Life's Not Fair

Chapter 2 ~ Unpacked

Sirens blared as they ran through the New York City streets, the lights going as someone's life in the distance was in danger, you never stop to think about how they might be doing at this moment or whether they are dead or alive, you keep moving with what your doing, ignoring the sirens- As if they were screams themselves.
Nathan had finished unpacking his bags and had tossed his black and gold vape onto the bed, his phone falling alongside it. As he had gotten undressed from his wear and tear 'Around the house's clothes; a beat-up t-shirt and some ragged shorts, he got some nicer clothing. He had planned to get out of the apartment as the sun began and he was unpacked. He needed to get some food and see what was around for shops and whatnot. Maybe he could find some places to put in applications, which he needed to start very soon. 
As he stepped into his ripped jeans and zipped them up, he looked in the mirror at himself, standing in just a beige coloured binder and some charcoal black jeans, he could see the definition in his hips, the curve to his body, and the different details, that reminded him of what he was. 'Female' his body seemed to scream at him. As he turned away he grabbed a nicer t-shirt with the words 'Lone Victor' on it. It had a man standing with his arms crossed as if he'd just won something. It was a t-shirt he'd picked up from a game shop that came with one of the games he'd purchased. Though he'd had to sell all his gaming stuff when he was homeless to provide what little he could for himself. He still kept the shirt, as abit of a memory of the fun of games he had. Along with the pale red, light maroon coloured shirt he had gotten a red and black flannel, he tied it around his waist as he moved towards his bed picking up his wallet, phone and vape again, as he stuffed them into the pockets of his black jeans he took a hit of the vape, blowing out the vapour as he cracked open his window a small bit to let in fresh air as he moved towards the front door. Opening it and shutting it again with him in the hallway he took his key, locking it to be sure his stuff was safe while he was gone.
Stepping out from the elevator he let out a yawn, he was pretty exhausted from all the moving, unpacking and organizing he'd done today. Hoping tonight to be able to cozy up into his warm bed. Not having a care in the world. And safe. Out on the streets of the city now, Nathan looked around in awe of the beauty of the lights, though of sounds of honking horns, people shouting at each other, and the smell of burnt rubber and exhaust fumes. Past all of that the city was beautiful and much different than the country life, he was born and raised in. The farmlands and lakes, ponds and streams, the fields and forests, all replaced with massive buildings, cafés and streets. There wasn't an animal in sight, unless you count the pigeons, scrambling for crumbs within the trash that lines the sidewalks. As he had made his way down the sidewalk he could smell more than just the gross dirty smells of the city, but the smells of the cafes and the restaurants  along the side of the streets made his stomach twist with the hunger as it growled hungrily, he hadn't eaten all day, but he had no money to get food, he would have to wait till he got home to cook something for himself.

The doors of the supermarket opened as the cool air-conditioned air broke the humid air around him, Nathan walked in, wheeling a buggy along with him, the one wheel squeaked, another didn't work so well on the corners, it was hard to find a perfect one.. without standing there hogging up the space testing them out. The smell of fresh produce hit him like a referencing drink of cool water, it smelled clean and there was a cool feel in the presence of the vegetables. He picked through different bushels of carrots before adding one to his cart. As he moved on he had always hated fruits and vegetables, he was more into meats and other things. Heading towards the bakery section of the store he tested the bread, pressing on it and feeling how fresh it was when he got to one that felt as if it were a cloud, he knew that was as good as he was gonna get today. Adding it to his cart he took a deep breathe, his chest was beginning to feel right, and not specifically because of his binder, but because of the people walking around him, to him it seemed that if he passed a person, they would stare at him as he walked, or walking behind him, being one of the things he's grown into hating, he just wanted to go back to his safe quiet apartment.
As Nathan had gone through the rest of the store to get food and supplies for the house he needed he went to check out. Putting his items on the conveyor belt one by one he glanced up at the cashier, he had to do a double-take as he admired the boy's long hair and dark features, he tried his best not to blush but he wasn't quite the lying type. As he walked forward to pay the cashier smiled at him, he had dimples that formed just perfectly along his chiselled face, his eyes were bright, even though the dark colour "Your total will be 84.76" the man said after he began to start bagging the items. Nathan tried to make little eye contact with the man as he got out his wallet and card. As he put the card in the machine the fear of it being declined was all he could think about until he saw the approved sign he was relived and took a deep breath looking to the man "Have a good one" the man said with the same smile. Nathan smirked and nodded back as he began to take his bags away before he was able to leave the line the man had come out from his cash register to stop him "Hey um, I know it's really... weird but I was wondering if you'd like to get a slice of pizza with me... I know a great spot down the street.. and I know you've got not frozen groceries to worry about" he said with a charming smile, Nathan began to speak "Well- I-" before he was cut off "Im sorry I know it's forward, I just.. wanted to shoot my shot.. my name's Ryan" he said holding out his hand. "Nathan" Nathan replied as he stretched out the hand he could after switching all his bags to his one hand "My shift is over in ten minutes.. if you wanted you could leave your groceries in my car out front and come back to get them after.. as I said its right down the street."
Nathan paused before he shifted abit and nodded, as sketchy as it sounded the man seems genuine with his words, and if he was a murderer... Well, this was a good few hours of his new fresh start. "Sure," Nathan said with a smile "Would you like me to wait outside? By your car?" He asked unsure what to do for the next ten minutes. As the man looked around, the store empty, and his co-workers shutting their stations down "You know what, I think it's safe I can go now... I'll be right out I just need to grab my things" he said with a grin before disappearing up the stairs. Nathan looked watching him leave, before heading outside. He leaned against the wall of the supermarket and looked at the ground around him, 'did I just agree to a.. date from a stranger? I'd only just gotten here what am I thinking? He could be murder!' he thought to himself. But he wondered how else he'd make friends in the neighbourhood... 'i could just run now, he'd never known where I went and I'd just find a new place to shop...' he thought quickly looking around. It was only moments later he heard his name from down the parking lot "Nathan!" He heard as he looked up, Ryan waving his hand. Nathan began to move his way, his groceries feeling heavy as he walked and they swayed "Sorry for the wait" Ryan said as Nathan approached, unlocking his car and opening the back door of it "Oh no, don't worry about it" Nathan said as he moved his groceries into the back of the car before Ryan shut the door and locked it again "There, their all safe now" Ryan chuckled as he looked up to Nathan. "Well now we couldn't leave them unattended to some homeless man.. I paid good money for them" Nathan chuckled back before he watched Ryan begin to walk, following him "Would it happen to be called 'Darnero'?" Nathan asked as he remembered the pizza store he'd passed on his way to the supermarket. "That it is! You know it?" Ryan asked as he turned his head to look at Nathan with a friendly grin "Ah, well I'd seen it on my way here" he said as he walked alongside the man, who's posture seemed relaxed and comfortable, whereas Nathan seemed shy and reserved. "You ain't a city boy huh?" Ryan had asked as he studied the boy's posture and how he held himself in the small-time he'd know him, it was quite easy to tell. "No, i um, come from Canada, I was born and raised a country boy," Nathan said not quite proud but not ashamed, it is what it is. "Ah, a country boy eh? Well, you sure don't smell like one, but I suppose that's good, most city people around here would turn their nose to you for it. Quite posh people really." Ryan said as the two men soon approached the restaurant "Its not very fancy, but the food is amazing, you'll never want to eat anywhere else" The man said as he open the door for Nathan very confident about his decision to bring him here, a kind grin on his face. "Well I'll hold you to it, and if I don't like it.." Nathan said unsure of what he'd actually do if he didn't like the pizza "Then I'll have to take you to Canada so you can witness the best pizza there" he continued with a chuckle, not quite the threat he was going for, but it seemed to make the man laugh, so he supposed it was a hit.