Chasing After You

1-Ozone

I stare blankly off into space as I carelessly scan groceries and throw them into plastic bags. This is not how I would like to spend my summer, but It's not like I have anything better to do. I have saved up quite a bit over the summer. 

I lost all my friends at the end of Junior year and I'm not looking forward to going back to school in a week. If I could fly away I would.

Hours go by of scanning groceries. My mind keeps going to school. It's starting soon. I have no idea how I am going to face the people I was once close to. Fake friends seem so much better then being alone with people whispering behind my back. 

I snap out of my thoughts when my eyes look up and land on three boys. They walk past all the registers all on their way to break. I try not to stare, but I can't help it. They have such an aesthetic and I bet they don't even try. 

Everyone knows them, but no one really knows them. They are such a mystery. They don't hang out with anyone but each other. 

All I know about them is that they are in my grade, there are two brothers and their best friend. Mitchel Cave, Clinton Cave, and Christian Anthony. And they sing. I saw them once play at an outdoor bar. I Swear to God I fell in love right there. Everyone knows that they are going to make it big. That is if they can get out of this town first. 

My eyes follow their long strides. I can't tell if it's just me or if they are actually walking in slow motion. And just as slow as their walk, one of them turns and their eyes meet mine. I hold in my breath, almost expecting my heart to explode. My blood freezes and boils at the same time. 

They walk out the store doors. I know exactly where they are going. to their usual spot to smoke. I've seen it many times. I hate that they make something so disgusting look so beautiful.

I'm brought back down to earth when a customer snaps his fingers in my face. I had stopped all scanning. I throw the canned tuna in the bag. "Your total is forty-nine dollars and sixty-seven cents," I say very unpleased to be brought back to reality. 

Another hour goes by before the clock strikes eight O'clock and I turn off my light and take my vest off. I picture myself relaxing in bed and hurry out the back door where my car is parked. I open the back door and my shoulder meets someone else. I look at the shoulder and my gaze reaches Mitchel's eyes. And just like that, I forget to breathe and all other body functions as I stare up at this boy whom I've never spoken to but I've fallen in love with. 

Without a word he passes me and then follows Clinton and Christian. Each one looking at me for not more than a second as they enter to get back to work. 

It takes my body a second for it to start working again. There is no way that people that movie perfect actually exists. 

I hurry to my car. I hate that I got so weak just by their gazes. I take a deep breath before I start my car and drive home.