Not good for you

06;

"I knew something would happen." Seeley got out of the car and slammed the door shut.

It seemed like the summer mood had hit everyone. Not just because it was already hot but because it was the one long stretch of time when everyone could be together after school had closed its doors. The road was full of cars, and the city echoed with the sounds of horns.

I wiped the sweat off my forehead and followed Seeley.

"Why did we stop?" I asked as he walked around his Honda. "Didn't you tank up this morning?"

"I did." He took off his cap and wiped his sweaty hair.

"Then what's the matter?" I asked. "Oh, did your morning coffee do its job?"

Seeley gave me a weird look before tossing his cap at me.

"Why are you so..."

"Heartless?" I finished his question, repeating his girlfriend Clara's words. She was one of the first people who started to call me names behind my back. If Seeley decided to stick by her, then he knew what I was talking about.

He scoffed and shrugged.

"Forgetting about our stupid classmates never seemed as successful as it does now." He blinked before walking toward the entrance of the gas station.

I noticed an old man leaning against his car, giving me a weird look. I swallowed my doubts, hurried to the station, and entered the cool shop. I sighed in relief when the cold air hit my sweaty skin.

"Can't we just stay here for the summer?" I asked, standing under the air conditioner. Three people were around us, getting snacks for their trips, while the cashier looked like he'd already bored his brains out.

"What would you say to Leigh?" Seeley asked as he started walking around the shelves.

"That I have a disorder called disgust of hot weather?" I asked, grabbing a bag of chips.

"Seems like something you'd say," he replied, taking a can of energy drink from the fridge.

"Put it back," I pointed at the drink in his hands.

He looked down at it as if he hadn't even noticed it was in his hands.

"And why would I do that?" he asked, confused and surprised.

"Because your heart might just jump out of your chest," I said. "And I wouldn't want to crash on the first day of our holiday."

"It wouldn't be surprising, considering we're talking about you." He shrugged. "You've always been cursed."

"Cursed with scouts like you." I gave him a dirty look.

"You're always free to walk to Cannon Beach," he said without remorse.

"But I'm only looking after you." My voice was bright and convincing.

"I don't remember asking you to look after me," he said dryly, walking away, leaving me speechless.

My jaw dropped.

"Honestly, I'd expected you just to grab..." he paused and glanced at me. "Chocolate instead of chips."

I stared at him in disbelief as the cashier cast us a long, awkward glance.

"Chocolate works, too." I walked over to the shelves. "Though I wouldn't mind if you just helped me carry my things."

"You're always so demanding," he sighed and followed me to the checkout.

We dropped our items on the counter. As the cashier scanned the goods, I noticed how worn out he seemed, almost as if the monotonous work had drained him of all joy.