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A Chapter by Kira

Meet Tracy.

Tracy Faye knew she was stressed when she could no longer keep the customers separate in her head. Scanning items at the third lane in Jenning's Supermarket wasn't exactly strenuous, but she was thinking about the Spanish and History homework she'd been assigned that day, and definitely wasn't in the mood. Tracy gave the ceiling a pained look as the six-millionth customer that night pulled out a rubber-banded bundle of clipped coupons, and tried to reassure herself she had only an hour or two before business slackened, and then she might be able to pull out her homework and get something done.

Joey Sandecki, the third lane bagger, shoved a box of macaroni into a bag for the six-millionth time that night. The elderly woman was still counting out coupons at the counter, and he and Tracy exchanged an exasperated glance. They'd been coworkers for a few months now and classmates since sixth grade, and he was worrying about the homework that she was doubtless worrying about. Tracy didn't get off work until ten, which was a bit much for someone practically drowning in AP classes. He shoved a hand through his tousled mess of brown hair and finished bagging the last zucchini.

Tracy gave a sigh of relief when she realized there was nobody else in her lane. She slumped over the counter, tucking a few excaped strands of dark, wispy hair behind her ears.

"What time is it?" came her muffled groan.

Joey pulled out his cell phone and groaned too. "Seven."

She straightened up, once again trying to contain the escaped hair. Most of her long hair was pinned back into a messy bun, but it apparently didn't like to be put up for any amount of time. "Jesus. It seems like it's been--"

She stopped in midsentence and did a familiar little spasm--the phone in her pocket, perpetually set on vibrate, had once again received a text message. Her eyes instantly lit up and her smile stretched wide and she probably broke the record for wrestling the phone out of her pocket and clicking 'ok'.

Joey knew instantly who it was. And he hated the way Lucas could make her smile like that.

"Lucas again?" he asked casually.

"Mmhm," Tracy gushed, already busily texting away. She was lost in her own little daydream.

Joey turned away, trying not to let Tracy see his twisted expression. He only barely registered the harried-looking woman who was being pursued by three shrieking children when she turned into lane three.

He nudged Tracy with his elbow, and she immediately snapped out of her reverie. Stowing her phone regretfully in her pocket, she picked up a can of tomato sauce and gave a small, secret smile.

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