The Black Swan Behind

162 Friends Help Each Other

Emma immediately followed the man’s wide strides, “Why not? I’ll pay it back,”

“I said, no need. It’s too late..” He teased Emma on purpose.

“Too late? You wanted to make me indebted to you, didn’t you?” Emma asked, walking faster because the man didn’t want to slow down.

Levi smiled, “I like the way you think,” he muttered.

Then they stopped in front of Emma’s red car. It seemed that Emma had taken her car key out of her jacket pocket, but she didn’t seem willing to get into her car now. She still wanted to force Levi to give her his account number and the repair shop bill.

“Levi. I really have to pay for it. I have to take responsibility. Why are you being so annoying?” Emma asked, irritated by looking at the man who seemed indifferent.

Levi rubbed his ear which was hurting from hearing Emma’s ravings which forced him to give his account number and repair shop bill. Then, he saw the car key dangling in Emma’s hand and quickly snatched it.

“Hey!” Emma exclaimed with bulging eyes.

But Levi didn’t care. He pressed the button on the remote key to open her maroon car. Then he put his hands on Emma’s shoulders and pushed the grumpy girl toward the driver’s door.

.....

“Levi! Are you wishing to death?!” Emma growled as she tried to free herself from his grip, but really.. Levi’s strength was great.

“You’re too strong for a woman,” Levi muttered by opening the car driver’s door and then directing Emma to get inside. “You can compensate at any time. You’re welcome,” He said by throwing the bag of ice cream he bought earlier. The cold steamy object landed right on the passenger seat next to Emma.

Emma couldn’t believe that Levi actually bought that much ice cream for her. She turned her gaze from the bag of ice cream back to the man who had full moon irises. He perched in front of her car door which was still open, “You..”

“You’ll be scolded again if you come home too late. If you don’t want me to mess up more, you better hide your sad tone when you talk to me so I don’t notice, it is if you can, of course,” Levi said before closing Emma’s car door.

Emma was still staring at Levi through the car window. He tapped on the window and then pointed to the street, as a signal for Emma to leave immediately. Emma could only chuckle with a confused face and started the car engine. Then, she drove away.

The man with a little long black hair was still watching Emma’s red car that drove away and disappeared at a crossroads. A smile tugged his red lips.

‘It is fine, right? Don’t we don’t know each other? It’s certainly okay.’ He thought.

***

Rachel’s eyes widened. She had no idea what Emma had said. Why did the brown-eyed girl suddenly change her mind so quickly?

Emma nodded, “I think it’s the right decision, Rachel. I’ve thought it through.”

Rachel fell silent with furrowed brows. Then, she leaned back in the library chair where she and Emma had discussed yesterday, “If you’ve thought it through, then I will say no more.”

“Actually, I wanted to thank you for making me realize, Rachel. I’ve been too naive. Even a Calvin Lee can’t do it when he’s fighting alone. He never succeeds. I shouldn’t be so arrogant as to believe don’t make sense things.”

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry for, Emma. Humans grow up because they make mistakes and realize their mistakes. I’m proud of you because you were brave enough to change your mind. It’s actually a very difficult thing to do.” Rachel replied.

Emma nodded, “That is hard, but that doesn’t mean it cannot be done.” Then she took out a notebook with a 3D unicorn cover with glittering powder. She opened the book and showed it to Rachel, “This is our next plan.”

Rachel put her focus on the contents of the book and nodded, “So we have to change costumes?”

“That’s true. I used to always wear a helmet from thinking the only thing I would do was fight. But it would be very uncomfortable to visit RJC’s headquarters to discuss things with a large helmet covering our heads.”

Rachel nodded in agreement, “We can wear ski masks under our helmets. Oh.. crap, but our women’s voices will still be heard.” it turned out that the solution still had another problem.

However, Emma seemed to have a solution to the problem, “Actually, it can be solved, Rachel.” she said and looked at her intently, “Do you know the voice-faking device in my helmet? We can put it on the ski mask. But of course, we have to make some modifications.”

“Hmm.. That’s right. I have a lot of tools at home. Maybe we can do it in my garage?” Rachel asked.

Emma nodded, “Sure. I’ll bring the tool to your house later.”

“So you guys are here, huh?” Suddenly Kathy appeared like a ghost in broad daylight. She kept on surprising them.

“Shhh!! Kathy! This is library!” Poppy nagged in a whisper.

Emma and Rachel turned to look at the two girls who were a few steps near their table.

“Oh.. Hey..” Emma greeted by slowly pulling out her unicorn notebook and it in the bag on her lap.

“So, you guys always went here lately?” Poppy asked in a low voice, sitting down next to Emma.

Rachel nodded, “We happened to be in the same class, so we did our coursework together.” Her brain works fast. Her major happened to share the same class as Emma’s major for several semesters. She could use that as an excuse.

“Are you two looking for us? Why didn’t you call me?” Emma asked.

Kathy shook her head, “Not really. It just so happened that Poppy and I wanted to find a book for our assignment.”

“Are you girls done?” Poppy asked Emma and Rachel. “If so, would you like to have coffee at the new café near the park?”

Emma nodded, “Actually I did. Let’s go.”

Then the four girls went to a cafe that had just opened in front of the campus building. The location was quite spacious, built near a park so many students brought their coffee while sitting on benches. Maybe if spring had arrived and the grass had started to grow again, then people would sit on the ground.

Emma brought the coffees her friends had ordered to the table the girls were already occupied. A small round table was attached to a large window that led to the dense trees growing at the sides of the park. Clean snow dominated the scenery there.

“Thanks, Emma.” Poppy said.

Emma smiled, “You’re welcome.” she sat down on the empty chair next to Poppy.

“So you just have to wait for the certificate, huh?” Kathy asked Poppy as she sipped her Iced Americano.

Poppy nodded, “Because I was already trained and have gotten several special training certificates since a child, my teaching certificate application was confirmed faster.”

“Oh.. It’s about your plan to open the studio, huh?” Emma joined in on the ongoing conversation when she was ordering coffee.

“That’s right, Emma. Poppy will soon be a ballet instructor. She’s just getting better.” Kathy raised an eyebrow as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“Wow! Congratulations, then. I’m glad to hear that.” Emma said happily, “Then what else have you prepared? Have you got a place for it?”

“Thank you, Emma.” Poppy said, but her face turned dispirited, “Unfortunately, I still haven’t found a place. If there is a cheap one, the location is not strategic. If there is a strategic one, it is too expensive.” she sighed, propping her chin in the middle of her palms.

“So, you’re looking for a building to rent, huh?” Rachel asked. She had been just listening while enjoying her latte.

Poppy nodded, “I am, Rachel. But it turns out that finding a good location for business isn’t as easy as I thought it would be.”

“Actually, I have a simple building to live in. It’s located on the side of the main road. However, it needs renovation.” Rachel explained.

Kathy snapped her fingers, “Wow.. Isn’t this like fate? What a coincidence, Rachel. I’m sure Poppy will take it.”

“W-wait a minute, Kathy.” Poppy tried to calm her overexcited friend. Then, she looked at Rachel, “Thanks for the offer, Rachel. I really appreciate it. But.. I also have to consider about the price.” she said uncomfortably.

Rachel smiled gently, “You don’t have to worry about that, Poppy. It just so happens that the building has been empty for quite a while and we’ve never rented it out. If you want, you can occupy it and pay the renovation fee and the monthly bill only.”

“Gosh! You’re such a philanthropist, Rachel. Is that building yours?” Kathy asked with wide eyes.

“It is.” Emma muttered then looked at Rachel, “I think I’ve heard your grandma say they have a building to pass on to you.”

“It was going to be built into a house by my mom and dad.” Rachel nodded.

“But.. is it okay if I rent it, Rachel? Because you said you didn’t intend to rent it from the start.” Poppy asked carefully.

Rachel shook her head, “That doesn’t matter, Poppy. I didn’t want to rent it out because I didn’t trust the tenants who might use the building irresponsibly. But if you are the one who rents it, I know you can take good care of it. Anyway, I’m glad to help your business a little.”

“Thank you, Rachel.” Poppy said with sparkling eyes, “Of course, you can charge the rent price for me. But maybe I need a big discount,” she laughed shyly.

Rachel laughed along, “You really didn’t have to, Poppy. In fact, one of the reasons I didn’t rent it out was because I didn’t have the funds to do the renovations. You can see it as your year’s rent.” she winked.