The Exchange

Chapter 14

I walk up to the front door of the flat after school on Friday expecting to see all the boys when I open the doors. I noticed that they are often hanging out here by the time I get home from school everyday.

I turn my key in the lock and open the door cautiously. To my surprise, no one is in the living room and there are no shoes at the front door.

"Hello?" I call out, waiting for a response. No answer. They must of gone out.

I drop my school bag in the hallway outside my room and go to the kitchen to grab something to eat. On the counter I notice there is a single piece of paper with a pen carelessly left next to it. I mov to the piece of paper and see it is a note left by Louis.

Mira,

We had to attend a last minute band meeting but we should be back around six thirty. Don't miss us too much ;).

Louis

P.S There is a list of grocery items on the fridge when you get around to it.

I turn around and notice a short list taped to the refrigerator. Louis had mentioned we needed some things last night. Well, I might as well get this done.

I grab the list off the fridge door and head to the door to slip on my shoes, completly forgetting about my previous hunger. I'm almost out the door when I realize I'm still wearing my school uniform. I am not going out in this.

Slipping off my shoes, I open my bedroom door and pick up my school bag. I hook it onto the back of my desk chair and then open my closet.

Blindly, I pull out a pair of blue skinny jeans and a simple, striped, three- quarted sleved t-shirt with a lace back. I shruged and throw it on my bed. It only takes me three minutes to change out of my uniform and into comfier things. Without a second thought I am out the door with my purse and the house grocery list.

Louis told me the grocery store is a ten minute walk from the flat.

"Left at the end of the street, right at the end of that street and keep going straight until you find it on the right side of the street."

I plug in my head phones and start on the new route. First walk to the end of the street.

"One way, or another, I'm gonna find you, I'm gonna get you, get you, get you, get you..." My foot steps walk in rhythm with the beat. I count (A bad habit of mine). It takes me forty-two steps to reach the end of the street.

I thinik for a minute. This is the first time I've ever been on this street and the busy noises are frghtening for a moment. 

Left. I turn left on the sidewalk and keep walking down the street. Cars pass by and honk their horns. People pass me on their way to the bus stop at the intersection. I count on as the song changes from one to the other.

167. That's how many steps until I find myself at another decision. 'left than right.' I recall and check my wrists to make sure I knew where right is. It happens sometimes but I know my grandmothers silver bracelet is always on my left hand. That's not the direction I chose.

I cross when the lights indicate it is safe and start down a long sidewalk. It seems to lead down a main road where big department stores and fast food restaurants line both sides.

I keep to the right and look for a grocery store. Clothing stores, big box stores, dollar stores, and restaurants pass me on my walk. I don't even know what song I'm listening to because I'm too focused on finding this place.

A cool breeze slaps my face. It lifts my ponytail off my back as a big green building comes into view. The sign says Fresh Foods Super Store. This must be it.