Teapots

Chapter One.

The small bell attached to the electronic, glass door rang.

Ding, ding. 

"Can I help you?" the tiny old lady at the checkout counter asked. I shake my head, knowing how to navigate the store, and not wanting to really speak with anyone at the moment. i had been to this gas station several times, on my nighttime walks where I wander aimlessly, pondering what to do. I arrive at the freezer section and open the door. Cool air spilled out of the bottom, hitting my ankles harshly. I grabbed a bowl of instant ramen and a bottle of strawberry Raume. As I was reaching out to grab it, the front door rang once more.

Ding!

I looked up from what I'm doing to see a tall, black haired man who looks to be around my age. My eyes darted back to what I was doing as I realized that I recognized who it was. Aspen.He was my childhood best friend. We don't talk anymore after the fight. I snatched the Raume off of the refrigerator shelf, shaking off the thoughts flooding my mind.

 I approach the elderly women at the checkout counter with my items and place them down. She started talking to me but I zone out staring at aspen, examining him. He looked up from what he's doing and stared into my eyes. I froze for a second, taken aback by his gaze. His eyes were emerald green like a glass bottle with a light yellow ring around them. I remember when I was a kid I was always so jealous of them. They haven't changed a bit.

 "That will be 16 dollars sir." I turned my head, remembering where I was"Erm- sorry." I frantically grabbed my wallet from my pocket and opened it. I grabbed a 10 and a five. I looked down at the money in my hands, realizing I had left my debit card at home. "Uhm.." I began to panic. My heart was pounding as i didnt know how to tell her. "I ummm.. I f-forgot my uh.. " I felt my face get red as I fought back tears. "I'll pay for him." I turned around to see aspen standing there with a 20 dollar bill. He set it down on the counter. "Long time no see, Irving" I paused for a moment and looked at him in awe, his voice was a bit different, but recognizable as his inner child could be present. "I need.. to get back home." I grabbed my purchases and walked out of the store awkwardly. He stood at the glass door, watching me leave while not moving. I pulled up my hood on my raincoat as it began to pour. Each step I took felt like my body was slowly drooping down. I felt unusually dizzy and tired. I kept pushing through until I couldn't take it anymore and collapsed to the ground, scraping my elbow. "Ow.."

I rubbed my arm while blinking slowly. My legs wobbled as I tried to get up but fell. I grunted as I leveled back down onto my knees, my pants soaked from the rain. "Irving richardson." I heard a distant voice call from behind me. I hate that name. hearing it disgusts me. Who would even name their kid that? It's so stupid...