Hunter

XIII

Jade slid the money out from the ATM. Her mom had given her a bank account for emergencies.
Jade was pretty sure this counted as an emergency.
She slipped the dollars and the debit card into her wallet, tucking it in her bag.
Aric was leaning against the wall, waiting beside the doors of a 24-hour mart.
He had changed out of his tank top into a gray hoodie that was faded and fraying at the edges.
Jade frowned at it and she tapped his arm.
He turned to her. "Yeah?"
"Let's get those supplies."
She walked through the doors and Aric squinted against the bright lights.
She led him down the aisles, picking up food in packages and a pack of water bottles.
She quickly calculated the cost and headed over to some boxes with clothing.
She picked up a dark blue hoodie.
Hmmmmm.....
"Hey, Aric? Can you come over here?"
He walked to her, putting down the book he was looking at.
She chastised him. "Don't leave the book there! Bring it with you!"
He smiled slightly, his dimple showing, and went back to get it.
He tucked it under his arm and quickly came back over.
"Yeah?"
Jade looked at him, quizzically. She held the hoodie against his chest, and Aric looked at her.
"What are you doing? I get you wanna get close to me, but is now the time?" He smirked.
Jade glared back at him, irritated.
"I was seeing if this fits you. But I guess you don't want it."
He frowned, glowering.
His voice was low and tense. "No, I don't want it. Didn't I tell you I don't need any clothes?"
Jade looked at him. "I'm trying to be nice."
"You don't need to. I don't need your charity."
Jade backed up a little. Aric's eyes were stormy and cold, like gray thunderclouds had just covered him. It seemed like lightening could strike her any moment.
Jade stammered. "Well, I'm sorry. I just-"
He sighed, his eyes going back to normal. "It's fine. But I don't need you to buy me anything."
He walked off, shoving his hands into the pockets of his hoodie.
The book was still tucked under his arm.
Jade stared after him.
What the hell was that all about?
She stood there, thinking.
Think about it Jade, if you lived alone for a long time, you'd feel independent. And you wouldn't want anyone to change that.
And Aric had lost his parents when he was young, by the sound of it...He's probably been in plenty of places where people have tried to "help".
Jade looked at the hoodie in her hand.
I'm not one of those people. I'll help ion whether he likes it or not. What's he gonna do? Flirt with me?
She went to the checkout area, putting all her things in front of the cashier, a gawky teenager with mousy brown hair and a wispy mustache.
He quickly had her pay for everything, snapping the gum in his mouth.
Jade looked around. Where's Aric?
She turned to the cashier. "Uh..... Have you seen my friend? He came in with me."
He pointed out the door. "I saw him leave."
Jade smiled and glanced at his name tag.
"Thanks..... Tim."
He smiled, showcasing braces.
"No problem."
Jade walked out of the store, looking for Aric.