The Edge Of Yesterday

Chapter 16

It was just another autumn day. The air outside was crisp and fresh, the leaves fluttering because of the wind, gathering up in piles on the ground. There was also that pleasant autumn scent out there. It was really the scent of decay, the stench of fallen leaves rotting away, but it was pleasant nonetheless. 

Rosie and I decided to do the usual mundane tasks of going to the grocery store to pick up on the necessities we needed in order to function and stay alive. However, nothing with her was mundane - the dullest things would instantly become fun when you brought her into them. 

We arrived at the grocery store and walked inside of it,  greeted by the familiar, artificial yet homely smell of bread and the sights of different cereal brands stacked over each other. We walked through the different isles, picking up the stuff we needed. Bread, cigarettes, water, that sort of thing.

Once we had gotten everything we needed. we paid for our stuff at the cashier and then walked out, being greeted once again by the lovely fall atmosphere  outside. 

Talking about whatever we'd talk about, we walked down the street, each of us carrying a bag of shopping in our hands. As we passed by a bakery, Rosie stopped abruptly. 

"I need to pick something up." she said suddenly. 

"Sure." I said. "I'll wait for you outside." 

"Thanks." she smiled, before stepping inside of the bakery. 

I leaned against the entrance, smiling. It smelled lovely - the scent of fresh baked pastries and croissants.  My stomach grumbled slightly - I hadn't had time to eat anything all day, so I was pretty darn hungry. I decided to wait until I got back to my place to fix myself (and Rosie if she wanted anything) something to eat. 

The door rang as Rosie stepped outside again. She passed me a cup of coffee and something in a brown pastry bag. 

"What is it?" I said dumbly, though I knew full well what it was. 

"Something sweet." she responded. " And a latte.  I've noticed that you didn't eat anything all day, so I decided to give you something." 

"Oh, Rosie." I blushed, slightly embarrassed. "You didn't have to!" 

"But I wanted to! Besides, you'll get dizzy and pass out if you don't eat anything." 

I could feel myself melt. "You're actually too sweet."

She shrugged. "You're welcome." 

"Thank you Rosie." 

"Once again, it's no problem." she responded. "Only do you know what the hell this thing is called? I just referred to it as 'the roundish square thing with fruit and vanilla"', but i don't think that that's its actual name." 

"It's called a danish" I responded. 

"A danish." she repreated. "thanks." 

"No problem" 

We continued walking back to my apartment, sharing the fruit danish and taking sips of the coffee together. The danish was sweet, the flakes all soft and buttery in my mouth. The drink was also delicious, warming my mouth and smoothly running down my throat as I took sips of it. 

Then, we noticed a huge pile of autumn leaves stacked up outside, Rosie ran and jumped onto the leaves, bouncing up and down on them and smiling excitedly. 

"The leaves are so crunchy!" she exclaimed, giggling like a small child. She continued frolicking around on them. "Come on Avril, jump on them as well."

"Okay." I said. So I ran, leaping into the leaves after her. They made a satisfying crunch sound once I landed on them, echoing through the street. It was kind of like stepping on popcorn. Rosie and I laughed and jumped around, enjoying the moment of carefree fun.