Page 18 of The Not So Super Hero
Oh, Bailey felt that childish urge again, but that time, he wanted to kick the bucket over.However, he was an adult who opted to stick his tongue out instead.Zane rolled his eyes, cleaned up the footprint, then headed for the exit.
“Wait, are you still working in here?”Bailey asked, gesturing to the few cleaning supplies on the counter.“I won’t bug you again, I promise.I just came in to make some mac and cheese.”
Bailey held up his glorious box of food as proof.Zane’s stomach growled.Rather than tease him, Bailey bit back a smile.
“There’s enough for two?”he suggested.
“Who said I wanted some?”Zane’s stomach growled again.
“Whatever.Do what you want,” Bailey replied, rolling his eyes.
He went to boil water, then sat on the couch to watch TV.Zane returned to working, which was a strange sight.Bailey imagined Zane taking long catnaps and tricking others into doing the work for him, but nope, he dusted away like Snow White.It was weird, like watching a wild animal in an unnatural habitat.
His eyes went back and forth between the TV and Zane until his food was done.Since Bailey planned to eat out of the pot, he hadn’t brought a bowl.He took his food to the table, sat a potholder on said table, and his pot on top of that, then informed Zane the food was ready if he wanted some.
There was a brief moment where Zane appeared to have an inner battle.
Bailey snickered when Zane stomped over to the cupboards, retrieved a plastic spoon from the box of them located inside, which Bailey had no clue existed, then made his way to sit beside Bailey on the couch.Zane didn’t look at Bailey when he dug into the food, but he totally tensed when Bailey chuckled.
The two ate silently while watching whatever show Bailey had on.It was kind of nice sitting there eating an early lunch together.Not that either of them would admit that out loud.
CHAPTER 6
Thecampuswasdeadto where it was almost eerie.There were no rowdy kids running about the sidewalks, no cars passing back and forth, honking at jaywalkers or moving at a snail’s pace.Students enjoyed their break by slumbering until the late hours of the afternoon or they went home.Only a handful of people littered the streets.They spoke amongst themselves and disappeared into their homes with an excessive amount of food.Bailey planned on being one of those people.
Upon arriving at the local supermarket, Bailey retrieved a buggy and kicked off towards the doors.Since he wasn’t going home, he would attempt a meal.He never made a turkey before.He could make a mean gravy and macaroni salad, though, which counted for something, right?At least he told himself that because it made him feel a little more adult-like.If only he could learn how to do his taxes, then basically he’d be a functioning member of society.
Amery and Ryan had gone home to spend the five-day break with their families.Sometimes it sucked being so far from home.It seemed he was meant to eat alone this weekend.
A sense of melancholy drifted over Bailey as he perused the crowded aisles.With work, school, friends and, hell, even Zane, he hadn’t the time to feel homesick.He was always so busy.His mind was filled with friends or school, so it was hard to think about home, his mom, his dad, his friends, and hometown.However, now he definitely missed them.
Sighing, Bailey peered at the few turkeys left.He did not know how to pick out a ‘good turkey.’His mom normally stood there eying the birds for a good ten minutes before choosing.Bailey reached for the first one he saw and hoped for the best.When he got to the dorms, he grabbed his groceries.The bags were heavy, and he didn’t want them to rip before he got to his room.He considered sitting them in the lounge’s fridge since the stove was in there, however, he worried people wouldn’t ignore a whole turkey.Who knew what someone might do if they opened the fridge to find all the food Bailey bought?Sure, he was willing to share, but what if they took it without asking?He wasn’t going without some sort of turkey dinner tomorrow.
Scurrying inside, Bailey somehow made it to the elevator without the bags ripping.However, the moment the elevator doors opened to reveal Zane within, the bags tore and sent everything to the floor with a couple of thumps.
He didn’t dare look down to see if anything spilled.Zane stared, a wicked smirk staining his face.Snorting, he locked eyes with Bailey’s, showing nothing but pure amusement.
“Fuck you,” Bailey spat, which caused Zane to chuckle.He stepped out of the elevator, pushing his cart of cleaning supplies.The doors closed behind him.
“I didn’t do anything,” Zane said, lingering by Bailey.
“Yes you did!”Bailey accused him, pointing a finger in Zane’s face, which he swatted away immediately.“My bags were fine until I saw you.”
“So your bags ripped because you saw me?”
“Yes.”
Rolling his eyes, Zane turned to walk away, although Bailey wouldn’t allow that.He grabbed the man by his uniform, tugging on the upper half that he had wrapped around his waist.Growling, he glared at Bailey and asked, “What?”
“Lend me a bag, won’t you?”Bailey pointed to the smaller trash bags on the cart.
“No.”
“Please give me a bag?”Bailey tried again, but Zane’s expression said no way.“Why not?!”
“I don’t want to.”
“That’s a poor excuse.”
