Bullet Proof - DISCONTINUED

• 5 • TOBIAS

I made chicken. Do you want to join me? Mom. x

I really don't feel like going out today. It's the first Saturday I have off. And my head is throbbing. I may have had one too many drinks last night after Libby. No, because of Libby. I don't understand anything. I thought I had a fair amount of knowledge about the world and after I met Libby my whole world came crashing down. Who was she? This question bothered me the whole night. I couldn't help it.

I sit in my dark living room, rubbing my temples. I never think before I drink. I should because I always feel like rubbish the next day. My phone starts ringing. It's my mother. I happily ignore it. She calls again. And again... And again! I eventually answer it.

"Mom?" I ask.

"Oh there you are! I was about to call Mr Hopkins to ask if you were home!" I roll my eyes. Mr Hopkins is my neighbour. He hates my guts.

"No I'm home," I say.

"Great! Do you want to come for lunch? It's just me and a plate full of delicious chicken," she says.

"Mom-" I start.

"Your favourite!" She adds.

"Cake is my favourite mom, not chicken," I say. I sigh. "Fine."

"Fantastic!" I can hear her smiling.

"Could you bring some salt when you come? I forgot to buy," she says.

"No problem," I say although it's a huge problem. I'm not in the mood. I don't want to go. I want to sit in the dark by myself, thinking about... Things.

"See you soon," she says and hangs up. I mumble. I hate the fact that I still give into her. I just don't want her to be unhappy. I'm about to get up to grab the salt from my kitchen when I realise I only have half a lemon and ketchup in my inventory. I'll have to go to the store. Darn. I get up- my head searing as I do so- and grab my car keys. And a pair of sunglasses so no one can see my bloodshot eyes.

I open the door and leave. The sun burns my eyes. I squint and walk down to the garage. I don't usually use my car since I walk everywhere but I doubt I can mange walking all the way to the store then to my mother's house on the other side of town. I start the engine and reverse out- making sure not to hit Mr Hopkins car which is parked dangerously close to mine.

I stop off at the nearest farmers market and go inside. There's irritating jingles playing over the speakers which is not helping my pounding head. I go to the grocery section and find salt. I grab the nearest packet and stalk to the counters. I don't watch where I'm going and run into someone.

"Hey! Watch it!" The girl says. I look up out of my hungover state to see Libby standing there. Her dark hair is tied into a pony tail and she's not wearing any makeup. She's wearing sweats and a baggy shirt. She even looks beautiful without any effort. What's wrong with me?

"Tobias, right?" She asks amused. "Fancy running into you here."

"It's the only market in town, Libby. I'm more likely to run into you here than at a lingerie shop," I say. She laughs. Her laugh is so beautiful. Tobias concentrate!

"I somehow doubt that," she says and smiles. I manage a small half-smile.

"I haven't seen you smile," she says.

"You haven't know me for that long," I counter. She smiles.

"Hmmm. Good point. I'll have to see you again then," she says confidently. "It would be nice."

"Sure," I say, slightly surprised. She smiles at me.

"See you around Tobias," Libby says. She leans in close. "Oh and by the way, I'm hungover too I just know how to hide it better."

With that, she strolls away, with her groceries in her hand. I watch her after her in amazement.

"Sir! You're going to have to pay for that!" An attendant squeals. I look down at my hand. I've been holding the packet so tightly that I've caused a puncture. Salt pours from the side. Whoops. I grab another packet before heading to the checkout. I fish two dollars out of my pocket and hand it to the lady. She watches me curiously as I leave the store with a trail of salt behind me.