Before We Met

~Chapter Three~

     The car ride wasn't much. Probably since I fell asleep. I guess that's what being woken up at 7 o' clock in the morning does to a person. I noticed how Noah was poking me and that my headphones were now back around my neck. I opened my eyes completely and shot him a glare. 

     We stepped out of the car and Noah locked it while I stretched my legs and put my headphones over my ears. After, we headed into the store.  It was pretty big. There were isles much taller than I could ever be. Don't get me wrong, I was kind of tall. But not for my age. Noah makes fun of me for it all the time. I still love him though. Terra, on the other hand, compliments my height. But considering her being six years old, she'll probably pass me. I do appreciate her trying to help. What better could I ask for?

     At a tap on my shoulder, I lowered my headphones. Noah was vigorously tapping shoulder in an attempt to get my attention.

     "Get some snacks." With a nod I walked up-headphones on-and roamed in search for the popcorn section. I looked above the isles to find what I was looking for. And I found it, so I headed in the direction of the popcorn. There were so many varieties! Carmel, chocolate, normal, and  salted-with a wince, I fell straight to the ground. My headphones fell off.

     "Watch it. Get up." The stranger I bumped into said, malice laced in his voice. I slowly got up, putting my headphones back on. He knocked them back off, but to the ground instead. I glared at him with narrowed eyes. "What do you say?" I bent down to retrieve my headphones-which he kicked away again. "Answer me!" I shoved him and got my headphones. I put them on my head and turned the volume up.  "Who do you think you are! Are you deaf? Answer me you-"

     "Hey! Get away from my sister!" Came Noah's voice behind me. "What were you going to call her?" Anger was clearly showing in his voice. The stranger didn't back down. If anything, it riled him more.

    "Tell your sister to apologize for running into me." My brother lunged forward as if to hurt the rude stranger, but I shot my arm out across his chest to stop him. I grabbed my phone from my sweatshirt pocket and opened a new note.  The stranger gave me a questioning look. I showing the note to him:

     'Look, I don't know what your problem is, but I don't like it. I am sorry for running into you. And next time, don't touch my headphones.' 

     With a sigh, he muttered a small "sorry" and stalked off.

     'That went well...'

    Noah just laughed. He took my phone and wrote that he was going to the checkout with all the groceries and I was to look for a notebook and meet him there. So I nodded my head and we walked in opposite directions. I was just hoping I didn't run into that guy again. I shook the thought off and headed toward the school supply section. But as my luck would have it, there were no notebooks. So I just hurried to the checkout lanes in search of Noah. 

     After checking each of the twelve lanes present, I finally concluded that he went to the car already. So I went to follow along and catch up with him. But of course something goes wrong when he's alone.

     The car engine was smoking. Again. This seems to happen every time Noah drive Dad's car. I would drive it-if I had a license, that is. 

     And to make matters worse, he was talking to him.

Word count (in story): 630