Angelica worked part time at a small record store, which was where she found all the cool bands she listened to. When her moms had suggested she ge a job she had strongly apposed the idea arguing that her allowance was enough. However, she now found she loved working at the music store and often put in more hours. It also hepled that the object of Angelica’s affection also worked at the store. Jake Marsden. He was 2 years older than Angelica but that didn’t matter to her. He was funny, down to earth and oh so handsome with a killer smile. At first Angelica had always been really shy around him but as they had spent more time together she had relaxed and they always had a laugh together, of course Angelica wanted to do more with Jake than just have a laugh.
Angelica usually put in a few hours after school and her birthday was no different.

“Hey Ange!” Jake shouted as she walked through the door.

“Hey Jake. What’s up?”

“Ah, not much. You?”

“I’m ok. Hey, is this Bloc Party I can hear?” Angelica asked noticing the music blaring out of the instore speakers.

“You don’t miss a thing do you? Yeah, it is” Jake said laughing and wiping his long hair out of his eyes.

Angelica laughed at this motion. She loved Jake’s hair, which was untameable and always getting in his eyes. It reminded her of Frodo from Lord of the Ring’s hair. When she had told Jake this he had just laughed and showed her which finger Golem had chewed off. He could always make her laugh. “Oh, he is so cute” Angelica thought. 

Angelica went into the back to drop off her coat and school stuff and then headed back out towards the cash register where Jake was sitting reading a magazine.

“Hey, stop there” Jake said as he saw Angelica approach. “I have something for you. Close your eyes and hold out your hands.”

Angelica smiled but did what Jake said. There was a pause. Angelica could hear Jake moving around searching for something. Just as she was about to open her eyes to peek she felt a small weight on her palms.

“Okay, open your eyes” Angelica opened her eyes and her jaw dropped. There in her hands where two tickets for Death Cab for Cutie.

“Oh my…Jake this is…I don’t know what…thank you so much!” Angelica stammered.

Before she could stop herself she had pulled Jake into a tight hug. Realising what she was doing she let Jake go to see he was smiling.

“I though you would like it. I kinda gathered from your small hints you would. Ya know like , “Death Cab are my favourite band ever!” and “I would kill to see Death Cab live”. So, I thought what better for a birthday gift that tickets to see your fav band” Jake said with a smile.

“Wow Jake. Thank you. I didn’t think you knew it was my birthday”

“Hey, I know all remember”

Angelica laughed. It then dawned on her that Jake had given her two tickets. She looked again just to check. Jake noticed this and started to explain before Angelica could ask the inevitable.

“Yeah, I bought two ’cause I thought we could go together. I am rather fond of Death Cab myself. I figure I could take us to and from the gig in my van and I thought it’d save your moms worrying about you, ya know, if you were with me”.

Jake knew all about Angelica havin two moms and was totally cool with it. He had worked his charm on Bette and Tina when they came to pick Angelica up after work and they both thought he was amazing.

“Sounds like you have everything planned” Angelica said with a smile.

Jake shrugged. Angelica could tell he was a bit embarrassed by this so she changed the subject.

“So, has it been busy today?2

“Not really. You know what week days are like” Jake replied.

“Well, I can’t stay as long as usual. My moms are taking me out somewhere”

“That’s cool. Spoiling the birthday girl huh?” Jake said jokingly.

“What d’ya mean “spoiling”? I’m not spoilt!”

“Maybe, just a little bit” Jake said making a small gap with his fingers.

Angelica gasped with surprise and gave Jake a playful punch on the arm. Jake laughed and looked up as the door opened and some kids strolled into the store.

“Time to work” Angelica thought stealing one last glance at Jake.



“Hey honey, how was your day?” Tina asked as Angelica walked through the door.

“It was good” Angelica replied heading towards the fridge.

“You go by the store after school?” Tina asked trying to gain more information from her daughter.

“Yep” Angelica replied pulling a soda out of the fridge and heading to her bedroom.

“Hey!” Tina called after her. Angelica stopped and turned around.

“Yeah?”

“Are you okay? You seem distracted”

“I’m fine. Guess I’m a little spaced out but I’m fine” Angelica replied knowing full well her mom wouldn’t buy it.

“Hmm…” Tina said turning back to the magazine she was reading. As Angelica turned and made her way to her room Tina’s eyes followed her. She knew her daughter well enough to know when she wasn’t telling the whole truth.

“Don’t forget we’re going out at 7 so you’ll need to be ready” Tina shouted after her daughter.

“I know mom” came the reply.

TBC
(Yes I do have a love affair with Death Cab. What can I say, they rock).