"It's really good going to the mall without minding a class. Isn't it?"
I just nodded. I don't talk much, especially when walking in the public place, but Donald isn't that type of a man. He's so talkative even if I don't respond.
"Wait Cole, where are we going?"
Still, I did not respond to him, but he's still following me. We stepped on the escalator. I can see the entrance of the bookstore from here.
"This is it."
We are in front of the store.
"Okay, but after this, let's eat at the Pizzaria and your treat."
He goes first and I'm just behind him. There are still a few people here.
"Are you sure this is a bookstore? Or..."
He looked around and I saw the bewildered look on his face.
"Sort of an antique shop?"
I can't blame him because this bookstore is small, a bit dark and smells old because of the old books that are filed in each shelf. But this is a good place to read because it is quiet here.
"Just follow me"
I said in a low toned voice.
I approached the lady at the counter.
"Hi Ma'am Good day"
She looks like that she's already in 60's. She's big but small. You can really see her wrinkles at eyes and cheeks as she smiles.
"Good day young man, How may I help you?"
"I was here the other day, then I found this."
I pulled the necklace out of my pocket.
"Maybe someone dropped this on the floor. Did anyone ask for a missing necklace?"
Her expression became thoughtful.
"Hmm... Someone came here earlier. She's asking if there's a necklace found here, but I said none, then she said she'll come back."
"A girl? Cole, just leave it to Mrs..."
She cut him off and looked at him with her eyebrow raised.
"It's Miss. Miss Virginia"
"Oh, sorry Miss.. VIRGINIA! Cole, please leave the necklace to MISS VIRGINIA. So we can go now."
He fakes a smile and whispered,
"Leave it Cole"
"No, we'll wait. I have to know who's necklace is this, okay?"
"Ah boys, is there something wrong?"
We both smiled at her.
"Nothing, we'll just wait here."
I pointed the long couch in front of the counter.
"Okay"
We were about to turn.
"Oh, she's here."
We looked in her direction and our eyes widened as we recognized the girl.
"Hi Miss Virginia, I came back to get this book."
She grabs the book at the counter.
Damn that smile. I don't know, but I'm really attracted to her. I can feel some connection between us.
"Here we go again, Are you stalking me Junior?"
Donald tapped me on my back.
"Cole!" He whispered.
As I came back to my senses, she is standing in front of me.
"I- I-... ya.."
Donald grabbed my arms tightly.
"What he's trying to say is we are here to turn over something that Cole have found here the other day. Right Cole?"
He pressed my arms harder while smiling at her.
"Yeah, of course."
"What's your name again young man?"
I turned to Miss Virginia.
"Cole... Colby De Ville"
"He said, he found a necklace here the other day. Honey, please show it to Miss Kidman."
I handed it over to her. She smiled at it and holding it like she missed it, then she wears it.
"Ah, so are we done here? Let's go now Cole"
"Wait! Ah, I just wanted to thank you guys for giving back my necklace. This means a lot. How can I thank you?"
"You don't have to, its's fine"
"No! Ahh, Miss Heidi Kidman right?"
She nodded.
"Since your necklace is back, food sounds good to me- to us"
I grinned at him.
"Ah, Heidi no.. no.. you don't have..."
"Food sounds great! Miss Virginia thank you."
She looked at her watch and to us.
"Shall we?"
She started to walk.
"What do you think you are doing? Food? Unbelievable!"
"It's okay, at least you have the chance to talk to her about the necklace right?"
"Are just going to stand there or we'll go and eat?"
We said goodbye to Miss Virginia and we followed her. She's walking ahead of us. We stopped at the pizza restaurant near the bookstore.
"Just like what we have planned earlier"
I rolled my eyes. She entered so as we. She sat on a four seater table. Donald sat on the right and I sat on the left facing Heidi.
The other day we're awkward and now we are in the same table, facing each other while eating.
The guy approached us.
"Ma'am Sir, can I have your order?"
She scanning the menu, "So, what do you want to eat?"
"Let see, I'm actually on diet but hmmm..." Donald is looking at the menu.
"Ah, I would like to eat one platter of lasagna, mojos, coleslaw, peperoni pizza, iced tea... oh and spicy fried chicken"
I feel embarrassed because he's ordering casually like he will pay for all of that. He handed the menu to me. Unbelievable.
"You? What do you want to eat?"
She asked me.
"You"
She was shocked. They all looked at me.
"Ah- ah you? You go first."
Donald clears his throat.
"Ahem"
I elbowed him.
"Salami, cheese and egg and pineapple juice."
"Yours, sir?"
"Oh, Spaghetti Italian pasta and water."
The waiter noted, all of the orders and leave. After we ordered, we did not talk the whole time. She's busy with her phone. When Donald feels like awkward he finally breaks the ice.
"Ah, Heidi may I know why that necklace is so precious to you?"
She smiled while caressing the necklace in her neck.
"My grandma gave me this before she passed away."
I can see the sadness in her eyes and smile.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"No, it's okay. It's been a long time and I'm totally fine. I am happy that it came back to me. I don't want to lose this."
She looked at me, this time I can see her clear expression.
"By the way, we haven't formally introduced ourselves."
Donald offered his hand.
"I'm Donald Becker, 21, third year from engineering faculty and single."
He smiled while shaking her hands, I stepped on his shoes
"Ouch!"
I act normal.
"And you?"
She offered her hand to me, I did not make her wait so I held her hand.
"I'm Colby Zoe De Ville, 21 and same college program with him."
"And single"
Donald winked at me. I smiled at her and to Donald but at the back of my mind, I will kill you later!
"I'm Heidi Kidman, 22 and fourth year from the college of psychology."
"Nice! You're graduating. Congrats in advance"
Donald really don't know the essence of being shy. He gets along with the person right away even if he doesn't know that person.
Our food finally came. I looked at Donald and he seems delighted. He digs in to his food right away. Heidi started to eat too.
They are both talking. They seem to be closed. I looked around and saw the book that she's holding a while ago. I read the title "My Dreams"
She probably heard me, so she showed me the book.
"I actually like this book a lot. My dreams."
"Oh, you are a fan of reading dreams?"
"Yes Donald. I have read a lot of books about dreams"
So she has more knowledge about dreams. Maybe she can help me.
"Ah-"
I was about to talk when her phone rings. Someone texted her. She seems shocked after reading it. She called the waiter.
"Bill please"
The waiter gave her the receipt. She gets her wallet and pull out her card.
The waiter went to the counter. She seems worried and rushed.
"Why so rush Heidi? What's wrong?"
"Nothing, there's an emergency. I have to go."
The waiter went back and gave her the card.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go. Thank you and Nice meeting you."
Then she left. She moves so fast like she was being chased.
"What's wrong with her?"
"Emehjanzjzy"
"What?"
I can't understand him because his mouth is full. He finished his food and said.
"She said emergency. Don't think too much okay?"
He continued his food. I am looking outside and she's gone. I should talk to her next time. I will ask her what she knows about dreams and maybe she can help me to understand everything.