Chaos In The Wake

The First Splash: Adventures of the Grocery Shoppers

  "So do you want to pick up some maple syrup?" Merina asks offhandedly, snatching a plastic jar off of the flimsy aluminum shelf and checking the label. "It's grade A... Organic... Sugar-free? How do they- never mind, I don't want to know," she says and slowly places the tan bottle back with the others.

       "Well, gee, Merina, do I need some maple syrup? Let me just check my handy-dandy grocery list that I made this morning- oh, wait!" I turn to the blonde headed freak beside me and give a mock gasp. "Some moron decided to throw it out the window!"

"I'm not going to apologize," Evan says readily, chewing on one of the free samples he swiped from the fruit section towards the entrance. I would have tried one of the small slices of crimson apple, but the jerk took them all. All. Of. Them.

  "Hey, I apologized for the whole urinals fiasco," I point out, hands on my hips.

  "Which was hilarious," Merina calls, still looking at maple syrup brands.

  "H-hey! Don't choose her side," Evan points out dejectedly, giving Merina his best puppy eyes possible. Eugch. As if Merina would change her mind just for some cute guy's pouty eyes-

  "Sorry, Carrie. He's kind of justified," Merina says, and Evan shoots her a trademark smirk as a thank you. I feel some anger boil in my gut - at what, I don't know - but I try to keep it at a low simmer. "And you remembered most of what's on the list anyway."

 "I've remembered orange juice, Teddy Grams, kidney beans, and kale," I correct, pointing at the practically empty grocery cart for good measure.

  "Your memory is weird, Sparky," Evan informs me before wandering off yet again. "I'm going to go grab my doughnut."I give a snort of contempt. "You honestly think you're getting a freaking-"

       "Yes!" He calls, turning the corner with a wave of his arm. Headache. I'm most certainly getting a headache.

"So, was this on your list?" Merina asks innocently, in a voice that makes my stomach sink. My eyes automatically narrow upon investigating the product in her hands.

I start in the kindest voice I can manage. "I'm not picking up low carb, low fat, low calorie taco shells if that's what you mean." In all truthfulness, it's not terribly kind.

"Why not?" She asks innocently, her dark eyes widening in surprise. "They sound pretty healthy..."

"Ugh, I think I have to buy some Oreos just for looking at those dietary mistakes," I groan, pushing the cart along the narrow aisle of bright colors and cardboard boxes.

"So... that's Evan," Merina states calmly, walking beside me, and I roll my eyes at the very mention of his name.

"Yup. Infuriating, huh?" I say, dropping a pack of Oreos in my cart. The image of those taco mistakes come into my mind and I grab a second pack, just for good measure.

"Welll..." Merina starts, and my blood boils.

"Nuh uh. I don't think so," I threaten, pointing a finger at her face. "Just because some hot guy smirks at you-"

"So you admit that he's hot?" Merina asks in a mischievous tone. I sputter like a 9 year old, trying to collect my thoughts.

"I mean... No," I say unsuccessfully, but the damage is already done. "He's not... He's frustrating and inconsiderate, and that's what matters. I refuse to admit to any theoretical 'attractiveness'."

"Why not?" Merina walks along side me, but I try to push the cart faster than her. She somehow catches up: probably those ridiculously long legs of hers. "I mean, it's obvious that you're different around him."