1.

Past. Still Wednesday, 17:02

Ally

My face dulled as I counted my change, grudge showing on the premature lines on my forehead. I licked the inside of my cheek in an attempt to subdue the still festering anger in me because of a confrontation at GG. A confrontation that resulted in the cashier maniacally yelling at me, calling me a "lying, little whore!"

Before you come after me, I most definitely am not a Karen. I don't want to speak to any manager unless necessary, making up some constitutional right, and I believe that the whole "The customer is always right" policy's total nonsense. But I'm not one to not call out people's bullshit either.

The thing was that GG's only cashier, Ed what's-his-name, has a very playful mind that implements his personal policies. He hasn't done it just to me but to almost everyone he thought was naïve enough to speak up. There've been complaints but he still stuck around the store. And honestly, I don't know what "tax" sums up to an extra $7 and not be on the receipt. Not everyone's crazy rich, you know?

I struggled to balance the paper bag on my right arm as I tucked the change into my purse.

Someone then bumped into me with a force that almost caused my grocery to spill on Mayson Field's red-bricked sidewalk. I snapped my head to my right, ready to bark. However, confusion hit me like a bus when the guy cowered back into the alley he was just in, falling on some poor potted plants in the process.

I also didn't like that blood was trailing down his nose and how he looked like... someone I knew.

"Glu Willow?" I called.

He immediately looked away, his cheek a shade of red.

"Holy shit, do you need some help?" I squatted so I could check his soon-to-be bruises better. "You look like almost died or something."

Glu wheezed yet said nothing.

"Are you okay?" I asked again, "Glu?" Yes, I was annoying.

"Do I look okay, Ally?" He finally said with a wavering voice, though he still didn't dare meet my eyes.

"You think you do?" I answered without thinking, regretting as I realized how insensitive I must've sounded.

I fell silent.

Should I... take that back and tell him he looked flawless?

Ugh, I don't know!

Words would get us nowhere. Hell, it would get me nowhere. Glu had a right to act like he was because of what happened to him. While my remarks were totally uncalled for and hurtful, I wanted to somehow get him back. He needed help. And I might not be the best source of it but I was willing to, though I could only hope that he accepts it after what I said.

Kneeling beside Glu, I let my groceries down. I wrapped an arm around his shoulder and urged him to rest his head onto mine. His breathing hitched and not soon enough, waterworks were on.

Who would do such a thing? Glu Willow was literally one of the sunshine people I knew in school. We weren't that close but we did hang out a few times. We even have the same Math and English Lit class among others. He was friends with a few popular people too and I thought that would save anyone from things like this. And c'mon, he even was sorta popular because he was the school's male vocal powerhouse by some unspoken agreement.

Not knowing exactly how to react, I gave small awkward pats on his back. "Geez, Glu, be careful with the tears. My shirt's drowning in it."

Very delicately, he straightened himself. Wiping his eyes with one scraped palm, he muttered his gratitude. As expected, he then winced, replacing his thanks with curt curses.

I chuckled.

"Uhm, d'you wanna get some ice cream?"

"Me?" he replied meekly. Glu was more or less alarmed at my reaction; with good reason, of course.

"No, I was talking to the wall. Obviously, it's you, duh." When I stood up, I waved a hand as if warding off the remaining tension that was upon us, before extending it to him. "Come on, Glu, I gotta be home before six, and you should seriously get cleaned up. And the food's on me, so no worries."

Glu looked skeptical. I bet your bottom dollar he was balancing me.

It took a while before the anxiety of him declining departed. But the moment, he took my hand, I somehow knew that our acquaintance bond became something else. Something more and much, much stronger.