"If someone spills milk and sugar on me, I'd be a complete snack."

2024

AFTER A WEEK, OR MAYBE a month, I started getting back on my feet. It didn't take long to get used to the way of the twenty-first century. It's only been two years, and nothing much has changed, but at the same time, so much has changed, especially in the family.

Dad was no longer around. Mom couldn't decide if it was a good or bad thing as she could finally be in peace, though now, she's a single mom raising Valerie. Juggling between her job and her responsibilities as a mother, she has a lot on her plate, especially with Victoria and Maximus having their own lives away from Seattle.

When I turned sixteen, I planned to move out of Seattle when the time was right. I define right as in, I'm finally stable in life. I got a good job, a loving partner, a studio apartment where my pay could cover the rent with no trouble, and of course, happiness. I yearn to be happy, and I always thought that leaving home to build my own was the key to happiness, but then throughout my days as Zelus, I realized that no matter where I go, unfinished problems will always linger on my tail. They don't just disappear. If they did, the world would've been so much better.

I decided to stay in Seattle, and even someday, when I do find happiness—or the right word would be, if I find happiness— I'll get a place nearby home. Whenever mom needs me, I'll only be minutes away. She's strong, physically and mentally. She's put up with dad since marriage, but even the strongest person will sometimes feel weak, and on days when she feels like that, I'll be there for her. Both mom and Valerie.

I guess it was foolish—or an unrealistic expectation—to think that my college would wait for me. I failed the current semester, and they released me after the fourth month since I fell into a coma. And I don't blame them. After all, life goes on. The sun will continue to rise, with or without me.

Restarting college with a new course had been circling my thoughts since I do not own any solid paper to prove to society that I'm not dumb. However, thinking that I'll have to repeat my educational journey once more completely drains the life out of me. The days of staying up late for an assignment, the constant fear and anticipation of waiting for my test results, or putting up with asshole lecturers and classmates are over. I'm already twenty-seven; time isn't on my side anymore. There are so many things I need to catch up in life, trials and tribulations, pain, sorrow, delight, love. Many.

Life begins now. And it doesn't start with college. At least, not again.

...

One of the many downfalls of living in the city is that finding jobs that are even considered good for you is never easy. Unlike the countryside, where things are tough but not deadly, the city holds high expectations for its workers.

I didn't know what I wanted to do. Even from the beginning, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I was certain I wouldn't make it after Alex was gone, but here I am. I guess this is what they meant when they said, life is unexpected.

It's been a week, and I still can't find a job. Most jobs require at least a degree in a specific course, and of course, I do not have any qualifications that'll attract the attention of any employers. I tried applying for a receptionist, a clerk, and even a barista at the local Starbucks that's only a minute's walk from home. Rejection was all I had in return.

I needed a break, and I offered to help mom out with the weekly grocery shopping.

It was past lunchtime, the best time to do any shopping as the lunch crowd had settled down. I drove down to Trader Joe's, where she always does her shopping. Apparently, she claims that the prices are acceptable compared to other stores.

I parked the car at the parking spot and approached the entrance, picking up a basket and walking in. Given the rainy weather, the inside is colder, with the air conditioning at its highest, or at least I think it is. I'm grateful to have worn a hoodie.

...

I moved to the last aisle, where they kept the baking supplies. Mom wanted a bag of cocoa powder and three servings of cooking chocolate. She had recently got into baking as a pastime hobby, and given that tomorrow's the weekend, she's going to spend the night baking brownies. I just hope it's not me who's going to taste it because her previous creations-- burnt raspberry muffins and a six-pound sugar banana cake, or I'd call it, diabetes-- was a disaster.

I referred to the brand of cocoa she had forwarded to me via messages this morning. It's sitting right above me, perhaps at a height where I'd have to stand on my toes. Upon confirming it was the right brand, I attempt reaching for it. At first, my fingers could only drag against the bag's surface. Realizing how stupid I looked from my imagination, I looked left and right, checking if anyone was around to help.

None.

I then began jumping. On my fourth attempt, I succeeded, and the moment I pulled it off the shelf, it was too late to stop the bag behind it from falling together. I embraced for a mess to be splattered on the floor, but instead, someone's hand landed on my shoulder, nudging me to the side, and that's when my eyes shot open.

A guy with short chestnut-brown hair. Bristly crescent-of-moon eyebrows emphasized his hazel eyes. His sharp nose perfectly compliments his jawline. His shoulders were not too broad as he wore a loose tank top with black jeans and matching Converse sneakers.

In his hand was the bag of cocoa that had nearly exploded over me.

"If I had missed, you'd be covered in this stuff," he took his hand back from my shoulder and kept the extra cocoa back. He reached it with only slight effort, which proves even further that I'll forever be the shortest guy among the male population.

"If someone spills milk and sugar on me, I'd be a complete snack," I joke, and he laughs.

He actually laughed.

"Sorry about that," I kept my bag in the basket. "I thought I could reach it instead of looking stupid by using a stool."

"It's alright," his row of pearly whites flashes. "It's a good thing I came here on time."

"Are you looking for something?" I ask.

He reaches to his side, picking up a bottle of lavender-flavored essence.

"This," he raises it in front of us before placing it into his basket. "Anyways, would you need more of those? Or anything else that I could get for you?"

I sensed he was teasing me about my height, but in a very non-sensitive and funny way.

"No thanks," I said. "I only needed this."

He smiles sideways, which made me smile for some reason.

"Cool," he says, nodding as he begins walking. "See you around."

He walked past me.

"You too."