Two Streets Down [R.D.J]

Chapter 7: Grocery Store

     Fridays were always calm at the cafe, rarely rude consumers were seen. It was completely opposite to Monday mornings, when people were exigent and impatient. Working on Fridays mornings was always serene. It was Grace's favorite day to work. She did not have any lectures for the day, only work and the rest of the day was all for herself. Like usual, when she works on Fridays, she had the morning shift, either from seven to three or eight to four. It had been an early shift, from seven to three. She had gone to bed early the day before, knowing that she wouldn't go to sleep right away, due to her new found insomnia (she was still blaming it on Robert).

 She had worked with Louis, Kate, and Matt. It was Matt's last day of training. Kate had commented on about Robert. Apparently Maura had not kept her mouth shut, she had gossiped with Kate about it on Thursday since they had worked together and Grace was not there to defend herself. Grace had secretly wished Robert would show up at the cafe. Not to feed more into Kate, but to see him.

Grace wanted to see him, not that she would admit it out loud. She was still clutching to the idea that if she didn't admit it out loud it would not be true. She ignored the fluttering in the pit of her stomach that stirred whenever she saw him or simply thought of him. It is what people call 'butterflies in my stomach' but she would not call it such thing. It is absurd, she cannot feel butterflies in her stomach for Robert. Her little crush was escalating too quickly, tearing all walls of reason, Grace kept building up more. Grace was not bold, but Robert had an aura that seemed to pull her towards him. 

 She was did not have an extensive love life. In high school she was the girl that sat quietly in class, only having quiet conversation. Everyone in her grade knew her name. She was the talented girl with fingers always splashed with paint. Grace was aware of her nice features and she knew some boys looked at her. But she was shy and quiet, carrying a sketchbook around all the time. She had only one serious boyfriend, the relationship lasted over a year. But that's a topic she had shoved into a box and chained down in the darkest of her memory. Sealed from ever stirring back into the surface. 

Closing the door to her apartment, she started unbuttoning her white dress shirt. Living alone had unlimited perks. For instance, Grace could freely walk around her underwear whenever she feels like it and sleep in nothing but underwear and a oversize shirt. She had always been afraid to sleep in her underwear back home, her parents could walk on her. Now she was free to do as wished. However, living alone had its responsibilities as well. Grace had to do laundry once a week, remember to pay the bills on time (which she does online), and buy groceries. 

As she opened the fridge. she sighed, she had failed to remember to stock up her kitchen with food. Scanning for food, she picked a cereal box and grabbed the milk. She served a fair amount of the colorful cereal and poured milk after. She ate the cereal as she wrote a list of things she needed to purchase from the grocery store.

Finishing her cereal, it occurred her that it was the perfect day to visit her father at work. She could visit David and then head to the grocery store.  She wanted to invest at least two hours in the commissioned painting she has been working on. But she figured she could do that after --but before the club. They were going to the club until nine, she had enough time. It was her turn to be the designated driver. No drinking for her this time.

After washing the bowl she had ate in and the spoon, she grabbed her keys and bag to head out. She opened the door, gasping at the scene before her. The couple that lived across from her were engulfed into a heated make out session. Uncomfortable with the situation, she locked the door quickly and quietly. The couple were too wrapped into each other to acknowledge her existence. 

Without glancing back, she descended the stairs and made her way to the parking lot. She played music on her drive to the university, feeling slightly tired. Grace decided to do a quick stop at a coffee shop to fetch two lattes, one for her and the other for her father.