Amongst The Snobbery Lies The Fanboys, In Mint Condition, Too.

Day 182 of The Andie Chronicles

"What do you normally buy here?" 

Cooper and I danced across the walkway and into the Camberwell market. We hadn't slept much, but we were surging with adrenaline like the sex-crazed couple we were. 

I figured we needed the fresh air to do something besides rolling around in bed for the whole weekend. Yet, once we left the hotel, I instantly regretted it. As much as I loved the market, I loved sleeping with him more. 

"Um, well, it's a second-hand market, so I usually hunt for a few little things. Garfield books. Antiques to give to Barbie, James' mum. Oh, and there is the florist, too; I normally pick up a bunch of flowers before I leave." 

We walked down the first alley of store holders. The market was divided into four rows, with vendors snaking around the top. Each stall was covered with knick-knacks, racks of clothes or car boot fulls of old treasures. 

I watched as Cooper pointed out things that reminded him of childhood, and I marvelled at how much we had in common. Being so close in age, it wasn't any surprise. 

Coming upon a stall full of collectables, Cooper stopped to thumb through some comics. 

I smiled at the man behind the booth; he was wearing a Superman hoodie with a matching beanie. I couldn't garner his attention for the life of me, though. He was too fixed on watching Cooper. 

Though this man didn't look judgemental, I didn't exactly like how he disapproved of my man. Though Cooper didn't look like the quintessential rich guy, you couldn't let his looks fool you.

He wasn't going to steal anything, I said to myself. How dare this person think that's what he was going to do?

I moved closer to Cooper and went to take his hand and away from the stall. But as I did, Superman put his hand out to stop Cooper from taking another step. 

"Man, I'm so sorry to do this, but do you think I could get a photo with you? I'm such a big fan." 

As he delivered his question, he pulled up his hoodie to show the t-shirt underneath. There was Cooper's face on this man's chest, holding two title belts, with cartoon snakes coming from his chest, forming a pattern behind his figure. My wrestler was on a stranger's chest in the middle of Camberwell, surrounded by spoiled private school kids. 

"Sure, dude."

As they posed for a selfie, I noticed a stack of figurines on the table. Some were still in their box. And, in the centre of the pile sat Cooper, a figure of him as the champion from his international days. 

I ran my hands over the plastic down to where he was trapped inside by the box. I held it to my chest, turned to Superman, and asked, "Can I buy this, please?"

"No, no, please take it on the house. Anything for Crusher. Enjoy, man."

Cooper smiled before high-fiving Superman. "You're a champ, thank you."

As we wandered away, Cooper took the box from my grasp and studied it.

"Wow, I haven't seen this one before. Gees, I look so young." 

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You’re reading The Andie Chronicles, the 2023 romance-fiction series from the 1 Lovelock Drive (1LD) universe.

By the way, this all started when Andie turned thirty-five, and her then-boyfriend didn’t call her.

Or the day after that.

Or the day after that, too. 

Everything started to unravel when her BFFs got into bed with her ex, too… ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

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DAY 1: Tales Of People Forgetting Your Birthday And Lovers Who Don't Materialise

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Just a moment! 1 Lovelock Drive is a reader-supported publication (I can’t do this without you!). If you love what you read, and want to receive the next instalment and support my work, consider becoming a subscriber!

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A little lost on what’s happening at 1 Lovelock Drive?

Well, you see, Andie’s break-up started back in February and so much has happened since then. These stories will help you catch right up! xx