1 Chapter 1: Convenience and Problems

Andrew got out of the car and looked around for a place to smoke at. He reached for his pocket and try to grab for his pack of cigarettes. As he opens it he finds out that he has ran out of cigarettes.

'Ahh man it just got to be at this time that I have no cigs, well whatever I'm just gonna buy some at the nearby convenience store.'

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'What a weird name for a store, the owner might be a quite the sissy.'

As Andrew walks up to the store, he was greeted by the cashier "Good Day Sir, What are you going to buy?"

He was stunned and couldn't speak for a long time because he has not seen such beautiful and charming lady in his life.

'Sir? HEY YOU!!' Angrily shouted by the cashier "If you're not going to buy anything then quit standing there, you're holding up a line of customers."

'Sorry sorry, one pack of Marlboro Red.'

"Can you give me an ID?"

'Shoot I forgot my ID at the house, can you please just sell me one pack?

"No, sorry but we do not sell cigarettes here unless you have an ID. Now can you please get out the store if you don't have anything to buy."

'Wait a bit, do you toilets here? I really got to pee.'

"Just for staff, if you really need to pee then just go to the back of the store."

'Thank you Thank you, and can I have your number?'

"Sir you are holding out the line, please leave the store immediately if you do not have anything to buy."

He hurriedly walked out of the store as he was really embarrassed on what he has done and gone to the back to pee.

'AHHHHHH this really is the unluckiest day of my life. First I got bullied for taking a liking to anime and now I don't even have cigs. Man what a fucking day."

Thinking about the things that has happened today, Andrew could do nothing but just be sad about it. He was just trying to make friends by sharing his interest but got picked on instead.

And the only thing that could calm him down "a cigarette" can't even be found.

He saw a bench nearby and chose to sit there for a while before going home.

A middle aged man came and asked if he could sit him. Andrew agrees, they were both quiet until the man asked him something.

'Young man you look very troubled, has anything bad happen to you?' said the man.

'It's just that I have been having problems with school Andrew answers in a very sad tone.

The man pulled something out his pocket.

Could this be a robbery? MAN IF IT IS THEN THIS DAY IS REALLY THE WORST. Andrew thought.

'Wanna smoke a stick, young man?'

Andrew let out a sigh of relief and replied to the man 'I would really love to, Uncle.'

The man looked disappointed while murmuring things I couldn't really hear.

'Do I really look that old to be called Uncle?'

'Yes, you do.'

'MANNNN anyways here's your cig and here's a lighter. A cigarette really helps isn't it? '

'You are damn right there uncle!!'

'Ahhh you should stop calling me uncle, do you know that strangers become friends when they share cigarettes with each other. So young, man what's your name?'

'It's Andrew Lest. What about you uncle?'

'Urghhh this kid, I'm Rei Touft. Nice to meet you Andrew.'

'Nice to meet you too, Uncle Rei.'

'Since we are friends now, you can vent and rant about your problems to me.'

'Well I don't really have anyone to talk about these things so might as well say them to you.'

Andrew told Rei the problems that he is facing. He told him that he is having troubles making friends in school and his mental health has been really messed up recently, and the only thing that could calm him down are cigarettes. Rei couldn't help but sympathize with the kid.

'I hope nothing but the best for you, young man. I can help you on making friends on your school, you just have to be more talkative you know.'

'How's that gonna help, wouldn't being talkative make them more annoyed and avoid me more?'

'Hmmm that is actually right, how about this every day after school come here at this spot and I'm going to give you social communication lessons.'

'You got nothing better to do uncle?'

'This kid. I'm trying to help you, okay??'

'Yeah I know, just messing with you.'

'So you gonn do it or nah?'

'Sure gonna do, I have nothing better to do anyways.'

'You don't have a job?'

'Been trying to find a part time but can't really find any.'

'Perfect timing then I'm looking for a hand to help me move stocks and check the inventory.'

'Huh? Uncle are you a manager or something?'

'Nah, I own this store.'

'What???? I thought the owner would be a sissy.'

'WHAT SISSY YOU TALKIN ABOUT YA KID???'

'The name of your store sounds fruity as hell.'

The two of them argued about the name of the store for a long time. Until the cashier goes to Rei and say's that her shift is over.

'Oh well if it isn't the guy who has no ID and a tryna be f boy.'

'Ahh I'm sorry about that you were really just so beautiful so I couldn't hold back.'

'What a creep.'

'Well well Rov don't be too hard on your junior.'

'Junior?'

'Starting from tomorrow he is gonna be working here.'

'Nice finally someone to give the inventory work to. The items you ordered have been delivered.'

'Ohhh that's convenient, Oi Andrew time for your first job. Help me move those to the storage room.'

'Alright boss uncle.'

The two of them quickly got to work on moving said items on the storage room and the owner is teaching the new guy things about his work. Surprisingly Andrew was a very fast learner, this guy will be a very great help for us from here on out.

'Work for today is done. Both of you should go home now.'

'Imma go home first then owner. Don't forget my overtime pay.'

'Alright Rov, take care.'

'And Andrew I have a piece of advice for you. You should quit smoking as soon as you can because it's a hard habit to let go of. It might be a convenient way for you to numb yourself and escape from your problems but things will never be better if you keep running away from those problems.'

'Boss Uncle you're really fucking weird but thank you for your advice. I will try to quit smoking but there is no guarantee that I can.'

'See you tomorrow then.'

As Andrew lays in his bed and try to sleep the words that Rei said has had an impact on him and started to change something in him. Is it for the better or for the worse? Who knows? But those words have given him the feeling of comfort that he has been longing for.