Bass Case

Chapter 4: Groceries

I arrive back at the apartment earlier than I had expected. I gently walk throughout the rooms, scanning for Sarah.  The bare white walls follow me as I open each door. She isn't here. A sense of panic strikes me, paranoid of what could have became of her. I take a deep breath, rushing over to the note I had left earlier. The yellow sticky note was transferred to the table with a reply written in red ink. "I'll be back in a bit. Just going to buy new strings for my cello." A sense of relief washes over me like a wave. 

Then I hear the front door click open. Our eyes meet for a moment, and she greets me with a warm smile. "Good afternoon Daniel." Sarah says. 

"Hi. You're quick." I reply, crumbling the sticky note into the trash. 

"Not really. Left about an hour ago." She replies as she waves the new gut strings in her hands for me to see.

    My blue eyes widen in amazement. "Nice! Those must have been expensive." 

    "Are you surprised?" 

    "Not really." She was the principle player of her section after all. If only I had some for my viola, it would really help improve my sound. I hate coming to auditions with normal helicore strings, but it's all that I can afford. At least I have a carbon fiber bow to play with. 

    She approaches me gently as though I may break and hugs me. My arms stay at my sides for a moment, shocked at her unprecedented action. "A-Are you ok?" I ask her hesitantly. 

    "Can't a girl just ask for a hug from her roommate?" She replies, her ear resting against my chest. 

    I gulp, "Well no, but you didn't ask." I laugh, attempting to relieve my awkwardness with a bit of humor. 

    A hint of disappointment crawls into her voice. "Oh..is it a problem?" She turns her head, her big brown eyes gazing into mine. 

    I can feel my heart rate accelerate gradually. Heat rushes to my face at the sight of her adorable expression. "No! No...not at all." I quickly return her hug, holding her small figure within the safety of my arms. Her black hair smells fruity from her shampoo. Her figure feels thin yet strong. We stand this way for a few minutes. Then she parts slowly from me and walks into her room in silence. I stand there listening as the door locks. That was...odd.

***
    The sun was setting; that's when it dawned on me that we don't have any food left, or at least not enough to make a meal out of. I walk over to Sarah's locked door, and I play a rhythm with my hand. A rhythm from a piece that we played earlier this semester. I hear a click, and her face emerges from the other side of the door. Her black hair is draped over her face. Her eyes are red. I fight with myself in my mind trying to decided whether to ask what bothers her or to leave her be. "Uh, um,...I'm going to the grocery store. We're out of food." Idiot. 

    "Oh, right. I forgot I was planning to go today originally." She says, her voice clear.

    "Don't worry I'll go. What do you want?" I ask.

    "What? No, I know better than to trust you with the grocery shopping." She chuckles.

    "What?! I am a very responsible man." I retort. 

    "One who can hardly cook for himself." 

    "Eh..." She's got me there. "Fine. Let's go together...if that's alright with you." I raise my eye brows trying to reveal as much concern in my eyes to her as possible. 

    "Alright. Let's go together. Let me just clean up first." She replies before locking the door once again.

What could be wrong with her?