Justice in the Ring

5 - Freshers

It was 7:30 P.M. when Millie and I rode up to Freshers. It took a while because the traffic in the city going uptown was pretty bad. We couldn't think of going somewhere else because this is where we've been going for so many years since it's close to Millie's house. However, the whole afternoon Millie has been off. She would joke, and when I turn away the smile quickly dissipates from her face. These things may be invisible to the common person, but as her friend I knew something was wrong. I hope her mom hadn't been too much a trouble today. There is enough stress for her as it is.

In the grocery bag I held my foods for the week; protein powder (Millie's compensation), all the fruits, vegetables, oatmeal, 3 lbs of chicken, some wild caught salmon (#1, once in a while because of mercury, and #2, not farmed because it's fishy [ha,ha] what the farmers may feed them to get them so juicy and plump), 2 dozen eggs, cereal, and my favorite snack, microwavable skinny pop popcorn. It was decently healthy. Millie was grabbing her own funsnacks left and right in the next aisle and piled them in my bag. She was starting to loosen up when her phone rang.

"Sorry I gotta take this." Her face paled and she turned to the other side of the store.

"All good. I'll start checking out." As I was scanning I heard motorcycles pull up to the front of the store. How come I hadn't realize before how many people rode them through the city. I mean, they must be a hassle with all the traffic. There are a lot of regular bikers though. The front door dinged assumingely as the bikers entered and I pulled my gray hoodie closer over my head, packing all the stuff I bought. When Millie and I were out in public hanging out, I always liked to forget the real world as much as possible, so it was just her and me. Millie will pay me back later for her stuff.

The phone call must've been her mom. Millie came back, sniffling, her eyes a little puffy, "Mom's kicking me out for awhile."

I was in disbelief. This has happened multiple times before, but every time it's just as frustrating, "That woman!" I pulled Millie into a tight hug and stroked her hair as she sobbed into my shoulder, " It's okay, you can stay at my apartment for as long as you need. And look, look, we have all these snacks. It'll be the best sleepover ever!" I tried my best to raise her mood, and I wiped her tears with my sleeve. She was still a little upset "This'll be fun. Think of it like going to college. Okay? Just tell me what you want to do." Why would she kick Millie out? Somebody interrupted me.

"Brittany?" It was Eddie. Of course it was, according to the laws of pure consequence. I'm getting a little tired of this.

"Hi, Eddieee. Long time no see." I blocked Millie behind me so she could recover herself. Jake followed out behind Eddie. How could they be come to Freshers too? It's a quiet, hidden supermarket store. Is he stalking me?

Jake teased, "We've been seeing you everywhere recently."

"Yeah, I'm getting tired of it. Too much all of a sudden."

Jake held his chest like he was hurt, and Millie came out from behind me, putting on a smile again. Immediately, Jake's smile faded, "Were you crying?"

Millie shook her head, but it was obvious to him she was.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the boxing match?" I quickly changed the topic. I didn't want Millie to start getting uncomfortable as the two boys were staring at her.

"It was knockout early in the match. Manwich won, as expected. It was crazy, he was backed in the corner and dodged 3 match ending punches to go under Bowlsman and throw an uppercut. It's exactly your style, Britany. Anyway, we came here for snacks since we plan to stay out tonight." Eddie responded

"Do you do drugs?" Millie abruptly asked. When she's curious she'll ask anything she wants. Eddie and I stifled a laugh as it was probably in the backs of our minds too.