Under My Body

chapter two

   The sun was just beginning to cast its soft, golden light across the streets as I pushed a shopping cart through the local grocery store. The early morning air was crisp, and the store was relatively empty, making it the perfect time for a quiet shopping trip. Penny, Xavier's mom, had asked me if I'd like to join her for an early morning grocery run. I always appreciated Penny's company, so I agreed without hesitation.

"Do you like cooking, Vili?" Penny asked, picking up a bunch of fresh cilantro and placing it gently into the cart.

"I do," I replied, smiling. "My mom always made sure I knew how to cook the traditional dishes. It's something I've come to enjoy, even though I don't cook as often as I should."

Penny laughed softly, "You should come over one day and cook with me. I'm sure Xavier would love that. He's always talking about how much he misses home-cooked meals."

I grinned, imagining Xavier eagerly awaiting a home-cooked meal. "I'd like that. I'm sure I could teach him a thing or two about making a proper mutton soup first."

Penny chuckled, "He could use the lessons, that's for sure. But don't tell him I said that!"

We both laughed as we continued to make our way through the aisles, picking out fresh vegetables, dairy products, and other essentials. The conversation was light and easy, filled with shared stories and laughter. It was moments like these that I cherished; they made me feel more connected to the people around me, even in a place that sometimes still felt foreign to me.

"Okay, wait," Penny suddenly said, scanning the shelves with a furrowed brow. "I can't seem to find the tahini sauce at all. Let me go find that and one more thing quickly. Keep your phone with you in case I lose you." She laughed, giving me a reassuring pat on the arm before hurrying down the aisle.

I smiled, watching Penny disappear around the corner. I adjusted my grip on the shopping cart and continued to slowly push it forward, my eyes scanning the shelves absentmindedly. The store was quiet, with only a few other early birds browsing the aisles.

As I turned into the snack aisle, my heart suddenly skipped a beat. Standing near the end of the aisle with his back to me was Asher. He was leaning slightly against the shelf, his gaze focused on something in his hand. My breath caught in my throat as I took in his figure—the broad shoulders, the slightly disheveled hair, and the way he seemed so effortlessly handsome, even in the simplest of settings. His presence was magnetic, drawing me in, even though I knew better than to get too close.

For a moment, I considered turning around and pretending I hadn't seen him. But then I remembered that Xavier's favorite chips were right where Asher was standing. I couldn't leave without them. Besides, it would be rude not to at least say hi.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the nervous fluttering in my stomach. It's just Asher, I told myself, though the thought did little to steady my nerves. He was just a friend of Xavier's, someone I'd only met yesterday. But there was something about him—something I couldn't quite put my finger on—that made me anxious and curious all at once.

As I gathered my courage and pushed the cart towards him, my gaze fell on the slight limp in his gait, the subtle shift in his posture. It was then that I noticed the prosthetic limb—a metal appendage that extended from his knee down. It was almost hidden by the hem of his jeans, but the way he leaned against the shelf, using it for support, gave away his secret. A wave of empathy washed over me, but I quickly pushed it aside, knowing he wouldn't appreciate my pity. No one would.