A New Admirer

It was a fine sunny day, Kokomi was arranging some Elvis Presley records back onto their respective shelves. A customer had recently returned them after renting them for a party. While she was busy placing back the records, she heard the small silver bell that hung from the front door jingle. She glanced at the figure that had just stepped into the shop, he wandered around slowly eventually stopping in front of one of the store's record shelves.

Kokomi heard a soft clang against the shelf. She fixed her eyes on a white walking stick and trailed them until they reached the figure who had just walked in. His hands held the white walking stick. Kokomi softly smiled to herself and then paused her work. The store doesn't usually have visually impaired customers, they were very rare. So she decided to assist this man in any way she could.

"Do you need any help, sir?", Kokomi asked gently as she went closer to the male.

She didn't want to accidentally frighten him so she tried to approach him the best she could. This man was true as you guessed, it was Carter. He frantically looked around, trying to find the source of the female voice he had just heard.

Why am I nervous? Carter thought. my heart is beating against my chest.

"It's all right sir, there is no need to be afraid. You can just say your request out loud if you want. I'll still hear you,"Kokomi gently said.

She's so kind! Carter thought. He then whiffed at a sweet scent. And smell like flowers.

He took a deep breath and let it out. He carefully took hold of his walking stick, feeling the cold metal against his skin as he tried not to make any loud sounds.

"I am looking for Miss Kokomi, have you seen her?", Carter confidently inquired, his head wasn't facing in her direction.

Why is this gorgeous-looking guy asking for me? Kokomi thought in embarrassment as she covered her mouth with her fingers, smiling shyly to herself. Her plump cheeks were gently dusted with red hues.

"I am Kokomi, how may I help you?", Kokomi almost gushed.

It was her all along, I knew her voice sounded familiar. She sounds softly spoken, Carter said in his mind, smiling.

"Um...I wanted to tell you that you sang beautifully during your last song the day before. Um. I mean you sang beautifully for all of your songs last night. Yes...that's what I meant", Carter explained, his heart beating faster.

Calm down Carter, you just met her, he scolded himself in his mind.

"Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it!,"Kokomi said, now gleaming with excitement that someone complimented her singing.

"May I have your number? I would be delighted to talk with you more, but I'm afraid that I've taken too much of your time", Carter said, stepping back a little to feel his surroundings so he could find the exit.

"That depends, will you give me your name in return?", Kokomi softly giggled.

Carter blushed in embarrassment for not introducing himself before. He wanted to dig a hole and get buried alive. He turned his head frantically towards her.

"Yes, sure, of course. My name is Carter, miss".

"May I borrow your phone?", Kokomi asked gently.

"Uh yes, of course", Carter fumbled around his jean pocket and took out his phone. He then handed it to her.

"A 3110 classic Nokia, how cute", Kokomi gleamed.

"Ha ha, yeah. How did you know?", Carter blushed.

"I'm not a phone expert or anything. I know this one because my father used to own the exact same model, though it's black instead of blue", Kokomi explained.

What's happening? I usually take pride in showing off my rare phone, Carter thought.

"No need to be embarrassed. I use a flip phone, see", Kokomi said.

"But I can't - Carter was interrupted for he felt something placed into his outstretched hand. It was small; not too small though, and light. He leaned his walking stick against himself so he could use both of his hands to feel the flip phone. He found the cover and flipped it open, he then lightly dragged his fingers across the keypad. Feeling the jagged lines in between the buttons.

"This feels amazing, I've never held one of these before", Carter admitted.

"Glad you like it!", Kokomi smiled.

Carter composed himself and held onto his walking stick again. He hands the flip phone back to Kokomi.

"What colour is it?", Carter asked while passing the phone back to Kokomi.

"Navy blue, I painted it myself, not that I'm an artist or anything of course. I'd rather do things myself than commission others to do it for me", Kokomi ranted.

"I understand. I don't want to be troublesome of small matters to others either and yet I'm blind", Carter joked.

"HA HA You get me so well and we've just only met", Kokomi exclaimed joyfully.

The two stayed in awkward silence for a while. Taking in the moment of their newly found friendship. Then Carter broke the ice.

"Well, I should get going now so you can finish your job, hehe", Carter said sheepishly.

"Yes, thank you for visiting! By the way, I saved my number as 'Kokomi'. See you around pretty boy", Kokomi bids farewell as she guides Carter toward the front entrance.

"See you later", Carter muttered shyly and then smiled to himself.

"Yo! Who were you chatting with for like 30 minutes?", Beyond inquired after trying to eavesdrop on their conversation but failing to listen to anything.

"Just a fan", Kokomi told him, walking back to the shelves that needed sorting.

"A fan?! We have fans?", Beyond asked joyously.

Kokomi nodded subtly then scurried off back to work, smiling to herself.

What's up with her?, Beyond thought. He then shrugged his shoulders and went back to work as well.