Flytrap

Chapter Two

I wake up in a fluster thinking I was going to be late for school until the realization settled in that it's Saturday. Flipping my pillow, now calmed, the cool silk provides a new morning comfort against my cheek. "Mmmmm." Mid-stretch, a notification lights up the fully charged phone beside me, catching my attention. Rolling over to swipe my passcode, it displays one new message.

Look at me, miss popular. I open my phone to read it.

From mom

Oh. Well no so popular then. How bleak. I roll my eyes opening the impending request:

Already left for work. I won't be back until around 3. Please go to the store and get some food for dinner tonight. List is on the counter.

Well I couldn't hope for much better, could I?

Noting the phone time display of 8:27 the screen closes with the press of a button and my hand reaches to set it back on the nightstand. Sheets flutter to the side, revealing my chubby figure dressed in black short shorts and a blue tank. I touch my feet to the ground and grudge my zombie self to the bathroom- walking off last nights sleep.

A yawn escapes my throat before the untouched cold of the toilet seat wakes me enough to engage in the mandatory morning bladder relief. I think I'll get the shopping out of the way early so I can enjoy the day a little more later. I nod to myself. Shower, brush teeth, get dressed, grab list, head out. My body lifts off the seat and sets off to accomplish the mundane tasks in a robot-like manner.

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List

Chicken
Cream of Chicken
Rotel
Velveeta
Doritos (Ranch Style)
Shredded Cheese

Sounds like Mexican Chicken tonight! One of my favorites! I hastily grab the list and head to the door before a wrenching hunger cramps my stomach, resulting in a bubbling gurgle. My feet stop walking as my hand lifts to my tummy, rubbing it hungrily. The Barista opens early in the morning I think maybe I have enough cash to grab a quick snack.

After a quick rummage through my wallet, the results are an accumulated 12 dollars and 64 cents- enough for an iced mocha and maybe some nutella/banana bread if Tony let me help out around the shop for extra cash. With thoughts in line, I continue through the door and deadbolt the lock closed behind me.

Cars zoom by on my way down the sidewalk. Honks and road rage play as the cities "nature" calls of morning time. It's a good thing that music accompanies me everywhere I go. I never leave the house without a pair of emergency headphones wadded up in my pocket.

I reach my hand down the right pocket of my shorts, tangling my fingers in the strings of the earbuds wires. Pulling them out, I work on the randomized knots until they dangle without a kink. Sticking them in my ear, I pull out my phone and cruise the endless titles of downloaded songs, settling on the shuffle option.

"Diary" by Alicia Keys starts to play. Ooh, oldies! That's where the good feels are! The noise of outside is drowned out and is overcome with soft soul calming piano. Looking at the sidewalk in front of me, I turn right and hum along with a verse: