Laid Back

The following morning, I joined Liam in front of the TV for breakfast, and we spent about an hour watching a show. Afterwards, I retreated to my room, settling onto my bed. As I lounged on my bed, my room basking in the lazy morning sunlight, I felt my phone vibrate beside me. With a yawn, I reached for it and squinted at the screen. It was a message from Emma.

"Hey, Reol! Here's the location of the store and your shift time. See you soon!" Emma's message was accompanied by the store's address and a time that indicated I needed to leave right away. And my shift starts at... twelve. I looked at the clock, it's already half-past eleven. Why is she sending me the message now!?

Rubbing the drowsiness from my eyes, I quickly dressed, grabbed my wallet and phone, and headed out the door. The summer heat hit me like a wall as I stepped outside. The sun blazed in the sky, and I could practically feel the humidity in the air. It was one of those days when the heat seemed to slow everything down.

Navigating the streets of our small town, I soon reached the store. The cheerful exterior of the shop and inviting signage provided quite a comforting sight. The store's large glass windows displayed an enticing array of outdoor gear, including sturdy hiking boots and glistening cookware designed for open-flame cooking adventures. I pushed the door open and was met with a rush of cool, refreshing air. Once inside, a blend of scents filled the air, a mix of earthy pine, fresh canvas from tents, and a faint hint of well-seasoned wood. The walls were adorned with shelves showcasing backpacks, sleeping bags, and various other items, some of which I couldn't even identify.

Emma was standing behind the cash register, her face breaking into a warm smile as she saw me. She gestured me over, and I made my way through the neatly organized shelves and colorful displays. "Hey, Reol! You've finally made it!" Emma greeted me, her smile turning into a sly, knowing crescent.

"You know, Emma... you could've sent me the message a bit earlier. Like an hour ago or something."

Emma lowered her head, raising his hands in a half-surrender gesture. "I'm sorry, I forgot!"

"Alright, whatever. The manager doesn't seem to be around, so I guess I'm safe. I'm just hoping I wouldn't mess up too badly... this was my first time working at a store after all."

Emma pointed toward the backroom. "Come on, let me get you set up. You'll need to change into your store T-shirt."

I nodded and followed her to the backroom. She handed me the store uniform, and I quickly changed. The T-shirt was comfortable, and it bore the store's logo on the chest. Once I was dressed and ready, I emerged from the backroom to find Emma waiting for me. She flashed a thumbs-up. "Looking sharp, Reol. Now, let me show you around."

She took me on a tour of the store, pointing out various sections and explaining where different products were located. The store is really well-organized. Alongside the camping gear, we passed by displays with grass mattresses and outdoor-themed decorations, creating a lifelike atmosphere that added to the store's charm. The attention to detail was evident, making it feel like a mini adventure just to browse the aisles.

"So, Reol, this is where we keep all our camping tents," she said, leading me to a section filled with various tent models. "We've got everything from solo tents for the lone adventurers to family-sized ones for those weekend getaways."

"It's pretty spacious in here."

"That's the idea," Emma replied, her eyes lighting up. "We want our customers to feel like they're stepping into the great outdoors, even when they're indoors."

As we continued our tour, she pointed out a row of sleeping bags, each neatly rolled and stacked. "And over here, we've got sleeping bags designed to keep you snug and warm, no matter the weather. They come in different temperature ratings, so you have to keep note on them and also ask the customers the time in the year they're planning on camping."

I touched one of the sleeping bags, noting its soft texture. "Looks comfy."

Emma grinned. "Oh, they are. I'd spent a night or two testing them out when the manager isn't around."

We both chuckled. "But doesn't the need to keep a check on us?" 

"Don't worry, she's a really chill person. Even if she comes, she won't start scolding or anything."

"That's good to hear..."

After that, we moved on to the section with camping cookware and accessories, she introduced me to the selection of compact stoves, cooksets, and portable grills. 

"And for those who are into hiking," she continued, "these are the backpacks designed for long treks. Lightweight, durable, and plenty of storage space. I guess that's all you need to know for now. The store isn't usually too busy during the beginning of this shift. Most customers come in afternoon or on holidays. For now, it's pretty relaxed."

"Okay, Reol," Emma said, leading me back to the cash register. "For now, this is where you'll be stationed. It's pretty straightforward. Just greet customers, ring up their purchases, and make sure to give them a friendly smile. After you get used to the store, you can take on the isles too. Oh, and if you need any help, don't hesitate to ask."

I nodded, trying to absorb all the information. As I settled behind the counter, I glanced around the store. A few customers were browsing the aisles, but other than that, it's all calm and quiet. I guess I can get by with this job. And on top of that, they're paying really well too.

Emma and I were at the tail end of our shift, tidying up the last few items on the shelves. Our fellow coworkers for the next shift were still getting changed in the back room, so it was just the two of us left at the front.

Just as we were preparing to finish up, the tinkling chime of the store's entrance bell caught our attention. Two girls, clearly tourists, had walked in. They chatted animatedly in a language I couldn't understand, their faces lit up with quite visible excitement. They were clearly Asian; I can tell that much. But I couldn't quite pinpoint their nationality, whether Japanese, Chinese, or Korean. Nevertheless, I greeted them with a friendly smile.

One of the girls, the more eager of the two, hurried to the counter. Her words flowed in a language foreign to my ears, and I struggled to make sense of it. "Sumimasen, gas liter wa hokan shiteimasu ka? Camp de tsukawareru mono?" 

Amidst her rapid speech, the only word that stood out was "gas lighter." Gas lighter? Did they need a gas lighter for their camping stove or something? "Excuse me... are you looking for a gas lighter?"

"Hai, hai, sore!"

The rapid stream of her words sailed above my head like leaves in the wind. I picked out my phone from my pocket. I couldn't afford to disappoint a customer, especially on my first day. There's still Goodle Translator! But before I could begin translating her inquiries, the other girl, who appeared slightly more composed, gently nudged her friend aside and stepped forward.  "Nadeshiko! Matsu tte iwa nakatsu ta no? Camp ba da kara, kitto aru yo."

She glanced back towards me again. "I'm sorry, she is always like this. We just need to buy a gas lighter. The gas lighter we had brought with us broke on our way." Her English was accented and a bit unusual, but at least I could understand it.

The second girl introduced herself as Rin, and she pointed to her friend as Nadeshiko. They were visiting from Japan and mentioned this was their first camping trip outside of their home country. I nodded in response, though I struggled to pronounce Nadeshiko's name correctly.

Rin asked me about nearby campsites, and I had to admit I was unfamiliar with the area, having recently moved to the town... even though it's already been a year by now. As Rin continued to ask about camping sites, I realized that I had lost track of where the gas lighters were kept. I began a somewhat clumsy search in the cooking section, only to find everything except for gas lighters. I tried to recall the correct aisle, but I couldn't remember.

Thankfully, Emma, came to the rescue. She exchanged pleasantries with her in a friendly and composed manner. As she conversed with Rin, I breathed in relief and stepped back to the counter to give them some space.