Catch Me

||August 1st||

I sat behind the counter of the mercantile re-reading the Hobbit – as it wasn't the busiest of days – when you came in. You barged in through the glass doors with a pained and bitter look on your face. You were wearing a white, threadbare sweater over your black bikini top and a pair of ripped, jean shorts. You walked straight to the refrigerators like you'd been here a thousand times. You paused for a second and reached in, fishing out a drink as fast as possible. After that, you tromped over to the medicine section to grab the last non-travel size bottle of aspirin. Not once did you look up to catch me gawking at you and I doubted you would. You had found what you needed so you came to the final destination that was my cash register. I shoved the worn novel under the counter, still staring, as you slammed down a sweaty Pepsi can. You tossed the aspirin next to it and looked up at me. I was surprised as your eyes matched the blue color of the pop can and the chipping polish on your bitten nails. We stared at each for what seemed like years until I realized you were waiting for me to ring up your items. I fumbled with them as you pulled a creme colored wallet from the large purse dangling at your side. A lock from the stringy mop of wet hair atop your head fell as you sifted through the overflowing bills. You didn't look back up after carelessly flinging a single bill onto the counter. You grabbed your Pepsi and aspirin and ran without a single glance back my way. I picked up the bill you placed ever so nicely on the countertop and did a double take. You had ended up leaving a hundred dollar bill when I assume you meant to leave a ten. Obviously I was too focused on watching fingers I wished so feverishly that I could tangle mine with to realize your clueless mistake. I clumsily ran out the door to catch a glimpse of your black suburban pull into a local neighborhood. I felt relief to know you lived close and that I would see you again. You and your beautiful, blue eyes. And to think I don't even know your name.

•

About 2 hours later, around 4:00 p.m. Hazel moseyed on in joined at the hip and fingers entwined with her... lovely... boyfriend, Bryce. She gave me a small smile when I looked up.

"Anything interesting happen earlier?" she asked. Her voice rang with a slow, southern accent unlike your Midwestern twang that I would come to love. I blushed thinking of you earlier. The bill burned in my pocket, my only proof of your magnificent existence.

"No. Only a couple people came in. It was a slow day." I closed my book and slid off the rickety stool.

"I guess it'll be a slow night then," said Bryce with a smile. Unlike a frowning Hazel. She stared intently at me as I awkwardly gathered my belongings.

"So, nothin' happened? Nothin' at all?" Her eyes slid down to my lips that twitched with anxiety. Hazel was like a big sister to me and she could tell there was something I wasn't telling her.

"No, um, new girl, I guess but, uh, nothing else. Nope." I shook my head and Hazel's lips stretched into a sly grin.

"New girl?" Bryce huffed impatiently at her interest. I shuffled out from behind the counter and ducked my head down so she couldn't see my red cheeks as I walked past her.

"Yeah," I said, nonchalantly. "See you tomorrow, Hazel. Have a good night." I pushed the door open and stepped outside. I looked up to see thick, gray clouds huddled in the sky pregnant with rain. I ran over to the pizza place next door and as soon as I was underneath the shelter of the overhang, rain poured from the sky. I searched the parking lot for Louise's car and once I found it I was filled with relief that I wouldn't have to walk home. Although when I saw the family van parked next to it, a sensation more like dread seeped through me. I opened the door and stepped into what felt like Hades the heat was so intense. I noticed my family sitting in our usual booth and I wasn't halfway to it when Gramma Louisa caught sight of me. She stood up and waved at me.