57 Vernon 0.1

/Canada/

The café was busy as usual. Many students and people my age would spend their evening in coffee shops to catch up on their projects or for mere chitchats. It was 20 minutes before the end of my shift, but I was dreading the bus ride home. I shared a house with 3 other girls who went to different schools as me. One of them was my co-worker at the café.

One of them rarely leaves the house and would spend most of her time sulking about on the living room couch alone or with her boyfriend. And the last housemate was a girl from my hometown. Unfortunately, I didn't get to spend much time with her as our schedules clashed with each other.

Tomorrow is her birthday. My housemates and I were planning to bake her favorite cake after work. This was mostly the reason I dreaded going home today. They were not the most cooperative and functional teammates. Not to mention how unprepared and uncoordinated they could be.

"Oh, look at the time! You can go home now, Zelda!" said my co-worker and housemate, Taylor.

"I thought you were coming home with me. We need to bake Cathy's birthday cake, remember? We were supposed to surprise her at 12AM," I reminded.

"Relax, I will. I just, err, have more things to do here. Go on ahead. Zack can drive me home," she looked at our co-worker at the cashier.

"Yeah, sure. I'll drive you home after we close up," he smiled politely.

Taylor had had a crush on the insensitive and austere upperclassman. He used to be my senior in college, but he graduated last month and had been working with us ever since. I heard that he was applying to some startup companies to work as a graphic designer. I hope my fate wouldn't be as bleak as his. I still had a year to go until I earn my degree, while Taylor just started her first year in mass communication.

"Okay, I'll leave you guys to it then."

I changed out of my uniform and let my wavy hair down from a bun. It must have been about 4℃ when I stepped out of the cozy auburn café. Gentle wind got my long hair brushing up against my face. I could feel the chills under my lilac sweater and black toque. I was making my way to the bus stop when I felt my phone vibrated in my jeans' pocket.

Lily-CA: Hey, Zelda! Wya?

Zelda08: Hey, omw home. Tay's stalling. Sup?

Lily-CA: So, like, we need more eggs for the cake

Zelda08: I thought we just bought some?

Lily-CA: Yea, but my BF came over and we kinda used half of it for a vid he was making. Pls??? I'll pay u back this time. I swear.

Zelda08: Why can't u go? I'm omw to the bus stop

Lily-CA: Well, Eric is still here. I can't just leave him here alone. Pls? I'll do that morning assembly for you as a bonus.

Zelda08: Fine, but ur making the whole Powerpoint urself.

Lily-CA: Thxxxx. Ur a lifesaver. Luv u! (Can u get me some Hershey's too)

What is wrong with that girl? Couldn't she have taken some responsibility for once? The nerve! Thankfully, there was a small supermarket just a block away from the bus stop and the next bus wouldn't be there for another half an hour.

The supermarket was way brighter compared to the dimming sky outside. I made my way to the poultry aisle and grabbed 2 cartons of a dozen eggs. The confectionery aisle had a huge sale going on and I decided to buy myself some sweet snacks for my midnight cravings.

The self-checkout counters were closed and only one other counter was open. An old lady and a young man queued before me. Both of them had less than ten items. It shouldn't take long, I thought to myself. If only I knew what was about to happen.

"Excuse me, why does the bread cost me $5.50? It said 2 for $6!" the old lady exclaimed.

"Well, ma'am. It is 2 for $6," the cashier tried to stay calm.

"Then how come you're charging me so much for one?" she got increasingly impatient.

"1 loaf would still have the original price of $5.50," the poor girl explained.

"That makes no sense! I should only be paying half! Call your manager!"

"Ma'am, I'm sorry. But that's the way the promo works. And I am the manager."

"You should do something about this then! I'm not paying $5.50 for one loaf!"

"You could buy 2 for $6? It would be cheaper," she tried to smile.

"What am I supposed to do with another loaf? Can't you just give me a discount?"

The argument went on for another five or so minutes. The elderly's voice started to steadily get louder and more irritating. The conversation was clearly going nowhere. On the cashier's defense, she did try to ask her to move aside or just leave.

I was losing my patience listening to the incoherent grumbling. I could tell the guy in front of me had somewhere to be as he frantically text and checked his transport app. I couldn't help but checked on my bus's schedule.

"F*ck! It's arriving in 5 minutes!" I whispered to myself.

And that was it. The stranger in front of me snapped and slammed a $20 bill on the counter.

"Here! Take your groceries and leave. We don't got all day," he said sternly.