On the other side, Ava walked out of the supermarket with many things in her hands, a faint smile on her face, looking satisfied all the way.
For her, the day she received her salary was her happiest moment, because she could buy things she liked but couldn't afford normally. So on this day, she could be extravagant.
It was already ten o'clock when she got home. Her brother, Martin, had already fallen asleep. Ava walked into his bedroom and placed the airplane model in her hand on the side table. Seeing his peaceful sleeping face, her eyes softened. She covered him properly with the quilt and quietly closed the door.
As soon as she walked out of the room, her phone rang. Seeing the smiling picture on the screen, Ava smiled happily.
When she swiped across the screen to answer the call, she heard the dissatisfied voice on the other end. "Ava, you don't get in touch with me no more, and I thought we're friends. That's no way to treat a friend, you know."
In response, Ava smiled and said. "Don't be angry, Hannah, I know I should have called you. I'm so sorry. From now on, I'll always call you, okay?"
Knowing that Hannah said this on purpose, Ava still apologized every time. The most valuable thing about friendship was that even though he knew Hannah was joking with her, she was still happy to go along with it.
Whenever they talk on the phone, they always talk about trivial topics, but this was what made Ava happy. She was a quiet person who was not that good at communicating with others. She was a listener. So, Hannah was always willing to be the chatterbox, trying her best to cover her friend's listening nature.
Ava sat by the window and listened quietly as Hannah's incessant chattering voice came on the phone again. Whenever she heard something interesting, she would laugh with her hands covering her mouth.
"By the way, I heard from Marilyn that you quit your job at the nightclub. Why is that? I thought you were doing well."
Hannah's question made Ava lower her head in thought, her eyes dimming. She didn't want to make Hannah worry, so she didn't tell her the truth. She just replied. "Yea, it's just because that place was a bit...you know...a tad above my comfort zone, and I was afraid I might get into trouble if I stay there for too long. So I resigned."
"I understand. Anyway, it doesn't matter if you work there or not. There are so many jobs available. You can just find yourself another one. By the way, since your vacation is coming soon, my company is looking for ten part-time employees. Why don't you come and apply for the job then?"
Hannah's words were like rays of light in the darkness to Ava. "Really?! Thank you Hannah, thanks for calling me. Wait, is that why you call me, to tell me this good news?"
"Hey, what do you mean? Are you saying that if there is nothing good to say, I won't call you? Have I not been calling before now?" Hannah asked angrily in a pretense, but she was very happy in her heart.
"I'm not that annoying, am I?" Ava asked while smiling happily. "Oh, my little heart is broken."
"Hahaha, you're more than annoying. Okay, it's getting late, you need to have a good rest now. Don't stay up late like you used to. Otherwise, I'll be really angry with you, do you hear me?"
"I promise." The caring words made Ava's heart feel like being hit by rays of warm sunlight. "Good night, Hannah!"
After hanging up the phone, Ava walked to the balcony. The evening breeze blew her hair over her shoulders, and her glum mood subsided. The twinkling stars in the night sky added a sense of peace to the quiet night.
Little did she know that this brief tranquility would be followed by a storm.