Summer Gone Wrong

Chapter 4 : Coke Thief

Chapter 4 : Coke Thief

Once I find the only parking spot in the parking lot, thank God, I lock the car and enter the old building with large ‘Carrefour’ words displayed. The smell of fresh air conditioner fills in my lungs, making me stop for a second to breathe in and enjoy the artificial smell of heaven.

“Excuse me, you’re blocking the way,” a woman with bright red lips, black hair tied in a neat bun and emotionless eyes say stiffly, as if she’s holding back words that might hurt me.

Wordlessly, I step aside but not too far so that I am still directly under the softly vibrating machine that produces such smell. Just as I’m about to continue my little shopping, I feel a presence by my side.

I turn to see a huge blond man who’s about fifty years of age wearing a business suit and a suitcase in his hands, standing facing the parking lot like he’s expecting someone. I recognize the man as my new neighbor, the one who moves into Roller Pin’s house.

Not to mention he’s from Germany.

“Excuse – uh – me,” I squeak so softly that I doubt he heard me while my betraying cheeks redden. I cover my embarrassed face with my long red hair, which I’m grateful that I refused to cut them. If only I brought along my hoodie, I would have put the hood over my head.

Stupid, stupid, stupid, I chant in my head when taking a basket that’s supplied at the entrance. Once I’m far away from my German neighbor, I push my fringe away with a swipe of my hand so I can see properly again. My phone beeps softly from my pocket.

Where the hell are you? Two minutes is up.

I slip the phone back into my pocket without replying Ellie’s text message. I turn into the drinks section to see all sorts of fruit juices and no carbonated drinks.

A little girl that is standing next to me stares at the top of the fridge. For a second, I thought she was experimenting on her mind power until, “Excuse me, can you…”

“Yes…?” I ask, urging her to continue.

She shyly looks down. “Can you give me the yoghurt please?”

Oh, so that’s what she’s staring at. I lean forward towards the coolness and grab the yoghurt off the highest section of the fridge.

“Thank you,” she mumbles without glancing at me before scurrying off with the yoghurt packet in her hands. I chuckle a little at how shy she is. If only I’m as brave as the little girl, I wouldn’t stutter to every stranger I meet.

The communication device of mine beeps again and again.

Seriously, I was so close to doing a backflip from my window and land on my neighbor’s car. You’re lucky you have a friend like me.

Maggie!

Just as I’m about to reply, my phone is bombarded with more irrelevant text messages from you-know-who.

Godzilla and King Kong should be placed in a cage then see what kind of King-Zilla creatures will be produced.

Maggie, a squirrel is stalking me.

Help! The squirrel is everywhere!

Here’s another fun fact about Ellie, if you don’t reply to her text within the period she allows, she’ll hijack your phone with weird text messages. I give up and call her instead, which she picks up on the first call.

“Mags! Where the fuck are you, woman? I’ve been standing here for God knows how long and I’m absolutely certain that it wasn’t bloody two minutes!” Ellie yells on the phone, making me wince at the damage she has done to my right ear. I’m so glad that the little girl is no longer around me or she would have learnt a new word today because bloody hell, Ellie is loud.