lost in between the sense of thought and reality i lay rested in the comfort of my single bed. i've completed all my homework and it seems as though my brain has run out of storage and speed for the day. i get up and decide to go to the supermarket located not so far from home. and i will walk there.

google says.

it is almost late but not really. dad is preparing tonight's dinner and my sister will soon be back from her netball practice. i put on a loose denim jean, pair of sneakers and a black hoodie to complete the look. i empty my backpack and take it along with me. in the kitchen, dad chops the vegetables and i tell him where i'm off to. i won't take long, i convince him. he agrees. asks that i buy more milk, bread, eggs, and the rest is written down on a list. i do not mind. the late summer sky is the color of an upside down ocean decorated with the stars, bottomless and cold.

google says.

i walk into the store and fetch a trolley. fill the top basket with the lacking groceries and use the bottom one for my own things. first, i head to the stationary aisle. get a journal. a pen. some highlighters.

google says.

so i take a measuring tape before heading towards the personal care and hygiene aisle. there i see a man. huge in size. and short. like me. as i skim through products on the shelves the man finally walks past me, perfume failing to mask his sweat-smell. for a minute my nose is blocked. i move forward and pick my roll-on, deodorant, body butter, and a packet of pads. in the aisle ahead i see a body scale and a solid waist trainer. i look around. no one is present. i take them from the top shelf and hide them in the bottom basket. when i get up i find a pair of black eyes focused on me. the pair belongs to a boy. older than me. he is tall. has short brown hair. tall. fit with a slight skin tan. mysterious. tall. and attractive. he stares as though he knows all that i have been up to. my story. my pain. i pretend not be caught off guard by his presence and walk past him. my mind argues,

don't look back. don't look back. don't look back.

tempted, i look back.

his eyes still fixed on me until i am out of sight. invisible. i wait in the queue. the woman in front of me clutches her purse to her chest, like i am not to be trusted. she is right. my outfit speaks opposite of who i really am. if was standing in front of me i would also hold on tight to my stuff. i take a peak at the items in her trolley. bread, milk, sugar, soda, cereal, canned beans, spices, salt, candy, and ice-cream.

google says.

sleep whispers to me and i turn deaf. later, i am next in line. the lady scans the items and puts them in a plastic, throwing me a few looks in between. she asks if the items are mine and i tell her my mom sent me. she nods in agreement before handing me the plastic, receipt and the change. when i walk out the store the breezy air kisses my face and i close my eyes shortly. in the corner of my eye i see the same boy again, this time smoking a cigarette. he releases the clouds of smoke and when his eyes meet mine i can't help but feel connected to him.

my phone rings.

dad calls.

and i continue to walk home.

~*~

kinda enjoyed writing this piece.