TELEVISION

003- The store

Nora "Ghost" POV

The following Saturday, after a week of settling into the rhythm of break and life, I found myself in a familiar spot: browsing through the aisles of the local supermarket. My dad had given me a list of groceries to pick up, so here I was, navigating the maze of shelves with a cart in tow.

As I turned down the snack aisle, reaching for a box of granola bars, I heard a voice from the next aisle over.

"Hey, I didn't expect to see you here."

I looked up, surprised to see Ashtray standing there. He was the guy I had met briefly at Gia's party—a tall, easygoing guy with an approachable smile. We had only exchanged a few words that night, but his friendly demeanor had left a good impression.

"Ashtray," I said, trying to place the recognition in my mind. "Hi, what are you doing here?"

Ashtray grinned, stepping into view. "Just picking up some stuff for my parents. And you?"

"Same here," I said, gesturing to my cart. "Mom's grocery list is never-ending."

He chuckled. "Yeah, I know the feeling. Do you come here often?"

"Not really," I admitted. "I usually prefer the online shopping route, but today I decided to brave the aisles."

Ashtray's eyes lit up with a mischievous glint. "Brave indeed. These aisles can be quite the adventure. Want some help navigating them?"

I raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at my lips. "Sure, why not? My sense of direction in grocery stores is notoriously poor."

As we walked down the aisle together, Ashtray's presence was surprisingly comforting. We started talking about school, our classes, and the random quirks of the supermarket. It turned out that Ashtray was a sophomore like me and shared a few of the same classes.

"I didn't know you were into history," Ashtray said, looking at my cart as we passed the cereal section. "That's cool. Most people just think it's boring."

I shrugged. "I guess I find it interesting. There's something about learning about the past that makes the present seem more... connected, you know?"

Ashtray nodded thoughtfully. "I get that. It's like understanding the roots of things. I'm more into science, though. I like figuring out how things work."

Our conversation flowed easily, and before long, we had made our way to the produce section. We both agreed that the supermarket's selection of fruits and vegetables was surprisingly varied, and we joked about how choosing the ripest avocado was an art form.

"I have to ask," Ashtray said as he picked up a particularly ripe looking avocado and inspected it. "How did you find the party last week? Did you have a good time?"

I smiled, recalling the lively atmosphere of Gia's party. "Yeah, it turned out to be pretty fun. I was really nervous at first, but Skylar made it better. And meeting new people like you helped too."

Ashtray looked pleased. "I'm glad to hear that. I had a good time too, even if I was just a background character in the game of the night."

I laughed. "You weren't just a background character. You were a great conversationalist, and you kept the evening interesting."

We continued chatting, moving on to the dairy aisle where Ashtray picked out a couple of items and threw them into his cart. I couldn't help but notice how easy it was to talk to him. His casual demeanor and genuine interest made the mundane task of grocery shopping feel like an enjoyable experience.

"Want to join me for a coffee after we're done here?" Ashtray asked, seemingly out of nowhere. "There's a café just down the street. It's a nice spot for chatting and relaxing."

I hesitated for a moment, considering the offer. My schedule was relatively clear for the afternoon, and I did enjoy a good coffee. Plus, spending more time with Ethan seemed like a pleasant idea.

"Sure, that sounds nice," I said, smiling. "I'd love to."

Ashtray's face lit up with a grin. "Great! I'll meet you outside the store in about ten minutes. I just need to grab a few more things."

I nodded and waved as he headed off toward another aisle. I finished picking out the last few items on my list and made my way to the checkout. The cashier rang up my groceries, and I found myself in a surprisingly good mood, thanks to the unexpected but enjoyable encounter with Ashtray.

After paying, I headed outside to the front of the store, where I saw Ashtray waiting by his car. He was chatting animatedly with someone on his phone but waved me over as I approached.

"Hey there!" he said, hanging up as I arrived. "Ready for some coffee?"

"Definitely," I replied, following him to his car. "Lead the way."

We drove a short distance to a cozy café that had a warm, inviting ambiance. Ashtray held the door open for me as we walked in, and I admired the assortment of baked goods and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

We ordered our drinks—an espresso for Ashtray and a caramel latte for me—and found a table near the window. The café was bustling with activity, but it still managed to feel intimate and comfortable.

"So," Ashtray began as we settled into our seats, "tell me more about yourself. I know a bit from the party, but I'm curious about what you're into outside of school."

I sipped my latte, savoring the sweetness and warmth. "Well, I love reading. It's kind of my escape from everything. And I've recently gotten into painting. It's a new hobby I've been exploring."

"That's awesome," Ashtray said, genuinely interested. "What do you like to read? And what kind of painting?"

"I'm a bit of a bookworm," I admitted, "so it's mostly fiction—mysteries, fantasy, and historical novels. As for painting, I've been trying out watercolor recently. It's challenging but fun."

Ashtray nodded, clearly impressed. "Watercolor sounds difficult, but rewarding. I've never tried it myself. Maybe you can show me some of your work sometime?"

I smiled, feeling a bit shy but pleased by the offer. "Sure, I'd like that."

Our conversation continued, flowing naturally from one topic to another. We talked about our favorite books, the challenges of school, and even our plans for the upcoming summer break. Ashtray shared some of his own experiences and aspirations, and I found myself increasingly drawn to his enthusiasm and thoughtfulness.

Before long, the café began to wind down, and our coffee cups were empty. I glanced at the clock and realized that a couple of hours had passed in what felt like minutes.

"I had a really great time," I said as we prepared to leave. "Thanks for inviting me out."

Ashtray smiled, looking genuinely pleased. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. I did too. It's nice to get to know someone better outside of the usual school setting."

We walked back to his car, and he opened the door for me with a flourish. "I'll give you a ride back to the store. It's the least I can do after such a pleasant afternoon."

As we drove back, I reflected on how unexpectedly enjoyable the day had turned out. Meeting Ashtray again, this time in a more relaxed setting, had been refreshing. It was nice to connect with someone on a different level, outside of the usual school environment.

When we arrived back at the supermarket, Ashtray turned to me with a warm smile. "It was great hanging out with you. Let's do this again sometime."

"I'd like that," I said, returning his smile. "Definitely."

We exchanged goodbyes, and as I walked back to my car, I felt a sense of contentment. The day had been a pleasant surprise, and I was looking forward to the possibilities that the future might hold.