Getting Closer

Chapter Three - Juliet

Sitting on a cold crate, I look up at my friend. "You know I always hated Michael," Brooke says as she does inventory.

"That's because he stole your sandwich in elementary school."

"What a fucking prick!" I laugh and then sigh. How did I even get to this point in my life where I loathe the guy that I'm engaged to? "You know I can always get dirt on him if I have to. Literally and figuratively."

"Thanks but not necessary."

"I disagree. He left a huge bruise on your wrist!" I look down at it and frown. Why did he do this to me? And why is he always a fucking dick? "I'll hurt him the next time I see him." I look down at the engagement ring on my finger and wonder if I could ever be happy. Suddenly, the idea of being happy disappears as I remind myself that I'm still tied to Michael. "Are you still crashing at my house?" she asks as she comes towards me.

"If you don't mind." I sigh and stand. "I'm freezing."

"Get a jacket."

"It's August, why the fuck would I have a jacket with me?"

Brooke sighs. "You can always go outside. I'll join you soon."

I make a face at her and head out of the two large doors. Inside of the grocery store is still very cold and is hurting my arms. I make my way to the boxed items to try to warm myself up and something catches my eye. In the fruit section I get a glimpse of a tall guy in jeans and a grey and red baseball tee. It's the guy that helped me with Michael. I stop in the middle of the aisle and just stare at him. He listens to music as he browses and I can see his furrowed eyebrows. "Hey!" Brooke yells from behind me, almost making me pee myself. "What are you looking at?"

"That guy over there is the one that helped me with Michael."

She studies the mystery guy for a moment, then nods. "He's hot."

"Will you stop it?" The guy makes his way towards us but thankfully he keeps his head low, giving me and Brooke time to duck in a close aisle. He passes us without ever noticing us.

"Are you afraid or something?" she asks as she looks after him. "He's got a nice ass."

"What do you think he's doing here?"

"Well I don't know. Shopping?" Her annoyance with me grows a little stronger. "I have to get back to work, so have a nice time stalking the guy." Brooke leaves shortly and I'm left alone watching the guy.

I decide to follow him just to see where he is so I don't run into him and I see him go into the cookie aisle. Going in the adjacent aisle, my heart pounds as I can faintly hear his music. I have so many questions for him like... umm... how is he? I'm not good at meeting new people. I decide to be strong and go over to the next aisle and introduce myself to him and then that will be all.

Going into the next aisle I see him examining something on the top shelf when this old lady from the other end shouts, "Charlie?" He doesn't turn. "Charlie is that you?" She walks up to him and pokes his shoulder. He's shocked momentarily and then rips out his headphones.

"I'm so sorry, I couldn't hear you," he says embarrassed.

"I haven't seen you around in a long time, let alone on this side of town!" she exclaims. "What brings you up here?"

"Oh umm, my dad wanted something very specific and I know Gordon's doesn't supply it but now I don't have the faintest idea of what it is."

"Well I hope you find whatever you're looking for."