In Search of Snacks

Posted on Thu Jun 8th, 2023 @ 2:47pm by Emilio Delgado

1,200 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: 1. Year One

Things always seemed to come easy for Emilio Delgado, a handsome boy with a reserved personality who seemed to attract attention everywhere he went. Even since walking into the gas station, he got looks from almost everyone there. Flying under the radar was not his special gift. He was wearing a pale blue t-shirt that was slightly too small for him and, therefore, hugged his fit form, and khaki shorts. He preferred the shirt, shorts, and flip flops look, but he often stepped his game up out of guilt. Not today, for some reason. Perhaps he was saying goodbye to his old life and hoping for a little mediocrity; a little anonymity.

He went to the chip aisle in search of a big bag of lays. It was off of his diet plan, but he was feeling very loose today. His eyes scanned the shelves for several moments, and when he didn’t find what he was looking for, he searched again, his features turning to a pensive frown. Of course they wouldn’t have the chips he wanted.

“Hey, man. What are you looking for?” A high-pitched but definitely male voice next to him sounded. He looked over and saw that it belonged to a silvery-haired thin man with stubble and a friendly expression. The man was wearing a white button up with sleeves rolled, gray slacks, and a black tie, the man was dressed like his old English teacher.

“Just some chips.” Emilio said quietly, trying to keep to himself. It never worked, but he always considered it worth at least a simple attempt.

“Oh, sure. What kind? I can help you find what you’re looking for, if you want.”

Emilio didn’t react strongly. He knew the man didn’t work there; he knew there was no good reason he would care whether or not a random 17 year old got the chips he was after. This was the effect of his mutant powers at work. People just seemed to like him way more than he deserved. They wouldn’t leave him the hell alone.

“No, thanks. I think they just don’t have it anymore.” He answered, turning slightly in order to find a different kind of chips. Please please just accept that and move on..

“Hey, tell me what you’re after. I’m sure we can find it somewhere.” The man said with a smile. He had a positive energy about him and seemed genuinely interested in helping him with his dilemma, no matter how much he didn’t want the help. If Emilio didn’t experience this all the time, he would be creeped out.

“Lays. The big bag. I can’t find it on the shelves. They must have run out.” Emilio said, giving a somewhat awkward grin. “It’s a popular brand of chips.”

No sooner had he given the man the strained answer than the teacher-like figure sped off around the corner and was gone. Emilio sighed again and began to consider whether he was in the mood for cheetos. His mind raced as he tried to figure out some way to politely remove himself from the situation with chips in hand. Just a few seconds passed before he heard commotion in the next aisle.

“Hey, what the hell?!” Came the shrill voice of an older woman. “Give me back my chips, you psycho!”

“I need ‘em, lady!” He heard the silvery man respond, his voice laced with stress and determination. A moment later, he rounded the corner with the bag of chips in hand and a huge triumphant smile on his face. “I found these in the next aisle.”

“No kidding.” Emilio said in a monotone. His face was lined with discomfort and embarrassment. He could fight it, but he knew it would only make things worse. “Thanks.”

“No problem, kid. Glad I could help you out.”

Emilio knew this was the question phase and that now was his best time to escape before things started to get really weird. He quickly grabbed the chips from the man and made a beeline for the front counter, hoping to pay and get out quickly.

Behind the counter was a girl around his age with dark hair, a tan complexion, and tons of pink lip gloss that drew attention to her full lips. He placed the bag down in front of her.

“That’s all.” He said curtly, hoping to leave as soon as possible.

She looked up at him as if she was seeing the sunset, a glow of wonder in her eyes. For several seconds, the pretty girl stood there awkwardly, her mouth slightly open, frozen in her thought process. Then she snapped back and blinked several times moving to quickly ring him up.

“Sorry, I was just…” she said, trying to make up for lost time. “Distracted. Who are you? I haven’t seen you around before.”

“It’s a big City.” He said, grinning despite himself.

“Yeah, that’s true.” She said giggling cutely. She tossed her hair and looked at him with an expression that told him exactly how she felt. It was the most normal thing in the world for him.

“How much do I owe you?” He asked, trying to move things along before she tried to get him out on a date.

“Hmm? Oh, nothing. It’s on the house.” She said with a hint of nervousness. “Meaning I’ll pay for it.”

He rolled his eyes despite his desire not to be rude. This always happens. A different guy would have used this ability to get whatever he wanted; Emilio couldn’t bring himself to do that.

“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I have money.” He said, pulling out his wallet and sliding a five across the counter.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.” She said, ignoring his money, reaching into her nearby purse, and putting a few dollars into the register. “We should hang out sometime.”

The statement had been masterfully sly, almost casual. He frowned and shook his head.

“I don’t want you to pay for me. I have my own money.” He said with controlled irritation in his voice.

The expression she put on looked pained, as if he had wounded her with his words.

“Why won’t you just let me buy this one little thing for you?” She asked, confusion and pain mixing. “Is it because my nose is too big?”

“No..what?” He asked, then he shook his head, refusing to bother with making sense of the irrational question. Instead, he just pushed the money into her hand, offered an agreeable smile, and tried to repair the damage. “You have a beautiful nose.”

The girl suddenly smiled as if he had given her the most profound compliment she had heard in her life.

“Oh my God, thank you.” She said with a shaky and emotional voice.

Emilio Delgado was leaving before another word could be said. He could feel her disappointed eyes on him as he retreated. He didn’t know if he could take anymore of this kind of thing. He felt like he was going to explode.

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