HOME | DD

Description
I’ve been weak, reckless even, but this is ridiculous.

The black truck speeds over the asphalt as I drive into town, I guess I just need some time out of the house. And as the forest thins into fields and fields morph into neighborhoods, I can feel my grief and sadness fade a bit more. I guess I’m heading in for some company, maybe some food.
I pass a few weird-looking yogurt shops, a few bookstores, and a hotel before reaching Darwat’s Corner Plaza . A smile crosses my lips for a brief moment before disappearing again. The odd memories of the place are both wanted yet not. I move and pull into a parking spot before climbing out of the truck. Black asphalt radiates warmth under my sandal-clad feet, sweat beads on my forehead, and I regret the decision to go outside.
I turn and head into the store with a small huff, cool air licking at my skin as I walk through the doors. Clicking is audible from my right, and upon inspection I see “Toby” sitting at the front desk, a wide grin covering his features.
“Good afternoon! Let me know if y-you need anything.” I nod softly at Toby’s greeting and I walk off to a random isle.

Home supplies, car tools, groceries,
The isles blur by as I walk along the cluttered shelves, more scanning than actually searching. Finally, I make it over to the cosmetics section, endless bottles of flesh-colored goop lines the shelves on one side, on the other lies a selection of bizarrely coloured hair dyes.
“Wow, you look like shit.”
A blunt, unfeeling tone mumbles from behind me. I turn around to face the bored-looking counter worker, her dull eyes staring at me with a hazy (e/c). To be entirely honest, she looks very similar to me. “Thanks?....um” I begin, unsure how to ask for her name. “(Y/m/n). Its a family name. The weirdass guy that was with you called you (y/n), which is my name too. I think it would be weird to call each other the same thing. So just use (y/m/n)” The worker hums. I nod, turning my attention to the hair dyes.
“Bad breakup? I dont mean to be rude, but Tobes is working desk, he thinks I’m taking a nap.” (y/m/n) mutters, I shake my head, a small smile on my lips. “No breakup. Just a fight. My roommate just left and it wasnt a good exit. I think I need to change some stuff up.”I reply, stepping forward and eyeing a vibrant (f/c). “Then I’d go ahead and dye your hair, girly. Use the P.R.C. brand. They’re the most reliable, and that shit will wash out eventually.” (y/m/n) shrugs, pointing out a punk-looking bottle of (f/c) and walking away. “Have fun with that, (y/n). See you some other time.” And with that, the dull (y/h/c) girl turns and shambles away, her tan polo rumpled and out of order as she slips into a storage room. I gaze down at the bottle and decide that there’s no point in thinking too hard about it.
Might as well, I guess.

Upon reaching the counter, I note Toby’s surprise at my presence and my purchase. But he rings it up anyway, I’m not surprised he knows how to use the machines. I’m guessing Toby has watched (y/m/n) do this a thousand times. Contentment and confidence floods my chest as I hand the money over to Toby, who proceeds to drop the cash three times before putting it in the register and handing me my receipt. “Thanks Toby.” I mutter before turning and walking away, the aforementioned young man twitches and adjusts his poorly-fitted polo with a smile.

The drive home wasnt much to remember,
It wasnt what I cared about.

Hours pass, and in a blur of motion I find myself laying in bed, one bottle of hair dye in one hand, a hole-filled t-shirt in another,
Let’s do this.