The rest of the day was calm. I helped my mother finish cleaning the house while my father was finishing correcting some papers about the house.
As always, we exchanged a few words, only a few essential ones like "Clean here", "We need to clean there", "We finished" and that's it.
In the afternoon, we went to some stores to buy the missing utensils. My aunt came along, she said on the way that she was very happy to help and that if we need her, we can call. I don't believe any words she says, she's just being kind at the beginning so that we don't think she's a bad man, but in a while she'll stop all the flattery and show who she really is. I can recognize people like that, my own experience.
- So, what is Australia like? - She asks while driving.
- It's very good. Where we lived it was a city a little more in the center, not like here but it was very good. - My mother answers in the passenger seat.
- Nothing like it before, right? - She claims
- No. - My mom says. - Certainly not. - My aunt is silent for a while.
- And you, Ayla? What are you thinking here? - She looks at me in the rearview mirror and I just remain silent.
- She doesn't agree with the idea of living here. She prefers Australia so she doesn't like it here. - My mother answers.
- She doesn't like it here yet. You will love it here. - She speaks but I remain silent.
A few minutes later we arrived at the store. In a shopping mall, to be more specific. It is not a very large mall, with parking and a small amusement park.
- I thought this was a small town. - I say as we get out of the car.
- And the city is small, but that can't stop us from being a little modern. It is the only one that has here so it is well known, everyone from the city comes here.
We went in and it was a little warm inside. Probably because of the cold outside, Australia didn't have that.
The first thing we went to buy was kitchen utensils. I didn't care much about what they were going to take or not, so much so that my mom didn't even ask, but my aunt always showed me something and asked what I think, but I just shrugged, indicating that I didn't know. Even showing no interest in the purchase, she kept asking me. I think she is convinced that I will like it here, so try to get me interested. If she thinks that, she better stop trying.
- And what do you think of these, Ayla? - She shows me a set of yellow and white plates and cups.
- I don't like yellow. - Lie, yellow is my favorite color, but I don't want her to know that.
- Seriously? I found it very cute. It would match the wooden furniture. - My mom says. - I think I'll take these.
We watched the place for a long time. I think we went into 4 stores or more, and stayed more than half an hour inside each one.
The last store we entered was the clothing store. I loved shopping for clothes with Olivia, she always helped me choose which shoe matches the dress. I dressed well most of the time thanks to her. I think it will be a while before we make a purchase together again.
- I know your graduation is over, but here's my present for you. - My aunt hands me a credit card. - It's worth $ 160, you can spend it however you want. Even here, you can go check it out if you want. - She goes out and talks to my mom again.
At least I have something to do. I get away from them and go check out the store. There are a lot of cool clothes but none of the style I bought in Australia.
I went up to the second floor and it was a little wider than the one below, and there were fewer people. Less people means that I will have more peace to see and choose something.
I was looking at some sneakers when I hear someone coming closer to me. Suddenly, I feel someone drop me on the floor, along with some boxes.
One of the boxes opened and fell right on my face, it was full of Styrofoam. I took the box out of my face and realized what was inside. Shoes. Who in the world packs styrofoam shoes?
I look to the side and a boy was on the floor, he had more Styrofoam in his hair than in the boxes. He had short hair, apparently my age, maybe a little more. When he removes the Styrofoam from his face I can see his face perfectly. His hair is brown in color, his skin is as clear as clouds in the sky, and his eyes are black as the darkest night.
I get up irritated, and when he notices my presence, he gets up quickly.
- I'm sorry, I was carrying a lot of boxes and I didn't see you in front of me. I'm so sorry. - He gets up and stands in front of me. He realizes that he has a lot of Styrofoam in his hair so he passes his hand in order to remove it, which in fact happens but he drops everything on me again.
- I'm sorry, I didn't really see you. - He says worried.
- I was in front of you, how could you not see me? - I say irritated while I finish removing the rest of Styrofoam.
- I'm also sorry for the box falling open on your face and the Styrofoam. - When he talks about my face, I feel a little pain on my forehead. Some sneakers must have hit me, my right cheek hurts too. He tries to help me with the Styrofoam but I dismiss him.
- What kind of person packs sneakers with styrofoam?
- They are imported, arrived today. - He says.
- I don't care about the damn imported sneakers! - I say irritated. - My face must be all swollen and must have Styrofoam even inside my soul because of you!
- But you asked me about sneakers. - He answers me, with a confused look. He's the type of person who doesn't understand a sarcastic question. The worst kind of person, needing to explain everything in detail because she doesn't understand any irony and he is that type of person.
- So ... - I look at your badge and see your name. - Benjamin, this is not one of my best days and you caused it to just make my day worse than it already was, so before you do anything else, I'm going out to prevent you from ruining my day further. - I get away from him and go towards the second floor.
I find my aunt and mother still choosing some things. I pass by them extremely irritated, my mother looks at me worried and I just say I want to leave.
- Why do you want to leave? And what happened to you to be like this? - My aunt says.
- Let's just go. - I say and head towards the exit, but my mother stops me.
- Listen, Ayla. I spent the whole day trying to be nice to you, to make you feel comfortable, but I'm not going to accept that you have that kind of attitude. We are not leaving now and neither are you. We will stay here and only go out when I think it is necessary !. - She looks at me with an angry look. She didn't even realize why I wanted to leave, but it's not worth me having to explain. I look to the side and see the boy who knocked me down a few minutes ago staring at me, or rather, watching my mother's screams, the same as everyone in the store is doing. - You got it?
I don't answer anything, just get out of her way and get my car keys from my aunt.
- I'll wait in the car.
I hear my mom try to stop me, but my aunt won't let me, so I leave and head towards the parking lot.
When I'm in the car, with the windows closed, I allow myself to cry. The reason? I don't know, maybe all the hurts I have and what happened now was the key to opening up those feelings.
I wish I never came to Canada.