Not Just Another Number

Not So Normal Day For Scoop Troop

Sarah's POV

"Hey dinguses, your children are here!" Robin yells from the front counter. I look up from my book, hearing the constant ringing of the bell, and groan. Steve groans as he pushes the divider aside. He leans against the counter, sighing. "Again? Seriously?"

I hear another, almost taunting, ring. I stand up and open the side door, glaring at each one of them. "You know, I'm starting to believe you're using us for the free movies." I say to Mike. He gives me a sly smile and walks past me.

They each start to pass me, but I grab Will's shoulder and hold him back. I lean down and whisper in his ear, "You know what candy I like." I hand him some money and he nods before following the others. Steve leads them to the hall in the back, giving them the same warning as usual.

If I'm doing this for them, might as well get something in return. I walk over to the front counter and help Robin with the customers. "C'mon Steve, still got a bet to lose!" I yell to him, hearing Robin snicker.

I hear him rush from the back. I hold back a smile as I take the next customer's order. I hear him flirting with the two girls, desperately trying to win the bet. They just look at him weirdly and leave with their ice-creams.

I give my customer their ice-cream before turning to Steve. "Looks like you lose, Harrington." I tease.

"I did not lose! Our shift hasn't ended yet." He defends.

I cross my arms as Robin finishes with her customer. "Do we have to pull out the board?"

He groans, but suddenly, the lights start to flicker. I tense, memories of the past two years popping up. Cool it Byers, maybe an energy surge. I feel Steve grab my hand. I look at him and see his comforting gaze.

The lights stop flickering, going completely out. "That's weird." Steve says as he drags me to the light switch. He starts to flip it on and off, but nothing happens. "That's not gonna work dingus." Robin points out the obvious.

"Oh really?" Steve retorts, flipping the switch even faster, just to annoy her. I laugh, feeling my nerves subside.

I let go of Steve's hand and move to the opening. I toss my hat to them. "Where are you going?" Steve asks, catching my hat. I turn back towards them. "Gonna see Christine, she might know what happened."

"Why would she know about this?" Robin asks, and her voice seems a little higher pitched. I brush it off as nothing with a little shrug. "She has her connections."

I turn around again and yell at them over my shoulder, "Get ready to clean the flavor counter when I get back, Steve." I hear him grimace as I walk into the dark plaza.

It's strange, seeing it so dark. I can see silhouettes of everyone, so I can walk passed them without bumping into them. I hear everyone murmur in confusion as I make my way to The Gap where Christine works.

I walk in, seeing more confused customers. "Christine?" I call out.

"Over here!" I hear her say. I see a green, glowing band floating in the air. Must be her glow band. I walk over to her, seeing her smiling yet confused stare. "You have any idea what's going on here?" I ask.

She shakes her head, her dark brown hair bouncing. "Not a clue. Jerry said nothing should have turned off the power. Unless it's something big." Man, if she doesn't know, than no one must know anything.

I sigh and run a hand through my hair. "Well, you got any spare glow bands? I could give them to the Scoop Troop, make cleaning up easier." She nods her head quickly, and her face seems to glow, but it could be because of her glow band.

"Of course! I always have spares!" She pulls out dark bands from her back pocket.

"Great. Let's go." I grab her wrist and lead her through the confused crowd. As soon as we take a step out of The Gap, the lights suddenly turn on. Everything starts to go back to normal, everyone goes back to normal.

"Weird." Christine and I say. I shrug and look back at her hand, the one holding the bands. I let go of her wrist now that we're not in the dark. "Whelp, might as well still give them the bands. In case the power goes out again."

She nods excitedly and all but leads the way to Scoops Ahoy. We walk in, hearing Robin and Steve bickering again. "You were not the one who turned on the light, Dingus."

"How do you know I wasn't?"

I shake my head and clear my throat. "Man, I leave you guys for one minute and you're already fighting?" They finally notice us.

Steve rolls his eyes, but Robin seems to be stuck, but it's only for a second. Maybe I was imagining it? I hop up on one of the tables and gesture to Christine. "Christy over here brought us some glow bands." She hands me mine, shaking it a little to make it glow.

Mine glows a bright, neon blue. I smile. Blue's my favorite color. "Thanks Christy." Steve says as she gives him his. His is a bright red. Opposites attract huh?

She moves to Robin, who quietly says thank you, to which she nods. Robin's is a bright orange that goes with Christine's green band. I look up at the clock on the wall, noticing the late time. "Shit, closing time." I say, smirking lightly.

Everyone but Steve smile at the realization. Steve groans, remembering his punishment. "That's right Harrington, you gotta clean the flavor counter!' I tease as I hop off the table. I point over to Christine, gaining her attention.

"You need a ride home?"

"No, I promised Jerry I would help him close tonight. Thanks anyway." She walks over to the exit, turning to wave to us. "See ya' tomorrow!" She calls to no one in particular. And with that, she leaves.

I turn back to a zoned out Robin and a disgruntled Steve. "Aw, what's the matter Steve? Butthurt?"

He ignores my teasing, opting to point his rag at me. "Double or nothing."

"What?" Robin and I say.

"Double or nothing. Same rules, same restrictions, but the loser cleans the flavor counter by themselves for a week."

I'm taken back by him upping the anty. If that's what he wants. I shrug and walk up to him, grabbing his rag. "You know Harrington, I'm starting to believe you might have a small gambling problem because of this deal."

"You scared?"

"Never." I fire back at him. I take the rag and shake his hand.

"Now come on. Help me clean the counter."

A/N

As you can see, I have added a new character to the mix. If you hadn't seen her in the Cast List, she was just added. Please Welcome Christine Willis!!! Obviously more action will come soon, but for a few chapters, it'll mainly be a lot of Sarah being calmer and acting more like a teenager. But don't worry, that action will come soon! Hope you liked the chill chapter. Stay Curious!~Lunar