"Why are you sleeping at work, Ms. Cashier?" Dale questioned, his hair and shirt were wet from sweat from playing basketball with his co-trainees before the training started.
"It's you! Why are you here? You should be inside the lab," she looked at him, without realizing that she's sweating so much, her lips were now red like blood.
"Am I a puppy? Why did you touch me like one?" Hot tears that were stuck in her eyes fell on her pale face.
"Why are you crying? Is it because I touch you like a puppy? Ms. Lucy, are you alright?" Dale in agony, "Okay, I'm sorry so stop crying will you."
"No, I'm not crying because I'm upset, it's my Vertigo. My head hurts so much, and I feel suffocated, Dale!"
"Do you have a headache?" Dale gently touches her. "It's not just a headache, you have a fever! Wait, I'll ask the Instructor for help."
Since Lucy is the eldest, she grew up having a habit of saying that she's alright even if she's not. Because she never wants to put additional baggage on her mother. Also for her, her family is her responsibility that's why she never wants anyone to see her weak.
But right now in front of Dale, her weak mouth wanted to utter the words that she's not alright. In front of this teenager she felt afraid to be alone, she wanted to hold on to him.
Her hands moved on their own, "Wait, Dale, please… stay!" She tightly held onto him, her eyes locked to him.
Dale can feel Lucy's feelings through her teary eyes. He reached for her hand that was on his wrist. "Okay, I won't go to the Instructor, instead you wait here I'll quickly run to the pharmacy."
John Dale may have grown up as an only child. But when he was ten years old his mom left him to the care of his auntie who already has children. Where he learned to become responsible at least for himself.
He grew up like a typical teenager whose pastime is either playing computer games or mobile games. But his mom is surely lucky for he is not only a natural pretty intelligent kid but he is also kind, though it isn't shown because he is not a sociable type. But now he may be starting to become sociable or he's beginning to explore life and trying to be a 'Young Man' for someone.
When he got back, he saw Lucy's head resting on the table while her hand was sketching something. He sits in the chair fronting her. "What are you doing?" he asked, snatching the paper.
"I'm not alright, Dale..." Lucy burst. For the first time, she let these words out loud, she held on to someone.
Dale lay his head on the table facing her. "It's because you're sick. Here's your medicine, luckily the pharmacist was kind to help me. I bought water and candies too."
"I'm not alright because I have a very upsetting morning! Yes, it's because I'm upset about many things that my Vertigo started acting up again." she bitterly smiled.
"Lucky you that I'm here! I'm quite good at telling jokes! Want to try me, hmm?" his shoulders giggled while stamping his feet.
"Haha... (Fake laughs) What a joke! Since when did you become a joker huh? I'd rather drink these medicines so you can go back to the lab."
"But I don't want to go back! Can't I just stay here please, maybe you'll need me again..." he sat properly but still acted weird.
"Go back to the lab if you don't want me to report you to your mom! How much is all of this anyway?"
Dale didn't accept Lucy's money but she kept insisting. "Alright if you insist, then instead of paying me, I'll ask you a favor next week. Just say yes then!" He said while his head held high.
"So, that was it? Why not tell me now?" Lucy was anxious, thinking what favor he'll ask and why next week and not now.
After all, who wouldn't be nervous if you know that there's something that will happen but you don't have any idea what it is!
"Not to worry, It's very easy! Easier than when you got out of balance and I almost got a hold on --- Lucy moved fast, her finger landed on Dale's looking fragile lips. Stopping him as she doesn't want to remember that event.
Dale flushed a bit but quickly overcame it, "Wow, this is awesome Ms. Lucy!" Referring to her sketch. "You sure are great at drawing! But, I think there's something wrong with your sketch."
"What's wrong?"
"I guess it's because you're sick, that's why this cat that you drew also looks sick!" he says as if he's enjoying teasing her.
"What? You!"
"I'll better go back to the lab now!" He quickly stood up and ran to the stairs.
"Dale... thank you... Sincerely!" Lucy timidly shouted, staring at Dale.
"You're welcome. Anytime as long as I can!" Dale said, then walked away. He secretly held his sweatshirt feeling his heart throbbing so fast. He can't understand his emotions now, he's happy but nervous at the same time.
Lucy doesn't have any idea that Dale just went to the lab to tell the Instructor that he's going home because he's sick.
But it's a complete lie. Truthfully, he just stood up at the side of the staircase. Patiently watching Lucy who's resting.
The heart of this teenager is indeed starting to become a young man. A young man who wanted to protect someone as much as he could.
After a while…
"What are you doing here, John Dale?"
"Shhh! Lower your voice, Ms. Lucy is napping." He whispered to the familiar voice. He is so focused that he doesn't realize who he's talking to.
"Tell me, do you have a crush on Ms. Lucy?" The familiar voice asked as he clasped Dale's shoulder.
"Hays, I can't understand myself, but I think so..." he's smiling as if he's on the moon but when he looks at the one beside him. He was startled, seeing the Instructor!
"S-Sir, it's you!"
"Yeah, it's me! Mr. Hopeless Romantic! So if you're done fantasizing, maybe we can go back now, after all, I think you just lied. And do you even know why Ms. Lucy is the cashier and you're the student, huh?"
"Yes, Sir?" He is smiling awkwardly.
"It's simple because she's practically older than you KIDDO! So better to go back to the lab now," he pinched Dale's ear. "Right, John Dale Suarez?"
"Ahh… y-yes Sir... I'm sorry for lying, Sir!" Dale can't do anything but follow the Instructor.