The Boy From Everywhere

Ch. 3: The Order

"Good morning! How may I help yo- Gah!"

I jumped when I came to the counter, receiving his usual greeting and smile only to be taken aback when he shouts at the sight of me.

Uhm... Okay, why...?

I looked back at him with wide eyes, suddenly frozen in place with his reaction, and he did the same, before smiling awkwardly and then chuckling nervously as he looked around at his other colleagues before running off from the counter towards the kitchen.

Almost immediately, I regained the ability to move. "H-hey! Hey, wait a minute! Where are you going?!" I shouted after him, standing on my toes as I looked over the counter towards where he disappeared to.

Now why... Why would he just suddenly run away? What's going on?

Eventually, someone else came to deal with me, and I did as I was tasked by my aunt, buying the bread she wanted from the place. But after paying for the bread and getting it packed in a paper bag, I was still bothered by that boy. I couldn't resist it anymore as I asked the person behind the cashier. "Uhm, I hope you don't mind me asking, but that guy who shouted a while ago... Who...?"

His name was Elliot, as the new cashier told. He apparently had a tendency to be weird and hyper but he wasn't really one to meam any harm. And if anything, according to the cashier, he probably ran off because he had a crush on me...

Huh?

I moved my head back and then blinked multiple times at the cashier in response to their words. And they, having been amused by my reaction it seems, laughed out loud before continuing.

Or maybe there's something else that had happened between us? Well, there definitely was something, but I kept my mouth shut, and they teased that they'd just have to ask him later on.

"Oh... Right."

And then the cashier asked me if that was all I was going to order with a smile, and I nodded as I took the receipt from them.

I guess, I'll just have to see Elliot again another day. But really, he sure seems to have a tendency to create bizarre meetings. This one was no exception either, and it's all because of how bizarre it was that I forgot all about the actual reason why I was looking for him.

By the time I came home, the purple umbrella was still in my bag, and I couldn't help but groan as I looked at it after coming to my room.

"Ugh, right... How could I forget?

~•~

The broomstick fell on my arms, and I flinched at the impact, dropping the paper bag I was holding in my arms.

I came home late, apparently. I took too long, and now I'm being punished for it. Every hit stung, but I kept my composure as I braved every single one. If I cried, she might even make it worse, and that was the last thing I wanted.

I still had to go out later that night. And if I was beaten too much, I might not be able to do that, and I might not even get to finish my assignments for tomorrow.

And then she started yelling. I flinched again, but I kept my head down as the insults and guilt-tripping came one after the other.

I'm a disgrace, she said. How did my parents ever become proud of me? How did they ever think of keeping me? How was I the one who stayed alive?

How was I the one who stayed alive?

I was to have no dinner that night. But that was fine. I'd get to eat something later on once I go out anyway.

I arrived to my room, my arms red, but nevertheless... I think I could move them. They were fine, so long as they weren't throbbing, and I dropped my bag before quickly changing. In no time, I was emptying my bag, too, and taking just the things I needed for tonight:

My science notebook, my phone, my wallet, paper, and a pen. If I finish my assignment quickly, I'll be able to walk around a bit and then get home before she wakes up. I just had to wait a bit in my room and see if she was gonna ask me to do anything before she went to bed.

And in the meantime...

I went to my desk, sitting down as I pulled the drawer open. The first thing my eyes landed on was an old journal, apple green with a faux leather cover peeling off at the edges. Stickers adorned the edges of the cover, though clumsily, as I had placed them back when I was still in middle school. Ironically, despite how long I've had it, it just never gets full. Maybe because I only ever started filling up shortly after I moved in with my aunt.

I might as well take it, too, in case I need it again.

Knock, knock!

My head perked up at the sound, and I slid my journal back into the back of the drawer before I turned just in time to see my aunt standing at the doorway.

Am I busy, she asked, but she didn't wait for a response before she told me, as expected, to wash the dishes.

"Yes, auntie." I nodded.

She walked away and off to her room eventually, and I let out a quiet sigh, looking at my hidden journal one last time before closing the drawer and then walking to the kitchen and did as I was told. But by the time I was finished...

Click!

The window closed as quietly as I could with it, before I finally ran down the roof tiles and then jumped down onto the grass below, my bag hanging from my shoulder with all the things I took. One last look back at the house, and I looked towards my aunt's room dimly lit just by her bedside lamp. She always kept it on overnight, and I wondered how she could sleep with that without being scared of it suddenly short-circuiting in her sleep and burning the house up.

Well, if ever that happens anyway, I don't think I'll be there when it does.

I ran off and out of the yard in a few seconds, before reaching the bus stop just in time for the last bus. A sigh came out of me as I leaned against the bus seat. In a few minutes, I'll be far enough to feel calm and safe enough from her.

I just have to...

Wait. Wait a minute. Now why-

"Why are you everywhere?!" Elliot asked all of a sudden, his loud voice summoning several shushes and glares from most of the other people in the library.

And all the while, I just looked back at him with my eyes wide and my brows furrowed.

Oh. And I just happened to not get the umbrella today too, huh?