell if he was joking, but moved out of the way regardless. This entire situation boogled your brain.
They started, “So, I’m guessing the gift was for Cassidy?”
Looking up at him, you examined their face briefly. They had light acne scars on their cheeks, a mole under their left eye, and slightly red cheeks. They were somewhat awkward, but in a charming way. They stood forward, back bent a little, and hands in their pockets.
You responded, “Yeah, it was. Did you want to get the Squirtle for her or your brother?”
They leaned against the wall, “You might have not seen me, but I was on the phone with my little brother, Evan. I had just gotten off my dayshift as a bartender, and he was begging me for something Squirtle related. I had to rush there because I had forgotten to get her a gift earlier.”
You inquired, “Your parents couldn’t take him?”
They chuckled at this, “My mom ran away when I was a kid and my dad was a shitbag who’s dead. Basically, I had to raise my siblings.”
Oh, you hadn’t expected such a melancholy, honest response, but at least you’d know for the future. Noticing you were unsure of what to say, they took it upon themselves.
“Is your name, y/n? Cassidy talks about you a lot to Evan, your pronouns were ()/(), right?.”They questioned.
You smiled, “Yes that’s my name and yes to that question. What’s yours?”
“My name is Micheal, and mine are he/him.” He said.
Well, Micheal was very enticing, with his goofy grin, and strange mannerisms, you were excited to get to know more about him.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Micheal.” You stated.
Micheal looked you up and down, before smirking, “The pleasure is all mine.”
He then picked up your hand and kissed it. Before you could respond saying this isn’t the eighteen hundreds, a little boy skipped towards you both.
Evan shouted, “Oh hey Micheal! You finally used that action like you always wanted too! Are you going to pick y/n up on your shoulders now?”
Micheal smacked his hand on his head, “Go play with Cassidy, Evan.”
The little boy nodded happily, before skipping off to find Cassidy.
You turned towards him laughing, “Pick me up on my shoulders?”
He turned his head away, trying to cover his face with his hand, “My brother doesn’t understand what picking up people means.”
This caused you to laugh more, poor guy couldn’t catch a break today. Though it did intrigue that Micheal had been trying to “pick up” you.
Though, your “intimate” moment had ended when you heard a loud phone call, it came from Micheal’s pocket.
He held up a one second sign with his hand, “Hello? You guys need me in tonight? But I-”
Looking down, his features contorted downward.
“O-okay I’ll be in. See you soon.” Micheal ended the phone call.
Micheal rubbed his neck, “My boss sounded really desperate and I really need this job, so I’m going to go.”
With a drastic change of pace, Micheal had just walked out the door. You shook your head bewildered, had he forgotten Evan was here? You turned towards the door, bursting through it, before running onto the patio.
By then, Micheal was in his car with the windows rolled down, making a three point turn to get out of the street.
“Hey!” You shouted, “Are you just going to leave Evan here?”
From what you could see, he began laughing, “No! Our sister is coming to pick him up!”
You had no idea when he communicated that to his sister, but then again it was none of your business. You turned around slightly embarrassed.
But you heard Micheal yell, “I’ll see you later, y/n.”
As you looked back, Micheal had driven off. Then you realized, you hadn’t even gotten his last name or his number.
You laughed to yourself briefly, Micheal was a strange guy.