E’s Notes App

The summer after your senior year of college wasn’t entirely going as planned. The big internships, the years of work, and the boring networking seemed to have done you no good as you find yourself walking through an area only 30 minutes from your hometown again.

At least you were renting, you couldn’t bear the thought of moving back in with your parents. Your self-deprecating daze was broken when you finally saw somewhere interesting. A video store. Walking through the doors you immediately loved it, the soft tunes filling the store clearly emanating from some sort of Walkman. As you hummed along you took the opportunity to browse.

Too absorbed in flicking through the films in front of you, you neglect to notice Van quietly moving from behind the desk; her head tilted as her tongue peeks out from her lips and she purses them together, attempting to hold in the small smirk that was beginning to spread across her face.

“Need any help?”A cassette falls to the floor as you whip your head around, cheeks immediately heating up as you rush to grab it. Van let out a quiet snort at your distress, taking the opportunity to lean her forearm against the shelf in front of you.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I-uh no I’m alright thank you,” you say exasperatedly, eyes still trained on placing the cassette back in its correct place on the shelf. Your eyes darted back and forth trying to figure out which section it came from before noticing the freckled forearm that lay next to you. Catching Vans fingers flexing and relaxing momentarily before your gaze traveled up her freckles up towards her face. She stared at you with fond intensity and the smirk she was attempting to hide had now spread fully across her features. In that moment you realized not only had you embarrassed yourself in front of this employee, but this employee was apparently also incredibly hot.

“It goes under French New Wave, if you were wondering” Van broke eye contact with you to look pointedly at its designated spot.

“Right, I’m sorry! Um nice place you work at by the way” You tuck a piece of hair behind your ear whilst trying to bring the attention away from yourself and how clearly incompetent you were. Van looked around the store softly nodding her head, long ginger waves of hair falling in front of her face as she did so. You take the opportunity to look at her, to really look at her. The way her loose green top complimented her eyes, how her features seemed free, at ease. Then you noticed a faded scar across her face, so deep in your fantasies you had to consciously stop yourself from reaching out to trace it.

“Mm, well I would hope so. It’s actually my store” Vans' slightly raspy voice cut through your daydreaming and you quickly averted your eyes to the shop around you.

“Are you serious? It’s really nice.” Genuine astonishment laced your voice, shooting pride through Vans' chest at the comment.

“How old are you?” The bold comment made you snap your eyes back towards her; Vans eyes were now squinting at you and her brows furrowed, confusion clear in her words.

“You ask that to every girl who comes in here?” You joke, raising your eyebrows playfully.

“Just the ones who look too young to know that movies aren’t only on Netflix,” Van retorted almost immediately, dragging out the only as if she was going to be the first one to tell you this world-altering news.

“Oo ouch! You underestimate me. I’ve got a VHS player at home if you must know” grasping at your heart with faux pain before a small smile came across your face. Vans' playful banter puts you at ease.

“Well touché… seriously though, how old are you?” The way her eyes drag over your face and body, as if she’s analyzing you’re features, brings your anxiety right back. At this point, Van must see the red in your face, but she doesn’t mention it.

“I’m 22.” You regret the words as they leave your mouth, seeing as her eyes go wide and her hand shoots away from the shelf. Her body recoiling makes you wince. Now it was Vans' turn to grab her heart.

“Ooo ouch! I must be ancient to you!” Despite the distance she’s made between you, she was quick to wipe the shock from her face.

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that...” You purse your lips, raking your eyes over Vans' face and body. Not noticing Vans' confident resolve slip slightly “What are you 30…35?”

Van lets out a short chuckle, almost as if to say I wish “42”

“Mm 42… that’s a good age. I like that age” The soft smile on your face became contrasted with the sharp look in your eyes, startling Van. Letting out a puff of air, Van shook off the comment, assuming it was an accident. After a few moments of silence, you spoke, the heat in the room becoming overwhelming “So what do you recommend then…”

“Van, I’m Van”

You nodded, saying the name back to her and enjoying the way it felt on your tongue. Giving her your name in return with an easy smile.

“Well, I’d recommend…”As Van began to rattle off 80s and 90s cult classics the tension between you both faded. You couldn’t help but laugh at her clearly passionate rant.

“Well, I guess I’m just gonna have to keep coming back here then. Seems like I’ve got a lot of movies to watch” taking one of the tapes Van had collected from around the small store and turning it to read the title.

“Appears so,” Despite Vans' attempts to ignore it, she couldn’t help but get a little excited about the prospect of seeing you more often. Not that she was into you or anything… just that she enjoyed being around someone who liked movies. Yeah, that was it. She handed the film back to you when you attempted to pay, fingers brushing yours in the action - sending a shiver down your spine while you attempted to disguise the shudder the small touch caused.

“How about I loan it to you. Seeing as I’m about to get a lot of money from all the movies you have to watch.” Vans cocky demeanor faltered slightly and her voice quieted “and I guess you’ll have to come back to return it won’t you?”

“Mm, I guess so. I mean I could just steal it, never come back again. But I don't think that would be as much fun,” The shyness in your voice evident, hoping that Van understood the message you were trying to give out.