Chapter Two - Michael Green

"These are perfect!"

The two large round half-globes of tinted glass fixed in with the worn brown leather straps were exactly what he was looking for. Michael Green was glad he had skipped out on his sister's birthday party. Michael's sister had habit of annoying the hell out of him whenever she gathered around with her popular cheerleader friends and dropped the word "like" about as often as she opened her mouth. Michael didn't care to stick around to hear about "how much John totally liked Stacy, and like, how he was totally wrong for her, and like, how Stacy could do so much better." He was just glad to get out of the house with his sanity intact.

He had no idea these goggles were waiting for him as he hopped the back gate and took off to the thrift store on his skateboard. He was searching through some random boxes filled with old clothes when he found the old leather-strapped goggles, and suddenly he felt a pinch of destiny. He didn't know why, but at that exact moment he knew those goggles were put on this earth for Michael Green.

He pulled the leather straps around his head and fit them into place. They sat loose on his almond-shaped head. He pulled them off and gave them a second look-over. They were a bit dirty, and the leather showed signs of tearing, but they were exactly what Michael needed to finish off the style he was going for. He didn't care if people thought him strange for wearing goggles on his head. In fact he didn't really care much about what people thought of him at all. He enjoyed doing his own thing.

"I think those are perfect for you."

Michael was startled by the gentle voice that came over his shoulder. He tucked his goggles under his arm defensively and turned to see the bright pretty face of a girl smiling back at him. For a moment he stood there staring into the girl's eyes. They disarmed his protective hold over the goggles and he felt his arms fall loose to his sides. Her eyes were dark brown and held an enchantment over him. Suddenly he realized he was staring at her.

"Huh?"

She giggled. He was aiming for something a little more charming, or even something along the lines of "thanks," but for some reason whole words failed him. As she giggled, she reached over and grabbed the goggles from his hand. Her fingers grazed the side of his and suddenly he caught himself blushing.

"I mean thanks," he finally let out. He wasn't usually this timid around girls. He actually prided himself on being confident with most girls, but right now he could barely control the blood from rushing to his cheeks.

"It's almost like they were made just for you," she said studying the worn leather straps. He was suddenly aware of how naked he felt without them. He quickly snatched them from her hands and stuck them in his pocket.

"That's exactly how I felt when I saw them," he told her. He felt silly for snatching them out of her hands, but she didn't seem to notice. She just stared at him and smiled.

"Usually thrift store employees don't go through this effort just to sell some goggles," he said awkwardly. He had been searching for money in his back pocket and finally found a twenty dollar bill. He held it out in front of him.

"I'll take them. How much are they?"

"I don't know," she said, still smiling at him.

"Okay. So they're free then?" he asked.

"Maybe. You might want to ask someone who works here. I bet they could tell you."

She moved close to him, and he thought for a moment she might be going for the goggles again, but she reached across him into a box, removing a small book he couldn’t see the title of, and stood there browsing through the pages, no longer paying attention to him or the goggles.

"Sorry, I thought you worked here," he said feeling stupid.

If she heard him she didn’t show any sign of it, and now Michael was starting to feel like he overstayed his welcome. As he turned to leave, she grabbed him by the arm.

"I think we should go get a cup of coffee together and talk about those goggles."

"Um, sure!" he said surprised. He had never met a girl who had asked him out like that. In fact, he couldn't remember ever being asked out by a girl before, at least not one as pretty as...

"I'm Yoon by the way."

“Yoon,” he said to himself, revealing a smile.

"I'm Michael."