I didn't get the chance to say anything to my mother that afternoon, not that it's a shocker.
I'd taken a RedBull and gone to my room to play video games while I waited to hear her come back. Finally, I heard the slam of the front door break the sound of the rain pounding on the roof. I jogged downstairs, only to see her already passed out on the couch. I knew she wouldn't be moving for the rest of the day, at least.
I'd grabbed the keys from the counter and my purse and started toward the city.
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The drive there wasn't too bad, the rain let up just enough to let me see. As I speedwalk inside the store now though, it starts pouring again. I pull my hood up and tuck my long blonde hair into the back of it.
I make my way through the store until I eventually wind up in the school supplies section. I hadn't even thought about needing any of this until now. I only have a few weeks until school starts, my senior year, finally. I'm so relieved just thinking about it. Graduating means leaving and never having to deal with my family again, my dream come true.
I feel a little giddy as I start to pick out pencils and a new bag. I don't mind dipping into my savings a bit for this, I always like to give myself a good start to the year, it helps me stay on track. School has always been a little harder for me than others... but not impossible I guess.
I have a hard time concentrating on anything, I either get lost in my own thoughts or listening to the girl across the room click her pen as fast as she can. It's why I've figured out somewhat of a system for classes, I just set my phone to record the class and try to listen back later if I can. It comes in handy for studying, but not so much for participation in class... With that thought, I remember to grab a few new notebooks as well.
I look to my cart and decide I shouldn't get anything else in fear of not having enough. My eyes linger on my cell phone sitting in the pocket of my purse. I should try calling Mom and seeing if she needs anything... No, she wouldn't answer anyway.
"Hey... You okay?" A soft voice shakes me out of my trance. I look for the source and find a boy, around my age I think, holding his arms out and giving me the most concerned look I think I've ever received.
"Um... Yes?" I squeak, unable to look away from him. He smiles boyishly and steps back a bit. He starts to search the shelf behind me for something.
"Oh good. It looked like you were going to pass out. I didn't really want to witness that so thought I'd check." He finds the calculator he was looking for.
"My knight in shining armor, thanks." I huff at him, starting to walk away.
"You're very welcome, but actually I think knights usually get something out of the work they do. I've been jipped." He retorts. I turn around to look at him smugly.
"Actually, I think they're just fine with the satisfaction of knowing they've helped." I sing, he laughs. He has such a nice smile, one of those that you can't help but grin back.
"Fine, fine, you're probably right. But the least you could do is let me take you out? I mean, just to thank me for caring so much, ya know?" He takes a step closer. I should move, because stranger danger, but I don't want to.
"The least I could do, huh? How about your name first?" He nods and smiles, hope shines in his eyes.
"My name is Ian, but you can call me yours." He grins proudly, sticks out his hand for me to shake it. I take it and and scrunch my nose at him.
"That was so bad, I can only hope your idea of a date is better than your pick-up lines." I shake my head, I can't my keep eyes from wandering. His dark brown hair is shaggy, but well kept, little curls drooping near his eyes. Those eyes, they're the brightest shade of green out there, and they just have so much light. As I scan over him, I linger on his perfect lips as he speaks.
"Do you like coffee? There's an amazing little place here in town, you look like you'd love it!" I shoot back up to make eye contact, yet again being startled by his piecing green orbs.
"I would love coffee, let me finish up here and we can go?" I don't feel the need to ask what he meant by saying I look like I'd love it, I know what he's talking about. Weirdly enough its not the first time someone's said that.
I asked my mom about it once, and she said its my long hair and sad eyes. Said I look like the type of person that just needs a break, and a boost at the same time. I was offended when she told me, mostly because if I look that way it's all due to her and my father.
"Absolutely!" He says eagerly, bringing me out of my thoughts.
We finish up my shopping together, and when I tell you he did not stop talking, I mean this boy has probably never had a moment of silence in his life. It was cute though, and I didn't mind, I would rather not talk if possible anyways.
Once we finally got through the check out, he carries my bags, following me to my car. I'm a little embarrassed by the state of our old Grand Cherokee, with the rust and sunspots being the star of the show now.
It doesn't phase him a bit though, he carefully sets everything in the back seat and stands upright again, smiling brightly.
"Okay time to go? Let me drive you?" His excitedness is cute but also makes me nervous as I remember I literally just met him.
"Um... no offense, because you're really nice, but I think I'll drive myself, just in case. I hope you don't mind." He frowns and bit, and he looks disappointed, but then he nods understandingly.
"Not a problem, you're gorgeous and smart. Love it!" He smiles sweetly and pulls out a piece of paper, writing down directions to the shop.
As he hands me the slip his fingers graze mine, and my heart skips a beat.