One week had gone by and I hadn't seen Jonathan at all around school. All the places he usually loitered around were empty with no sign of him ever being there. It was once again the start of the weekend and I was doing the same exact things I had done last time. Catching up on my favorite t.v shows while on twitter except this time I was having a snack consisting of strawberries with Nutella. Just in case she said something about my snack I prepared a little speech about how strawberries are good for your health and the Nutella is just to add a little flavor in my life, which I have a lack of.
"Autumn, honey, come down stairs please. I need to ask you for a favor."
"Yes?"
"I need you to take my car and drive to the store and buy some M&Ms, the packs of course. Oh, and make sure you buy around 50 bags just to make sure I have enough for the activity I prepared for the kids at school."
"Can I buy myself something too?"
"You already know the answer to that."
"Yes then , cool" In case you are wondering my mom is a teacher at the local elementary. She loves those kids, sometimes I think she loves them even more than she loves me, but all joking aside she is one of the best no, the best teacher in the world. Or maybe it's just because she's my mom but you know.
As I was busy searching for the candy section in the store non other than Jonathan came to mind. I was to busy thinking about what he might be doing, that after walking around I was back where I started. So I started searching again and I was in no way going to ask for help. Yep, too much pride here, to ask where something is. After a while of looking like a maniac I gave up. Maybe asking someone wouldn't be that bad ? After a while and a moment of debate I finally raised enough confidence to go over to costumer service and ask but I didn't make it far because a person that I couldn't quite make out was making their way towards me. That's when I realized I had looked really suspicious walking up and down the isles over and over again looking around. At this point I had to options, make an escape risking them thinking of me as a criminal or make no move and wait for my fate. Being the wuss I am I just stood there waiting for what came next. To my surprise it was Summers himself. Funny because I had no idea he worked , well no at the grocery store at least.
"Hey, Autumn right?"
"Yes," I responded trying to sound assertive about my answer even though I clearly know my name is Autumn.
"Do you need any help finding anything."
"No, I'm fine thank you. You didn't have to come and offer help." I tried to sound as calm as possible because I couldn't believe I was talking to him yet again.
"Well" he added with a cute laugh that was barely audible " the manager kinda told me to come see what was going on. You were starting to look suspicious."
I was just starting to look suspicious really? I thought I already did. I mentally face palmed myself. Did I honestly think he walked over here willingly? Of course not, he was basically forced to come over to me. I recalled I hadn't exactly said anything back at the sound of his voice breaking my thoughts.
"Are you sure you don't need anything?"
"Yep, totally." I blurted out not sounding to sure about my answer realizing I had made a fool out of myself in front of my crush.
He looked at me one last time before walking away. I mean if I'm going to ask for help might as well ask him. I mean only since I kinda know him and it would be awkward asking someone else. But something inside my head told me ' Yeah if that what you want to use as an excuse go ahead. You can easily ask someone else.'
"Wait up! On second thought do you know where the candy isle is?" I tried giving him a nervous smile.
He just nodded his head and gestured for me to follow. He found the isle with no problem given he worked there. I thought that he was going to leave after showing me what I needed but startled me when he tried to start a conversation.
"You don't really come here do you?"
"Is it that obvious?" I countered blushing a bit at my indirect admission to not frequenting the store.A small smile appeared on his face at my response.
" Maybe a little."
****
"Are you going to eat all that by yourself ?" I heard him ask as we were heading towards the register to check out. I looked down at the fifty packs of M&Ms my mom had asked for and a small chocolate round cake I had decided to by to snack on the rest of the weekend or better said tonight. Without thinking I blurted out something that to some may sound a bit like flirting. Which I promise I was not doing.
"You could always help." And of course he was really smooth at these things so he replied without hesitation.
" Maybe I could take you up on that."
And again without thinking,"Maybe you should." Now I made myself seem too desperate. Why, Lord, Why.
"I would love to accept your offer but as you may see I'm a little busy."
Of course he couldn't! He was at work! He was at work for God's sake! I don't know what I would have done if he had said yes anyway because I was only kidding but part of me wanted to find out what type of plan or lame excuse I would have come up with to not hang out. Plus, it was the only right thing to do I rejected him once now he rejected me , even though he did have an excuse, it was only fair.
************
"Mom! I'm home!"
"In the living room honey!"....... "What took you so long?"
"Um, I couldn't find the candy." I muttered hoping she wouldn't get mad.
"Oh, sweaty always trying to do things yourself. Never asking for any type of help." She looked at me sympathetically.
"Sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry about. It's good that you want to be independent and want to accomplish things without depending on someone else." I looked at her and I could see she was proud of me by the look on her face. "Even if it's just little things like this."
"Thanks mom. Goodnight."
