❛ SUPERMARKET FLOWERS ♪ ❜ - z. herron

sixty-seven: elena.

"What do you mean you're leaving me?" I reply over the phone. I have just been informed that my brother and his girlfriend left my sorry pathetic ass for some plans they agreed to months ago. Something about a quinceanera or bat mitzvah, but Laila was so muffled talking to someone in the background that I couldn't quite catch it. All I know is that it's some sort of birthday party that has to do with coming of age.

"I'm sorry Kir, but I totally blanked on these plans. I swear, we will be back for dinner and we can cut the cake too. I hate to do this on your birthday. Billie lyrics totally implied." She chirps back into the phone. She's unbelievably apologetic, but I guess she can't wiggle her way out plans.

I huff, "I'm making both of you pay for my books."

"Deal." Keagan intercepts. We say our goodbyes, and I go back to browsing my favorite book store. Andy has decided that since it is my birthday, I cannot pay for anything, not even tax.

I continue to walk around the store, passing through shelves and stacks of books. I glance at a few, putting them down, but some begin to pile in my hand. I've decided my perfect way to distract myself from Zach is to immerse myself in millions of words.

As I turn the next corner, wandering through another aisle, I'm stopped by a girl. She's taller than me by a long shot. She has bright pink hair that you can tell was once dyed red but faded beautifully, making her green eyes so unbelievably noticeable. Her nails are done some sort of white silver mixture that keeps her hands pristine. She blinks at me and then smiles, "You're Kira Jade?"

I'm hesitant as to how she knows me, "I am...who are you?" I ask, trying my best to avoid her but not be rude. I walk past her, browsing through my books. I decided to grab the city we became by N.K. Jemisin as I continue walking, her following behind me.

"Elena." She says, holding out her hand for me to shake it. I grab it, giving a quick shake, and I turn my attention back to the books. I'm trying to decide between- "I'm here to convince you to go to a why don't we concert." She says calmly. The sentence alone causes whiplash in the back of my neck from how fast I pull up my head.

"Huh?" I blink, trying to comprehend the words she just spoke to me.

"You heard me." She smiles, readjusting her necklace. It's a constellation of some sort, I try to guess, but Corbyn is the only reason I even know how cancer looks like a constellation. Other than that, I'm lost. It's not until I see her bracelet with the words "GEMINI." is when I realize that the constellation around her neck is probably her star sign.

I dismissed her, "I think you might have the wrong person." I continue walking down the aisle, but she stays hot on my trail.

"Oh so you aren't the infamous KJ that cooks everyone dinner, forcing books upon anyone she can and carries around a crummy backpack?" She says sarcastically. Her hand runs along the spines of the books on the shelf as she follows me. I try my best to not pay attention and continue walking.

"It's not that crummy-" I say, readjusting the strap of my backpack on my shoulder. 

I found it at a thrift store in 7th grade when it was already broken, and I've been fixing it ever since then. I learned how to resow zippers, add patches; I even dyed it, so it's not a washed grey anymore. But over time, it's undeniable the wear and tear it's been through.

Her face drops, looking at me as if I was trying to humor the both of us, "Bestie, we both know it is."

"How did you even know I was here?" I ask, standing up to look at her.

"Well two little birdies told me you tend to come here often, well, kind of. Only one told me you were here but the other wanted me to find you." She replies, peering down at me. She's not imitating, but she's definitely confident. She holds herself high and waits for my response, casually reading my body language.