Ivan left the small room behind the rest of the group, passing the poorly made, hand done sign on his way out reading "Depression Support Group". The familiar hallways were known like the back of his hand. 'Two lefts and a right, then straight out the doors.' Ivan thought as he walked. He walked past the nurses that smiled as he passed, likely knowing his admission a couple months prior, the metal detector that caught him on his way out continually, and the metal doors keeping the outside, out.
Ivan's trench coat and coat flowed behind him every step until he reached his car. The car automatically locked when started, the radio blasting music and the heat turning on to compensate the almost freezing whether outside. "A little piece of home on the road." Kat had called it.
Ivan got out a pocket note-pad and pen, crossing off 'support group' from the list. Behind it were, in order: shower, cash check, post office. Afterward he had written 'shopping center'. 'Oh yeah... milk.' He put the car into drive and headed in the direction.
Watching the cars go by was soothing. A quick flash of color against the cold, gray asphalt. The people on the sidewalk, however. All he could see was Frances, and keeping his eyes on the road was all he could do. 'Just get to the center then get home. There's a movie on soon anyway.' he thought as he made his venture.
Ivan arrived at the shopping center, quickly locking his sedan's doors, and making his way inside. He pulled out his note-pad again and drew to another page. "Alright... milk, beef, some cake mix... I wanted cake this morning?" He said aloud to himself as he walked. Once inside, he grabbed a carrier basket as he walked past and made his way quickly through the store for his items.
Ivan stood and pondered the cake mixes. Red velvet, chocolate, angel food... so many choices. A young Asian man appeared beside him. Ivan's heart started with surprise, but soon slowed. He seemed to be making the same decision. His long black hair tied back and his long red sleeves suggested a unique fashion sense, one that Ivan wanted to know more about.
"Can I help you?" Ivan asked, not showing his nerves. The man stood for a second, as if thinking of words. "I want a cake... or something sweet... doesn't matter what, just something easy to make that tastes good." The man spoke with an accent, definitely placing his birth somewhere in Asia. A dragon head snaking onto his neck from below his shirt suggested China.
"Is there anyway I can help you with that?" Ivan asked curiously, a new mission being placed in his head. "Hmmmm..." the man said, seemingly in deep thought. "How about..." he began "... you pick one out, then we both go to my house to make it."
Ivan stood there, confused. Was he being... flirted with? "I'm... sorry?" Ivan asked nervously. "Did I stutter?" the man asked. Ivan thought about this. He was definitely cute... straight forward too. Ivan liked this. "O... Okay." Ivan said, grabbing a random box from the shelf. "But change it to my place. There's a movie I want this cake for."
"Perfect." The man said, nearly missing the 'R'. "I'll follow you then. Meet me out front with your things." He began to walk away. "Oh, my name is Yao by the way." He said, extending his sleeve covered hand.
Ivan looked from where Yao had been to the cake mix in his hand. He had grabbed 'Devil's food'. "Hmmm... this'll need icing. Maybe some sprinkles." Ivan said nearly running to the correct aisle, his face as red as his nations flag.
If anything, Yao could at least get his mind off of Francis. Or perhaps something more.