"Mia, hello."
Simon said as his cheeks were red, probably embarrassed since this is the second time this kind of situation happened to us. It feels like déjà vu. I just gave them a smile and nodded as I quickly grabbed anything from the store and went to pay. It would be better for us if we never encountered each other again.
"You don't have to avoid us that much, you know? Now that you know our secret, Doesn't that make us friends?"
Thomas's voice followed me as I turned to see them smiling at me. Still, helplessly blushing at the fact that I heard them talking about buying condoms, They really are something. Somehow, when he says those words, I can't help but feel uneasy. I thought that we would never meet each other again, so why would he say something like that? I don't know how to answer him, so I just laugh it off as a joke.
"Are you busy now? You should join us for dinner, yeah?"
Simon says as he gazes at Thomas for an approving look, and he gave me a smile, which probably means that he's okay with that absurd idea. What is it with them wanting to have dinner with me? This is really troubling me. What if they said they wanted to have dinner but then I became their dinner instead for knowing their secret? Oh shit.
"Thanks for the offer, but I can't. I have somewhere to be."
I said truthfully. I have a part-time job after this, so please just go away and never come back. That's what I told myself as I smiled apologetically at them, even though I really wish they'd leave already. Simon pouted, and boy, did he look so cute. I can see now how Thomas fell for him.
"Another time then?"
Simon says, with his eyes telling me to just say okay and follow him everywhere he goes—wait, that sounds so absurd.
"Yeah, another time."
I said, "not really meaning it." Since I was sure that this would be our last encounter, I was about to walk away then, but Simon stopped me, which was making me confused and surprised at the same time. The look on Thomas's face matched mine very well. I think he also has the same thought as me that we will never meet each other again.
"We should exchange numbers. We can discuss when to meet for dinner next time via chat."
Simon replied as he gave me a reassuring smile. It was really hard to reply to that. How do you say that you don't actually mean what you said earlier without actually saying it? Oh my goodness. For a moment, I was hesitant, then again. It's only one dinner; what could go wrong? So we did exchange phone numbers. Simon and I. Thomas, he doesn't say anything, and he looks like he doesn't want to be here any longer. I fully understood him.
"I'll text you!"
Simon waved as we parted ways. Smiling is really tiring. I wonder how he can do that so naturally. As I walked back to get my laundry, I got a call from my mother, asking me if I'm doing okay. Somehow, I almost forget what she sounds like since we barely call each other. It was weird to hear her ask about that. But then again, if she did call me, she must have needed something from me...
"How much is it this time?"
I spoke as I could hear her sighing on the other line. We're not poor, but we're not actually rich either. Just one; sometimes we barely have any food to eat. And also, other times, we have a lot of foods that are far too much for us. So it was really hard to choose which status I wanted to belong to.
"It's not much. I'll text you the amount later. How are you doing these days? Are you eating well? How is it going with school?"
Somehow, hearing her change the topic is hurting me. She never tells me anything. Whatever happens to her, She never once told me what she was going through. She just told me that she needed to use the money. For what? She would never say.
"I'm doing fine. I have to go now. I'll send you the money tomorrow."
I replied as I heard her saying goodbye before ending the phone call. Well, that was short. I wonder if it's supposed to be like this? My relationship with my mother was never a mother-daughter type of relationship. We're not that close to be laughing at the same table and enjoying dinner. We hardly ate together, so I can't really imagine how it should go. That's why I don't want to go back home. I can't lose the dorm and I can't afford to rent a room outside since I am short on money, for now. I just hope that luck is on my side this time.
Sighing, I made my way back to the dorm only to see my annoying junior enjoying pizza on her own. Being hella rich would be nice. But that selfish bastard never really cares for anyone other than herself, so I decided to leave for work early since I don't think I would be able to stand being in the same room as her now. How I wish I could change my roommate's ugh..
"I'm hungry."
Sighing to myself, I can't believe I haven't had a proper dinner since yesterday. But since I'm short on money, I can't really spend that much on food. I also need to send it to my mother tomorrow. Why is life so miserable?
"You still up for dinner?"
I was stunned to my feet when the same voice from before appeared before me. I was mentally cursing him for showing up without saying anything. Why is he everywhere?
"Come on, my treat."
Lucas said, smiling. Well, if he insisted, I wouldn't say no. It's free food, for goodness sake.
"Sure, but not too far from here. I need to get to work by 8."
I said, trying to remind myself of that so that I wouldn't forget.
"Sure thing."
Lucas smirks before guiding me to a restaurant that he said would blow my mind with its delicious food. Let's see if he's telling the truth or not.