Chapter 1.4 - Longing Gaze

                                    

                                          
The scarlet bicycle sped past a certain convenience store, headed in the same direction Ryan had come from. He was in the middle of cleaning one of the large glass windows at the front of the shop when he caught sight of the girl with long, flowing, rosy hair.
                          
Whether he wanted it or not, his eyes followed her so long as she remained within his sight line. It was a short moment, but it felt as though time stood still just for him, so that he may bask in the soothing, refreshing luster of the beautiful angel's image.
                          
His longing look did not go unnoticed by his two coworkers.
                          
"He's been like that these past few months," a woman with skin like dark chocolate and long black hair told her boyfriend and colleague, Carson.
                          
"I hear you, Janice," the male said from the cashier side of the counter. "Even before we started working here, Ryan's always been something of a hardass. It's a bit weird seeing him so soft and vulnerable like that."
                          
"And it usually happens once or twice a day, usually around the same time," Janice observed. She grinned excitedly. "Think it's a girl?"
                          
"Ryan? Attracted to a girl? There'll be blizzards on a hot day before that happens. In all the time I've known him, not once has the guy shown even a hint of attraction for anyone of the opposite sex—or his own, if that's what you're thinking."
                          
"Come on, don't tell me someone who has that look isn't interested in anyone," Janice insisted. "Maybe he just so happens to target one specific person."
                          
"That's impossible," a third voice scoffed gruffly. The two, having been engrossed in their conversation, were surprised by his sudden approach.
                          
The expression on Ryan's face, which had been so tender not even a minute ago, had now turned bitter. "Such a thing, it won't be happening again."
                          
And just like that, he went back to making himself busy for the rest of the day.