Trading Heartbeats
Chapter 4 - Fate
It was now 12:02 pm by the time Brittany had glanced up at the clock once more. Remembering that she hadn't eaten since last night (her stomach growling would serve as a good hint), she grudgingly rose to her feet and trudged toward the kitchen. Peering into the cupboards, she found no traces of food or anything to drink. Perfect, she thought. She made her way to the bathroom of her apartment. There, she showered and changed into jean shorts, a dark purple ruffled blouse and flip flops - attire most suitable for grocery shopping. Making sure that every strand of hair had been in its proper place, she half-smiled at her appearance, picked up her purse and headed back into Khaila and Amelia's apartment. "Khaila," she called as she re-entered the apartment looking around for the car keys.
A faint voice from somewhere in the bedroom called back, "Yes?"
"Where are your keys," Brittany asked once more as she lifted up book after book looking around for them. By now, Khaila had rolled herself out of bed and walked, dragging her feet, towards Brittany. Dropping the keys in the palm of Brittany's hand, Khaila departed the room once more without a word. Brittany watched Khaila drag her feet all the way into her room and shook her head. My friends, she thought as she left the apartment building and slid into Sonelle's vehicle.
In 40 - 45 minutes, Brittany had parked in the parking lot of the supermarket, Wyde Market, and stepped out of the vehicle. After making sure her door was locked, Brittany walked purposely inside the supermarket. Picking up a basket, she headed down aisle after aisle looking for something delectable. Moments passed and the only thing Brittany had had in her basket was a box of Lucky Charms cereal. Surely, that wasn't enough. Despite having a flat stomach, Brittany did enjoy food, and lots of it.
Moving along to the next aisle, Brittany solely stared at the shelves half-reading what they said and gliding along. Suddenly, Brittany had collided with something that sent her tumbling back; however, she managed to keep her footing. As Brittany looked up at the person to apologize, her cheeks turned a scarlet red colour. Standing before her, with his hair and beard fixed into a scruff-like manner, was a grocery shopping Justin Gabriel. Stooping down to pick up the items that had fell out of his basket, Justin looked up at her and smiled.
"I-I'm so sorry," she stuttered as she stood there stunned. Justin chuckled and shook his head.
"Don't worry about it," he said with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. At this, Brittany couldn't help but smile. "It happens," he shrugged. Brittany chuckled a bit. "So, is that all you're getting," Justin asked referencing the sole box of cereal she carried in her basket.
Brittany looked down at it then back up at him. "Not exactly," she began, "I'm still looking." Justin nodded. Brittany took the opportunity, then, to look into his basket. There, in his basket, lay several types of cookies, crackers, two packs of bread, a jar of marmalade and a jar of peanut butter. Brittany giggled a bit. "And the peanut butter," she asked.
"Oh," Justin began with a slight chuckle, "Heath wanted me to get him some. Personally," he said in a hushed tone, "I'm not too keen on that stuff." Brittany nodded and muttered a small 'me either'. About a minute had past before Justin had begun again, "Would you mind if we checked these things through and had a brunch - just the two of us?" Brittany stood there mesmerized … and in some way, petrified. Had Justin just asked her what she thought he had?
"Sure; I-I mean, no, not at all," she answered with a nervous smile. Justin shot a smirk at her before escorting her towards the cashier. Apparently, Brittany's search of food had just ended; however, under the circumstances of which it ended, she made no complaints. Justin took his place in line right beside Brittany and even this - just his presence - sent a shiver down her back. As they stepped up to the cashier, Justin placed his hand in the middle of Brittany's back and stretched a hand over hers, stopping her attempt from reaching her wallet.
Bringing his head nearer to hers, he whispered softly into her ear, "I'll pay." Brittany was sure that every organ in her body had stopped its work. Although chills ran through her body one after the other at his words, she couldn't help but feel a warmness inside. As she did the only thing she could've done - nod - Justin withdrew his wallet and quickly paid for both sets of groceries. Brittany looked up at Justin as he looked back down at her. With their eyes meeting, they shared a smile which seemed to last although they'd looked away from each other.
Collecting both bags, Justin lead the way out of the supermarket. "Where's your car," Brittany asked as she looked around the parking lot.
"Oh, it's just Heath in there; don't worry about him. Would you mind if we rode in your car," he asked instead. Brittany giggled at the fact that he was willing to leave Heath here in the middle of the supermarket's parking lot just to have a small brunch with her.
"No problem," she stated as she walked herself over to the car she'd arrived in. Unlocking all the doors, she reached for her door handle. In an instant, Justin had grabbed it and opened the front passenger door for her. Giving him a polite, thank-you nod, Brittany slid in. Justin, in turn, slid into the driver's seat and sped off onto the road. Brittany stared straight ahead at the road that seemed to flash so fast at the way Justin had been driving. "Where are we going," Brittany asked as she looked at Justin who seemed to be focusing on his driving.
Justin glanced at her then at the road and smirked, "It's a surprise." Brittany crossed her arms across her chest letting out a slight 'humph'. "Surprise," she muttered loud enough for Justin to hear. Although she'd felt as if she trusted Justin, she also bore in mind that they'd only met a day before. Where could he possibly be taking her? He merely let out a slight chuckle and proceeded down the street passing one car after the other. Finally, the vehicle stopped. Brittany would've been thrown out her seat, if hadn't been for her seatbelt.
As he made his way around the vehicle, Justin stopped by the trunk taking out the bags of groceries. Brittany peered through her window to catch a glance at exactly where Justin had driven her. Realizing that Justin had purposefully parked in an area surrounded by trees, she gave up trying to look for any clues. Suddenly, the car door opened for Brittany. She cautiously took off her seatbelt and slid herself out of the vehicle. Justin stretched out a hand towards her. Brittany stared hesitantly at it. He chuckled.
"I'm not going to hurt you," he said - his South African accent playing on his speech. Brittany placed her hand in his, and he smiled. Leading her past trees and shrubs, they walked on somewhat of a pier - except, this pier was packed… there were rides and an arena?
"The Navy Pier," she said breathlessly taking it all in. Although having lived and grown up in Chicago, Brittany nor her friends had ever ventured this far. They've, of course, heard stories concerning The Navy Pier. The fun that many had, but they hadn't actually been there - except for Brittany, now. Justin looked at her and grinned with a slight dimple appearing near his cheek. "Surprise," he whispered. Brittany looked around at him and smiled.
"This is incredible," she expressed as she looked around at all the carnival rides. Justin, who had been holding her hand, finally spoke for a second time, "Let's eat." Brittany nodded.
In a matter of minutes, Justin and Brittany had found a lovely spot away from all the madness and chaos of screaming children. There had been a picnic table set up beside the ocean. Taking a seat there, Justin unwrapped their grocery packed food and handed a share to Brittany, who sat directly beside him. As they assembled their peanut butter-less marmalade sandwiches, Brittany finally asked, "How'd you decide?" Taking a bite out of his sandwich first, he looked at her confused. "Where to go," she clarified as she too took a bite out of her sandwich, though not as monstrous as Justin had.
Justin smiled having swallowed down his bite, "It just seemed like the right place to be." Brittany smiled back as she swallowed. "You've honestly never been here before," he asked as his arm inched its way around Brittany. Noticing his attempt, Brittany drew a bit closer and shook her head.
"Never," she responded as she looked around at the crashing waves of the ocean. Without even looking, she could feel a smile sprawl across his face. Looking back at him, she was right. There had indeed been a smile etched upon his face. "I'm glad you brought me out here," she finally stated.
"I'm glad I have the opportunity to know you," he whispered softly in her ear. Brittany's cheeks flushed a vague colour of red. As she leaned her head onto Justin's shoulder, with his arms stretched around her, Brittany couldn't help but feel mystified. As both of them gazed at the crashing ocean waves with the wind blowing through their hair absorbing and resting in the peacefulness of each other's presence, both Brittany and Justin couldn't shake the feeling that despite wherever their lives might take them after that - here, right now on this pier together, is where they belonged.
Meanwhile and during the course of Sonelle meeting Kofi, Cody and Amelia had finally arrived at their destined breakfast place. Amelia, having peered through the window gaped up at the sign that read, 'Breakfast Time'. As Cody opened the door for her, extending his hand to her while he was at it, Amelia blushed a vague pink and placed her hand in his. Taking it with a smirk on his face, Cody helped her out of the vehicle and lead her away inside.
Breakfast Time was a rather small restaurant, but nonetheless cosy. With its red and white booths and its quaint garden tables and chairs, it had a vintage look to it. Amelia gazed at the groups of customers gathered at this place - most had been families with small children, others were couples that seemed to be having awkward first dates or (as she saw a couple passionately lip lock) quite a steamy second. Suddenly, a waitress skated by her wearing a peppermint-coloured apron and work suit. Amelia watched as she delivered the tray of food to the family in the last booth.
As the kids hungrily ate up their pancakes, the parents had shared a sweet kiss feeding each other bits of food. Smiling slightly, Amelia turned away and refocused on where Cody had been leading her. In little to no time, this had been revealed. He'd led her to a booth set up on the other side of the restaurant. As she looked around, however, there wasn't any other booth set up on that side. She suspiciously looked at this booth before seating herself in it.
"Don't worry," Cody said softly a smirk playing on his lips, "it won't bite you." Amelia half-smirked and sat down in the booth. Cody mimicked this action and sat down opposite to her. Amelia continued to look curiously at the booth they'd been sitting on. "They say it was a mistake," Cody spoke seemingly answering her questioning thoughts. "The people who built this place accidentally put an extra booth here. Customers line up to get into this booth specifically."
"Surely something else was to be put here though," Amelia stated trying to fathom why people would want to sit in a mistake. Cody smirked.
"Not necessarily," Cody lead on mysteriously. Amelia smirked at his attempt and pursued.
"There must be a reason why people would fight over a mistake," Amelia persisted. Cody's smile grew a bit bigger.
"There is, but it's quite immaterial - a superstition," he continued. Amelia now fascinated with Cody's storytelling leaned forward a bit like a child wanting to know more. "Supposedly, this booth is supposed to bring good fortune, in the form of love, to whoever sits here," he finished. Amelia looked up at him curiously.
"Do you believe it," she asked leaning back in her seat. Cody shook his head placing his hands over Amelia's that'd been set on the table.
"I believe in something a bit different," Cody answered. Amelia blushed lightly and smiled.
"And what's that," she asked.
With his green/blue eyes seeming to have a slight twinkle in them as he stared into Amelia's, he whispered, "Fate."