In Die Nacht

4

I walked behind Bill while he placed the things from his list into the basket. It wasn't much just some bread, tissue and cleaners. But he seemed like he was more interested in his phone. Tom said he was talking to Sasha but I wonder why. If everyone around him says she's a bad person why doesn't he just leave the girl alone. It's almost as if he purposely wants this girl to break his heart.

He would occasionally look up to see where he was and then back at his phone. We walked into several aisles and he'd stop occasionally to stop and take a photo with a fan. He got to the candy aisle and started to look for a candy he'd most likely share with Tom or eat to himself. I looked around and tried to find something to strike up a conversation. There was nothing but random assorted candies.

"I noticed you skipped over the chocolate."

"I don't like chocolate."

"You don't like nature or chocolate? Uh oh, looks like we got a serial killer in the making over here."

"Is that supposed to be funny?"

"Well, yeah, cause you hate the things that make everyone happy."

"Look, I hate nature because I'm allergic to mosquito bites. I'm not a big fan of chocolate but I don't mind eating it. Am I still a fucking serial killer?"

"I was joking."

"Well your jokes aren't funny. Ugh, just remain silent for the rest of our trip."

He scanned the candy aisle while I stayed preoccupied with my nails. The color was peeling and I felt compelled to just walk away. Why did this teenager make me feel this way? I noticed he was walking ahead of me and I jogged to catch up, when I reached him he was frozen in his spot with the shopping basket shoved to his side. I caught sight of this man who looked like an older version of him. I waved a hand in front of Bill's face and tried to get his attention.

"Bill, what's wrong?"

The man got closer and Bill reached out and grabbed my sleeve. He must've been terrified. I gently pulled him back and stood in front of him, allowing him to hide behind me. The man stopped in front of us and grinned.

"Bill, why are you hiding from me?"

He simply whimpered and I felt he was trembling behind me. Whether it was fear or something else I wouldn't know unless I looked at him. But I looked at this man with the heaviest glare I could muster. I put my arms back to reassure Bill that I wasn't leaving, that he could shield himself behind me. The man before us reached out to touch him and I smacked his hand away from Bill.

"What are you supposed to be?"

"I am his companion. I am supposed to protect him from things that may harm him and to be his friend. You're making him nervous and scared so I have to protect him from you."

"Move it, bodyguard! That's my son."

"You're not Gordon Trumper."

"No, I'm his real daddy."

"Look, Bill obviously doesn't want to see you so go away."

"You're going to let this fag talk to me like that, Bill?! Defend your father or has your mother brainwashed you?!"

"L--leave me alone." He stammered.

"You heard him, now go."

He grinded his teeth and groaned. He left and I watched him go. Once I was sure he was gone, I turned to Bill. He was shaking so badly but still standing.

"Bill, are you okay? Talk to me."

His knees buckled and he became dead weight in my arms. I gently laid him down and put him on his side, using my body as a shield to make sure no one knew who it was. If he wanted the world to know he has epilepsy he'd tell them. I made sure people kept walking and didn't stop. I know that I'm supposed to record but right now he needs privacy.