Not So Perfect

Chapter 2 - Missing Miami

I woke up to the sound of Aly talking to someone. I wondered who was here at this unholy hour. I hate mornings with a passion. I tried opening my eyes but they squeezed shut, a result of my crying last night. After a bit of struggling, I managed to open my eyes to look at the sun shining through the windows. I decided to hang curtains first as soon as the packers arrived.

I watched Aly talking to someone over the phone. She sounded unusually chirpy, if that was even possible. Her happiness though was contagious, I found myself smiling.

“Chloe, wake up!” she nearly screamed into my ears. “The packers will be here any minute now.” The door bell sounded. “Oh my god, it’s them.” She all but ran to the door.

I painstakingly made myself move. I rolled the sleeping bag and walked out. The packers were unloading the furniture and of course Aly was being in charge by making sure nothing was damaged.

I tried my best to stay out of everyone’s way. It was almost lunchtime by the time all the furniture was set up and I was famished. I needed to eat before I fainted. I wanted to go out and get something to eat but Aly insisted on cooking.

I sat on one of the bar stools and watched the packers leaving. To say I was grateful that it was all done was an understatement. Aly thanked them and made her way to the kitchen.

“So, I just realized we do not have groceries,” she said looking slightly sheepish. I mentally groaned. “Aly,” I began.

She cut me off, “No, no, don’t worry we’ll go buy the groceries and—”

I didn’t let her finish. “Aly, I’m very hungry. Let’s just eat out and then buy the groceries. You can cook dinner.” I was waiting for her to disagree but to my surprise she nodded.

“Let me grab my wallet and we’ll go eat and buy the groceries. Why didn’t I think of this?” she mumbled the last part to herself.

“Some event manager you are,” I muttered.

“Hey, I heard that!” she replied.

I retorted, “You were supposed to.”        

She ignored me and went to get her wallet.

We were buying groceries after having lunch or brunch shall I say. Aly kept complaining about everything and I do mean everything that was in the cart. I couldn’t listen to her anymore and tuned her out. Now, don’t get me wrong here, I do love my sister but I cannot listen to her bicker anymore. I left her in the meat section and walked away. She was still mumbling something to herself.

I was beginning to wonder why I came to buy groceries with Aly. I could have just gone home. I was aimlessly walking around when I came near the ice cream counter. A group of people were discussing ice cream flavours. One person among them caught my eye. It was him. It was the same boy. I don’t know how I recognized him as he was facing his back to me. But I was sure it was him. It must have been the sandy brown hair.

He was laughing. I could see his shoulders shaking with laughter. He turned around and caught me staring at him. He stopped laughing. I had noticed the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed. I hadn’t intended to stare. I must have looked like a creep.

I broke out of my trance when I realized he was walking towards me. I noticed all his friends staring at us. He came and stood in front of me. I had to look up to meet eyes.

“I believe we met before,” he said.

“Believe what you want.”

“You stole my table.”