I loathe today

"Hey Diana, we uh, had to leave early tonight. But wow, since when did you work here as a cashier?"

"Five days ago, only part-time though. One of my friends here told me they just had an opening so I took it as fast as I could! Every bit of extra cash helps."

"I hear ya."

"So! Care to explain why Noa's being all cute and curled up in the shopping cart."

"I loathe today."

"She ran out of juice so I'm bringing her home to charge up."

"Ooh! Have you heard of android battery packs? They look like shoulder bags and backpacks, some of them are real fashionable too."

"Hah! C'mon Diana, as if we could afford something fancy like that."

I glare at Gin.

"rPhone."

"...Yeah, okay fine, you've made your point, you can sell it."

"Ahaha! I see you two are still an old married couple."

"Gin and I haven't even known each other for a year."

"That just makes it more amazing. You know how hard it is to find someone you have good chemistry with?"

"The two of us tend to have a volatile reaction though."

"But it still works out right? I wish I had something like that."

"In that case, come over this weekend."

"Huh?"

Gin and Diana both stare at me with questioning eyes.

"We'll show you what 'good chemistry' looks like. It's also a good excuse to hang out."

"Mmm, I already promised to go dancing with some friends on Saturday, how's Sunday evening sound?"

"Perfect. Gin will send you directions to our home."

"Don't I get a say in this?"

"No, but even if you did, you wouldn't disagree."

"Dang Gin, Noa's really got you whipped, huh?"

Gin faintly blushes from Diana's playful teasing. Hopefully he won't waste the opportunity I've given him.

"There's not enough people tonight for there to be long lines buuut I'm still technically at work, so! That'll be 467 CRD."

"No friend discount?"

"500 CRD."

"Okay never mind the discount."

Gin pulls out a thin metallic gray card from his pocket and swipes it over the counter's credit scanner.

"...Gin, we should hurry."

"Why, what's up?"

Gin's, Diana's and several others' rPhones in the megamarket beep in concert. They all dig through their pockets to check.

"Flash storm."

Diana hurriedly packs our groceries in a black plastic bag.

"Here. Be careful out there you two."

"Thanks Diana, see you this Sunday!"

Gin carries me once more and takes the bag. The front doors slide open automatically as we approach. Already the wind is picking up. Above and between the towering metal buildings plastered with electronic billboards and neon signs are thick black clouds. The sky rumbles.