Dream Street

Dream Street

*

Everything was a mad panic. It was almost six o'clock in the afternoon yet the sky was already melting into a bitter black. The grocery stores were most probably likely to close within the next quickly passing fifteen minutes and Chloe's time table was still jam-packed with homework.

            But, being home alone, mum maybe-maybe not coming home for dinner once every dratted fortnight, meant grocery shopping was probably the most important thing on the list.

"Grocery shopping it is," Chloe nodded to herself, mentally underlining the errand a couple of times, in her head. With an exhausted sigh, Chloe picked up her phone, trying to ignore the clock as it struck six o'clock. Time was a-wasting.

            Chloe wasn't likely to make it to the grocery store before it closed so calling her mom was probably the best option.

"Ellen here, please leave a message," replied her mum's voice, tinny and crackly from the receiver.

            Chloe cursed to herself. Knowing her mum, she was sure, if her mother ever did see the message, that she wouldn't see it until the next morning.

            Chloe hurried to the front door, picking off the counter her keys and the grocery money that her mother had left over, and head out into the icy outdoors.

            Like it always was in this small town, Chloe had to stop a little to catch a breath before power-walking through fog and whatnot. She couldn't really see much anyway. Whatnot was probably the best word to describe it as.

                        *

            Nine minutes past six and Chloe burst in through the swinging loose door of the closest grocery store. The fresh aroma of Danish buns and cinnamon rolls flooded Chloe's nostrils and she finally allowed herself a little smile.

            Grabbing the essentials-milk, bread, coffee, mixed vegetables-Chloe paid and packed everything up into brown paper-bags.

            "Need a ride home, Chlo?" Malcolm asked her. She knew Malcolm both as the grocer's son and science wiz from school. It was nice of him to ask but Chloe had to say, "No, thanks," for the sole reason that she had to go down Dream Street to collect a book.

"No, come on, I insist," Malcolm chuckled and made a move to come around the counter.

"I have to go down Dream Street," Chloe almost shouted. It was enough to stop Malcolm but Chloe wasn't sure if that was because she'd spoken loudly or because of what she'd actually said.

            Chloe wasn't sure what it was that was so terrifying about Dream Street; partly because she never stuck around long enough to listen to the petty, made up-yet-believed-stories.

"You shouldn't wander the streets alone this time of day anyway." Malcolm smiled and proceeded to walk around the counter.

"It's only six." For some reason, Chloe felt the need to make Malcolm change his mind. At first she wondered why. She had nothing to worry about! She didn't believe any of it. The petty stories.

But she felt the need to be careful of it anyway.

"It doesn't matter; the streets are mean anytime of day," Malcolm carried on. And then he turned to smile at her. "Especially to pretty, young girls like you."

            Chloe blushed, smiled and changed the subject by saying, "Are you sure you want to come?"

"Chloe." Malcolm sighed and turned to looked down at her and suddenly she felt extremely embarrassed.