The Beginning (book one)

Chapter Twenty-five

Kyle watched as Ann was woken up. He figured she would be very irritable when woken up, considering her hostile personality. But, she was surprisingly tame, even if she was persistent to be able to sleep. After a few minutes of wheedling, Ann fully woke up and came to her senses. She scowled at Jack, who had woken her up, and stepped out of the van. Jack scurried out after her, nagging. Kyle looked over at Astrid, who was watching the two with amusement, and smiled. He opened the car door, stepped out, and held out a hand for Astrid. She looked over, blushed cutely, took his hand stepped out of the van.

"Hey, so I think you and Ann should walk around the store together for a bit." Astrid told Kyle in a low voice. "Y'know, talk a bit, work out what had happened earlier."

"Alright," Kyle complied, giving her a smile. "You sure she won't attack me, though?"

Astrid laughed, and looked at Ann, who, naturally, was bickering with Jack.

"I can walk just fine!" Ann exclaimed defensively.

"Yeah, you can, once you've rested up and eaten!" Jack shot back.

"We're going to the store to get food! I have to walk to get the food that I need to walk! And, besides, I slept in the car!"

"Not enough! Just, use one of the electric chair carts the store has!"

"I'm not going to use the electric chairs!"

Astrid laughed again, and gave Kyle a reassuring look. "That little fluff ball? She won't hurt you."

Kyle let out a breath, and walked up to Ann.

"Hey," Kyle greeted, interrupting Jack and Ann. "Can I walk with you for a couple minutes while in the store?"

Ann looked away from Jack and gave him a nod. "Sure, Kyle- Jack, I'm going to walk, enough!"

The six walked into the grocery store, and quieted down, trying to be a bit courteous to the others in the store.

"I'll be around the front of the store, so after you all choked some food, find me." Sophia informed the five teens. Ann had a large, dreamy grin, and her eyes were out of focus. Sophia took notice, and quickly instituted a rule. "Don't get a lot of food. Three cheap items, alright?"

The five nodded, and split up. Emily shipped off towards the dairy section, which happened to be by the flowers. Jack walked over to the produce section. Astrid walked over to the cereal isle.

'She's probably going to get Cinnamon Toast Crunch,' Kyle though idly to himself.

Ann led Kyle over to the chip isle, grinning wildly.

"So, I shouldn't have yelled at you." Ann said, looking away from the chips and up at Kyle. "It wasn't very justified, and I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Kyle reassured. "I should have done something to help out."

"Do you have any hobbies?" Ann asked suddenly after a moment of silence. Kyle gave her a confused look. "Don't worry, I'm not flirting, that's Astrid's job. Just answer the question."

"Well, I like to draw." Kyle answered. Ann gave him a grin.

"Perfect," she said, her face shifting over to the chips. "You should draw some monsters. And the water. Maybe, if you can sketch out what scares you, they won't seem so scary."

Kyle gave her a mildly impressed look. "That's a good idea!"

"I know." Ann said with a lazy, dismissive flick of her wrist. "And, you should know, you have my blessing."

"To do what?" Kyle asked in confusion as Ann's hand darted out to grab a bag of chips. She began to walk away.

"To go find Astrid, and give her a big kiss." Ann answered. "Now, shop, and do just that!"

Kyle shook his head at the short girl as she walked away. He turned around, and set out to find Astrid, and maybe pick up some tomatoes. And some Coke.