Lower East Side // Move-In Day // #DAA520
If there was one thing that New York had over England, it was the bodegas. While Leland enjoyed the convenience store near his childhood home, there was something distinctly comforting about walking into the corner store seeing the owner pour a fresh cup of coffee as soon as he walked through the doors. It didn't matter if he was running late to campus, 2 A.M. on a Tuesday, or Thanksgiving. The only days Juan Carlos (never just Juan) closed shop were Christmas, Easter, and the day after Good Friday.
Not to mention the cats.
Holding his hand out, Leland watched the slender tortoiseshell stretch before leaping onto the counter and moving its head under the blondeâs palm. Patch had been the newest addition to JC Mini Martâs rotating cast of vermin catchers, differentiated by the missing tuft of fur where sheâd been scratched by a raccoon.
âThe usual today?â Juan Carlos asked, already punching the numbers into the register.
Scratching the back of Patchâs ear Leland gave an affirmative nod before grabbing a bag of crisps from one of the shelves.
âActually,â Leland paused, âadd a pack of menthols to it.â
âA bit early in the month for a new one donât you think?â
âWell, it might be the last time I see you,â the blonde shrugged, ignoring the vibrations from his phone.
âWhat, youâre not planning on dyinâ on me are you?â Juan Carlos chuckled, sliding over a sealed pack of Newports and his coffee.
âNothing that bad, Iâm just moving,â Leland answered, taking a long sip from the styrofoam cup.
âFoinally gahn back acruss the pond, isit?â
Leland would miss a lot of things about this place, but Juan Carlosâs shoddy British accent wouldnât be one of them.
âNo, I received a job offer so Iâm moving back to campus,â he clarified.
âUgh, with all the trust fund babies?â
âI canât argue with free housing or work.â Leland gave a slow, begrudging nod before slipping the change in his pocket. While the Periwinkle Institute wasnât an Ivy League college, it was certainly on the expensive side. Why else would he opt to dorm with a bunch of undergraduate students (much less anyone)? Because I want to experience video game brain rot. The more he thought about it, the sillier it sounded in his head, but the results would be worth it.
He hoped.
âWell if youâre leaving you should at least stock up.â Juan Carlos said, before turning around and tossing Leland another pack of cigarettes.
âOh no you donât have-â
âNah, nah. Itâs a parting gift.â
Now who was acting like he was dying? Leland let out a snicker before flipping the box open.
âThanks, Juan Carlos,â Leland said finally, gesturing for him to take one.
âMmm, sorry but no smoking indoors. Maria thinks Iâve actually quit this time.â
âSuit yourself,â he shrugged, lighting the cigarette in his mouth, âIâll see you around.â
Exiting the bodega, the blonde finally glanced at the dozens of notifications from his phone. His gatekeeper had woken up.
BODEGA!
Swipe.
CAT!
Swipe.
COFFEE
Swipe.
âWho was that?â Echo barked, âWHO IS JUAN CARLOS?â
âEcho, set your volume to ten percent.â
âOK!â
Leland wasnât entirely sure why he ended up with a dog, a talking dog. Rather than a human or humanoid figure he received an animal with the speech pattern of a child, something it must have picked up when Leland fell asleep during a Disney marathon. Not to mention Echoâs behavior. Every moment the A.I. connected to his carâs Bluetooth was an opportunity to unload its questions about Lelandâs day to day interactions.
âJuan Carlos is the owner of the bodega that I-we visited,â Leland answered.
âOK! What is a âtrust fund babyâ?â
âA trust fund baby isâŚsomeone with a very rich family.â
âAre you a trust fund baby?â
âI wish,â Leland muttered, just barely making the freeway entrance.
The subsequent drive proved long and arduous, mostly because the roads managed to be packed despite New Yorkâs expansive transit system. Where the hell could everyone be going on a weekday morning? The answer was very obviously work, but that would require admitting that the situation wasnât actually anyoneâs fault.
Nonetheless, heâd finally parked and Echo seemed content to idle to its volunteerâs playlist. Hosing two boxes from the trunk, Leland approached the door, eased by the scent of baked goods. He could hear Echo awaken, thrilled at the sound of the door opening.
"NEW HOME?!" Echo boomed from Leland's phone.
Yep, he supposed it was.