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“Oh my God, Phi, I’m so sorry! I don’t even know why I keep trying.” The student blushes when Phayu comes over to help him.
“Hey, don’t worry about it Rain. These things happen. It’s why I have a job,” Phayu assures as he comes over to unjam the self-checkout machine.
Rain is a freshman at the nearby university, the same that Phayu attends, who lives alone in the student housing. Much to Phayu’s joy, Rain had chosen his place of employment as his grocery of choice. Rain also had a knack for stopping by when Phayu was on the clock; Phayu liked to think it was intentional, but he’d come to realize it’s purely accidental.
“Okay, try it now, nong. I think it just got fussy trying to weigh the bananas.” Phayu encourages taking a step back.
Rain does as told and types in the fruit’s code, sliding the bananas onto the built in scale. “Cool - looks like it's working now. Thank you, Phi!” His excitement brings a smile to Phayu – this kid is impossibly cute.
“More than welcome.” Phayu looks up at the customer who is using the station next to Rain and smiles at them. “How’s your coursework going, nong? Do you need any help?” Over the course of Rain’s shopping excursions, Phayu had learned they both are studying architecture and that Phayu is two years his senior.
The simple questions quickly launch Rain into an epic tale about his classes, how the creative ones are fun and he has no issues, but his practicals are exhausting. Phayu listens with great interest, giving small wais to customers as they finish checking out and leave.
These moments with Rain are easily his favorite part of the day.
“Let me know if you want help with your blueprints. Your professor is known for being a fussy one.” Phayu offers as Rain collects his completed purchase.
“Definitely! Thank you, Phi! I’ll see you next week, or hopefully sooner around campus.” Rain’s bright smile makes Phayu’s heart skip a beat.
Suddenly, he finds himself saying, “Or maybe tomorrow night I can take you out on a date to that new Korean restaurant next to campus.”
The wild blush consumes the junior’s face, but his smile only grows wild. “I’d like that, P’Phayu. I’d really like that.”
“Great,” Phayu smiles. They quickly exchange LINEs before Rain heads out with a smile and wave, with the promise of tomorrow further fueling his grin.
As Phayu walks back to where he monitors the four self-checkout stations, his friend Pai gives him a cocky grin. “Finally asked that junior you’ve been harassing out?”
“I don’t know what you mean by harassing,” Phayu plays dumb.
Pai rolls his eyes and shoves the hand-held computer back at his friend. “Whatever you say, boss man, but maybe next time, don’t leave proof of you fucking with the register open on his.” Pai taps the little screen that shows register three where Rain had been.
“Language,” Phayu reminds as Pai returns to where he was stocking the shelves, choosing not to comment on the accusation.
Okay, sure. Phayu had forced the register to pause a handful of times in the weeks Rain had been coming to the store, but it didn’t hurt any one. Just gave him the perfect excuse to talk to the cute, naive freshman.
Rain wasn’t the only one checking things out, after all.