Chapter 2

I scoffed at the Grocery List Terry had left in my possession. He expected me to get everything on this list? What did we even need all of this for?

Terry had left a few hours prior to go work at the café. He was supposed to have today off, but he got called in by Avery.

Avery has totally been crushing on Terry, no matter how many times I tell him that Terry isn't gay. Avery was a tallish dude with some bright pale pink hair. His skin is so tan, I first thought he sprayed it on when I first met him, but he claims it's natural. His bright grey eyes are always so cheerful.

I sighed.

I begun to push the grocery cart around the store, slowly collecting all the things on the list. When I reached the frozen section, I quickly grabbed a quart of Mint Chocolate Ice cream. Well, I tried.

A hand landed on mine, but quickly removed its self. I looked towards the owner of the hand to find a tall slender female with what looked like a.....ferret? The ferrets fur was as white as snow, with the reddest eyes I have ever seen.

The females cognac eyes widen in shock. Her full plump lips were parted slightly. We stared at each other in silence, until she broke it.

"I apologize. I didn't notice you were reaching for it", she explained, stepping back a step. Her shoulder length onyx hair flew into her face, quickly tucked behind her ear.

I nodded, "it's fine".

Her ferret began to shift, and she quickly grabbed what looked like cat food out of her pocket. The ferret grabbed at it and begun munching to its heart's content.

She quickly grabbed a quart, then left as quick as she appeared.

I blinked, trying to see if that was real or my imagination.

Shaking my head, I quickly grabbed the remaining items on the list, and paid for them.

I begun my walk back to the car. In the corner of my eye, I noticed a lady on the ground jerking. A crowd of people surrounded her, many with their phones out.

'What the hell...'

I paused for a second, but kept walking. I don't want my ice cream to melt.

★~

Terry walked into our shared Apartment, looking worn out. I watched as he slipped off his shoes and jacket, throwing himself on the couch.

"Let me guess. Avery refused to detach from you?"

He let out a big huff. "That dude is really making wanna quit, but luckily he always gives me a bonus."

Terry sat up, pulling two hundred bills from his pocket. I sat up in shock also.

"Terry...do you have a sugar daddy now?" He scoffed and tossed his cap at me. I giggled as he walked off into the kitchen.

"As if. Turn on the news, you punk."

I flipped on the TV, quickly changing to the channel that played the news. I stretched and made my way towards where Terry was standing in the kitchen.

"Are you about to make some food?" He looked over his shoulder and nodded.

"Yeah. I wanna try to make some beef stew. I know it's your favorite and even though it won't be as good as your moms, I'll try my best." He gave me a sorrowful smile.

My mother was close with Terry and I. With me being an only child, she was happy when I came home one day with Terry tagging along.

No matter what was happening around her, she always had a big smile on her face for me. Yet I never noticed the true pain behind her smile. As I grew older, she grew sicker. Until the day she died of an unknown illness.

She never told me, nor did she ask the doctors to help find a treatment for her. She just stayed smiling, her award winning smile.

I gave him a quick smirk and turned back to the TV. On screen was the lady I saw at the store on the ground.

"Breaking News. A lady was just reported into the hospit-"

I turned off the tv.

"That's enough misfortune for today! Let me help you make some beef stew." I made my way over to the chopping board, chopping the vegetables set out and putting them into the crockpot.

"You've always been the better cook than me. I don't know why you don't just cook for the both of us", Terry whined, wiping the sweat on his head.

"As if. I don't like cooking and you know why." He sighed.

"Yeah yeah....its hot now." I laughed, turning on the stovetop.

"We're cooking. Of course it's hot-"

I turned around and saw Terry shirtless. He tossed his shirt on the couch and kept chopping the beef. I've seen Terry shirtless many times before, but this time I got flustered for some reason. I turned back to the veggies.

"Dude, are you almost done?" I scoffed.

"Yeah, toss them into the crockpot, I'm going to the porch for fresh air." Without waiting for his response, I crossed the living room towards the porch.

I let the frost in the air surround me, trying to calm my racing heart. I let out a sigh, and reach into my pocket for my cigarettes only to find them missing.

"Damn it, Terry...."

I leaned on the railing, watching the streets below. I noticed a lot of cars heading towards the exit of the town. I guess everyone wants a vacation. I watched in shock as a women runs in front of a car. She flys a couple meters away as the car jerks to a stop.

"Holy shit lady! Are you okay," The man from the car asked, running over to her. He looked to be in his late forty's. As he kneeled next to her, she launched up and grabbed him.

I paled as the woman bares her teeth, sinking them into his flesh. The man let out a bloodcurdling scream, and I rushed inside as I saw people run to help him.

I turned around gasping for air. Terry, sitting on the couch watching football, looked at me confused.

"Dude...you okay?"

I nodded. He didn't believe me but didn't push for more. I rushed down the hall and made my way to bedroom, rushing into the bathroom. I splashed water onto my face, trying to remove the image from my mind.

And yet it refused to leave. I sat on my bed thinking of nothing in particular. I hadn't even noticed how late it got until Terry knocked on the door to tell me to come eat.

I tried to make small talk as Terry sat, looking worried throughout dinner. Once I finished, I placed my dish in the sink. Heading to my room Terry calls out, "If you need to get something off your mind, I'll always be here."

I nod, closing my door.

"I'll tell you later, then."

★~