Nate set down the heavy box of comics and turned to look at the front door of the shop.

“Nathanial Coop, if you look at that door one more time...” Walt said. Nate straightened up and began to unpack comic books quickly. Walter laughed. Nate attempted to seriously focus on work and not on the gift for the girl of his dreams. A second pair of hands in the shipping box broke Nate's concentration.

“Calm down Nate-palm, she'll be here soon,” Walt said. Nate blushed and continued to unpack books.

“What is it about her that gets you all melty?” Walt asked with a smile.

Nate tried in vain to hold back his grin as he thought about Shannon, their co-worker.

“Is it her different hair colors? The tattoos you guys share?”

Nate ran his fingertips over the printed molecule of chlorophyll on his right arm, and the knowledge that Shannon had a caffeine one to match on hers brought another smile to his face.

“It's alright buddy, you don't have to say it...it's the sexy librarian glasses she wears to read comics.”

Nate's head shot straight up. To Nate, Shannon was nothing less than gorgeous, but when she put on those glasses, she was in a different league.

“Shannon actually knows what the hell I'm talking about,” Nate said. “When I freak out because the newest issue of Captain Canuck comes out, or that we'll be busting out the Sega Genesis and playing NBA JAM, she smiles and knows what I mean.”

By 10:15, he had almost forgotten why he had the butterfly colony in his stomach, until that wonderful and dreaded door chime rang. Shannon walked towards the counter, clocked in and got right to business, unloading a box of fresh comics. Nate's heart thumped painfully in his chest at the sight of her. He took a step towards her, hands firmly stuffed in jeans pockets. The journey to the front counter seemed endless to Nate, but the help of his friend brought salvation. Walt gently pulled Nate's arm out of its pants pocket of safety and placed the small plastic case into his hand, which was slightly shaking. Nate's mind was blank, until he looked down at the compact disk that he now held. As if his mouth was running on autopilot, Nate uttered her name.

“Shannon?” he asked weakly. She finished scribbling on her paperwork and walked slowly over to the counter where Nate stood. Nate watched as she made her way to him, brushing her soft purple locks out of her face.

“What do you need, Captain Canuck?” she asked, eyebrow slightly raised. Nate shot Walt the briefest look of knowing.

“Congrats on surviving working here for 3 months” Nate said. He let out a small sigh as he fought his shyness and delicately placed the music in her palm. Shannon looked down at the disc in her hands.

“A mix CD?” she asked. Nate's cheeks were quickly going cranberry as he stood there. After a long awkward pause, Shannon finally looked up from the written track list on the back of the case and smiled. “Thank you, Nate. This is ridiculously sweet.”
*************************************************************************************

The next day started as usual, with Nate and Walt working side by side and laughing through their repetitive duties. When lunchtime came around, so did the surprises. Shannon entered the comic shop bearing gifts of ground beef and carbonated beverages.

“I figured you nerd-hunks were hungry and thought I’d drop by with something.” Nate and Walter gave a small cheer and walked towards her, stomachs grumbling. Before the duo could reach the paper bag of burgers, a voice came from the back of the store.

“Attention comic book comrades.” Irenev, the always serious Russian manager, emerged from the office hidden in the back with a tall stranger. “I want you all to make hello to my cousin, Kardissa.” The tall, thin gentleman gave no sign of greeting. He just stood, short black hair standing tall with the rest of his athletic frame, eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses. The duo stood as two male stereotypes of their homeland: strong, silent, sad. No one spoke for a little while, until Nate took the friendly initiative and approached the new comer.

“Kardissa explains it all, great to meet you!” Nate exclaimed with a warm smile and hand ready for shaking. The Russian cousin didn't move, like a cold marble statue. Walt cringed at the residual waves of awkward that washed over the store in the silence. After a lifetime of waiting, Kardissa walked around the friendly comic clerk and found his way to the only female in the store.

“ Privet, beautiful,” Kardissa purred in his thick accent. Shannon smiled and returned to unloading the lunch she had brought for the boys. A surge of jealousy leapt in Nate. Getting disrespected on a handshake was one thing, but doing so to hit on his dream woman was something entirely different. The two were now making chit chat while Nate lost himself in his angry thoughts, only to have his mouth work on autopilot once again.

“Why are you here?” Nate said out loud, cheeks going cranberry again.

Kardissa ignored the question to continue to murmur with the comic vixen. Irenev, however, picked up the inquiry. “He was coming here to be in big boxings match, but opponent broke wrist, cannot fight.”

Kardissa let out a small chuckle. “For next few weeks he's going to be hangings around looking for new puncher bag,” Irenev said. “Eh, cousin?” Nate missed all of this out-of-character behavior. He slowly moved towards the whispering Russian in front of him. Kardissa leaned in and whispered something in Shannon's ear, only to have her pull away offended and poised to punch his strong, jutting chin. Pride scathed, Kardissa murmured and walked back to his cousin. “So does any of you menfolk want to take on the pride of Odessa for 5 rounds?” Irenev said playfully.

“A new challenger has entered,” Nate said, stepping forward and puffing his chest out like some alpha male from a Discovery Channel special. Suddenly Kardissa stopped and looked at the pale nerd before him.

”You fight?” Kardissa asked, no playful tone like his cousin. Nate and Kardissa looked each other over. The only problem was the reality of the situation, known only to Walter and Nate. Nate had never been in a real fight in his life.

“ People call me Haddoken, cause I’m down right fierce,” Nate said, cracking his knuckles. Walt and Shannon both shook their heads. Making bad video game puns was not going to connect to or intimidate the legitimate fighter. The Russian said nothing, only put his sunglasses back on and took a step closer to Nate, closing the gap between them.

“We make fight in two weeks,” said Kardissa. “See you at home, Irenev.” Kardissa then slowly walked out of the store. The look of near disgust on Shannon’s face was more than enough evidence that Nate’s autopilot mouth had gotten him into a very bad situation. Shannon shook her head at Nate and stormed into the storage room.

“Coop, what the fuck was that about?” Shannon's hands were still balled up into fists.