Haptic: Chapter One

She scanned the shelf meticulously, her frown increasing with every visual swipe. Usually 'Addicts', her ultimate shop choice for buying comics, held most of the titles she looked for—but not today. She flicked back her light blonde hair, wrinkling her freckled nose as she let out a frustrated sigh and marched in a beeline for the register counter.

"Dale!" she let out in an angry tone, interrupting a transaction between the fat cashier and a goggled redhead. She placed her palms on the sickly yellow countertop and fixed the portly, middle-aged balding man with a cold gaze.

"Yes, Eddy?" Dale, the cashier asked her in a mockingly concerned tone. He hadn't even turned to look at her, or to catch the dark glare she was sending him.

"You don't have it" the blonde shot back simply, scowling at him for his sarcastic tone.

"Can we do this later? Maybe you can't tell from way down there, but I have a customer here" Dale said, making her seethe with the jab about her height. Even though Dale (and most average males) was only five inches taller than her, he took every chance he could to tease her about her height complex.

Eddy shot Dale a wish-I-could-set-you-on-fire look before turning towards the redheaded boy. "This will only take a minute, pinky swear" she assured, but she had a suspicion that the boy was indifferent about the delay. He looked more amused than annoyed about the argument that was, no doubt, about to commence. Eddy focused her wrath back on Dale, subconsciously raising herself up on her toes to get eye level with him.

"Do you remember on the 12th? Two weeks ago to this day?" she asked, glaring as Dale gave an eye roll. For a business owner, Dale could definitely care less about customer service.

"Yes, I remember exactly when you come in and whatever you say to me because you are just so important. Despite the fact that I have hundreds of customers daily since this is the finest comic, movie, and videogame emporium in town" he stated sarcastically.

"Maybe if you took your head out of you're as—" Eddy began "enlighten me as to what I agreed to, your highness" Dale interrupted. She fought the urge to smack him with a nearby Final Fantasy strategy guide.

"You," Eddy began, pointing her finger accusingly in his face, "told me that my special order of B.B. would be here today! I'm not paying an extra five bucks because you don't stock the good comics, when I could just go on Amazon and get it three days sooner!" She nearly shouted, not effecting Dale's apathetic expression regardless.

"Well did you check the B section of the shelves?" he asked incredulously and Eddy gave a heavy sigh before running a hand through her hair.

"You told me to do that when I asked you about it five minutes ago! I told you to check the back room and you said 'oh, I stocked it on the shelf'" she finished, complete with air quotes and an extremely annoyed expression.

"I did not say that, I always keep the special orders in the back" Dale stated and she shot him another seething glare that would, if it was actually possible, set him ablaze.

"Like I said, maybe if you took your head out of you're as—" Eddy started "I'm going, I'm going" Dale grumbled, cutting her off and shuffling through the door behind the counter. Eddy sunk back on her heels, regaining her normal short height.

"So, what's B.B.?"

The comment made her jump; she'd completely forgotten the redheaded boy was still standing next to her, awaiting his own purchase. She recovered quickly and raised a brow at him as she spoke, "You've never heard of it? It's only the best zombie comic ever conceived: 'Brain Bashers'. The storyline is completely believable; it actually has zombiephiles, and the art is amazing with fantastic pans—you know, it's not like one of those amateur zombie comics where the artist has obviously not taken anatomy" Eddy laughed lightly before she caught his gaze. His face looked a little lost, and she couldn't help but blush a bit with embarrassment. She had the habit of over-sharing to the point where most people she came into contact with knew she was a complete comic nerd.

"Sorry, you're not a big comic fan are you? I've started to realize when I get too technical" she finished with a half-smile, feeling like a dork as she rubbed an arm nervously. The boy grinned at her and held up the cases in his hands as if to reassure her "Nah, I'm much more into games actually" he stated and she let out a prophetic 'ahh' as she nodded in understanding.

"That explains it, only good indie comic lovers know about B.B. I'm not much into games myself, but you have good taste" Eddy stated, tapping the copy of Borderlands that was among his small stack of purchases. He chuckled "yeah, they have a fair selection here, but I couldn't find a bunch of stuff I wanted... Do you know any better places?" Eddy frowned at his statement; it reminded her that they were currently in Dale's store.

"Dale has to be the most callous and uncaring shopkeeper in LA, but there's no better place than here. I wish though, Dale's such a hassle to deal with" she stated with a sigh as she rolled her eyes. A short uncomfortable silence ensued and Eddy rubbed an arm awkwardly. "So, are you visiting town or something? I mean, you aren't well-informed about shops for a gamer" she asked, shoving her hands deep in her pockets to avoid eye contact.

"Not visiting really, more of a long work—" The squeak of the back room door interrupted the redhead and Eddy immediately focused on Dale as he came through the doorframe.

"You are so much frigging trouble. It was all the way at the bottom of the new shipment" Dale remarked, tossing the thin issue on the counter and making Eddy let out a short squeal as she lurched forward. Almost as soon as the comic hit the counter, she was carefully clasping it in both hands. "Don't throw it, you'll bend the corners!" she scolded, holding the issue fragilely to her chest.

"Yeah whatever, you have your comic, now let the dude buy his stuff" Dale sighed, gesturing to the redhead still waiting patiently. Eddy turned to give the redhead a sheepish smile and offer thanks, but just as she opened her mouth, the boy spoke up.

"I can wait, it's cool" the redhead said with a smile, swinging his arm out in an after-you gesture to Eddy. She was surprised, to say the least, that a complete stranger could be so kind; most people in LA were so self-consumed that it was a wonder anything got done.

"Thanks dude!" she said earnestly, surprise still on her face as she gave him a large grin. She spun around to Dale quickly, carefully passing him the issue to ring up.

"$9.40, do you want a protector?" Dale asked flatly and Eddy hummed in thought as she surveyed the wall behind the counter that displayed the transparent sheets. "Do you have any Concases, or are you all out… yet again?" she asked, the latter with a slight glare, and Dale sighed exasperatedly at her. "No. you, of all people, know I only re-order protectors on the first of every month" he stated and she frowned. "I'll just carry it then" Eddy stated, handing him the cash as he slipped the issue back to her. She stepped to the side of the long counter as the redhead approached and handed his purchases over to Dale.

Eddy paid no attention to the exchange as she flopped her green messenger bag on the counter and retrieved a large, clear sandwich bag. She quickly slipped B.B. #24 inside before sealing it closed and setting it carefully inside the hard binder in her messenger bag, as to protect from bending or tears as much as possible. All of the meticulous work had her intensely focused, and when he tapped her on the shoulder it made her jump considerably.

"Whoa, calm down" the redhead said with a laugh and her cheeks immediately stung with embarrassment. "I was just going to ask if you had a quarter" the goggled boy finished and she nodded stupidly before digging around in her bag for her change purse. Eddy handed the coin to him before slinging the army green bag back around her shoulder, and turning for the door without another word.

The register churned out a receipt behind her as she reached the shop door, but quick carpeted footsteps as well as a loud "Hey!" made her stop in her tracks. Eddy was inches from opening the door when she turned slightly, and upon spotting the redhead, she couldn't help but raise a brow at the large grin adorning his face.

"I think a quarter earns you, at least, a walk home" he said, reaching in front of her and holding the door open. Eddy looked from the redhead to the doorframe as the audible ding of the shop door resounded loudly. She bit her lip lightly and silently weighed her options between facing the walk in the dark alone, or with a stranger.

"…Well, since you don't strike me as a total creeper… why not?" she said with a light laugh, glancing at him before gliding through the door and into the dark LA street outside. Eddy had arrived at the shop before sunset, and it was almost surprising that the streetlamps were now dotting the pitch dark night. But, as always, she could lose hours in a comic book shop.

The two fell in step with each other as an awkward silence cut in "so… Is your name really Eddy?" the redhead asked curiously in conversation, looking confused as she let out a deep sigh. One of the many reasons she disliked socializing was because of her accursed name, and explaining her nickname.

"Nah, my real name is…" she cringed and gritted her teeth as she spoke, "Edwina" she finished, and even if he tried to cover it up with a cough, she could still hear him snicker.

"Wow… I am really sorry" the redhead said, giving her a quirky smile as he tried desperately not to laugh out loud. She tried to ignore the way his smile was infectious, making her smile as soon as it worked across his face.

"Yeah, I know, but that's what I get for being born to parents expecting a boy. Anyway, that's why everyone calls me Eddy" she explained, the pointed at him with mock severity, "So don't call me Edwina!" she demanded before dropping the façade to giggle and smile at him.

There was another awkward silence, and she suddenly became more aware of the chilly nighttime air. She shoved her hands deep in her pockets; thankfully she'd chosen to wear warm jeans, although she wished for a sweater because of her thin t-shirt. LA was usually warm during the day, but like most deserts, it could get chilly and freezing at night.

"What's your name, anyway?" she asked, looking up at the redhead and trying to distract herself from the growing goose bumps on her arms. "Uh, Matt" he quickly supplied and she gave him a weird look, "Nice to meet you, UhMatt" she said with a teasing smirk and a visible shiver, which made him squint at her "are you cold?" he questioned, and she rubbed her arms for warmth "…well maybe a bit" Eddy said sheepishly, but Matt only smiled at her.

"Well, I don't have a jacket but--" he said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "I hope this is just as good" he finished and they smiled at each other. "You do have a very interesting choice in fashion, by the way" Eddy said with a light laugh as she poked the fuzz on his vest. "Hey, it's comfortable and warm" he said, shooting her a smug look, "besides, I can't help it since I dress in the dark" he finished and she let out a short laugh at him. "So you call what you're wearing warm?" she questioned with a dubious look at his thin striped shirt, making him smile amusedly at her expression.

"Well, back in New York it gets waaay colder than this" Matt said, and she looked at her feet. "Oh. So you live in New York, and you're just here for work?" Eddy asked, focusing on the concrete under her flats as they walked. "Yep, but I'll definitely be here for quite awhile. It's a big project" he explained and she looked up at him again, a small smile gracing her features. "Oh? That's cool. So… what is it that you do?" She asked, and Matt gave a long thoughtful pause as he looked at a faraway rooftop.

"I'm a programmer" he stated simply, almost as if deciding so, and she nodded slowly in understanding. "With computers?" she questioned and Matt nodded as he focused his gaze back on her. "So, what do you do?" he asked, and she immediately blushed brightly.

"I'm a comic book artist. Pretty much a supreme dork" she said with a nervous laugh and he grinned at her. "Really? That's pretty cool actually, what's something you've done?" his question only made her blush harder with embarrassment. "Um… well, only lame web comics as of late… I can't get anyone to publish me, not that I don't try. I just haven't gotten my break yet. I should really say I'm more of a waitress than anything" she finished with an airy laugh that he couldn't help but grin at.

"It's cute when you blush like that" Matt stated and she glanced away from him quickly as her cheeks burned darker, catching the name of the street sign as she did so. "Oh, this is my street actually. That's me right there" Eddy said brightly, pointing two apartment complexes down from the corner they were at.

"Wow, you're actually pretty close to me. I'm just a few apartments over that way" he said, gesturing to the right down a small side street. "Awesome, maybe we can hang out sometime!" she said, giving him a smile which soon faltered at the sight of his uneasy expression. "What is it?" Eddy questioned as the two came to a stop in front of her apartment stoop. He removed his arm from around her.

"Nothing," Matt stated quickly before grinning at her, "Anyway, Madam, I believe we have reached your residence. Please place all tray tables in the upright position; we hope you enjoyed your trip home with, the one and only, Matt" he finished with a bow and Eddy giggled at his cheesy grin.

"Yeah, thanks for walking me. It was nice meeting you" she said, pushing her hair behind her ear and stuffing her hands in her pockets again. Her eyes were darting anywhere but at him.

"See you around" Matt stated, turning away with a smile. She watched him take a few steps before walking up the stoop steps herself, but she couldn't help but hesitate as she took out her keys.

He was cute, funny, and nice… not like most of the jerks in LA. It was a long time since she'd thought about boys, but maybe she was ready to get out there again. Maybe Matt was a sign. Not all guys had to be jerks. She toyed with the red sharpie on her key ring.

"Wait, Matt!" she called, racing down the steps and catching up with the redhead quickly. "Yeah?—hey!" Matt protested as she grabbed his hand, rolling down his glove and scribbling on the bare skin with the mini sharpie.

"Oh shut up, it's just my number" Eddy said with a smile as she added her name to the number. "Call me sometime, okay?" she finished and patted his check gently.

Matt grinned as he watched her walk back to her stoop and enter the large door. She was cute, but the last thing he needed now was attachment.