Aster

CHAPTER 5: A GROCERY STORE

Rose was buried in work and did not notice time pass until 7pm when the doorbell rang. 

"Oh my God" Rose exclaimed as the chime of the doorbell snapped her out of focus.

Rose first noticed her office was not as bright. She turned to look out the window and she saw the sun was setting. 

"Shit" she muttered.

Rose raised her wrist to take a look at her watch. '19:01pm'. She sighed. 

The doorbell chimed again and Rose shot out of her chair and hurried to the door. 

"COMINGGGG" she yelled.

"Oh it's him" Rose said unenthusiastically. 

"Hey there" Rose said flatly as she swung the door open

"Aww come on ...don't need to sound so bummed" Dylan teased as he stepped into the house, a grocery bag in his hand.

"Sureeee" Rose yawned. 

"You okay?" Dylan asked, with a bit fo concern in his voice

"Yeah..fine fine..just been at my desk all day" Rose said as she walked behind him and into the kitchen

"Wait...you've been working since I left?" Dylan asked sternly as he suddenly turned around. 

Rose was a bit taken aback. 

"Uh yeah..." She replied

"Lunch?" Dylan asked

"Oh shit...forgot about that" Rose winced

Dylan sighed. "Don't mean to intrude on your life but ...that's not really healthy Ro" 

Rose was shocked. No one ... except Justine had been this concerned.

"Why are you being nice to me?" Rose asked.

Dylan shrugged. "You're the only one around her close to my age. Everyone else is old enough to father us or our fathers ... Sorry if it creeped you out but I  got a bit excited to see someone else ... 'young'" 

Rose stared at Dylan. "I see... sorry I haven't gotten around how to get around here so I didn't know it was just us two. It's not creepy. I'm actually glad I found a ... 'friend'?" Rose said

"Friend" Dylan replied. 

"Wait ... you haven't been around.. so not even to the grocery store?" Dylan asked as he ran his hands through his hair one after the other.

Rose shook her head. 

"So what have you been eating for three weeks?" Dylan asked. 

Rose looked up as she thought. "Not even sure... ramen...more ramen...salad...coffee...more ramen-" she began to point out but was then cut out by Dylan. 

"Wow...that's not very healthy" Dylan whispered

"Yeah yeah...." Rose said flatly as she followed him into the kitchen.

Dylan sighed. 

"I'll show you around tomorrow...pick you up and point out the essentials. Maybe pick up a few things as well..." Dylan said as he peeled the onions. 

Rose smiled and wrapped her arms around herself. 

"Thank you" she whispered. 

~

Dylan and Rose at opposite each other in silence. Dishes laid out in front of them. Dylan had prepared some steak with mashed potatoes, caramelised onions and sautéed broccoli tender stems.