POTION OF LOVE

21. 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝

The supermarket was bustling with customers, the shelves filled with countless items and people walking around while pushing their carts. The soft music playing in the speakers overhead.

The aisles are filled with loads of items as we stroll around. Jasmine was ahead of me, looking at the different items while I was behind her, pushing the cart and reading through the list that Loren forwarded me

Suddenly becoming the temporary vice-captain also comes with the responsibility of snacks and beverages. It's the last time we will be together so it's also like a farewell for the senior year students in our team

After reading the list of items a few times, I shove my phone back into my back pocket. After looking around for a bit, I grab a slab of beer and load them in the cart trying not to put too much pressure on my shoulder. The team's most preferred alcohol

My eyes trail up to Jasmine who is standing near the refrigerators filled with other beverages. I step closer to her and find her looking at a section of sparkling water.

Her eyes squinted in concentration, her eyebrows joined as she read the labels on them

“You want it?” I ask, snapping her out of her thoughts. She hums “I always wanted to try these,” she says and steps back from the display, her eyes falling on the cart “damn, everyone's gonna drink tonight huh?” She asks but it's more like a matter of fact

I nod in response “Yeah, a farewell and a celebration together” I reply and take a pause to reconsider my words “Would you grab something too or okay with these?” I gesture to the slab

“Nope, I ain't drinking” she declares before proceeding to another aisle. I did guess that she wouldn't be drinking beer, especially not around strangers.

Opening the door, I grab a few bottles of sparkling water and toss them in the cart before moving on.

I looked around for a while, collecting all the required snacks that were listed. While Jasmine just roams around with no particular order. She looks at a few items before putting them back. She shows no interest in participating or adding something for herself

We might not have dinner during the party and for the night if there are no leftovers at home. So on the way, I put in some extra things that might suit her taste

While living with her for a couple of years, I learned a few things - She doesn't like chips and prefers chocolates or biscuits. Her all-time rescuer is cinnamon rolls

One by one, I scan the items at the self-checkout as there are longer lines at the normal ones. Jasmine lingers behind me, compared to our everyday encounter, her word count today has surprisingly decreased.

She seemed rather quiet and down

I bag all the items, and she steps forward to grab them but I hand her the one with her stuff “Let's go” I say and start walking out carrying the other bags. She takes a peek inside and back at me with a surprised expression “What is this?” She asks holding out the cat plushie keychain