*Nanako's P.O.V*
It's been three days since that incident. Today, I finally decided to attend my classes again. I'll be in so much trouble if I keep skipping any longer.
I could barely focus at all. But at least I was taking notes to study from later.
After my classes ended, I decided to pass by an electronics store and get myself a new phone like I planned.
I parked my car then started looking through the available phones in the store's website because otherwise, I'd spend forever trying to decide what to get. And then I'll be bothered by the salesperson who would insist on "helping me" and would keep showing me different types which would only make me more confused.
After deciding, I went inside and took a quick look around the phones' section to find the one I've settled on.
In less than ten minutes, the salesman came to me just as expected with the usual "Can I help you?"
I pointed to the latest phone of the gorgeous starry-purple edition and replied: "I'd like to purchase this".
"Oh! An excellent selection! It's currently the bestseller!" The salesman stated then went on to blabber about its features. "It has a 6.3 inch screen, a long-lasting battery with the capacity of 3500 mAh, a dual rear camera and a.."
I nodded and pretended to listen to the rest of the features that I've already looked up. Meanwhile, I internally rolled my eyes. I said I wanted it so all that talk was nothing more than a waste of time.
He finally stopped after a while and gestured, "You can pay at the cashier that way then recieve your phone from over there".
I left after recieving it. I started feeling a sense of happiness after getting myself a brand-new phone! A phone with no pictures, no texts, and no memories.
I walked to my car and there disappears my happiness as I saw that some jerk blocked my way and parked right behind my car!
I waited for five minutes, then ten and Mr.jerk still didn't show up. I decided to wait in my car instead as I tried to distract myself with my phone. Every few minutes I stopped to scan the area for the awaited car owner.
After a while of waiting, someone finally walked up toward that car. He put a pizza box in the car's trunk. I got out to scold him but then he came to me first.
"Oh, I'm so sorry to block your way! I hope you haven't been waiting for--"
He stopped midsentence and looked at me. "Wait a minute! What a surprise! You're the girl from back then!!"
Oh gosh! Of all people, he turned out to be the pizza deliveryman who saw me looking horrible!!
I was both embarrassed and surprised as I asked: "You remember me?!"
"Of course I do! It's not everyday that we make a delivery for a crying girl!" He chuckled a bit then immediately took it back.
"Oh no, that sounded so wrong! I'm so sorry, I meant it in a good way! Like you were a special unforgettable case! Seriously! I'm not judging I swear! It's perfectly fine to cry! I'm sorry I'll just shut up!"
I couldn't help but chuckle at how he kept apologizing. "It's fine, really!"
"It's nice to see you laughing instead!" He stated then went back to apologizing.
"Again, I'm really sorry for parking behind your car! I was just picking up some pizza for delivery. It shouldn't have taken long but you see, they made a mistake in the order and had to do it all over again that's why it took a while." He explained.
"Oh I see! That's why."
"And well, you used the restaurant's parking so I had no choice." he chuckled awkwardly then added: "But I was still mistaken! I should've left my number so that you could at least call when you wanted to leave!"
I got so embarrassed that I was so angry at the driver who blocked my way when I was mistaken myself! "Ohh I'm so sorry I didn't notice!!"
"No, no, it's okay! I was just saying! I wasn't blaming you or anything! Come on I'll treat you for some coffee as an apology!" He offered.
"Oh no you really don't have to! Besides, you have a delivery to make!" I politely declined.
"Come on, I insist! You've been waiting for around half an hour! So waiting for five extra minutes for delivery shouldn't be a big deal!"
He added: "Some coffee is the least I can do to make it up for you! Or pizza on me?"
"Well, okay then. If you insist, then coffee it is." I gave in.
"Great!" He walked me to the nearby coffeeshop.
Once we entered, he asked: "What would it be?"
"Small blended café mocha with cream."
"Got it!" Surprisingly, he ordered the same, only a larger size and with no cream.
He placed the order and paid. I couldn't help feeling embarrassed as a stranger paid for my coffee.
"You like mocha too?" I asked in an attempt to stop feeling awkward.
"Yeah! I almost like all types of coffee but my selection mainly depends on my mood and the situation!"
He told me how much of a coffee-addict he is, how he takes a strong coffee when he has late-night delivery shifts and how he takes a mild sweet coffee when he wants to just unwind and enjoy the taste.
I'm surprised at how I'm paying attention to what he says without thinking that it's annoying or wanting him to finish as soon as possible!
While listening to him, I couldn't help noticing how soft his features are. He has a chestnut-brown hair and dark eyes which probably shine a hazel color when exposed to sunlight. Although he looks like an ordinary guy, his features somehow make it soothing to look at him.
He interrupted my thoughts: "Oh sorry, I've been talking too much! How about you tell me about yourself now! I haven't even got your name yet!"
Now that he mentions it, it's funny how much we talked without even knowing each other's names!
"I'm Nanako." I introduced myself.
"Nice to officially meet you, Nanako! I'm Arata. Hoshino Arata." He introduced himself as well and shook my hand.
Shame on me! I introduced myself with my first name only while he said his full name!
By that time, our coffee was ready so we went to pick it up. He handed me mine and smiled, "Enjoy!"
I took it and thanked him then we walked back to the parking lot.
He returned to his car and drove away. I don't know why I'm smiling! But honestly, he's so nice!
I drove back home. As I entered, mom greeted me then asked me to sit next to her.
She didn't bother asking me about my day or how am I doing. She went straight to the point. "Nanako, did you get a boyfriend behind my back?!"
It was so out of the blue that it shocked me. "Why are you asking that all of a sudden?"
"Who's the guy you went for coffee with?" She asked with a hint of suspension in her tone.
"Are you watching me?!!"
"I'm not watching you. I just happened to pass by to get some coffee as well after work."
She repeated, "Don't avoid the question. Tell me who's the guy you've been with."
I sighed, "Gosh mom! He's just a guy who parked behind my car and got me some coffee as an apology! That's it!"
"You should've come up with a better explanation."
She's unbelievable.
"It's the truth!! Do you want me to go back there so that you can ask him yourself?" I replied as annoyance uncontrollably showed in my tone.
"Alright." She warned: "I'll let it pass but you know how I think about this. If I ever find out that you've been fooling me thinking I wouldn't know, you wouldn't be happy with the result."
I averted my eyes and waited for her to finish.
She lectured: "We've talked about this. The top priority goes to your studies. Love and boyfriends come later. Much later! And I wouldn't accept any negotiations in that!"
I listened silently to what I've heard a thousand times: "It's for your own good. One day, when you're older, you'll know that I'm right! You'll even thank me for it."
Once she seemed to be finished, I asked: "Are you done now? Can I go ahead and change?"
"Yes. But keep what I said in mind."
I went to my room and changed then charged my new phone. I transferred the contacts and some of the pictures I'd like to keep, then installed some of my old phone's apps.
By evening, I realized that Aki hasn't passed by today, which is very unusual. Surprisingly, I found myself to be the one going to her room this time.
I knocked at her door then opened it as she quickly slammed the laptop shut. "Oh hey Nanako I haven't seen you all day!"
Suspicion arose at her reaction. "What are you doing?"