Chapter Text
Old Mack’s Record Store was a small music shop that sat on the end of a busy street. The owners, David and Lisa, keep it open from nine in the morning and close by seven at night during the weekdays. At the weekend the shop was manned by the part-time staff, usually university students, that would work a simple 9 to 5.
Punz had been working every Sunday at the record store for almost a year now. During that time, he worked with many other part time employees, some lasted two months others less than a fortnight. There had been Cami, Alex, Jules and finally Emma, who had only handed in her leaving notice last week, making it her last shift today. Although it was sad seeing a co-worker leave, the hope of getting the opportunity to pick up an extra shift outdone any sad feelings. Punz was short on money, the store was also facing monetary issues, and due to that all Punz’s attempts to get more shifts have been shut down as any extra staff was unnecessary and costly.
Checking the rota, Punz was surprised to see that there was no new hire, instead he had gotten his extra shift on the Saturday, but the guy who was normally on Saturday was now on Sunday as well.
Sunday
Punz
Foolish
Foolish. He had never worked with them before he doesn’t even think he has seen the other, working different days meant they had zero crossover. It was slightly weird working in the same store as someone for eleven months and never seeing them once, but Punz didn’t mind. From what Lisa has said about him, he seemed like a big sports person, the complete jock type and from experience Punz doesn’t get along with jocks. Or rather jocks don’t get along with him.
However, it was only going to be two eight hour shifts a week. How bad could it be?
It could be very bad.
The next Saturday Punz got to the shop fifteen minutes early to open up shop and get the tills on before the customers started to come in. He only had to wait five minutes before he heard the door be opened and locked again. Looking up he saw a tall stranger walk towards the till. The uniform shirt gave away that it was a co-worker, the co-worker . The one he’s never worked with and the one he was desperately wracking his brain for their name.
Punz couldn’t help but stare as he walked up to the tills. The man was tall, gorgeous and when he ran a hand through his hair, the muscles in his arm flexed in a way that basically yelled at Punz to look at. If Punz knew how good looking his co-worker was, he would’ve picked up a Saturday shift sooner.
“Hi! I’m Foolish,” oh, that helps, “sorry I’m late. I was walking down Mary street, just by the pizzeria, when all of a sudden the police are running up behind me…” Foolish continued rambling on as he clocked in.
Normally, Punz would say it’s too early to talk to anyone and normally he was too tired to care about anything his co-workers might be talking about. However, something about Foolish was different. Maybe it was his great storytelling, or how infectious his energy was, but for some reason Punz found himself wrapped up in the story regardless of it mainly being rambling.
“So by the time I managed to answer all their questions, I had to run the rest of the way so I got here before we opened.” Finishing his story with an awkward laugh, he turned towards Punz expectantly.
Punz paused for a second before realising that he hadn’t introduced himself yet. Foolish had talked for so long he forgot they were meeting for the first time. “Oh, I’m Punz. Nice to finally meet you, I can’t believe we haven’t worked together before.”
By now Foolish had gotten himself ready to start and Punz had turned on the tills. It was just a waiting game until they opened the doors.
“Yeah, I normally just work Saturdays so I can go out at night and not have to worry about work in the morning. The guys are gonna kill me for bailing on the nights out but money trumps all, I guess.” Laughing again, this time less awkwardly but more quiet.
“Can you not go out another day?” Punz never understood people that went out on the weekends. The clubs were always filled to the brim and bars were the prime place for old men to meet up and complain about everything and anything, it wasn’t a great atmosphere.
“I guess we just like going out after our games. We play friday but it’s always a risk if we lose and everyone is all moody. At least then they have a day to get over themselves so we can have a fun time.”
“What do you play?” Punz was slightly nervous at the mention of sports. He didn’t get along with a lot of the sports players in his college.
Punz wasn’t an athletic guy and he didn’t play sports, he tended to spend his time in the soundproof study rooms or the student union where he and his friends would buy drinks and play pool. It was easier than waking up early in the morning to work out or run about in the cold. However, despite having nothing to do with the sports department, Punz still found himself the target of snide comments.
It felt like he was back in highschool with all the cliques but no. They were in college, no longer tweens and teenagers ready to bully anyone that was different to them. Punz really thought he’d stop getting rude comments on how he dressed after he left high school but apparently not. The only difference is that his friends fight back now, which has led to a couple of fights and verbal warnings from bar security.
“I’m on the football team!” Foolish happily replied as if he hadn’t just put a verbal dagger in Punz’s back.
“Oh, that’s… fun.” Punz didn’t know what to say. He was basically talking to his enemy.
“Yeah it’s good, a bit tiring but I love football so I’ll do what it takes to play it.” Foolish smiled kindly at the other and Punz realised he must not know he’s the one that Punz was the one that punched their quarterback in the nose the week before a big game. “How about you, do you do any sports?”
Punz laughed at the question. It had been years since he even went near a sports hall or field. “God no, I don’t go near that stuff.”
“Aw, I was hoping we could pass a ball or something before opening.” Punz froze at that statement. There was no way this guy actually thought he could throw around a ball in the small shop. Something would definitely break and he was not about to pay damages to the place that was meant to be paying him.
Before Punz could say anything, Foolish burst into laughter. It was a high pitched, squeaky giggle that made Punz’s heart flutter.
“I was joking, could you imagine chucking a ball in here. You look genuinely terrified though, I promise I’ll leave the football by the door.” Foolish’s laughter died out and was replaced by an apologetic look.
If it was too early for Punz to engage in a conversation, then it was nowhere near the time for jokes. “It’s too early for this, jokes start at twelve.” Despite being 100% serious, Punz still felt proud when he got the smile back on Foolish’s face.
“Okay, I’ll keep that in mind. Are you on all weekends?”
“Yeah, I should be. I normally am.”
Looking at the clock that just struck 9, Punz made his way down to the door preparing to start for the day.
“Cool! I’m looking forward to working with you more then.” Foolish gave a toothy grin.
“Yeah. It’ll be good.” Punz was hesitant. He didn’t like football players but the smile Foolish was giving him made him want to change his mind.
Maybe it won’t be so bad.