Derek blinked several times in confusion before realizing that it was Shimmer who had collided with him like a woman-shaped cruise missile. Her words registered on a slight delay, and he shot a nervous look toward his co-worker, who was not even looking up at them.
"Wow, you're so funny...let's go somewhere else to talk about how funny you are." And then, to the teenager on the stool, "I need to take care of something. Cover for me?"
"Whatever," came the reply.
Derek turned back to Shimmer, motioning for her to follow him away from his place of employment. "You should have told me that you were a ball of light, I think? So we're even."