I stared up at the man in confusion but smiling regardless. When was the last time anyone offered me anything but an insult?
I continued staring at his hand holding out the small lollipop awkwardly. Not realizing how fast time was passing.
"You not like candy?" He asked still looking at me with concern. It snapped me back and I found myself smiling again, oddly.
"No, um, thank you!" I spouted out awkwardly. I felt a slight blush come to my cheeks from embarrassment. I looked up to meet his gaze again, feeling bad I had nothing to offer.
"Thank you so much, sir. My name is Krista and yours?" I'm not sure what this feeling is but I want to know this stranger. Maybe my heart is too easily won by food, but regardless, I should make an effort to be pleasant.
"Joel." He replied, his accent heavy. He turned away shyly and I placed the candy in my mouth. Its overwhelming blueberry flavor made my tastebuds light up like rockets. I looked at him again seeing his shyness but he still seemed friendly.
"What are you waiting for?" I asked him. I hope I am not annoying him but I can't help being so curious. I never met a kind soul in this city, at least to me. Maybe it is because my average looks are so offputting, or my shut-in and shut up personality. There always has been a feeling I need to do something different. Maybe I need to learn, something. I'm not sure.
"Um, I wait for 5:30. I need to buy car for real." He said smiling. "I work across the street for that, what you call it? Landscaping yeah. It's good but I need more hours." He stated. His English while not perfect was better than I first thought. He doesn't need to be so shy but then again, speaking in other languages is so difficult. I remember bombing my French-speaking test due to my awkward pauses in high school.
"Yeah I need a job now, and a new car, so I guess we a little bit similar yeah?" I looked up at him still a little upset from such a bad day, but feeling better as I sucked on the sweet lollipop.
"Maybe I can fix your car? I not too good with cars but I like to work with magnets. It's something with the engine I can fix it." He said.
"Yeah if it's broken try it, it won't turn on. I left the light on." I replied, curious to see how far his kindness will go. "It's the 90's Corolla over there." I pointed towards my work and felt my stomach turn with unease for them to see me with a guy fixing my car. I can hear the rumors already. I better make sure to not go back. He started to walk off not bothered by the rain and I followed him, covering my head pointlessly.
As he approached my car, he asked for permission to open the hood. I helped him out when I could but I really don't know cars. He spent a good 20 minutes playing with the battery and moving things a little. I'm not entirely sure but when he asked me to try and start it, it worked. And started to blast my oldies radio station currently playing "Pour some sugar on me." I quickly turned it down and heard him laughing.
"Ah! Um, I like older songs sometimes but thank you so very much!" I said cheerfully happy this day was started to turn around.
"It's okay I am happy to help. And I like all kinds of music, Def Leppard is good." He smiled back at me. I felt myself blush. What is this feeling? No, nevermind it.
"Oh my gosh, the bus already came! Um, since you been so kind to me I can drive you home or wherever you need to go. Just empty your pockets, please, you know, safety." I said awkwardly, not believing myself partially for giving a stranger a ride and the other half for making him empty his pockets after he been so kind. He laughed and pulled out his OverWatch wallet and a few little candies. "You are the CandyMan huh?"
"See I told you." He laughed with me as I opened the door to offer him a ride.
"Are you sure?" He asked. My chance to change my mind, to not possibly put myself in danger. But it felt, wrong. Even though he has been kind, I shouldn't put myself in danger for some daydream of finding someone sweet to me.
"Yes, I'm sure it's alright, " I said with a blushed smile.