Aria

Chapter 29

-Aria-

Leo, Zeno, and I get out of the car and walk towards the grocery store. Since the picnic yesterday used up all the food we had at home, we decided it was best to pick some up for the following few days. I slide a light pink face mask up to my nose as we approach closer. Leo said it was a good precaution since he read somewhere that there was a flu going around. As we enter, Zeno takes the cart from the storage area and walks straight through the slide-in doors, Leo and I follow after.

I stare in awe as I pass by the beautifully stored and displayed items on the shelves. A variety of drinks, snacks, and canned foods were placed in many rows, estimated at around 30.

To my right was a line of vegetables in walk-in coolers and fruits showcased on multiple stands.

I've never seen anything like this back hom-...

No

That wasn't home, this is.

I shake my head to clear my thoughts and walk up to Leo bagging some tomatoes and bell peppers. I take a plastic bag from the side and stand next to him.

"Need a-any help?" I offer as I reach out to grab a ripe tomato.

Leo opens up the bag wider and I place the tomato inside. He looks around the store until he spots Zeno by the fruit section and points at him.

"Why don't you get some delicious, ripe fruit? I don't trust Zeno." he winks and I smile wide, nodding and rushing over to Zeno. He was in deep thought as he stared into the cart. I raise my eyebrows in confusion yet step closer, as I peer in I let out a gasp. Three rows of strawberries were lined and stacked upon each other.

Zeno turns to meet my gaze, "This must seem like a dream to you."

I open my mouth to say something but he steps back and begins to push the cart in the opposite direction.

Would we ever be able to finish that much?

I bag up a few bananas, apples, and mangoes before turning to Zeno.

W-wait where did he go?

I look around the fruit section before turning to the walk-in coolers but Zeno or Leo were nowhere to be seen.

They probably just went to grab some snacks. I pick up my bags and walk to the isles to look through them. I peer through 3 before feeling a strange sensation by my neck, I scrunch my brows before turning around.

"Oof" a small body crashes into my legs and I stumble back, falling to the floor.

"Mi dispiace, stavo cercando del gelato!" the little boy states as he gets up from the ground and runs off with a little toy truck in his hands.

I let out a small laugh before feeling an arm wrap around me and haul me up, "Be careful Aria."

Zeno

He grabs the bags that were on the ground and places them in the cart. Once done he reaches for my hand and brings it towards the cart, gently placing it on the rim. "Don't take your hand off this until we reach the registers."

With that he begins to push the cart.

Once we gather a few bags of chips and chocolates, we join Leo and head to the registers.

"Ah sarebbe tutto?" the cashier asks, "si" Leo replies and pays for the groceries, As I step forward to take the bags Leo plucks them out my hands and walks towards the door.

"Leo p-please let me c-carry a b-ag, that must be h-heavy." I reach for the bag wrapped around his thumb and he moves them out of my way, "you are thinking far too lowly of your brother."

My eyes widen as I shake my head, "n-no I pro-mise, I just-" Leo lets out a laugh, "I'm just kidding Aria, I don't need help, really."

"Tsk" Zeno shakes his head as he rolls his eyes and opens the car door, "get in."

Once buckled in, Zeno reaches into his sweatshirt pocket and pulls out a chocolate bar; he tosses it to me before turning on the radio, "i- t-hank yo-u Zen-o." Though i'm not sure if he heard because the music was so loud. Leo begins to back out of the parking lot and takes a turn onto the road. I settle back and break the bar into 3 pieces, two larger for the boys and place them onto the separated wraps. I lean forward and tap onto Zeno's shoulder, "h-here." He looks at it for a couple of seconds before grabbing the two bars and tosses it onto Leo's lap. They give each other a look before Leo says thank you and takes a bite, "mmm it's really good." 

I lean back against the seat and take a bite as well, "mhm." I nod in agreement.