Lovebirds
Averell’s and the Bakery girl’s antics continued for a few more minutes until she finally took the bouquet. But by then, nearly half of the flowers had lost their Petals from Averell’s shaky attempts to calm her down. Judging by how fast the flowers were losing their splendor, he must have picked them long ago. He really is too shy.
But the girl didn’t mind and immediately fetched a small brown vase painted with vibrant flowers. While she carefully put the half-faded wildflowers in the vase like a treasure, Averill tried to make an early escape. But before he could turn around, the girl held his right hand, stepped on a stool, and gave him a small peck on his cheek.
For the first time, they were on eye level.
“Averall and Juliet are cute, aren’t they?”
“Huwah!” For a moment, I feared Rika’s sudden remark and my startled scream had disturbed the young couple, but thankfully, they were too busy staring into each other’s eyes.
I exhaled slowly and looked accusingly at Rika. But she only chuckled slightly.
“T-this is not right. You shouldn’t bother them by stalking.”
“Stalking? It’s not like I’m getting out of my way to watch them, and besides, weren’t you staring just as much, if not more?”
“That’s not the same. If I had known this was the reason we were here, I wouldn’t have looked.”
“Mmmh? Are you sure you almost looked jealous?”
“I’m not jealous. I’m happy for them, it’s just…”
“Just?”
“Urgh, forget about it. Let’s just go.” I took my packages, left money for my cake and tea, and began my journey back to Rose Shield, leaving my now-cold tea and Rika behind.
“Sigh, always so prickly.”
Rikas Side:
I tried to get back into watching the two lovebirds, but they had already left the part of the bakery I could see through the Window, or they had left entirely. And honestly, now that Ruby was gone, there was no fun left in watching them. I paid for my share and went after Ruby. Maybe I can catch up with her.
Ruby had paid for most of the things we bought today as a thank you. I don’t know what exactly she was thanking me for, but when she left, she only paid for her order.
Her cute attempt at anger beside. She always gets very weird whenever I talk about Love and Lovers. She behaves as if it were a distant topic, even though she could have a lover whenever she wanted. It puzzled me. If I could have a man at any given Moment, I would have one. I feel like a Woman dying of thirst watching another one drown. If not for my grumpy Father and all the men around being cowards, I could have a Boyfriend, too, you know…
Anyway, Ruby clearly looked at Averall and Juliet with a sense of longing, like something she couldn’t have. It really makes no sense. Four guys asked her out without much luck. Men always looked after her when she passed. One week ago, she even received a love letter.
The letter was dripping with cheesy words of love so thick that even I could read it in one sitting without laughing. But Ruby couldn’t laugh at all. She almost looked disgusted. She just gave the poor guy a short reply that was as dry as one of my inventory reports.
He spent the day drinking until sunrise.
When Ruby heard about his heartbreak, she looked guilty but ultimately did nothing, saying, “It’s one-sided”. She never even gave him a chance.
If it was just her not wanting a relationship, I could understand it. I wouldn’t even be mad. But I can see it in her eyes. She wants to be with someone. Just like with Averall and Juliet, she looks at couples with jealousy and longing—not for the respective partners but for the concept of Relationship itself.
But whenever I try to point this out and give her advice, she acts like I’m overstepping.
Sometimes it’s really frustrating being friends with her.
Despite all the things that frustrate me about her, I really like her a lot. It’s strange that after just over a month of knowing each other, she has already become one of my best friends.
Even though she has a history of breaking men’s hearts, she is kind and caring toward others. Despite her accomplishments, she remains humble and isn’t arrogant. She listens to my ramblings without complaint, not to mention the heavy packages I’m carrying home.
Then after ten minutes of walking, I could finally see Ruby’s staring into an alleyway.
With a smile, I came closer only to see that Ruby’s face looked uncharacteristically fierce.