I entered the chaos without a thought of danger. Who would think that the only open supermarket on the fourth of July being busy? Once the automatic doors slid open, the flocks of shoppers rushed to the different isles. I tried to hold back, but the flow of people propelled my brother and me further into the stores. Just the thought of buying something here filled me with anxiety.

‘Stupid aunt Cass.’ i thought to myself. She just had to forget the watermelon. It was definitely a necessity to have watermelon for her party. Danny, her oldest and only nephew who could drive would for sure be right back. I let out a puff in aggravation pushing my way through the people.

“Chris lets go!” I jerked on his little brother’s arm to keep him from being stampeded. Together we made our way to the produce section.

The store had been opened for two minutes, but the isle was already in ruin. Bunches of moms spread around the produce, fighting for the best stuff. The savageness of the room ranged from light pushing to one woman using her shopping cart as a battering ram. That was a smart idea... to get someone hurt, but with the competition, I don’t blame her. With a strange feeling, I paused for a moment. The eyes throughout the stores gazed into us, watching every movement we made. What were we, two pieces of meat in a lion’s den? Thinking of a plan, I pulled my brother close. “Listen, Chris, I need you to get a cart. Will you be ok?”

“Sure?” Chris shuffled his feet around. He was only twelve, but he was still such a timid boy. When it was forcefully suggested he came on the trip, he was hesitant, but I was glad to have another set of hands regardless.

I held a smile, “Ok, I’m going in for a watermelon, meet me there and we’ll check out and we’ll be home in no time.” He nodded nervously, then shuffled out of sight. With a cautionary pace, I searched for the watermelons.

At first glance, I couldn’t see any sign of watermelons, but then I realized the massive group of people crowding in one area in front of me was the watermelon stand. I took a deep breath, then ran into the horde. Shoulders met shoulders as I pushed his way in front. The men and women in front of me were restless, but so would I. I squirmed and shoved and fought until - POP! I arrived at the center.

The bodies rampaged the center of the riot. pushing me into the cardboard box housing the watermelon; I made do forcing them back. Hands grasped behind me plucking the large green melons. One by one, I watched them disappear. This was my chance, if I was going to get a melon, I needed to act, now.

With one fluid motion, I scooped up the first watermelon in sight and cradled it in my arms. Attempting to scurry out, but there was no escape. The people trap made me feel claustrophobic, but in a moment the cage of angry shoppers stopped.

I opened his eyes to find that the crowd had subsided, and I was alone standing with the melon. Behind me, an empty box where the watermelons used to be was left. It seems the one in my hands was the last one.

I coughed a sigh of relief holding my prize. Maybe things finally worked out for me. Just as I opened my dumb mouth, a pair of grubby hands yanked the precious fruit out of my hands. It caught me by surprise as the thief began to jog away.

“Hey, kid!” The boy turned around and flashed an unsavory gesture. “Thanks for the watermelon loser!”

“Noo!” As the kid began to dash into the other isles, my face flooded red. I ran after him. For a kid, he was as fast as a lightning bolt. I felt defeated as the child ran from isle to isle confusing me. The chase quickly became a game of hide and seek, but I wasn’t having any of it.

“Come out you rat, that’s my melon!” Bouncing isle to isle, I scanned for this melon thief. Isle 13, nothing. Isle 9, nothing. Isle 7, nothing. Isle 5-

“Gotcha!” My voice boomed and the kid and he jumped, but the little thief ran as fast as he could. We ran throughout the store, but this time, he didn’t leave my sight.

In the pursuit, we passed the cart area. I looked over to Chris, struggling to fight for a shopping cart. The woman fighting him was persistent, but he wouldn’t let go. I let out a yell, “Chris help!”

Chris snagged the cart and joined the chase. “Is that our melon?”

“Yeah! He took it from me!”

Determination swelled through his face. For once, I could see confidence and anger in his face. “C’mon!” With a forceful push, he crashed into me, causing me to fall butt-first into the shopping cart.

My weight was no issue as my younger brother shot through the store. The thief must have figured he would be caught. He started pulling down the groceries and boxed foods off the shelves, attempting to slow us down. Sadly for him though, Chris persisted, battering the cart like the woman earlier.

Just as he was about to turn the corner and gloat, a man caught him in his chest. “You!” the man wore a blue apron and a name tag that read ‘I am the manager’ in big black sharpie. “You’re the brat that's ruining the store. Come here!”

This was the perfect opportunity. As he was stuck in the employee's arms, I got to my shoulders. In one move, Chris dashed passed them, and I grabbed the melon from his arms. In a shriek, he yelled out, “Hey-”

The manager gripped his arm, “Wait until your parents hear of the mess you made!” By the time he could look back and scowl, we were already checking out.

The two of us walked back to our car, feeling pride. Chris hugged the melon tightly, just in case any other kids tried their hardest to steal our fruit. “Hey good job back there, I’m really proud of you.”

My brother sat back in the seat smiling, “Thanks!”

I turned the key of my car and the engine purred, “Now let’s go ho-” As I said that, I felt my phone buzz. I took it out of my pocket and felt my rage when I read the text.

‘Aunt Cass - Get potato salad while ur there!’