In Need of Earl Grey

Chapter Two

When I burst through the back door Dad, Seth, and Hannah all stare at me.
    "Where were you?" Set asked.
    "Why are you out of breath? Here sit down." Dad said.
    "No, I'm fine. I was just running around with the gang,"
    "Made some new friends," He says. "That's good.
    As I start waking to my room I hear Hannah complain, "Dad! Andrew is tracking leaves in the house!"

    Later that night I'm up late on my computer when Seth comes in my room.
    "Drew. Can we talk?"
    "Yeah what's up?"
    "It's happening to me too, isn't it?"
    "What's are you talking about, Seth?"
    "Puberty! It's happening to me too. Isn't it!?" He sounded worried and grossed out.
    "Why would you think that?" I say trying not to smile.
    "Well I was flexing in the mirror like I do every morning-" he begins.
    "You flex in the mirror every morning?" I interrupt.
    "Shut up! Anyway, I saw a hair on my chest!" Seth whispered.
    "Oh. Well yeah. But it happens to everyone, don't freak out."
    "Okay," He begins to walk back down stairs.
    "Seth, one more thing," I say, "Don't tell Dad,"
    He nods. After he's gone I change into pajamas and get out of bed and wait until I hear the TV turn off and Dad's steps recede down the hall. Then I slink downstairs and peek around in the dark. No one is around. After awhile, I dart to the fridge and open and beer and take a huge swig.
    I nearly gag from the horrible taste. I spit it in the slink and put the drink back in the fridge. I rinse out my mouth with water and brush my teeth about eight times.
    "Well then." I say to myself before closing my eyes in disgust and going to sleep.

    Then next morning, I check my phone. Seven new messages:

    Micah: Did you do it?
    Micah: Did you make a mess?
    Micah: Did you get caught?
    Micah: Dude wake up!
    Todd: If Micah is bugging you, don't reply.
    Todd: we in school
    Todd: we are* in school

    I chuckle and roll out of bed. It was pretty late to be waking up. Even for me. 11:45 and I haven't even had breakfast. Guess I'll skip to lunch. I get dressed and head down stairs to make a sandwich. Dad is at work, Seth is still asleep in his room, and Hannah is playing dolls in the basement.
    "We don't have any food," I say looking through the fridge. When I close it I notice the grocery list Dad left for me with directions on how to get there. At the end of the note it says "Thanks, Son. Love Dad!"
    "Alright. I'm on a mission." I say to no one in particular. I grab a hoodie and the money Dad left on the counter and the list before heading out to the garage for my bike.
    "How am I going to ride it back?" I wonder aloud. Instead I grab the old Baby Jogger and run to the store, convincing myself I could definitely lose some weight before Thanksgiving. So running was a good start.
    The problem was Hillisville is very, well, hilly and running up hill is not my strong point. By the third hill in five minutes I was huffing like a bull and I slowed to a walk. Using the list's instructions to guide me I kept forward for groceries. On through the cold Autumn weather and wet fallen leaves. And still no sun, just dismal gray skies highlighted by vibrant floating leaves. Nevertheless I eventually made it to the grocery store. It had red letters on a light sign in the window, Himm's Grocer. I left the Baby Jogger outside and went shopping for the things on the list.
Eggs
Milk
Lunch Meats
Cheese
Bread
Apples
Mayonnaise
Bananas
Peanut Butter

    At the end of all of that I had enough left over that I when I happened to find myself passing the men's section I made a detour. I got a pair of underwear two sizes larger than what I was wearing now and headed for the check out. The store was pretty empty so there was no line. Abdul, the cashier, bags my stuff. Izzy looks about 18, maybe older, with a spaced out gaze and a full beard.
    "Aren't you, like, supposed to be in school?" He asks.
    "Nah. I just moved here. I'll start up after break."
    "Cool, cool." He said. Then he bagged the boxer briefs, "One of these items is not like the others." He joked.
    "Yeah. Figured it was about time," I say.
    "Need the extra room." He said in a lower voice.
    "Yeah."
    "Yeah that's what happened to me around your age. Don't get too comfortable, you'll be back in a month or so."
    "Really?" I ask.
    "Yeah, you're not gonna grow all at once kid,"
    "Good to know. Bye Abdul." I say reading the name tag.
    "Bye man. Wait, what's your name?" He calls after me.
    "Andrew!"
    "Catch ya later, Drew!"
    After rushing out of the store I put the grocery bags in the baby jogger and push off. It's a slow walk and the groceries are heavier than I had planned on. Even if it was just a few things. I wonder what time it is? I took a long time in the store trying to find everything. The set up seemed all backwards. Produce and clothes and tools all scrambled in a confusing heap. My phone buzzes.