Life After Life

•C h a p t e r T h i r t y - N i n e•

I shoved my helmet into the compartment in my motorcycle, next to the hot pink one. My lips curled into a smirk when I remembered Liam in it a couple weeks before. I'd parked my bike on the side of the street, in front of a mini van.

I was in a more run down part of the city, filled with old apartment buildings and a couple small shops and grocery stores.

It was a calm Saturday morning and my parents were both out with some of their business associates, including Liam's parents. I'd also specifically told them I'd be busy so I didn't have to join them. Jackson of course was still asleep.

Neither of us had actually told our parents that we were together yet. It was on the list of things to do, but it was also the task that was put off the most.

Stuffing my keys into my bag, I began making my way down the street. I tucked my hands into the pockets of my joggers, glancing into the window of a random store.

My feet stopped when I caught sight of a small keychain on display at the window. It was a wooden surfboard.

I didn't even need to think as I stepped into the store, pushing the door open with a creak. Bells hanging on the doorframe sounded loudly from above my head. I was immediately assaulted with a musty scent as I walked further into the store, towards the keychain.

It was a small shop. With a few shelves filled with Los Angeles souvenirs and odd toys for children. An old woman with greying hair sat behind a desk near the door just a foot away from me, immersed in a book.

She finally looked up at me, offering me a small smile, "Hello there."

I gave her a nod as I clasped my hand around the surfboard keychain. It was wooden and striped, alternating dark and light strips of wood. A little crescent moon was engraved in the front of it. It was simple, but beautiful, and it was just like Liam.

"I'll take this," I said to the woman. I placed the keychain onto the desk.

She beamed, the corners of her eyes crinkling as I fished around in my bag for the ten dollar bill that had been laying around for a month or so. Finally, I fished it out, placing it onto the table.

"You can keep the change," my lips twitched up as I picked the keychain up again.

"Thank you, dear," she croaked, her wrinkled fingers curling around the bill. I hurried out of the shop and the cool morning air brushed past me, carding through my hair.

My phone buzzed in my purse, the screen lighting up Liam's name and his photo. It was a photo I'd snapped of him unexpectedly. His mouth was full from a cheeseburger we had gone out for at McDonald's, his eyes wide in surprise.

I fished my phone out of my bag, sliding to answer the call, "Hey you, what's up?"

"Nothing much, but since both our parents are busy, we should go out," Liam said from over the line. I chuckled, liking the sound of that idea.

"I can't Liam, remember I'm volunteering at the soup kitchen," I reminded him as I pushed open the door with a hand, stepping into the kitchen.

"Oh right," Liam said, groaning.

"You can find something to do by yourself," I chortled. The kitchen was still empty since it was not yet open for people. The tables were all set up, with a large stainless steel counter near the back where the food would be handed out. The food was still brewing inside the kitchen.

"I know what I can do," Liam snapped my attention back to the phone. "Do they have an extra hairnet?"

"What?" I choked out, my eyes widening.