𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝟬𝟬𝟭: ALCOHOL-FREE

[ Early December of 2020 ]

        It was love at first sight. Bobby Chase knew it when his eyes gazed over the bottles of orange juice, and it landed on the Tropicana bottle. It shimmered brightly underneath the supermarket's light, and Bobby swore he has never seen something so beautiful. It was true. The cutest girl he has seen in school couldn't even compete with how pretty orange juice was.

Bobby tiptoed and reached for the bottle; he gasped, feeling how cold it was, and electricity sparkled at the touch. The bottle fitted so well in his hand, and his grip around the bottle tightened, not wanting to drop it on the ground—That would be a horrible thing to do, and Bobby Chase was a gentleman.

He examined the bottle's shape, and his breath hitched as he read the labels. The shade of orange could outdo the colors of the sunset. Everything else was irrelevant because his attention was on the orange juice, and it knew it too. Bobby couldn't wait to take this bottle home—

    "You know mommy has to allow you to buy that, right?" Asked Matthew, walking toward him, then said, "I doubt she will because you never finish anything you buy."

Matthew was his twin brother, and he always had to ruin Bobby's happiness though he did have a point with how Bobby never finishes anything he buys—However, Bobby knew that this time would be different.

    Bobby looked at Matthew and scowled, "You don't know if she'll say no, Matty. Maybe, she'll say yes."  

    Matthew rolled his eyes and mumbled, "Sure," He then asked, "Why do you even want to buy orange juice? Hm?"

    "Well, because," Said Bobby, then his cheeks reddened, and he looked away. "No reason. I just wanted to—I felt like it."

    "Er, alright," Said Matthew, shooting him a weird look, and shrugged, "I'm going to get some snacks, alright?"

Bobby nodded and watched as Matthew walked away. He then sighed and looked down at the orange juice. Bobby didn't know how to explain it because no one would get it, but he wanted to know more about the gorgeous orange juice. 

But to know more, Bobby needed to somehow convince his mommy, who wasn't the easiest person to deal with, to let him buy the orange juice because if he doesn't, he'll be forever wondering what they could have been.

Bobby shook his head and walked over to the cart, where Annabeth was. Annabeth was his older sister (well, she was his half-older-sister, but Bobby didn't care about that), and she was currently going through some troubles. Bobby didn't know much, but it was something on the line about mommy finding out about her secret boyfriend. Yikes!

    "Hey, Annabeth," Said Bobby, placing the orange juice in the cart, and asked, "Have you seen mommy?"

    "Yeah," Nodded Annabeth, glancing up from her phone. "The last time I saw her was at the meat section."

    "Oh, alright," Nodded Bobby. He stood on his tiptoes and peered over her shoulder and saw the name Seaweed Brain; Bobby grinned, and Annabeth quickly put away her phone into her back jean pocket.

    Bobby opened his mouth to speak, but Annabeth glared at him and said, "If you tell Helen, I will—"

(For some weird reason, Annabeth called mommy Helen, which was mommy's first name. It didn't really bother Bobby, except it takes him a few minutes to register that Annabeth is talking about mommy.)

    "I won't, I promise!" Said Bobby, looking at Annabeth. "Why would I tell her anyways?"

Annabeth looked at Bobby but didn't respond to his question. Her gaze drifted to the cart, and she saw his orange juice bottle then looked back at him.

"Bobby," Annabeth said. "I don't think Helen is going to get you orange juice."

    "That's what Matty said!" Bobby pouted then whined, "Why not? Why won't mommy get orange juice for me?"

"Because you didn't finish the last orange juice she bought for you," Explained Annabeth. "Actually, you didn't even drink any of it! You just let it expire!"

Bobby opened his mouth to respond then looked at the orange juice. Their eyes locked, and Bobby could hear it begging him not to leave it behind. To take it home and cherish it.

Bobby looked back at Annabeth and stood upright; he said, "This time is going to be different!"

Annabeth looked amused and chuckled, "Alright then, if you say so," She then half-smiled and took out her phone.

Bobby pouted and gazed around, trying to find mommy, but she was nowhere to be seen. Then a panic feeling formed in Bobby because what if—

"Annabeth!" Said Bobby, turning to look at his sister; he tugged on her sweater, causing her to look at him. "What if mommy left us here and went back home?"

Annabeth's grey eyes flickered; however, she didn't say anything, and she looked up then sighed. Bobby quickly turned around after Annabeth told him that Helen was walking toward them with Matthew.

Helen and Matthew walked to the cart, and Bobby's eyes lit up, watching  Matthew placed down a box of Fruit by the Foot. Bobby then looked at his mommy, who placed some meat down and spotted the orange juice.

"Who got orange juice?" Asked Helen, furrowing her eyebrows, and looked at them. "Hmm?"

Matthew and Annabeth glanced at Bobby, who quickly answered, "I did!" Helen frowned, and Bobby grabbed the orange juice; he said, "Mommy! I know you're going to say no, but I promise I'll drink it all!"

    "Bobby—"

    "Mommy, please! I'll even pay you back if I don't drink it all, which won't happen at all!" Begged Bobby. He then looked at Helen and pouted, "Please."

Helen's face slightly softened—which rarely happens—and she sighed, causing Bobby to smile. Helen said, "Alright, but if you don't finish it, I will—"

    "Ah, thank you, mommy!" Exclaimed Bobby, hugging Helen while clutching the orange juice. "I love you!!!"

Helen sighed and nodded. She then pushed the cart forward, and Bobby followed her with a grin.

    Bobby looked at the orange juice and softly smiled; he whispered, "I know we're going to have a good time later today."

[9/06/21] 𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗥'𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘: Hello! Welcome to the first chapter of Taste of Love! It's very short compared to the number of words I usually write, and I bet many people are relieved about that, haha! I hoped that the first chapter was alright; it showed us the origin of how Bobby fell in love with orange juice (🥺). Wasn't it such a romantic moment? Love at first sight, am I right? (😩😩). The rest of the chapters will be posted throughout the week, and the book will be finished on Friday! Hopefully! I hope everyone is doing good and I love you so much!! May everyone have a good week! Thank you for reading, and have a good day/night! Much Love, Lucinda! 💙