The Pandemic

Chapter One

My phone notifications were going off next to me as I watched the news. My new daily routine as this ongoing pandemic unraveled in front of us.

I grabbed my phone and saw new messages from my dating app. 'Oh what this pandemic has done to me..' i thought time myself. I scrolled through my new messages, most of them, the normal horny boys just trying to hit it and quit.

I have been consistently talking to a man named Jeremy. He was different than most of the guys on all of the dating apps. We had actual conversations which was different than most of my other messages. We have been talking nonstop for about a month now and I can't wait to get to meet him, eventually when we're not under lockdown that is.

I turned the news off and just decided to turn something from Netflix on. I walked around my small apartment picking up the little clutter left behind from dinner I had the night before.

I grabbed my laptop and set it on my table determined to get something done, even if it was a little task. I pulled up my to do list, which was longer than my month old acrylics. YIKES.

To Do:
- dog food
- call landlord
- get pipes fixed
- get front door fixed

That was just the first page.. but the most important. I feel so unsafe in my new apartment. My front door doesn't lock, the doorknob latches, but you can just push the door open when it's closed. Let's just say I sleep with one eye open and a hammer under my pillow.

My phone started ringing from upstairs. I knew it was my mom, 2:00 right on time. She calls everyday just to make sure I haven't gotten the virus and to see if I need anything.

"Hi mom" I said after running up the stairs to answer the phone. I think she would go crazy if I didn't answer on the first call.

"Hey Lexie, are you alright? Are you feeling okay? Do you need anything" she bombarded me with questions and I just laughed into the phone.

"Yes mom I'm alright. How are you doing?"

"I don't know honey, your dad isn't feeling too well. I'm starting to get really nervous. I think we're going to go get him tested today." Her tone of voice changed after getting into a much serious topic. My heart sped up, but I tried not to think too much into it.

"I'm sure he's fine momma. Look I gotta go, I'm going to try to tackle my to do list today. I love you please keep me updated" we said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone.

I dialed my landlords number and she answered after I few rings. I told her about my broken door, but she said it wasn't an "emergency" so she can't have anyone sent to fix it until the pandemic slows down a little bit. Great, looks like I have to figure out how to fix the door myself.

I sighed as I also needed to go pick up dog food and now figure out what nails I need to get to fix this damn door. I put my shoes on and made sure to grab my mask, I would hate to not be able to walk into the store without putting this small piece of cotton around my face.

I pulled up to my favorite discount store Roses and put on my mask. I wanted this to be a fast trip because were supposed to limit travel and everything but I swear this store is more packed now with this pandemic than it was before lockdown.

I went to grab a bag of dog food as another hand reached for it as well.

"Oh go ahead, I'm sorry." I said as I backed away trying to maintain the six feet rule. I looked up and my eyes met a homely looking man. Long messy brown hair, he was wearing a very worn flannel and a pair of black gloves with the fingertips cut off. His jeans were also very worn, paint splatters all over and holes everywhere. He looked very familiar but I couldn't think of where I saw him before.

He grabbed the bag of dog food and walked away, not saying one word. I shrugged it off and grabbed the next bag and continued my way through the store. I grabbed the few other items I needed and made my way to the front.

As I was walking up to the cashier I noticed the same bag of dog food sitting in the middle of the floor. Maybe he just changed his mind.