Angie

Angie's footsteps' pace was quick. Ever since that fateful August, she had to keep things to herself and got startled at the faintest sound. She jumped or flinched at the sound of a falling object and shivered at the sound of a creaking door or window. Everywhere she went, it was as if something or someone was following her.

That night of October was no different. She could not stand staying in her house. Gave the excuse to drop by the grocery store to get some fresh air. As she made her turn to the store, she saw her again. Cursing between her breath wishing, she should have never received the cornea if she kept seeing things. Then regretting what she said after.

"Oh my god!" Jumping on her feet after someone tapped her on her shoulder. She turned around and almost bumped into the tall guy right in front of her. Angie looked up, their eyes met, and she immediately recognized the dark brown chestnut eyes, chiseled jaw, and unshaven handsome face across her.

"Angie, it's you."

"Vince?"

"Yes, it's me. Are you alone?" He peered around to check for Helen, Angie's mom.

"Yes. I am here running some errands." She glanced at his empty cart, "I see you haven't started yet. Carry on. I don't want to be a bother."

"That is okay. I am just buying a few things. Are you feeling better now?" His eyes showed concern.

"Yes, thank you. I better get going now."

"Stay safe. See you around." I'd rather not, she muttered between her teeth. Angie pushed her cart away, pulling stuff from the shelves, she didn't even check. Trying to look busy also if she doesn't. When she stopped, she was shocked to see the pile of things she didn't even need. Nonetheless, it was more than she expected. And nearly impossible to carry all by herself.

Vince, on the other hand, grabbed his toiletries, carrots, lettuce, eggs, and beer. After a quick round, he went straight to the counter to check out. Right next to the exit, he found Angie standing next to the door.

He approached her, "Need any help?"

"Yes," biting her lip as she looked at the ground.

"Where do you live?"

" just a few blocks away. It is actually walking distance from here."

"Sure I will help," he bent down, grabbing one of the brown paper bags. "As long as we don't reach the Niagara Falls," he exclaimed.

"Thank you."

"You lead the way," he said. They walked side by side with each other under the cold autumn night. Arms full of grocery items. They were afoot apart careful not to brush each other's arms, silently.

Vince looked at Angie, who was tugging at her jacket, only then that he noticed she was wearing shorts, which is not ideal for the cold weather.

"Are you okay?" He asked. Something he had wanted to ask ever since he met her the previous day.

"Yeah, yeah… It's just cold." She replied as her pace increased, she walked a few steps ahead of him. Vince soon caught up, shocking Angie. He looked at him and realized a 5 foot 4 inches gal could never outdo a 6-foot man, crossing the street, walked another block, then she stopped.

"This is me," reaching out for the other bags as Vince looked at the 3-story house made of bricks perched on a manicured lawn. One look and he could say she was born with a silver spoon. "Thank you again."

"No problem. Anytime," Vince winked as he turned his back from her.

Angie walked towards the entrance. She can't deny the look in Vince's eyes questioning why she went out all of a sudden, barely wearing anything, then seeing where she lived. There's no plausible explanation either, it was a spur-of-the-moment move. "I am home," she shouted, went straight to the kitchen drop the grocery bag. She went up to her room and didn't hear what her mom said.

She opened her room, turned on all the light from the shower, bedroom, walked-in closet, and mini-study. Walking next to the window to check if all of them locked. Her eyes swept around her 30 square meter room satisfied as not a corner was dark. She was tired from shopping, buying things without thinking, and she can just hear her mom's voice asking what-in-the-hell she purchased. Grocery shopping was the least of the things she would do, but it was a welcome distraction. Before long, she was dozing off to dreamland.

"Are you sure you don't want to bring your car though?" Her dad interrupted her. Helen reached out her hand to her husband to let her be until she was ready. They have never forced Angie to do anything that she didn't want to do. Even when they were devastated when she lost her eyesight, they succumb to all her whims. Now, they are happy to see that she's gaining back the life she once lost, one at a time.

"No. I am good, dad."Buzz…

The alarm rang as Angie reached out for her alarm and removed her eye mask. She noticed that all her light has been turned off except for the ones next to her bed. Sunlight streamed to her bedroom, and Angel looked like she had a good night's sleep.

Stretched up, walked to the bathroom for a quick shower, breeze through her closet, and pulled out a red flowing dress. Angie went down and saw her mom and dad on the breakfast nook with the morning routine.

"Good morning," she smiled, kissing her dad, whose eyes were fixed on the newspaper and her mom behind the kitchen counter.

"Good morning," Mr. Hernandez peered from the newspaper, "I am glad you are back on toes, my love." He smiled, his eyes swept from head to toe, admiring how Angie had fixed herself up.

"Oh, my beautiful abuella. Good morning," her mom joined them on the breakfast nook handing her fresh fruits and tea. "I see you bought a few things last night." Looking at her with questioning eyes.

"You're welcome, mom. I did that for a change, and don't worry, I am feeling better now," she smiled and winked at her mom.

"I can see that."

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