Homeless Vain

17

"I got it", Kevin put down a half dozen of baked beans cans into the trolley rested beside me while I went going through the list I was given.

Judging from the label hugging the can, I gave him a look - unfazed, which was lacing with a sigh.

"Kevin! It's supposed to be that brand", I pointed towards the shelf across me from where Kevin came from and shifted it into the trolley. "Not this one".

"No, they have to try this one. It's more delicious", he insisted, protecting the items he put into the cart from being snatched by me. "Stop it Ivy!"

I eventually stopped. Not because he sounded stern yet playful but the fact he was calling my name.

It was rare to hear Kevin Moon calling my name. He always went around me with 'hey' that I'd gotten used to. Somehow hearing my name came out from his lips for what it seemed too smooth sounded so foreign.

It was cringey but addictive.

If I requested for him to say it again, would he do it?

But, first thing first. How did we actually end up here in this supermarket, bickering over the brands of baked beans in the aisle?

It was all started back in the cafe where he was venting out on me about his colleague. How he felt dissatisfied about this and that until Evelyn came by the table we occupied, with worries painted all over her face. I vividly remembered it.

"Ivy honey, I am so so sorry to say this, but I need your help", she blinked persuasively, knowing that I might feel uncomfortable with her request. And for some reason, though she hadn't voiced it out yet, I already felt suffocated. "I need you to go to that supermarket down the road and buy me some stuffs. We really need it but neither me and Jacob are free to go".

My stomach dropped.

"Girl.. you know I-"

"I know!" she clasped her hands together, her lips pursed ever so tightly, still persuading me with her big eyes like that cartoon cat, Puss in Boots. "That's why you're not going alone".

I pondered, not quite registering.

That was when Evelyn shifted her gaze towards Kevin who was minding his own business and immediately noticing the abnormal silence which made him look up.

"W-Why?" he stammered as if he just committed an unforgiven crime.

"You're going with Ivy", Evelyn said, smiling ever so endearing. "Warning, never leave her alone!"

And here I was, admiring Kevin's back as he pushed the trolley along the aisle. A smile was plastered on my face, I felt a bit unreal by the fact that we were shopping together.

"What else do we need?" he halted without warnings and turned his body halfway, looking down at me who instantly dropping down the smile.

"Chocolate syrup", I said awkwardly, like I was a rusty robot he found in the dustbin.

"Ah.. that way", he pointed ahead, pushing the trolley in a slow speed. Once a while, he turned around probably just to make sure that I could catch his pace. "When will your book come out?"

Taken aback, my head had stopped functioning.

To be asked something so abruptly clearly wasn't my thing. For a brief moment, I forgot that I was a writer and was writing to make sure I could live well with enough foods supplies and stuffs.

"Oh!" I snapped, as I recovered from the shock. "I've just done signing the books. It'll be in the bookstore soon".

"Any free book for me?" he questioned, supporting his weight on the trolley handle as he leaned forward, matching his height with me next to him.