"Hey!"

"Hello."

Eric looked up at the girl who was standing on the other side of the counter. Her dark hair hung just below her shoulders and her eyes gleamed like sapphires. He entire face showed a happiness that he had not seen in a very long time. This did not matter though.

Gently, she placed a few things in front of her and smiled up at him again. He did not return her gesture. He rang up the items she wanted to buy as if he had not looked apon her.

She bounced a little, as if she was jumping on the tips of her toes. She seemed very excited about something. What was it? The question didn't even cross his mind as he silently did only what his job required.

"How are you?" she asked with an innocent smile.

Eric looked back up at her, a little angry that she was bothering to talk to him. "I'm alright. And you?" he asked, not really caring, his dark eyes cold.

She shifted uncomfortably and stopped bouncing. "I'm okay."

"Paper bag okay?" he asked softly.

"Sure."

The items were quickly placed in a brown paper bag. Eric was making record time, he wanted this girl out of his hair, and fast. He placed the things in front of her and stated in a monotonous matter: "Thirteen sixty five."

The girl pulled out her change purse and sifted through it slowly, making Eric frown and tap his foot. Why had she not had the money out in the first place? Finally she set a twenty dollar bill in front of him.

Eric swiftly picked up the money and put it in the cash register, taking out six dollars and thirty five cents. "Six thirty five's your change," he said, handing it to her.

She looked down at the money in her hand and clasped it tight, then dropped it into her change purse again. "Alright. Bye Eric, see you later. Nice to see you again."

"Have a nice day," he said. Now for the hard part.

Smile.