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Tilly
1996
“What’s up with you?” Naomi asked as I handed her a stack of videos to return. It was a slow Thursday, and the end of the semester was fast approaching.
“I don’t know. I’m just…off today, I guess.”
“You’ve been so happy,” she said, tucking the videos under her chin. “Is it because you’re not going to see me this summer? Awww, Tilly, you’re adorable.”
I rolled my eyes. “Just keep telling yourself that.”
“We live, like three hours from each other,” she said with a shrug. “And I know you don’t have a car.”
“Neither do you.”
“Exactly. Let it out, Tilly. Let the tears flow,” she said with a wink as she wandered to the children’s section.
“Not everyone is as dramatic as you,” I called after her.
“Oooooh, burn,” Dutch said, perched on the counter, eating a bag of M&M’s.
“Shut it, Dutch,” Naomi yelled as she placed the set of Barney videos I’d just scanned back in their respective spots. “What’s with all the Barney videos? Someone’s been checking them out like crazy.”
“Maybe some young families moved in or something.”
“Doubtful. They all go to Blockbuster off campus. They don’t like dealing with the riffraff.”
“Are we the riffraff?” I asked, playfully. “I don’t feel like riffraff.”
“I’m all the riffraff,” Dutch said. “And look no further on those Barney videos.”
“You?” I asked, “But why?”
“Dude, have you ever smoked a bowl and watched that purple fucker?”
“Mouth,” I reminded him.
“Store’s empty,” he said, waving me away. “Seriously, I’m telling you—it’s funny as shit. My roommate hugged the TV last time. I laughed so hard I almost pissed myself.”
“You’re too much,” Naomi said, walking back to the counter and extending her hand. Dutch hesitated, then gave her a single M&M. “One?”
“Your money is just as good as mine, Ace.”
“Ugh,” she huffed.
“Dude, have you seen Twister yet?” Dutch asked. “My buddies and I went last weekend. Holy shit, that flick’s intense.”
“I couldn’t even stomach the previews,” I said, pressing my hand to my stomach.
“Why not?”
“Natural disasters freak me out. I can’t handle them.”
“What about horror?” he asked.
“Depends on the movie. I can do some, not others.”
“Give me an example.”
