The Fab Four

Chapter 4

They were out of food again. Granted it was normal to grocery shopping once a week, but the expenses were starting to rise. Hannah and Beren started to try "extreme couponing." If you've never seen the show, then here's the gist. Someone with way too much time on their hands stalks every corner of the internet and every rare newspaper and magazine for coupons, which they then buy in bulk so they can save. Sometimes people save so much, the store actually owes them money.

Now, the Fab Four does not buy in bulk. They could certainly afford to, but their tiny New York City apartment does not have the room. Hannah certainly tries to buy in bulk, but her friends are there to keep her grounded.

"Come on, time for grocery shopping!" Beren called from the front door. This was probably his least favorite necessary-as-an-adult-chore. They were four young adults, so their appetites were equivalent to a bottomless pit. The closest grocery store was ten blocks away, so that meant carrying all of their groceries back and forth. The subway was too crowded, but walking took too long and too much energy. Everyone was required to help.

Sam reluctantly appeared from her bedroom, wearing her signature letterman jacket with a Captain America symbol on the back. She also had on a Deadpool hat to protect her bright red hair from the snow. Their first week of winter, she didn't do that. Her hair got a bunch of snowflakes in it and Hannah made strawberry jokes for the rest of the day.

"Did you put Rice Krispie Treats on the list? Put it twice. One box for me and one for Sam. She won't stop eating mine," Evelyn complained while she came down the stairs. She put on a red peacoat and her light brown hat. She also put on black winter boots.

The last one to appear was Hannah, which is a little unusual. She's normally slow in getting ready, but she actually likes grocery shopping. She had four backpacks and...a wagon?

"Where the heck did you get a wagon?" Sam asked.

"Um, at the lobby sale a few weeks ago," Hannah replied as if this were common knowledge. She handed them each a backpack. "Groceries like chips and stuff could go in these, that way we carry a lot but it's not that heavy-"

Beren shook his head. "Wait a minute. You said you were going to look-"

Hannah snorted. "You should know by now that I can never just look."

"I have a question," Evelyn said while raising her hand. "How the heck did you manage to get it up here and into your room without any of us noticing?"

"You and Sam are practically deaf and Beren was asleep. It was easier than when I snuck—nothing. When I snuck nothing into the apartment."

"What?"

"It was easier than if I would have snuck something into the apartment, Sam, duh," Hannah rolled her eyes and grabbed the wagon. It was a little, metal, Radio Flyer wagon. There's a blanket inside, along with a few magnets. None of the others decided to question her; they just piled their book bags in the wagon and walked behind.

It was seven o'clock on a Sunday evening. For New York City, this meant next to nothing. The streets were going to be crowded no matter what time or day of the week. But fewer people went grocery shopping this time of day, so that was when they decided to go. During business hours was the best time to go, but they all had school.

"Alright, so, how far away is the knock-off Giant Eagle?" Sam asked while she put up her hood over her winter hat.

Beren sighed. "We've been there millions of times. We turn right at this corner, go straight for five, turn left, walk a few more blocks, then turn right and there it will be, as always."