Chapter Text
Like one of his favorite scratched vinyls, Seth hears the line tripping across his mind repetitively. The cold cadence of the voice enhancing the effectiveness of what was said. Seth sighs as he steals a secretive glance through the silver loops of the chainlink fence. The main entrance of the school is lonesome, too late for teachers to be outside. Seth knew his chances would be small, walking at this time, but he'd rather have a chance than none at all.
He jabs at the crosswalk button with a sense of loss. Another block and he sees the sign that hangs in front of his bookshop, Empire Books. One day you will fucking regret this, Seth thinks, it's not one day Kev...it's every day.
Seth’s partner, Roman, opened the shop this morning. He tries to sneak in and bounce between the stacks until he is safe in the backroom. However, he forgets that Roman installed a little bell on the front door. The bell cheerfully jingles when Seth creeps inside. He freezes at the front and hears a loud deep sigh from the front counter. He looks over and sees Roman shakes his head, his arm stretched out with Seth’s morning coffee in his hand.
“Again?” Roman asks.
Seth gives him a noncommittal shrug and grabs the lukewarm mug and heads to the back.
“You can’t keep doing this to yourself bro,” Roman calls back.
Seth turns around, “I got it under control.”
“This is the fifth time you’ve come in late this month.”
“You don’t understand,” Seth whines.
“What you’re doing won’t change anything…”
Seth takes a peek at the trainer’s slightly chubby physique. The attendant at the front desk couldn’t mean that guy, Seth thinks as he walks over. Barely legal and bird-chested, Seth knew next to nothing about anything, but he did know that the attendant had pointed out the wrong guy.
“That’s our best trainer! Kevin knows everything!”
Seth snorts and Kevin turns around, sharply eyeing him.
“Can I help you?”
“Um…I—she sent me…” Seth mumbles, unable to look back at this man.
Kevin laughs, “Looks like someone should’ve sent you sooner.”
Seth blushes, “Can, uh, you help me now?”
When Kevin pulls out a clipboard and starts unloading questions on him, Seth knew he’d be able to commit to training.
“Seth, are you listening?”
Roman waves a large hand in front of Seth’s spaced out eyes.
Seth blinks and stutters, “Ye—yeah. I told ya. I’ve got it all under control.”
Roman scratches his dark beard, “Hunter called the store.”
Seth’s entire face goes red as he mumbles, “Uh thanks i’ll…I gotta call him back now.”
A few drops of coffee splash from his cup, leaving a trail from the floor to the backroom as Seth hurries off.