HypoFaker

Chapter 5: Iced Coffee

"Do you want the caramel, or the coconut creme?"

The male voice asked while he gripped my shoulder once again.

"Coconut Creme." I answered and held my right palm out, waiting for the next object to be handed to me.

My hand was greeted by an icy, moist, smooth glass; making me shiver. I wrapped my fingers around the neck of the bottle and felt its shape, reassuring me that he had handed my requested iced coffee and not the possible choice of a beer.

So far I had teriyaki beef jerky, Fridays potato chips, and my iced coffee. And although he seemed hesitant to help me, eventually he found himself helping me. Not because he had sympathy, but because when I tried to hold my pride and shop alone, marching away I ran into a shelf of candy.

Trusting people isn't easy for me.

"Anything else miss?" He cooed, which once again seemed sarcastic. And it was.

"First of all, don't call me miss." I huffed, "And secondly, lighter."

"Lighter?" He repeated.

"I need a lighter." I tried to shake his hand off my shoulder again but failed.

"Why?" I felt his eyes on me.

"That's my business, sir." I wagged my finger at the direction I thought he was standing in, and I could have sworn I heard him chuckle.

"I never asked your name, so may I?" He cheekily asked.

"You can call me Toffee." I bluntly stated, which was the least I could do after he had helped me.

"Ah I see."

"And yours?" I shifted uncomfortably.

"Nicholas." I could feel the tension lighten between us practically dramatically now that we knew names.

I nodded my head and coughed lightly.

"You smoke?" He inquired and I shot him a glare.

"No!" I shifted again.

"Plan on it when you get a lighter?" Little did I know that he had a smirk on.

"No sir." I squinted at his chest, believing it was his face. "Now direct me to the lighters."

"How blind are you?" That made me uncomfortable almosy immediately, when I should know it's a simple question.

"Erm..completely." My voice was lower than I expected. Where was my confidence? Suddenly, he took my arm and placed his other hand on my back, slowly walking with me.

I was slightly back in my comfort zone now. My stepdad did this a lot with me. He tried to be buddy-buddy with me but I rejected him with no second thoughts or regrets. But I was used to being guided unexpectedly like this.

We stopped and he leaned down to my ear, "We're at the front counter." His husky voice hit my ear and I shivered. Out of my comfort zone.

I placed my items down and suddenly felt a small, plastic object being pushed into my hand. "Is purple okay?" He whispered and I nodded, guessing It was a lighter.

I heard my bags of food being picked up, then beeping, then set back down.

"Bagged?" A deep voice in front of me asked and I nodded again. The shuffling continued until I heard confirmation that he was done. "Here you go." I raised my hand shakily and moved it around just a bit until I felt the plastic handles on the bag, wrapped my fingers around it carefully, and picked it up. I guess the tired employee from before must have gotten off his shift and was replaced by whoever this was.

I stepped away from the counter and whipped out my white cane. I held it, and my bags, close to me.

"Can I see your phone, Toffee?" The voice was actually behind me. I spun around and bumped into him with an 'umph'.

"Sorry."

"No worries, your phone?" He repeated and I raised a brow. "Why?" I asked.

I heard Nicholas lean down, close to my ear and whisper, "To put my number in, silly."

This sent more shivers down me. "Piss off." I bluntly replied.

"You want a free guide? Because you don't appear to have one." He raised his brow this time.

"I met you at a gas station at one on the morning. Hell no." I frowned. I sure am stubborn. "But thank you for the help."

"We can text first and talk it through with your parents." He proposed and I thought on it. My mother wouldn't like this...she's not very trusting. But maybe she doesn't have to know. I don't see why I have to keep him a secret though, he's only helping me
out.

"How old are you?" I questioned.

"Nineteen."

"Shit." I muttered, he was definitely capable now. "What sre you doing here at one in the morning?" I cocked my head.

"Coke for my dad." He huffed.

I took out my phone and held it, putting in ear buds to hear the monotone voice. He told me his number and I put it in.

"See you soon." He chuckled and I growled.

"Or not." I muttered, leaving the gas station store and holding my bag close as my cane vibrated and I moved out of the way of what sounded like a cyclist seconds later. They zoomed by and a breeze followed.

I pressed my watch to check the time, it was one fourty-five a.m. Crazy how time works.

I made it past my gate and into my neighborhood, counting the step I took and houses I passed by until I knew, or hoped, I had reached mine. Carefully, I made my way through the front door with no noise and shut it quietly behind me.

Thank God there was no moaning.

I made my way up the stairs and nearpy jumped out of my skin when I heard the raspy meow of Marshmallow. I hadn't heard the bell on her collar, dammit.

I nearly stumbled into my room and set my bag on my desk, bringing Marshmallow in and making sure I closed my door this time. They'd hear from me tommarow.

I took my sweater off and hung it back up, going back to my bed and flopping in it as Marshmallow jumped on my bed and meowed again.

I stroked her head as I slowly fell asleep.

Good girl.