Love Ft Sodas

"That's the last of it," I mumble to myself, dropping the hand luggage I held onto the floor of my new bedroom.

"Can you come help me with this?" My sister called out from the living room.

I walked out of my room and saw her struggling under the weight of a large wooden easel. I shook my head and helped her move it to her own room.

"Did you really have to bring this along? You could've just gotten a new one here." We set it down on the floor in a corner of the empty room, and she placed a hand on the top of the wood.

"It was too tempting not to. Besides, since I already had it, it would've been a waste not bringing it," she said with a shrug.

I rolled my eyes as she marveled at the easel and trudged back to my room to start unpacking.

I never expected myself to travel hundreds of miles across the earth to begin a new life. I actually liked my life, my friends, everything I was used to.

America isn't that far off from Canada, but you get the gist.

Things happened so quickly in only a month that gave my life a whole 180. School starts for me this winter, that's why it was important for us to move here as fast as we could.

Though here isn't exactly where I wanted to be.

"I don't think I can unpack everything right now."

The exhaustion from the events of the past month started seeping in. I slid down the side of the bed frame to the floor. My outstretched leg hit my suitcase and caused it to slowly roll a few feet away from me.

I yawned and blinked slowly. I was starting to feel sleepy. I was one step away from fully immersing into the dreamworld when I heard one knock before the door flung open. My eyes flew open in shock and focused on my sister's frame.

"Mom asked us to get a few things we need. This house has nothing at all." My sister shook the dollar bills in her hand- the American ones.

I suppressed a groan and plucked myself off the floor.

I really wanted to sleep.

"Did she go somewhere?" I asked her while rubbing my right eye with a hand.

"Yeah. She left with Jo to sort out some documents."

Jo is my older brother. Sasha's my older sister- the oldest out of the three of us. I'm the youngest.

Yup. It's just my mom and the three of us that moved here. My dad...well, that's a story for another day.

"Where are we gonna get them? Can't we just order takeout or something?"

Maybe I could stay home after all.

"I think there's a store in the neighborhood. It's within walking distance. We can get the stuff we need for now from there. Mom doesn't like us getting takeout, remember?"

Or not.

I heaved a long sigh and walked past her into the living room, opening the front door.

I was unable to fall asleep on the plane; as was the case for me whenever I was traveling somewhere. My body gets too excited that it can't shut down. But now the excitement has worn off, leaving lethargy in its place.

I mean, traveling is always exciting even if it's to a place you dislike.

We'd been walking for a total of five minutes which felt like five hours to me when Sasha suddenly said, pointing her finger to something,

"I think that's it."

"Seven-Eleven." I read the sign, inspecting the orange, green, and red colors.

We pushed the glass door open, and I picked up a basket from the pile. "What are we getting?" I asked Sasha in a low tone.

"Things we need for dinner and maybe a few toiletries. We can head to Target tomorrow to get the major stuff we need."

I slowly nodded and began thinking of an easy meal to make.

"How about pasta? The creamy, cheesy one with bacon?" I suggested, grabbing two packs of pasta off the shelf we stood in front of.

"Sounds good. You get that. I'll go get some toilet paper and soap." Sasha walked out of the aisle we were in and moved to another.

The store wasn't exactly big, but it wasn't small either. It held a majority of snacks and finger foods, but it also had a few of the things you'd see in a supermarket.

I dropped the packets into the basket and walked over to another aisle where cheese packets were displayed. I tossed in all the necessary items and eyed the basket in my hand.

I moved toward the shelf that held some body soap but didn't see a trace of Sasha. I examined the various brands of soap, and a fancy-looking red one caught my eye, so I reached for it.

It was at the very top of the shelf, and so I stood on my toes in an attempt to reach it, like that helped.

My pride rejected the idea of me asking for help from the cashier. I wasn't in the mood for human interaction.

A middle-aged lady passed by me, and I planted my feet back on the floor smiling awkwardly and nodding at her in greeting. She returned the smile and sauntered away carrying a full basket.

I was not going to give up.

I tiptoed again and stretched my hand, my fingers almost touching the bottle but not quite.

I was about to give up and go home frustrated when a long hand reached for the bottle and picked it up from the shelf.

I quickly turned around to see the person that helped me out. I hope it wasn't the cashier guy. I was really avoiding that.

The person had a black hoodie on with no staff jacket, so I tilted my head upward to meet their eyes.

It was a guy. His eyes were dark brown, almost black, and his long, wavy hair covered the sides of his face as he looked down at me. He took a step back, and I got a better view of him.

I don't think I've ever seen a prettier guy in my life.

He had thin eyebrows, doe eyes, and pink cherry lips. His long hair added to his feminine appearance and his overall beauty.

I stopped gaping shamelessly at him and placed a small smile on my face. "Thank you."

He stretched the bottle towards me. I tried taking it from him, but he retracted it back, leaving me confused.

"Uh..?"

He stared at me for a few seconds before saying, "This doesn't smell very good."

"Really?" I asked, glancing between the flashy bottle and the stranger. It didn't look like it would smell bad.

"Don't let the fancy-ness deceive you. It's not only human looks that deceive." He shook the bottle, with his hand, and I heard it slosh rigorously.

I winced at the sound and he stopped the shaking. "I'm guessing you don't like that consistency."

I shook my head quickly. "I'll pass."

He placed the bottle back in its rightful position, and I briefly caught the black ink designs on his fingers, underneath his black rings.

"I'm...uh...not really familiar with these products, but it seems like you are. Do you mind helping a girl out?" He placed his hands into his hoodie pockets, the handles of his basket resting in the crook of his elbow.

He gave a small nod and said, "It can get difficult choosing good brands when faced with many options."

I let out a sigh and shook my head. "I haven't heard of half the brands on this shelf."

I looked back up at the guy who silently observed me and walked away from the shelf, leaving more space between the two of us.

"I'm Luna." I held my hand out, giving a proper introduction.

He removed a hand from his pocket and took mine, shaking it firmly. "I'm Mac."

"Nice to meet you, Mac," I said with a smile, and he released my hand.

"Likewise, Luna."

"Luna." Someone called from behind me, and I looked back to see Sasha walking towards me with a shopping basket in hand, filled with different kinds of soaps and toilet paper.

"It seems you've gotten everything we need.” I turned to face her.

"Yeah, I did. Did you get everything?" She asked and I nodded in response.

Sasha peered over my shoulder, and I remembered I was conversing with someone else before she appeared.

"Oh, right. This is Mac. He gave me some advice on these products." I glanced at the guy who stood in place and looked back at her.

"Mac, this is my sister, Sasha." I introduced.

They just smiled at each other without saying anything. It was starting to get awkward quickly, so I gripped the handles of my basket tighter and faced Mac.

"Look at the time. Well, we have to get going. Thanks again for your help, Mac." I ended the conversation with a smile, gaping at his beautiful face for a few more seconds before walking out of the aisle with Sasha by my side, not waiting to hear his response.

"It's not like you to make conversation with a random stranger." Sasha pointed out.

It's true. I'm not the kind to talk to someone like that and even give out my name. I guess I was caught off guard by his face and that made me chatty.

"I guess I was a little out of it."