On the second day of Christmas, you were my goodness gift

"Welcome," I chirped as the usual protocol when the glass door swung open. A pair of costumers walked – a boy and a girl – the latter was carrying a large amount of shopping bags in her arms and I silently chastised the guy for not helping her. Taking a deep breath, I asked, "Would you like to leave your baggage here?"

She nodded as she unloaded their bags onto the counter and I handed them a number so I would know which of are theirs. I tied a tag around their bags and heaved them to the ground, right next to the ones left here by the other costumers.

It was starting to become a tiresome routine, but I had no other choice but to live with it.

I straightened my back and plastered on an aching smile as I sat still on the counter, my eyes trailing to the sign posted outside.

Goodness Gift Shop.

For most of the year, this place was empty. Only the occasional buyers for birthdays and stuff come here, but once the holiday season hits, you couldn't take two steps without bumping into someone. I wouldn't want to brag, but this store has almost everything. From the withering flowers near the front to the weirdest gag gifts you can buy.

You would think that someone working in a place like this would feel nothing but joy.

Wrong, absolutely wrong.

Living on this pathetic salary and spending a good amount on it to pay my college funds, I want nothing more than to step down from this stool and throw my this red apron to the ground before stomping on it then burning it along with the rest of my problems.

But I'm to blame as well. I could always leave and look for a better paying job, but I don't know why I'm so attached to this place.

My pay was low because of the small income we get when it's not the Christmas season. The only time I get a raise is when it's nearing the holidays, only to be back to the small wage after the excitement has died down. When I was looking around for jobs last December so I could afford to buy some gifts from my friends and family, this place was packed.

They wanted help and I applied, since they were busy as it was, I started almost immediately. Since it was the peak of sales, I thought what I was earning was decent enough. It was only a few months later when I realize that it was a different case.

Maybe I couldn't leave because there's something about watching the faces of people going in and out of this store. They come inside wearing the most distressed faces and leave with a whole different expression. I can witness the relief of a man who has forgotten his wife's birthday as he pay for a necklace he picked out from the display case, I can sense the happiness of a child when he drags along a toy that his mother bought for him, and I can sympathize with the boy who was begging his girlfriend for forgiveness as he buys a gift.

The salary was definitely not worth it, but the experience was rewarding.

"Hey stranger," the door opened, letting a tiny gush of cold air enter the store. My best friend then strolled in, wearing a relaxed smile on his face as he approached the counter, "How's work?"

"Same as always," I grunted, finally getting rid of that plastic grin, "I need a good a drink after this."

He laughed at my misery before handing me one of the cups of coffee he was clutching in his hands, "Here, I'm sure your boss won't mind."

This guy is an angel!

I reached out and thankfully took the coffee from him, sipping the hot beverage, "So what are you doing here?"

"Buying presents," he replied, lifting up the several papers bugs hanging on his arm, "I passed by and saw that bitter expression on your face, I thought that maybe you would like a little pick me up."

"So you're shopping for your girlfriend?" I asked, eyeing the VS bag in the midst of his purchases. He paused from his movements as I watched his cheeks slowly turn red.

Oh sir, you're acting like a middle school boy right now, "Your flight to New York is tomorrow, right?"

He nodded in confirmation before he perked up and started shuffling through his bags. Taking out a small box, he reached over and grabbed the pen sitting near the dinosaur of a cash register before scribbling down on the card tied to the ribbon, "I remembered that I wouldn't see you until next year so I might as well give you your present right now."

"You should have told me," I pouted teasingly as I accepted the box before placing it next to me on the counter, "I should have brought your gift as well."

He chuckled as he shook his head, "You can give it to me next year."

Drinking once again from the cup, I nodded as I smiled, "Have a safe flight then, I heard there's a snowstorm in New York."

"I will," he told me, readjusting the bags in his arms before waving goodbye, turning around to exit the store.

"You should have told him not to go," a voice said and I slowly glanced to my side, staring at the guy leaning across the counter with that sly smirk.

Oh great, another weird costumer.

"And why would I do that?" I questioned, lifting a brow. I then took a step to the side, trying my best to put some distance between us.

"So that he would know how you really feel," he replied smoothly.

Rolling my eyes, I took the box and shot it into my bag that was right under the counter, "For your information, kind sir, I don't like him that way."

And you should mind your own damn business.

A co-worker of mine came up to us carrying a box full of knickknacks, he ignored the fact that there was a costumer right next to me as he plopped it down in front of me before speaking, "Can you shelf these? I'll handle the counter for you."

As long as it pulls me away from this guy, I'm good.

Stepping out of the counter, I lifted the box and shot the costumer a dry look before walking away, keeping my head as high as I could while working this job.

But alas, I heard his footsteps trailing right behind me. I tried my best to ignore him as I went through the different aisles of the store, grabbing something from the box and placing it at an open space. We rarely bothered to keep inventory of the things we sold – it was a small place selling many things, it was hard to keep it organized.

The only thing of concern was that the products were at least related to each other when they sit down on one shelf.

"That looks hard," he commented when he saw me switching through the different pig figurines. Keeping the blushing ones on one line and the painfully crafted ones on the other.

"Well, you gotta do what you gotta do," I muttered, picking up another figurine and lining the little guy with the others, "You need to put them together."

"People rarely buy these kind of things," he snorted, poking one of the smiling pigs, "So why bother?"

"Just because something doesn't get a lot of attention means that it shouldn't be fixed," I defended, swatting his hand away, "Because you might never know, this little guy might become something special to someone else."

"For someone who looks like she wants to quit her job, you care a little bit too much for the products," he pointed out.

Well, he's not wrong with that.

Because if this pig is in an obscure place, the people wouldn't be able to see it. That may result to one less smile that will leave this store.

As I lugged the empty box behind me, the guy still kept following. When I deposited the box through the backdoor, I turned to him and crossed my arms over my chest, "May I help you?"

"Nah," he waved off, "It's just that I'm starting to find you somewhat interesting."

Was that supposed to be compliment?

"So do you want a pig figurine for Christmas?" he asked in a teasing manner, bringing up our conversation earlier.

I glared at him and he raised his hands in surrender, keeping that little smirk of his. Groaning, I pushed him aside and walked along the aisles again, scanning through before pausing when I saw the row of snow globes. Reaching out, I took the one that had this small blue house surrounded by the white snow.

California is great and all, but I can't help but miss the cold snow that will give you the excuse to get cozy under the blankets with a steaming beverage as you watch those corny Christmas specials.

I inverted the globe before placing back on the shelf, watching as the fake snow swish around, falling right back at the bottom, "I'm leaving this place when I graduate."

"From the eagerness you're showing, I assume that it won't be long," he concluded, eyeing the snow globe.

"Just a year and a semester left," I told him, walking back to the counter.

Nodding at my co-worker who just finished ringing up a costumer to signal him that I was ready to take over the cash register again, he thanked me before walking towards the back where I presume he was going to laze around again.

I sat on the stool and regained my power of the counter. I tried to look cheery, but it was kind of impossible when Mr. Stalker was still standing next to me.

Is he not going to buy anything from the shop or something?

Eyeing the costumer that just purchases something, I couldn't help but notice the happy grin on her face as she swung her bag, opening the door and leaving this place.

"I want my own goodness gift," I mumbled.

The guy perked up and looked at me, "What do you mean?"

"You know, something you would leave this shop with that will make you grin like you just got the best present in the world."

The thing that will make you forget your troubles for a brief moment. Like a heavy burden was lifted off from your chest and now you had an object of your joy in your hands.

"You don't need that," he grinned, resting his head on the table, "You got me."

I leaned down and took a catalog, casually dropping it on his face, "Oops," I snickered, obviously sarcastic.

He swatted the catalog away and lifted his head up, he puffed out and walked away.

Wait, was he really offended by that simple thing?

Sighing, at least I was free.

Now with nothing hindering me, I pulled the corners of my lips upward and smiled at the oncoming costumers, saying the customary, "Welcome!" in the most sickly sweet tone I can manage.

The girl who came in before with her companion quickly appeared in front of me, slapping the piece of paper that had a number written on it, "Excuse me, can I retrieve my bags?"

I was taken aback by the way she was trying to catch her breath and the way her eyes showed some kind of sadness in them. Internally frowning, I took the paper and looked for the groups of baggage that sported the corresponding number. Without a moment too soon, she sprinted out of the shop.

Well, that was weird. I'm more dismayed about the fact that she left this shop in the brink of tears.

Suddenly, the man she came in with placed one of the pig figurines on the counter, his face looking flustered and troubled, "I would like to purchase this please."

I glanced towards the door then at the man, before settling my eyes back on that blushing pig. It didn't take long for me to connect the dots and I smiled. Scanning the pig I told him the price as I placed it inside a paper bag. He handed me an exact amount before snatching the bag and running off, not even bothering to wait for his receipt.

See? That pig became a goodness gift in the end. Well, it will be when the girl receives it.

Another product was placed on the counter and I looked down to see that it was the snow globe that I was staring at earlier. Glancing towards the costumer who wanted to buy it, my eyebrows raised at the sight of the man who had been pestering me since he came here.

"Should I ask?" I quipped and he shook his head, gesturing me to do the transaction.

I rang up the snow globe and as I was about to bag it, he stopped my hand, "Don't bother to."

He handed me the cash to pay for it, not even minding the change as he took a step backward, "It's not the real thing yet, but it's good enough, right?"

"What?"

"Your home," he explained, "Merry Christmas."

He turned around and exited the shop. My gaze trailed down to the snow globe and I gave it a little shake, just for the purpose of seeing the snow fall back onto the house.

Feeling the warmth throughout my body, I tapped my nail on the glass, "He's quite good, isn't he?"

I looked up at the clock on top of the door and I hopped down the stool, signaling my co-worker, "I'm done for the day."

He nodded and I stepped aside to take off the red apron and put on my jacket, stuffing the snow globe into my bag while I was at it. I got out of the shop and to my surprise, I saw the guy who gave me the snow globe sitting on one of the public benches.

When he saw me, he stood up and yelled a loud, "Finally!"

So did he just do that dramatic exit for props?

"There's this new pizza place down the block," he told me, approaching me, "Want to go?"

I should refuse, I really should. He had done nothing to annoy the heck out of me since earlier and technically, it was kind of like he was asking me out on a date. I'm too bitter to be happy at this time in my life, but then again the snow globe in my bag convinces me otherwise, "Sure."

"You're a lot more cheerful," he commented as we started to walk side by side, "Might be because you finally got your goodness gift."

I know he's referring to the snow globe, but when I answered, "Yeah," I thought of something else.

I was walking away from the shop with the one that got me to smile. My goodness gift wasn't the snow globe, but it was him.

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Let's play a game throughout this story. It's called, connect the dots.