Georgina whined from behind, dragging her weight and walking sluggishly.
"Agghhh Aaron c'mon man aren't we finished yet?" Georgina complained for the umpteenth time. Aaron merely rolled his eyes as he looked over two celeries in both hands. "Now I remember why I don't shoplift from places like these. Y'know, back in the day whenever I passed by a store like this I run. Now I'm really here I just wanna go back home."
"Grocery shopping takes time," he patiently replied after making a choice and putting the celery from his right hand to the basket. "And it would honestly help if you pay attention so you don't always have to live off cup noodles. Those things don't have any nutritional value anyway."
Yes right now they were in the grocery store with Aaron stocking up on Georgina's refrigerator and cabinets. While the place was more decent than the last time he had come across her apartment—what with most of the stolen items returned or given to charity at Connor's insistence—the living space was severely lacking in any sustenance and it left Aaron aghast at her situation. Naturally he offered they go to the store and hopefully teach Georgina a few of the skills needed in searching for the fresh ingredients, the beauty of sales, and everything about buying goods but so far, he wasn't having any luck.
Georgina walked behind him and whined of wanting to go home but of course Aaron wouldn't allow it. She still had some things to learn after all. Lucky for her he sometimes cooked so he knew a thing or two about produce.
"Eh what's your issue with them noodles now?" grumbled Georgina, back slouched and arms waving lifelessly with each step. "They've got taste."
He hummed and gave his friend a side glance. Then he remarked, "I daresay you only stubbornly buy those since you don't know how to cook."
A bright blush coated Georgina's cheeks and she admitted, "'Kay I can't cook and I don't know shit about domestic thingies to save my life. But you don't gotta rub it in my face, Mr. Smarty Pants."
"All right I will stop," he acquiesced, waving a placating hand. "Now the last one on my list is eggs."
"Aww great!"
"But don't think we're finished yet." He gave Georgina a meaningful look. The cheer fell from her face and she frowned in displeasure.
"Aww what? What else do ya need, Lance? Newsflash: I ain't spending the rest of the day here huh."
He couldn't help but chuckle, walking toward the petite woman to tap softly at her forehead. She frowned, brows crinkling in confusion.
"After this we shall head to your apartment and I will teach you to cook."
"Aww man no," Georgina whined, darting from her place to wag a finger at him. "You can do my grocery shopping and stuff but c'mon spare me the learning!"
"Oh George please be reasonable." They continued walking down the aisle. "You need to learn to cook for yourself so you won't always be spending money. After all, you've just started work."
"Yeah I know but I might burn the place down."
"That's why I will be imparting my knowledge unto you because you are in desperate need."
She snorted. "Yeah right. I'm fine."
"Well I am not comfortable with the idea of you splurging your money so please," he said sincerely, stopping to stare at her. She blinked back, surprised and unmoving. Then she swallowed audibly and turned her gaze away, pouting. When Aaron looked closer, there was a faint pink coloring her cheeks.
"Hmm 'kay."
He took that as a win and so continued with shopping and before long they were by the check-out counter, their purchases being rung up by a chirpy worker who winked at them and bid them a hearty farewell.
Aaron took to carrying two plastic bags while Georgina handled the last smaller three. She grimaced toward the direction of the worker and said in a low tone, "Don't cha think she was being awfully nice? She got a crush on you, eh Lance?"
Aaron only gave her a nonplussed look. This caused Georgina to laugh, accidentally bumping into an elderly lady.
"Oh shi—I mean, terribly sorry 'bout that, ma'am," Georgina apologized to the old woman, who chuckled and shook her head.
"No broken bones, dearie so there's nothing to worry about." Then her eyes seemed to size them both up and she cooed. "Aw, what a lovely couple you two make."
Aaron felt himself stiffen, Georgina dissolving into a blushing mess.
"Oh we're not dating," Aaron clarified, clearing his throat and trying to remain composed. Ah, why won't people lay off assuming they were a couple? "We're friends, ma'am."
The woman seemed unfazed as she hummed and adjusted her large glasses.
"Oh is that so? Well, pardon me, youngsters." Then she shuffled away, leaving both of them to look at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter.
Right, this happened often and they always laughed it off. Why must it suddenly be different?
"Man I gotta tell ya Lance we're nearing the fiftieth count of people thinkin' we're all lovey-dovey." She blanched and giggled, Aaron following suit to dispel the awkwardness.
"Right. Well, shall we get a move on?"
"Yup! Let's go!"
Soon enough they reached Georgina's apartment, her orange cat bounding over to them and meowing with such power Aaron for a second thought it was a motor in full blast. The Bengal jumped onto Georgina's waiting arms, her laughs bouncing off the walls as Aaron took time to set the plastic bags down on the counter.
He took a second to survey everything, noting the few cushion replacements, washed curtains, and remarkable house-keeping. Unlike before where everything was on the floor and in disarray, her arrangement nowadays seemed much more organized and neat. Though it wasn't clean and well-kept like his, this was definitely an improvement compared to before.
He turned to see Georgina cooing as she pet Oscar, her cat's chest vibrating with eyes closed in contentment. Georgina giggled, the sound causing Aaron's own lips to tug upward at the cat and his human.
"Do you have to change first, George?" he asked, rounding the counter. "Or we shall begin with a simple recipe anyone can cook?"
Georgina whipped her head toward him, glasses slipping off momentarily. She pushed them back to place with a finger and stood, Oscar bounding to his feet at the sudden movement and lack of attention.
"Ah man shit sorry. Just uh…" she looked around in a sort of panic before focusing once more on him, "help yourself first to anything you want then we can go over that recipe you've been yappin' about. Lemme just take a second to change, yeah?"
"Of course." He began unbuttoning the sleeves of his polo shirt and tugging them up towards his elbows. He had a strange feeling of being watched and so turned, surprised to see Georgina still standing there with her gaze on… him? He tilted his head in confusion and he called uncertainly, "George? Are you all right?"
She seemed to snap out from her daze and she frowned, pointing at him.
"Why're you rolling your sleeves up though?"
"Oh this?" he asked, gesturing to his revealed arms. She nodded once and huffed. "So my sleeves won't get dirty when we cook. Washing them off is a pain so I prefer to take precautions whenever. Is something bothering you?"
Georgina stood rooted to her spot and hummed. Her eyes darted from his forearms to his face for a few seconds before her shoulders relaxed. Then she smirked easily and cocked a hip out.
"Y'know, suddenly all those talk about men pulling up their sleeves makes a whole lotta sense."
He blinked in confusion. "P—Pardon?"
She laughed and waved a dismissive hand, body already turned to the direction of her room.
"Nothin'. See ya in a bit!" Then she left the area with such speed, Aaron took a second to process just happened.
But still… her words puzzled him. What did she mean about the talk of men pulling up their sleeves? It was confusing but knowing her, she wouldn't so readily give her response.
~~
Aaron stared dubiously at Georgina as she violently whisked an egg. He had half a mind to stop her but knew when she was having intense concentration, everything else became insignificant so her attention was solely on her current task.
"Ah… George?" he called uncertainly. "Don't you think you're going too fast? The yolk is starting to spill from the bowl and I'm growing concerned."
"Ah shush you big worrywart," Georgina whisked at a faster pace. "I got it."
Before things could take a turn for the worst Aaron snatched up the whisk and bowl, Georgina gasping in surprise and indignance.
"Hey I told ya I got it covered!" Irritation laced her tone. "What, don't trust me now?"
"It's not that," he said. "Here, I'll show you."
"Oh, no you don't. Gimme that back!"
They tussled for a while until Aaron decided to let go, causing Georgina to spill the bowl of egg yolk toward her due to the force of her pull. Aaron was too late to warn her and so heard splashing and a surprised shriek, some of the yolk landing on his face and arms which were covering him. Ah, his shirt definitely wasn't unscathed.
When he opened his eyes he fell into laughter at seeing Georgina covered from nearly head to toe, her glasses also smudged with yellow. Her fingers came over to wipe off the sticky substance, trying and failing to glare at him.
"George," he uttered, trying to stifle his mirth to no avail.
"Yeah yeah buster I know," Georgina tried to stay angry but her shoulders were shaking with suppressed giggles.
They took one long look at each other and burst out laughing, pointing at each other and clutching their stomachs as they ran out of air. They sunk to the ground at some point and tossed their heads back to continue laughing until they were gasping for air.
"George I'm terribly sorry," breathed Aaron, Georgina chuckling and nodding.
"Nah nah it's fine." She hoisted herself up and took off her glasses. "I'll just take a shower then you take your turn. I've got extra towels and clothes belonging to my annoying cousin; maybe they'll fit cha."
As he also rose to his feet he asked, "Are you sure I'm not imposing?"
"It's fine I tell ya. Besides, you weren't so lucky," She gestured to his clothes which also had splatters of egg yolk. "I'mma head out."
As she began to trot back he called, "And while waiting I will clean up the mess!"
He did so, washing the bowls, cleaning the floor and counter, and then re-arranging everything to its proper order. Just as he had finished Georgina went out with wet hair, rubbing a hand towel on it vigorously. She was in a white top with spaghetti straps and gray sweatpants. She smiled brightly at Aaron. "'Kay bud your turn. I've already got the towel and clothes set up so you can choose anything you want."
He smiled back, wiping his hands on a nearby hand towel.
"Much obliged, George. Thank you for the hospitality."
Aaron passed Georgina and turned to inquire about the spare clothes when his eye caught something on her left shoulder blade, her back turned to him. The towel was used to hold her hair up so the view of her back was unobstructed with anything. He walked closer and saw what seemed to be three butterflies tattooed across her shoulder blade. They also seemed to move every time her shoulder flexed or tensed and Aaron was mesmerized with the simplicity of the design paired with the intricacy and detail poured into it.
"What do ya think you're doin' there huh?"
Aaron snapped out and stood straight, mind rushing as he scrambled for a reply.
"Oh ah... I was wondering about the spare clothes but I should see for myself. Don't touch anything so we won't make a mess."
Then he hurriedly left, reminding himself to inquire about the tattoo when a situation presented itself.