— I can't believe we're going to another thrift store, it's the same thing every single time!! — Íris looks Noah up and down.
— It's Sunday, and Sundays go with thrift stores. — Noah says, frowning.
— But you only ever look, if you actually bought something at least. — Íris fires back, staring him down.
— I'll buy you a snack. — Noah says.
— Make it two and I might think about it. — Íris answers.
— Deal. — Noah says, holding her gaze.
— I'm only going because I love you, not because of the snacks. — Íris says.
— Meet me at the bus stop. Okay? — he says as his voice fades into the background.
The house was too small for so much mess — things scattered on the floor making it clear no one had cleaned in a while.
— Ugh — Noah sighs. — I hate this place.
Where was that shoe? — he wonders as he tears the house apart.
For a second, his eyes light up. And in a flash, images rush through his mind.
— There you are. You're perfect for the occasion. — he says, eyes gleaming.
The sun was at its peak, the sky clear, and the uneven street seemed to make the day even hotter — like old memories you can't shake.
At the bus stop, Íris spots Noah from a distance and waves. As he gets closer, she looks him up and down and says:
— ANNN! You're really wearing that? What kind of shoe is that? Where did you even find that? That's something my grandpa would wear — Íris stares at Noah.
— You don't know the first thing about fashion and you want to talk? Please, spare me, babe. — Noah closes off.
— If that's fashion, I don't even wanna know what isn't. — Íris laughs.
— Can we just go? I don't wanna waste time! — Noah checks the time on his phone.
The bus looked ancient, and the sounds it made were proof enough that maintenance hadn't been a priority in years.
— Wow, we really can't catch a break with buses, huh. — Noah frowns.
— And the government's website is such a mess, I've never seen a site that crashes that much. — Íris says and the two crack up laughing.
After a while, the bus finally reached their stop. The brakes let out a deafening screech.
— Okay but seriously, a little more and we would've ended up at the next stop — they really need to fix these buses ASAP. — Íris says, red-faced, sweat dripping down her forehead.
— We'll still have to walk a bit to get there so let's hurry, I saw some gorgeous pieces on Insta — Noah says, hyped up.
On the way to the thrift store, the alleys were narrow — barely wide enough for two people — and pretty uneven underfoot.
— If anyone comes from the other side we're gonna have to squeeze. — Íris says as they both speed up.
— Don't jinx it, Íris. — Noah says, out of breath.
— You're the one who jinxes everything, you bum. — Íris fires back.
After walking for a while, all you could hear was the echo of their heavy breathing — not a soul around, the heat making everything worse.
— We keep walking and walking and we're not getting anywhere. Are you sure you know where we're going? — Íris stops and looks at Noah for a moment.
— I have some news — you're right, we're lost. — Noah flashes a sheepish grin.
— I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS, YOU INVITE ME OUT AND YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE IT IS? — Íris sighs. — Should've seen that coming from you.
A figure leaning against the wall stood out on the empty street.
— There's someone over there, and since you got us into this mess, you go talk to them. — Íris says.
— Okay, wait here. — Noah walks toward the man.
— I think this might be how we die. — Íris is white as a sheet.
She watched the two figures talking from a distance while her brain went into overdrive.
"Who knows, maybe we don't die — he just kidnaps us and serves us for lunch."
With every passing second Íris got paler, her body starting to feel the heat in the worst way.
She kept her eye on every moment of their interaction, and then she saw something that shocked her even more:
"He's pulling out a cigarette? This cannot get any worse."
— Goodbye, cruel world. — Íris thinks out loud.
The conversation seems to wrap up and they both start heading toward Íris.
"Oh, it can get worse — it definitely can." — she thinks out loud again as they approach.
Noah finally reaches Íris, the stranger alongside him.
— Girl, he's Dona Ivône's son. — Noah says.
— "Who's Dona Ivône, the local crime boss?" — Íris thought, then said out loud — Which Dona Ivône?
— The thrift store owner, sis. You good? You're looking a little pale. — Noah looks Íris up and down.
— I'm fine, don't worry about it. — Íris says after a long breath.
— You don't look fine — I'm going to invite you guys in for some water. — The man steps in.
Íris and Noah follow the man to the thrift store.
— Moooom, we've got customers. — the man calls out.
A woman with a youthful look appeared — a modern dress in a neutral tone that made her accessories pop, her loose hair swaying in the warm gentle breeze.
— Wait, that's Dona Ivône? — Íris says, her face full of surprise.
— That's her. — the man answers.
— I'm deceased. What is she taking to look like that? I want some too. — Noah says, visibly shook.
— Come in, kids. — Dona Ivône calls them inside.
The thrift store had nothing to do with the street outside. The vibe was cozy, and you could tell the clothes were well taken care of — everything clean and organized.
— Thank God there's AC in here, the heat out there was unbearable. — Noah comments.
— For real, it's been getting worse lately. — Dona Ivône replies.
— Let me grab some water, I'll be right back. — the man brings two glasses of water and hands them to the two.
— Thanks. — they both say at the same time.
After finishing the water, they lose themselves in the variety of clothes — you could find something from basically every style.
— Oh my god, the looks in here are insane — why don't you ever find places like this? — Íris asks Noah.
— I am LOSING MY MIND at how much stuff there is! — Noah says, holding up a piece to Íris — What do you think of this one?
— Babe, you usually dress like a mess but you actually ate with this one. — Íris laughs. — Who knew the end of the world would bless us like this.
— WHO LEFT THIS HERE FOR ME?? — Noah says as his eyes light up at a particular piece of clothing.
Time flew while they tried things on, and the pile of chosen clothes kept growing. Finally, it was time to pay.
Looking at the pile, Íris whispers:
— How are you paying for all this?
— No idea, I think we're gonna have to put some stuff back. — Noah whispered back.
Every beep! from the scanner made them more anxious. Before they even realized it, Dona Ivône had already scanned everything.
— These 15 pieces come to R$375.
— Oh wow, that's nothing — his eyes lit up. — Card, please.
They finish up and walk out with two big bags, the afternoon already fading into early evening.
— See you next time, kids. — Dona Ivône waves them off.
— I had no idea thrift stores could actually be this good, you always took me to the worst ones. — Íris says.
— Honestly same, I'm actually emotional right now. — Noah's expression drops — but we're gonna have to go through those alleys again, and now they're dark.
— Let's run then, quickly — I am not walking through that alley any later than this. — Íris's face clouds over with fear.
Heading toward the alley, you could see from a distance how dark it had gotten — no lighting whatsoever, and the tight space felt even heavier now that night had fallen. The long alley looked even longer. They went in with nothing but their guts.
— Grab my hand and let's go NOW before it gets worse. — Noah says.
— Every hole we get ourselves into — the experience was amazing but this is too much.
They picked up the pace and caught the outline of someone up ahead — couldn't make out a face. The cold night wind cut through them and made them walk faster. The person in front made their stomachs drop.
— Now what? There's someone coming — Íris says, picking up speed.
— Just run, oh my god. — Noah sped up too. — We could get robbed.
They pressed against the wall to make room for the person, but something happened. Noah and the stranger got stuck. They were glued to each other trying to get through, the panic building with every second.
Puff — Noah, trying to get free, ended up tripping and falling.
— Oh my god that was so embarrassing, I'm so sorry man.
— HaAaaHaa — Íris lets out the most unhinged laugh and they carry on their way.
The whole squeezing-through situation was painful in every way. And finally, they made it to the bus stop.
Pshhh….
— I never thought I'd be happy to hear that screech — thank you God for another day on this earth. — Íris says as she climbs on the bus.
— That was genuinely awful, never again. — Noah's foot was scraped from the fall.
Lucky for them, they found seats in the back of the bus.
— Changing the subject — what do you think Dona Ivône does to look like that? She's so well-preserved. — Íris asks.
— I need to know too, we should go back and ask. — Noah replies.
— When are we going again? — Íris says, already excited.
— No idea.
The conversation stretched the whole ride home — which took forever thanks to rush hour. They finally got back to their neighborhood while Íris was lost in thought. They stepped off the bus when Íris remembered something:
— I almost forgot — you promised me a sna… — Íris gets cut off by a scream.
— OKAY GOTTA GO… See you tomorrow at school! — Noah shouts from a distance as he runs off, out of breath.