"Personal Shopper" (1/1) by Lisa Michelle
Disclaimer: This is a complete work of fiction.
Category: Kris/Adam AU, fluff
Rating: PG
Summary: Kris’s workday is interrupted by something unexpected.
“Personal Shopper” (1/1)
By Lisa Michelle
“I have a feeling he’s coming in today,” Char told Kris, not looking up from her phone.
“You say that almost every day,” Kris said. “One day you’ll be right.” Kris sighed and walked over to straighten a display of jeans. Char, his coworker at How I Rock It, just shook her head and started texting. She was only five years younger than he was, but most of the time she reminded him of an annoying little sister if he had one. She was obsessed with celebrities and mostly wanted to discuss them and them only.
True, retail wasn’t his dream job, but he took it seriously and tried to do his best. Since this shop was in L.A., they did get celebrities come in, but never A-listers. Char once swore Aaron Paul came in, but Kris didn’t believe her since so many late twentysomething guys could look like him.
However, her current obsession was Adam Lambert. He had been in a couple of times and Kris swore Char was going to faint dead away the first time he’d witnessed it. She had loved him since his Idol days and was able to get a picture of the two of them which she showed to every woman under ninety and gay guy that patronized the store. Sometimes he wasn’t sure if she was checking Facebook or just gazing at the pic on her phone lovingly.
“Kris, you’re so negative,” she replied, twirling a strand of blonde hair. This time she had purple streaks interspersed through it. He thought she’d look just fine without the hair dye. A more classic look. Her given name was Charlotte, but she thought it sounded too old and stuffy, so she shortened it, much to her parents’ dismay. Char loved the edgy look, which did fit right in with this store’s theme of clothing for young, pretty hip people. Kris thought that should be the sign etched on the door instead of How I Rock It. However, he was no fashionista, preferring plaid shirts and jeans to anything else.
“You don’t even know if he’s in town,” Kris said, folding his third pair of jeans and putting them back in the wood cubbyhole. People were such slobs.
Char looked up from her phone and smiled at him. “Oh, look who’s suddenly interested in him,” she replied. “He hasn’t tweeted anything in a couple of days, but the last pic on his Instagram was a Hollywood sunset.”
“Oh, well, that proves everything.” Kris resisted the urge to roll his eyes at her. “Why don’t you put your phone down and straighten up the jewelry display?”
“Why? No one’s in the store,” she replied.
“Because someone could come in at any time.” Kris felt he was her parent most of the time; steering her toward an activity when she got off task.
“Like Adam?”
“Just do something constructive, okay?” he said, not looking to see if she was actually putting her phone away or rolling her eyes at him.
“You’re just jealous,” Char said, straightening up a rack of old school 80s tees.
“Jealous of what?”
“Adam and his success,” she clarified. “I know you want to be a rock star.”
Kris stopped at the display of fedoras. “I don’t want to be a rock star.”
“Whatever.”
He hated when she used that overused snotty word. Okay, so he would like to be in the music business, but not a “rock star”. More like a musician. Just playing his guitar a couple nights a week for an audience that appreciated real music, not the overproduced, autotuned stuff that passed for music on the pop charts today. “Well, maybe a musician, but -“
“Aha.” Char headed over to the fedoras as well. “I knew it.” She pointed one long purple-painted index finger at him.
“Would you not go there today,” Kris said. “I’m not in the mood to discuss music because I know where this conversation will lead to or shall I say whom it will lead to.”
“Just admit he’s hot,” she said. “Then I’ll drop it.”
“Okay, yes, he’s kind of hot,” Kris said. “If you like that type.”
“What, tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed and gorgeous?” she stated.
“Yes.” Kris shrugged. “I guess.”
“Just tell me what your favorite song is of his and I’ll handle all the customers for the next hour and straighten up while you go take a break since you’re a little pissy today,” she offered. “Please, please, please -“
“All right,” Kris said. “’Whataya Want From Me’”.
Char beamed. “See, that wasn’t so hard.” She skipped over to the women’s jeans and started refolding. For the next few minutes, the two of them worked in silence until the chime over the door rang.
“I got it,” Char said. She turned to the entrance and just stared.
Kris didn’t hear her usual cheerful greeting to the customer and looked over to see what was wrong since she said she’d handle the customers for the next hour. He couldn’t believe it. It was Adam Lambert. Well, Adam and four other men that looked around his age. A couple had makeup on and ripped jeans. The rest looked like they were ordered right out of a bodyguard catalogue. Char might hyperventilate right here and now. Kris heard her ask if he needed help, but Adam declined. Okay, that might be bad as well. Adam ignoring her wasn’t good.
Kris came over to the register where she was and asked if she was okay. She nodded, but Kris didn’t believe her. These celebrities had such a sense of entitlement and felt they could treat the rest of the world like crap, well they were wrong. Char was just doing her job and he gave her the brush off.
Kris went right over to Adam, ignoring the glares of the bodyguards. “Can I help you find something?”
Adam was riffling through the display of jeans Kris had just refolded and said no without looking up. “Well, if you need some -“
“I said no, okay?” Adam stopped what he was doing and stood up, more than a couple of inches taller than Kris. The bodyguards came closer, but Kris didn’t let that affect him at all.
“All right,” Kris said. “If you change your mind I’m Kris and that’s Char.”
“What did he say?” Char whispered as Kris returned to the middle of the store where the registers were located.
“That he didn’t need any help,” Kris said.
“He’s in a bad mood,” Char said. “I just know it.”
“Probably got his order wrong at Starbucks,” Kris commented.
“They shouldn’t have,” Char said. “He’s Adam Lambert.”
Kris resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Why don’t you finish your straightening or go in the stockroom and check in some clothing?” he suggested.
“While Adam’s here?” she asked incredulously. “No way. What if he needs some help or leaves and I lose my opportunity to say something to him.”
“Like what? Can I help you?” Kris said. “You already tried that.”
“Yes,” she replied. “Or something else. I don’t know.”
“Just let him shop,” Kris said. “That’s why he’s here. Besides, those bodyguards won’t let you get too close, anyway.”
“But he let me take a picture of him just a few weeks ago,” she said.
“So,” Kris replied. “Do you know how many pictures he must’ve taken with young women during the last time that happened?”
Char sighed. “I know, but -“ She twirled some blonde hair around her fingers. “Oh my God.”
“What?” Kris said.
“If he tries on a pair of those aviator sunglasses, I’m going to die.”
This time Kris rolled his eyes. “Don’t. Then who will work your shift this weekend?” He watched as Char stared at Adam as he tried on the sunglasses. Kris even found himself staring a little, but averted his gaze and looked at his coworker. “Do you want a napkin for that drool?”
“Shut up, I’m busy,” she said. “I should record this and post it to YouTube later.” She reached for her phone.
Kris grabbed her hand. “No, don’t. If you want him to come back, you won’t act like the paparazzi outside, will you?”
Char looked outside and did see a couple of people with cameras and phone standing outside. The bodyguards were keeping an eye on them which was more than likely the reason they didn’t venture into the store. She sighed, putting the phone down on a shelf underneath the register. “You’re right.”
“Do you have this in a large?” Adam was holding up a black leather sleeveless vest with silver metal studs adorning it.
Kris and Char were jarred out of their conversation. Char hurried over to him and looked at the designer name on the vest. “I believe we got a new shipment yesterday. I’ll go in the back and check.” She bounced toward the back with a smile on her face.
Kris busied himself straightening up jeans and tees as Char was searching for the item of clothing for Adam. Kris saw Adam’s friends leave the shop as well as the bodyguards. He thought that was strange, but celebrities didn’t make sense to him, anyway. Kris grabbed a fedora and sat it atop of a mannequin’s head. “I think it’d look better on you.”
Kris turned to see Adam with a couple of pairs of jeans in his hands and a black tee. “Oh, I don’t think so,” he said to Adam. He turned away and smoothed out the nonexistent wrinkles on the mannequin’s jeans.
“So, do you think this black shirt is too much with the black jeans I have on and the vest your coworker is trying to find for me?” Adam asked him.
“Umm, I don’t know. I’m not much of a shopper,” Kris mumbled. “Maybe you should wait for Char to come back and -“
“I’m asking you,” Adam said. “You have an opinion, don’t you?”
“Okay, look I’m not a personal shopper for celebrities. I just work here and -“
“I’m not asking for a personal shopper, I just want an opinion about the shirt,” Adam said. “I think I wear too much black.”
Kris shrugged. “I don’t know. Char could tell you better. She’d talk about it for weeks if you just asked her opinion on a pair of earrings.”
“Found it!” Char came racing toward them with the vest in her hand, a little out of breath. “Do you need help with anything else?”
Adam took the vest from her outstretched hand. “Well, your coworker here -“
“Kris,” she supplied.
“Kris,” Adam said. “I was just asking him his opinion on something, but he seemed to think you would be better suited for my personal shopper.”
“Personal shopper?” Char repeated. “I, well, I don’t know if I’d be qualified to do that. You’re style is so amazing, I think anything you picked would be fabulous.”
Kris shook his head. She was going to make him leave and Kris would never hear the end of it as long as he lived.
“Tell you what, Char,” Adam said. “Can you go and get me an Iced Mocha Frappuccino extra whip.” He fished out a ten from his pocket and gave it to her. “While Kris helps me out with my wardrobe choices?”
Char took the money. “Sure,” she replied. “Kris, can I talk to you a minute?” She steered him away from Adam. “I know you’re not into fashion, but just tell him he looks great in everything, okay? Which is true. Don’t screw this up.” She gave him a warning glare before leaving the store to fetch Adam’s coffee.
“Sorry, she has a little crush on you,” Kris said. “Char can be a bit enthusiastic.”
“She seems sweet,” Adam said. “But it’s your opinion I’m interested in. The black tee or not?” Adam held it up.
“Not with the vest. Maybe silver might pop more. And a skinny pant, not necessarily black. Blue,” Kris said.
Adam smiled. “Okay, that wasn’t you. That was her.”
Kris sighed. “I’m sorry. I believe I’m the only gay guy in this state that doesn’t really care about fashion,” he confessed.
“I appreciate your honesty,” Adam admitted. “And I’m sorry I was rude earlier when I came in. I’ll apologize to Char when she gets back.”
“I do like the black tee, but not a fan of leather vests,” Kris said. “I’m more into plaid shirts and jeans, as you can see.”
“Yes, I do,” Adam said. “And it works on you. I’ve been in here before.”
“Oh, I know. Char works it into every conversation given the slightest opportunity,” Kris said. “She’s -“
“I remember her, but I also remember the cute guy that works here with her,” Adam said.
“Oh, Bryan,” Kris said. “He’s off today, but -“
“Oh, you mean me.” Kris blushed and looked away.
“Yes, you,” Adam said. “I just have one more fashion question for you and then I promise I’ll shut up.”
“No problem.”
“Will you wear that fedora and have coffee with me?” Adam asked.
“That’s two questions.”
“But I’m hoping for one answer,” Adam said. “I’ll still buy you the fedora even if the answer is no.”
Kris didn’t believe he was being asked out by Adam and wasn’t sure what to say. So, he just smiled and said the first thing that came to him. “Yes.”
Char rushed back into the store with the coffee almost sloshing over the top of the lid. “Don’t worry, Adam, I can take over now. Kris was never born with the fashion gene. Don’t let him talk you into buying anything until I approve it.” She handed him the coffee and straw.
Kris and Adam looked at each other and laughed.
“Wait, what did I miss?” Char asked.
****
END (1/1)
Category: Kris/Adam AU, fluff
Rating: PG
Summary: Kris’s workday is interrupted by something unexpected.
“Personal Shopper” (1/1)
By Lisa Michelle
“I have a feeling he’s coming in today,” Char told Kris, not looking up from her phone.
“You say that almost every day,” Kris said. “One day you’ll be right.” Kris sighed and walked over to straighten a display of jeans. Char, his coworker at How I Rock It, just shook her head and started texting. She was only five years younger than he was, but most of the time she reminded him of an annoying little sister if he had one. She was obsessed with celebrities and mostly wanted to discuss them and them only.
True, retail wasn’t his dream job, but he took it seriously and tried to do his best. Since this shop was in L.A., they did get celebrities come in, but never A-listers. Char once swore Aaron Paul came in, but Kris didn’t believe her since so many late twentysomething guys could look like him.
However, her current obsession was Adam Lambert. He had been in a couple of times and Kris swore Char was going to faint dead away the first time he’d witnessed it. She had loved him since his Idol days and was able to get a picture of the two of them which she showed to every woman under ninety and gay guy that patronized the store. Sometimes he wasn’t sure if she was checking Facebook or just gazing at the pic on her phone lovingly.
“Kris, you’re so negative,” she replied, twirling a strand of blonde hair. This time she had purple streaks interspersed through it. He thought she’d look just fine without the hair dye. A more classic look. Her given name was Charlotte, but she thought it sounded too old and stuffy, so she shortened it, much to her parents’ dismay. Char loved the edgy look, which did fit right in with this store’s theme of clothing for young, pretty hip people. Kris thought that should be the sign etched on the door instead of How I Rock It. However, he was no fashionista, preferring plaid shirts and jeans to anything else.
“You don’t even know if he’s in town,” Kris said, folding his third pair of jeans and putting them back in the wood cubbyhole. People were such slobs.
Char looked up from her phone and smiled at him. “Oh, look who’s suddenly interested in him,” she replied. “He hasn’t tweeted anything in a couple of days, but the last pic on his Instagram was a Hollywood sunset.”
“Oh, well, that proves everything.” Kris resisted the urge to roll his eyes at her. “Why don’t you put your phone down and straighten up the jewelry display?”
“Why? No one’s in the store,” she replied.
“Because someone could come in at any time.” Kris felt he was her parent most of the time; steering her toward an activity when she got off task.
“Like Adam?”
“Just do something constructive, okay?” he said, not looking to see if she was actually putting her phone away or rolling her eyes at him.
“You’re just jealous,” Char said, straightening up a rack of old school 80s tees.
“Jealous of what?”
“Adam and his success,” she clarified. “I know you want to be a rock star.”
Kris stopped at the display of fedoras. “I don’t want to be a rock star.”
“Whatever.”
He hated when she used that overused snotty word. Okay, so he would like to be in the music business, but not a “rock star”. More like a musician. Just playing his guitar a couple nights a week for an audience that appreciated real music, not the overproduced, autotuned stuff that passed for music on the pop charts today. “Well, maybe a musician, but -“
“Aha.” Char headed over to the fedoras as well. “I knew it.” She pointed one long purple-painted index finger at him.
“Would you not go there today,” Kris said. “I’m not in the mood to discuss music because I know where this conversation will lead to or shall I say whom it will lead to.”
“Just admit he’s hot,” she said. “Then I’ll drop it.”
“Okay, yes, he’s kind of hot,” Kris said. “If you like that type.”
“What, tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed and gorgeous?” she stated.
“Yes.” Kris shrugged. “I guess.”
“Just tell me what your favorite song is of his and I’ll handle all the customers for the next hour and straighten up while you go take a break since you’re a little pissy today,” she offered. “Please, please, please -“
“All right,” Kris said. “’Whataya Want From Me’”.
Char beamed. “See, that wasn’t so hard.” She skipped over to the women’s jeans and started refolding. For the next few minutes, the two of them worked in silence until the chime over the door rang.
“I got it,” Char said. She turned to the entrance and just stared.
Kris didn’t hear her usual cheerful greeting to the customer and looked over to see what was wrong since she said she’d handle the customers for the next hour. He couldn’t believe it. It was Adam Lambert. Well, Adam and four other men that looked around his age. A couple had makeup on and ripped jeans. The rest looked like they were ordered right out of a bodyguard catalogue. Char might hyperventilate right here and now. Kris heard her ask if he needed help, but Adam declined. Okay, that might be bad as well. Adam ignoring her wasn’t good.
Kris came over to the register where she was and asked if she was okay. She nodded, but Kris didn’t believe her. These celebrities had such a sense of entitlement and felt they could treat the rest of the world like crap, well they were wrong. Char was just doing her job and he gave her the brush off.
Kris went right over to Adam, ignoring the glares of the bodyguards. “Can I help you find something?”
Adam was riffling through the display of jeans Kris had just refolded and said no without looking up. “Well, if you need some -“
“I said no, okay?” Adam stopped what he was doing and stood up, more than a couple of inches taller than Kris. The bodyguards came closer, but Kris didn’t let that affect him at all.
“All right,” Kris said. “If you change your mind I’m Kris and that’s Char.”
“What did he say?” Char whispered as Kris returned to the middle of the store where the registers were located.
“That he didn’t need any help,” Kris said.
“He’s in a bad mood,” Char said. “I just know it.”
“Probably got his order wrong at Starbucks,” Kris commented.
“They shouldn’t have,” Char said. “He’s Adam Lambert.”
Kris resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Why don’t you finish your straightening or go in the stockroom and check in some clothing?” he suggested.
“While Adam’s here?” she asked incredulously. “No way. What if he needs some help or leaves and I lose my opportunity to say something to him.”
“Like what? Can I help you?” Kris said. “You already tried that.”
“Yes,” she replied. “Or something else. I don’t know.”
“Just let him shop,” Kris said. “That’s why he’s here. Besides, those bodyguards won’t let you get too close, anyway.”
“But he let me take a picture of him just a few weeks ago,” she said.
“So,” Kris replied. “Do you know how many pictures he must’ve taken with young women during the last time that happened?”
Char sighed. “I know, but -“ She twirled some blonde hair around her fingers. “Oh my God.”
“What?” Kris said.
“If he tries on a pair of those aviator sunglasses, I’m going to die.”
This time Kris rolled his eyes. “Don’t. Then who will work your shift this weekend?” He watched as Char stared at Adam as he tried on the sunglasses. Kris even found himself staring a little, but averted his gaze and looked at his coworker. “Do you want a napkin for that drool?”
“Shut up, I’m busy,” she said. “I should record this and post it to YouTube later.” She reached for her phone.
Kris grabbed her hand. “No, don’t. If you want him to come back, you won’t act like the paparazzi outside, will you?”
Char looked outside and did see a couple of people with cameras and phone standing outside. The bodyguards were keeping an eye on them which was more than likely the reason they didn’t venture into the store. She sighed, putting the phone down on a shelf underneath the register. “You’re right.”
“Do you have this in a large?” Adam was holding up a black leather sleeveless vest with silver metal studs adorning it.
Kris and Char were jarred out of their conversation. Char hurried over to him and looked at the designer name on the vest. “I believe we got a new shipment yesterday. I’ll go in the back and check.” She bounced toward the back with a smile on her face.
Kris busied himself straightening up jeans and tees as Char was searching for the item of clothing for Adam. Kris saw Adam’s friends leave the shop as well as the bodyguards. He thought that was strange, but celebrities didn’t make sense to him, anyway. Kris grabbed a fedora and sat it atop of a mannequin’s head. “I think it’d look better on you.”
Kris turned to see Adam with a couple of pairs of jeans in his hands and a black tee. “Oh, I don’t think so,” he said to Adam. He turned away and smoothed out the nonexistent wrinkles on the mannequin’s jeans.
“So, do you think this black shirt is too much with the black jeans I have on and the vest your coworker is trying to find for me?” Adam asked him.
“Umm, I don’t know. I’m not much of a shopper,” Kris mumbled. “Maybe you should wait for Char to come back and -“
“I’m asking you,” Adam said. “You have an opinion, don’t you?”
“Okay, look I’m not a personal shopper for celebrities. I just work here and -“
“I’m not asking for a personal shopper, I just want an opinion about the shirt,” Adam said. “I think I wear too much black.”
Kris shrugged. “I don’t know. Char could tell you better. She’d talk about it for weeks if you just asked her opinion on a pair of earrings.”
“Found it!” Char came racing toward them with the vest in her hand, a little out of breath. “Do you need help with anything else?”
Adam took the vest from her outstretched hand. “Well, your coworker here -“
“Kris,” she supplied.
“Kris,” Adam said. “I was just asking him his opinion on something, but he seemed to think you would be better suited for my personal shopper.”
“Personal shopper?” Char repeated. “I, well, I don’t know if I’d be qualified to do that. You’re style is so amazing, I think anything you picked would be fabulous.”
Kris shook his head. She was going to make him leave and Kris would never hear the end of it as long as he lived.
“Tell you what, Char,” Adam said. “Can you go and get me an Iced Mocha Frappuccino extra whip.” He fished out a ten from his pocket and gave it to her. “While Kris helps me out with my wardrobe choices?”
Char took the money. “Sure,” she replied. “Kris, can I talk to you a minute?” She steered him away from Adam. “I know you’re not into fashion, but just tell him he looks great in everything, okay? Which is true. Don’t screw this up.” She gave him a warning glare before leaving the store to fetch Adam’s coffee.
“Sorry, she has a little crush on you,” Kris said. “Char can be a bit enthusiastic.”
“She seems sweet,” Adam said. “But it’s your opinion I’m interested in. The black tee or not?” Adam held it up.
“Not with the vest. Maybe silver might pop more. And a skinny pant, not necessarily black. Blue,” Kris said.
Adam smiled. “Okay, that wasn’t you. That was her.”
Kris sighed. “I’m sorry. I believe I’m the only gay guy in this state that doesn’t really care about fashion,” he confessed.
“I appreciate your honesty,” Adam admitted. “And I’m sorry I was rude earlier when I came in. I’ll apologize to Char when she gets back.”
“I do like the black tee, but not a fan of leather vests,” Kris said. “I’m more into plaid shirts and jeans, as you can see.”
“Yes, I do,” Adam said. “And it works on you. I’ve been in here before.”
“Oh, I know. Char works it into every conversation given the slightest opportunity,” Kris said. “She’s -“
“I remember her, but I also remember the cute guy that works here with her,” Adam said.
“Oh, Bryan,” Kris said. “He’s off today, but -“
“Oh, you mean me.” Kris blushed and looked away.
“Yes, you,” Adam said. “I just have one more fashion question for you and then I promise I’ll shut up.”
“No problem.”
“Will you wear that fedora and have coffee with me?” Adam asked.
“That’s two questions.”
“But I’m hoping for one answer,” Adam said. “I’ll still buy you the fedora even if the answer is no.”
Kris didn’t believe he was being asked out by Adam and wasn’t sure what to say. So, he just smiled and said the first thing that came to him. “Yes.”
Char rushed back into the store with the coffee almost sloshing over the top of the lid. “Don’t worry, Adam, I can take over now. Kris was never born with the fashion gene. Don’t let him talk you into buying anything until I approve it.” She handed him the coffee and straw.
Kris and Adam looked at each other and laughed.
“Wait, what did I miss?” Char asked.
****
END (1/1)