This Isn't A (Regular)Love Story

Chapter 2- 4 Sodas for a $1

"Want a drink?" He asked slowing down and pulling into an old gas station.

"Yeah. That would be great." I reached into my pocket to get my money.

"No, I'm paying. Since you are new to the town it's a gift. It's also an apology gift for being late." He opened my door for me and I got out.

"Thanks. But you don't need to do that-"

"But I want to." Before I said anything back he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the store.

This place looks like the type of old stores you see in the movies. All I need now is a beach. I looked around. Isn't the beach a couple of miles away. Or did I do my research wrong? The air smells salty, so it shouldn't be far...

"They should be towards the back. Can you grab them while I get the gas?"

I nodded, "What kind do you want?"

He turned to face the clerk, but still answered. "Get me, two root-beers and a sprit."

The store looked as any other one. With the big window against the front, isles stacked with junk food and junk.

But made it different in my book was the smell. I usually don't like the smell of the small, packed in stores. But this store, had a memorable smell. The kind that you remember 10 years later, wondering where it came from.

It was a mixture of sea salt, gain Cherry blossom, and apple pie.

I weird combination but to me it smelt amazing.

As I reached the back there was a colorful sign that read '4 SODAS FOR A $1'. Underneath, clearly written by someone else, read 'since 2013, don't know why this old man hasn't been shut down.'

The hum of the air condition, was the only noise aside from Derek talking to the guy at the front.

I slowly opened the glass door and grabbed the drinks he told me to get.

Now here's the thing, I have a problem with making decisions. Except the decision on what soda I want.
Cherry Coke.

I know, I know. It's super bad for me. But it taste so good.

I stepped back to see if they had any. They only had two left.
I smiled as I grabbed the bottle.

"What's taking so long, Rose?"

I turned around, two sodas in each arm.

"Couldn't find the one I wanted." I said moving slowly to the register.

As I sat them down on the counter I looked up at Derek. He had the cutest little dimples I have ever seen.

"What?" He said.

"Nothing." I grinned.

"That will be 16.05." The guy behind the counter said.

Derek handed him the money as I grabbed the bag.

"Thank you." Derek said to the man.

"Yeah, thank you." I said as I walked out the door, hearing the bell ring.

Derek was already at his trunk, with the door already open.

"M'lady."

"Thank you, kind sir" I giggled as I got into the seat.

"Anytime." He said as he shut the door.

Again we sat silently, the radio softly playing in the background.

Then little thuds come from the windows. At first it was soft, then it was coming down hard.

"Why does it have to rain the day I get here?" I gave an sigh and looked out the window.

"You don't like the rain?" Derek asked looking straight forward.

"I love rain. It's just I wanted my summer not to start off rainy."

He chuckled as he slowly took a sip of the sprit he got.

"Then your going to hate the next couple of weeks." He reached for the air condition nob and turned it down.

"Why?" I thought Sally said it was going to be sunny when I got here.

"The forecast said it was going to rain all this month. Even if he wasn't correct when it rains it last a long time here." He glanced at me and gave me a smile.

"Nooo." I whined like a little child. As turned my body alittle to face him.

"Yesss." He mocked.

I gave a small exaggerated sigh.

"Have you lived here all your life?" I asked.

He chuckled. "What?"

"Have you lived he-"

"I heard what you said. Why?" He interrupted.

I shrugged my shoulders and opened my soda.

"Well we are in a vehicle together, I wanted to get to know you."

"Yes. I have. Why are you visiting?"

I started picked my at the label of the soda.

"I ended a long relationship,because after this summer is over he was planning on going to college, I do not.And my parents decided to send me down here. So I can 'take my mind off things.'" I sipped at my cherry coke and let out an internal moan.

He nodded like he understood. "Siblings?"

"Yes. A older brother. You?"

"Yes. A younger brother. His just a year younger. You'll meet him later." He stopped at the stop sign.

He turned to face me. "I have to warn you before we get there. This town is crazy. And since you are Sally's relative you are most likely to have some new friends."

"Why did you warn me about this?"I asked.

We are literally stopped at a stop sign, in the rain, in the middle of nowhere.

"This town has its problems. It sucks new comers in and won't let them go"

"Umm... Okay? What about my aunt? Anything I need to know about her?" I asked.

He laughed and shook his head. "She's nuts!"

I laughed along with him. "I already knew that."