Chapter 38: Chapter 35

The machine dispense the water bottle and Lucy reached in to grab it, never diverting her gaze at Johan sitting on a bench in the distance, his face buried into his hands. As much as she wanted to comfort him at the moment, she figured it was best if she left him alone. Yet her compulsion to help him gave her the idea of walking over to him and slipping the bottle of water between his arms. This got Johan's attention as he lifted his head to see Lucy's concerned face.

"Thank you," he said accepting the bottle, uncapping it, and gulping it down. Exhaling, now staring at the half-empty bottle before turning his attention toward Lucy, he patted the empty spot on the bench next to him. Lucy accepted the invitation.

"I and my roommate are having a fight. Well, it's more like I'm having the fight and losing. I overheard some things that I didn't like but there's nothing I can do about it. I was actually thinking that maybe I shouldn't have accepted this meetup due to this, but I also wanted to leave the apartment. I just don't know what I should be doing now.."

"If you didn't feel well, why did you accept?" she asked him.

"I guess... because I got mad."

"You accepted to hang out with me because you were mad?"

"Maybe. I don't really remember. All I can recall was that I made my decision at the last second. I really don't know what came over me."

"So you really don't want to see me anymore?" Johan looked at Lucy who now had a look of despair. "You don't have to force yourself, Johan. If you don't want to hang out with me, that's fine. I was happy that we could hang out, even if it was a little bit." Lucy lowered her head. "I had fun while it lasted."

A solemn ambiance was in the air as Lucy thought to herself, 'Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all. Maybe I was being selfish. Maybe I should have listened to him. Maybe... I should just walk away and never see him again.'

"What would you think if I said you looked beautiful?" he asked her.

Lucy turned her head to find Johan smiling slightly. His depressed expression was now of subtle amusement. "I'm sorry if I offended you. It's just that... the first time we met was when you tripped and I caught you... I thought you were quite beautiful."

This unexpected quip from Johan made her equally embarrassed as she covered her face. She couldn't help but giggle as she responded, "You are so dirty."

"Dirty? Did I say something..."

"No, not that. But then again...” She continued to giggle between words as Johan sat there with both confusion and worry. “I mean... you tapped your hand on the bench."

"Yes, but if you felt uncomfortable sitting next to me, then..."

"Johan, don't you understand. I mean, that's where people sit. You kind of touched a whole bunch of strangers butts you know," and her giggle intensified that she had to cover her mouth. "I'm sorry but that's what I thought when you tapped your hand on the bench."

Her giggle transformed into laughter as Johan couldn't help but join in the hysterics from Lucy's juvenile joke. “I think they clean the benches,” he said trying to control himself.

“You know they don't do that. Just admit it, you wanted to touch people's butts, you pervert.” Both let go of their inhibitions to let out their frustrations and fears through their laughter.

After a few minutes when both finally calmed down, Johan walked over to the trash bin where the remains of his phone now lie. "I guess I'm in need of a phone too."

"Which phone are you planning on getting?"

"If you're thinking of the latest iPhone, I'm not that extravagant. I actually budget my money. I'll probably get an older model. In fact, I should probably get one before I go home."

"Are you going to get one today?"

"Yeah. I shouldn't be without a phone."

"I could use this opportunity to look for a phone myself if you don't mind."

"You want to buy one right now?"

"No. I don't have the money, but when my dad gets back, I'll let him know the phone I want."

Johan paused for a moment before he answered, "Alright. Let's go shop for a phone."

Taking their leave from the park, they found an L-shaped plaza with a phone boutique carrying a small yet varied selection. The latest phones were being displayed prominently, amazing Lucy.

"This phone looks so cool," she commented as she spotted a very sleek-looking iPhone.

"With a price tag to boot," Johan replied. "I can't afford that."

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"Maybe my dad will buy it for me if I ask him."

"Can your dad afford such a phone?"

"Yeah. He's quite wealthy. He owns a company and makes a lot of money. He wants me to work for him."

"That seems nice."

"Not really. He says he wants me to quit school and work for him right now."

"He actually wants you to quit school?"

"Yeah, but I tell him I'm not interested yet. In fact, I don't think I'm interested in working for him at all. I want to find my own way in life."

"Well, I can understand that. I guess the option is nice to have though."

"Now that I think about it, he probably won't buy me that phone unless I agree to work for him. Oh well, I guess I can just get another cheap phone."

"Then I guess we can start actually shopping then. Let's check out the phones here."

A good half-an-hour was spent looking at the selection, chatting about which phone they would love to have, and determining which one they would actually get. Johan eventually settled on a phone, and both headed toward the checkout counter.

The female store clerk commented, "Looks like you two had a good time."

"Yeah," responded Johan. "She's interested in getting a phone, so she's very excited to tell her parents about it."

"Is she your niece?"

"Oh no. She's my girl-" He immediately stopped himself. After a very brief pause, "She's just a friend."

"That's nice. Well then, that'll be $109.99."

With his debit card already in hand, Johan tapped it on the machine and the charge was approved.

As they walked out of the store, "I thought you were buying a cheap phone," Lucy said.

"This is cheap. You saw how all the other phones cost nearly a thousand."

"Must be nice to have enough money to call that cheap."

"Don't think I can just buy a hundred-dollar phone every time. I have to take care of this one. Next time, I'll have to control my anger."

"Oh look," Lucy said excitedly as she pointed to another store. "That's the popcorn store my friend took me to last time." She started going through her pockets and when she pulled out a roll of $1 bills, she began counting. "I can afford something. Can we go and get something?"

Johan smiled, "I'll buy whatever you want."

"Really? I don't want you to waste your money."

"Consider it a thank you."

"Thank you for what? I didn't do anything."

"You made me feel better earlier. I want to thank you for that."

An expression of surprise yet calmness was on Lucy's face. Embarrassment followed as she couldn't help but smile and cover her face.

They began walking toward the shop in which Lucy glanced at Johan smiling softly. He was not paying her any attention but she couldn't help but look at the man next to her, the very same man that reminded her so much of another man she had never met yet had always been by her side.

She clasped her hands and put them close to her heart as she took a silent breath and thought to herself, 'Beautiful...'

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