The Secret

Chapter 3: Peanut Butter & Jelly

"So you really haven't drank once in your life?" He asks with his smile continuing to grow.
"Never been interested in it. I have my dad to thank for that."
"So, this is the place?" He asks, his wide smile breaking slowly.
"Come on, what's the first thing on your list?" I grab his hand and pull him into Bobbing Apples. He looks down at a piece of paper he's been twirling around in his hand.
"Bread," he says. I walk quickly to the far right corner of the store where all bread stuff is. Literally labeled Bread Stuff. It's my favourite place to go when mom and I go shopping because of how private it is. He picks out what he needs and puts it in the basket I have grabbed.
"Next!"
"Peanut butter," he tells me. I start leading him over to the third ile while trying to get the stupid song out of me head. We get there and we both start humming it.
"Peanut butter jelly time, peanut butter jelly time," we both sing finally. Laughing, he goes over to get some marmalade and raspberry jam just a few steps away. He reads off his list one by one and I bring him to the area of the store. There were only about three other late night shoppers here so the cashier was empty. Only the one was open because the owner stays late every night to work it. As we approach, Bobby starts to smile.
"Shade, how's my girl?" He asks as he puts on one of my favourite playlist instead of the boring radio.
"Well Bobby, I believe I'm doing good. What do you think?"
"Healthy and playful, hmmm tough one," he jokes, "who's your friend?"
"This is..." here I am letting my guard down, being loose and me, with a person I don't even know the name of. What the hell am I doing?
"Jason," he introduces himself to Bobby.
"Bobby. Now why haven't I seen you around before? I've never even heard Shade here mention you," Bobby says.
"Oh I just moved here. She was just showing me how to get here and around the store. We, we met on the street. On, the, street."
"Well I hope you like it here. Now know if you try anything to her, you will have more than just her brother hunting you," Bobby warns. I keep looking down at my feet, trying to figure out what the hell I'm doing. Before I know it, Bobby passes me a beg. I snap back to reality and grab it. As I do, he grabs my wrist lightly and whispers, "You okay? If you wait, I won't mind walking with you guys if you're uncomfortable."
"Ya, I'll be fine. Thanks though. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"See ya then kido," he says with a pat on my back. I smile and continue along with Jason.
"We never even got each other's names. I'm getting too use to this place."
"What do you mean, too use to this place?" He asks.
"Nothing," I say fast, trying not to be panicked. He stops walking and stands facing me so I do the same, keeping my distance.
"Jason Winters. It's very nice to have met you..." he tells me as he extends his hand.
"Shadow Mince," I say smiling and shaking his hand.
"Thank you so much with helping me out so much tonight."
"It's no problem. Come on, let's get back to the start," I offer. He puts out his arm like in the movies when the couple's link arms and skip away or walk so perfectly you know it must have took forever to record. I decide to go with it. I link my arm to his and we walk, looking like two drunk idiots.

"I can't get that song out of my head," Jason says as we start to approach the park.
"Which one?"
"Peanut butter jelly time," he starts.
"Peanut butter jelly time," I join in. My cheeks ache from the wide smile on my face. Then I realize how his teeth are so white. Literally pearl white.
"Honestly, I'm more of a jam person myself," he informs.
"When I was young, I thought for the longest time that jelly was just another word for jam," I laugh. He looks down, trying not to laugh too. He actually is being nice and trying not to laugh at me?
"Thanks again for all the help," he finally acknowledges as he looks back up.
"Thank you, I umm, thanks," I say with my cheeks finally relaxing into the smile I've been giving. From there, we both part ways.

I walk into my house, still with the smile on my face.
"Where the hell have you been?!" My brothers voice comes from the kitchen. My smile hides behind a straight face.
"I had to walk home. Kay would have been in huge trouble again if she wasn't home on time," I tell him as I walk towards the kitchen.
"It takes you three hours to walk home?!"
"Stop being dramatic," I say annoyed. He's always annoying.
"It's midnight Shadow! Your so lucky moms not here but I am! I have responsibilities and your one!" He yells.
"I'm sorry! Is that what you want to hear?!" I return.
"You can't be serious. How the hell am I related to A SELF CENTERED BITCH!?"
"You shut up, now!"
"Why should I?! You don't listen to me!" He keeps yelling. There goes his over dramatic self. I hardly ever not listen to him. He's my big brother if I like it or not.
"Leave me alone you dick!" I scream as I walk away towards my room. As soon as I slam the door behind me, I fall right to the ground. Why does he have to make any good day where I forget everything with dad, a bad day?
I wake up and rush to get changed. I'm late for school! I grab my bag and run to the fridge.
"Thanks mom," I say while grabbing my sandwich. It's my favourite kind and I can't help but smile, remembering yesterday. Peanut butter and jam.
"I got home and was about to make you a lunch. I thought it was you. I guess your brother made it last night for you," my mom informs me. That's why he was in the kitchen when I got home.