HE'S SO CUTTEEEE. His eyes get me every time

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William's P.O.V

"Which one do you like?" I ask Sassy as I look down at all the many little dog I.D tags which hung from the shelves. I held her in both my hands, shamelessly using her like a scanner, waiting for her to beep when she found one she liked. "There's a dog bone, a car, I think that's a ribbon or maybe it's batman's logo..."

I tilt my head trying to get a better look but stop when Sassy jumps forward nibbling at one of the tags. I pull her back and reach my finger for the lane she was in, pulling at one of the tags from the loops. I raise it to my face, chuckling lightly at the way Sassy licks at my cheek eagerly. It was the most excitement Sassy had shown me since I got her a bed for herself.

The tag was a gold circle, with three layers which had a cute pattern around the edge of each tier before leading up to the little crown at the center, just big enough to hold a name.

"Diva." I accuse looking at her for a moment. She licks my nose sending me into a fit of giggles. "If you like it this much, then it's yours," I say smiling as I stand. I press a kiss to her head before making my way to the counter with the remaining items I had to purchase.

Lately, I'd been carrying Sassy around whenever and wherever I could, she didn't mind at all. I'd gotten attached to her quiet easily and knew I only had a few more weeks of being able to lift her myself. Sassy was growing at an alarming rate, or maybe I just thought so because she was my first dog. Either way, I knew my noodle arms wouldn't be able to lift her much longer.

"There's a machine near the front of the shop where you can do it yourself," the cashier says, gesturing at the tag in his fingers after scanning it. "If we do it, it'll take a day or two to get to you."

And it'll talk just as long for me to figure out how to use the machine without being able to read the instructions. Electrical lighting was always problematic for me during the day, and now there were words involved, count me out.

"It's fine, I don't mind," I answer instead before pressing the chip on my card against the card reader. It beeps once and I smile with relief as the man hands me the bag. "Can I come to collect it myself, instead of delivery?"

"Sure, come back day after tomorrow and I'll have it done for you." The cashier says, giving me a piece of paper to write what I wanted on the tag.

I do a horrible job of writing my apartment address in a straight line, but try not to think about it before sliding the paper and pen back to him.

"Thanks," I mumble picking up Sassy and the bag before quickly evacuating the store. "Last stop, music shop and then home," I whisper to Sassy who just looks at me as if I was the puppy.

We'd been in Wolveshedge for roughly two weeks now and so far, things had been just fine. It wasn't that I'd fit into the town instantly, quite the opposite, I barely talked to more than ten people. A list which only consisted of shopkeepers, people who were all too happy to welcome a new face into their shops. I appreciated their eagerness but didn't necessarily welcome it.

I'd spoken to my mother a total of two times over the phone but didn't have much time to be depressed over it, not with Francis calling me every day to check-in. Sometimes I placed myself into another dimension where Francis was my father, he sure ass hell was better than my real one. The one who was still to say a word to me, I'd half hoped he'd at the very least call to yell about his painting, but he couldn't even spear me his anger.

But Wolveshedge took my mind off of all that, it was like a different world where everyone was happy all the God damn time, I was half content with it and half disgusted with the leave of joy in the atmosphere. The town was peaceful and everyone seemed to be content with their small little section on the map, even if they were so terribly discontented. But it was why I chose this place wasn't it, to be safe and discontented, yet I couldn't chase the feeling of something missing from the discombobulated picture I was forming day by day. 

After moving into my apartment and settling myself into it as best as I could, I'd focused my attention on quickly learning the routes to take to and from the apartment building but only barely. It was still tricky navigating my way back home on foot from new places without the help of my phone. I avoided going to new places in the afternoon, not wanting to risk getting lost by nightfall. I had relatively early mornings and found myself under the covers by seven in the night.

It was a routine I was quickly getting used to.

I'm dragged from my thoughts the moment my shoulder hits someone else's sending my bag to the floor and stapling my feet to the very spot. An ice bucket worth of fear is doused over me at the contact, fear streaming through me while the other party simply growls before walking away.

Sassy yips and growls back at the person while I struggle to coax my breathing back to normal. Like a brainless machine, I pick the bag off the floor with trembling fingers and back myself against the nearest wall.

I press my back to it, eyes darting around in utter terror as people continue to walk by undisturbed. Their blurred outlines making my skin crawl at the unwelcomed reminder of the incident. I hold Sassy closer to me, my shoulder simmering with discomfort. I try breathing through my lips but only feel chocked when doing so, a phantom hand wrapped around my neck to keep me pinned. The pain pairing itself with the one caused by my anxious heart which bangs against my ribs for escape.

Sassy licks my cheek gently with a small whine easing some of my tension. I raise a hand to her little head and aimlessly pet her for comfort.
The glob-like images of the people around me do nothing but spur on my anxiety, but I force myself to watch them walk, force my brain to accept that none were going to hurt me.

It takes longer than it should've for me to calm down, for me to breathe without straining myself to do so. Eventually, I do, calming myself enough to push off the wall and put one foot in front of the other. I make it to Blue's managing to avoid touching anyone else, releasing a breath of relief when I find that I'm the only customer.

The only real issue I faced in my new home was avoiding skin to skin contact. Something which for some reason was a lot more difficult here than it should've been. Everyone seemed ready for a hug and I was all too ready to sucker punch them at the first attempt.

They also seemed to favor growling as well. The person I'd bumped today wasn't the first time I heard someone growl in response to a situation. I found it weird, but I couldn't blame them, I preferred grunts over words half the time.

I look around the colorful shop, shelves filled with records and perfectly organized aisles stuffed with even more. The soft hum of vocals ran through the store as Blue himself sang along to the song which played through the store from his record player. I smile easily as I maneuver my way through the aisles in search of the cheerful old man.

"Blue," I call once I reach the counter only to find the seat behind it empty.

"That you again William?" A rough voice calls back followed by the sound of shifting objects in the back room.

"Yeah," I reply, putting Sassy down but keeping a hand on her leash. Not that it made a difference, Sassy was already lying down on the floor.

"Kid, don't you think it's about time you get a life." Blue replies, the smile in his voice showing before he turns the corner. Blue's eyes were like his nickname, shining behind his crocked glasses as he stepped up to the counter. He was only barely taller than me, age cutting a few inches off him, yet it didn't disturb the light in his eyes. I rarely found Blue without a smile on his lips and a tune passing through them. 

"How are you Blue?" I ask leaning against the counter.

"Shit. Some kid knocked down one of the shelves, nearly broke my back trying to put it all back in place." He grumbles angrily, pointing to the shelf with a fat finger. "Your generation makes me sick."

"Me and you both," I reply with a shrug and catch the way he smiles, his teeth showing enough for me to catch. "Have anything new for me today?"

"Taking advantage of your elders again?" He asks in response making me laugh. "Follow me."

Blue's was a music store, specializing in mostly records but it did contain the odd items that I assumed attracted a younger crowd. I'd packed my record player and came into Blue's hoping to pick up a record or two to entertain me, I didn't expect to pick up an acquaintance of sorts. 

"You don't have to take the dog with you everywhere you go William." He barks just after Sassy sneezes at the dust in the store, her smalls paws clattering as she followed after us. "She can fend for itself, she's a damn dog."

"I thought she was a cat," I reply and smile when he releases a hearty assortment of laughter. "I know she can," I reply with a chuckle.

I knew Sassy would be just fine at home, it was me who needed her with me to feel even remotely comfortable in my own fucking skin.

Blue stops in front on of the walls, searching through the collection of Used Records before tugging on the one of interest. He wipes it with a hand before sneezing angrily, he passes it to me and I pull it close to my face.

"This one." He says handing me the large case. "Borrow it and tell me what you think, if you like it you can buy it."

"Thanks, Blue," I say eagerly looking at the track list despite not being able to make out the majority of words. He barely managed a response before making his way back to his chair.

"William," He calls and I quickly maneuver my way through the records to meet him. "You seem to have a lot of free time on your time and you like the music right?" He asks and I nod slowly. "I don't suppose you've seen the sign on the window? I'm looking for some help around the store."

My eyes widen as understanding settles over me, he was offering me a job. It wasn't that I couldn't see the sign, I had on every visit, the problem was that I couldn't read it.

"It's getting harder to manage the store on my own and I hope I'm right to assume you're out of school." Blue continues and I nod eagerly, urging him on in the process. "I just need the records to be cleaned here and there as well as the shop, I would have to train you to manage the register. There's a bit of yard space in the back of the shop that I've not used, it's fenced and I'm fine with you leaving the dog there while you're working."

By the end of Blue's little rant, I'm practically buzzing with excitement at his words. I'd always loved music and having the opportunity to work in a store and explore new tunes every day was more than appealing. I didn't need the money, but it wouldn't hurt to begin putting aside some, I couldn't live off my parents for my entire life. It would also take off a lot of the free time my days were drowning in. 

It all sounded perfect... until I remember my one limiting factor. 

I couldn't take care of the store not being able to read, I couldn't manage the register if I couldn't see the letters or figures on the buttons. I couldn't organize the records if I couldn't read their names. Just as quickly as the joy had pooled inside of me, it drained out as the smile slipped from my lips. 

"I can't," I say not able to hide my own disappointment. "I um, I lost a large portion of my eyesight seven months ago... I can't work in a store without being able to see."

"Oh," Blue mumbles with clear surprise and pity. I hadn't told him for this very reason, I'd enjoyed the few minutes I spent in the store, his ignorance lending itself to a simple bliss I enjoyed of being treated like a normal person. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," I reply with a smile before looking down at my twisting fingers, my skin paling from the applied force there. Silence hung between us after that, I part my lips in preparation of making an excuse to escape but Blue gets up and heads to the back room without another room. 

I stand there aimlessly, not sure if to stay or leave. Not sure if this was his invitation to escape the awkward atmosphere without any further words or if he'd simply remembered something important. I look down at Sassy for answers but she was on her back, belly up in demand of a rub.

"Here," Blue says stumbling through the doorway with a packet in his hands.

He dumps similar packets like it on the table before tearing it open the last one in his hands. Small colorful little... things, scattered all over the table, too small for me to make out from here. Blue grabs one and places it in front of me.

"Touch it." He says looking at me, I glance down before returning my gaze to him. He nods in encouragement and so I indulge him, placing a testing finger over the shape. I feel around enough to make out that it's the letter P. When I draw it closer, I see it a lot easier.

"P?" I say in question placing the letter back down. Blue cheers as if teaching a toddler the alphabet, he passes another and another, letting me list off the letters until the task takes minimum effort. "So I know my ABCs..."

"If I labeled the shelves with letters like these, made them a bit bigger, would this help?" He asks after a moment, the hope clear as day through his heavy voice. 

I ponder it for a moment before nodding despite the frown distorting my features.

"Then, would you like to work here?" He asks with a smile wide enough for me to pick up on.

I stare at him, dumbfounded at the suggestion and the simple answer he presented within a moment. My frown deepens as I look down at the many letters and then around at the familiar shop.

"You would do that for me?" I ask suspiciously, a wave of caution rising up my neck. Demanding that I not trust this act of kindness. People weren't kind, not this kind. They weren't ever this kind under all their deceptive smiles.

"Well more for me than you." He replies with a shrug and laugh. "I'm old and only getting older. Age is catching up to me and my bones aren't fans. Gwen doesn't like me spending so much time in the shop but I don't want to leave it with just anyone."

"So you'll leave it with the teenager you've known for what, two weeks?" I shoot back but it only spurs on his hearty laughter.

"I can trust you." He says as a matter of factly. "You've never once kept one of the records I've lent you and you've brought them all back in the condition you found them in. You've been nothing but pleasant to me William, I know I can trust you... so what do you say?"

A job in a store that I adored, surrounded by music and not more than eight minutes walk from the apartment complex. If things didn't work out, I could always quit and get any new records online instead of the store. I wasn't tied to this place and had no reason to say no, not when I so badly wanted to say...

"I'd love to."

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Short filler, but it's needed for the storyline. Sorry for not having the two meet yet, it's not time but it will be soon. PROMISE.

Thoughts??? Any guess about Will???

Sorry for not uploading, life got a little hectic out of nowhere. Should be back to uploading on my everyday thing, let you guys know by my insta if things change.

Hope you enjoyed, vote if you did.

Until next time,
Byeeeeeeeee Humanssssssssssssss