Half Lie

~Inside the convenience store~

"Can you just hurry up?"- Aiden says impatiently.

"Bro, I'm looking for my usual brand here. Can't just pick anything,"- Nathan sounds serious while looking at different types of chewing gum, displayed in the candy section.

"Then let's leave,"- Aiden is getting annoyed.

"Dude, that's not possible,"- Nathan speaks without adverting his gaze from the gums. "Sophia is coming and she hates the odor of nicotine. Hey, how about you give me your Mastika gu.."

The sight of Aiden, staring at some school kid, stops Nathan from whatever he wanted to convey.

"What are you looking at, man? You know that kid?" Nathan asks curiously.

"Which kid?"

"Which one else? The one with long braids. You were staring at her."

Aiden chuckles at Nathan's words. "The girl, you addressed as a kid, is actually a student of our school."

"Say what?"- Nathan rolls his eyes. "You mean that pipsqueak is our age?"

"No. This is the girl I met in the parking lot. She might be a fresher."

"You mean she's the one who seems to be afraid of you?"

"Ya."

"Holy crap. Look at her. Ha ha. She is almost climbing the shelf."

Aiden turns his eyes to Bismika, who is now struggling to get a box of lasagne sheets.

"Seriously!"- Aiden mutters inaudibly.

"You hurry up with finding your sh*t. I'm coming in a minute,"- Aiden leaves Nathan and walks toward Bismika.

___________________________

Bismika turns her doe eyes toward Aiden as he drops the lasagne box into her basket. Nevertheless, her scared countenance leaves just one thought in his mind.

'The little bunny is scared again!'

As Aiden is welcomed without gratitude or greeting, he decides to make the first move for ice-breaking.

"Hi,"- He makes an effort to sound as innocent as he can.

Fortunately, his struggle doesn't go in vain since his bunny acts a little braver this time.

"Hi,"- an almost inaudible voice comes from her.

However, Aiden grabs the opportunity to continue the verbal exchange.

"Shopping lasagna sheet at this hour of the evening?"- he asks.

"It's for dinner,"- the short reply comes from her end.

"Okay. So, do you need any help with your shopping?"- Aiden hasn't changed his tone.

"No, this box is all I need for today,"- Bismika doesn't sound like she has the mood to let her guard down.

"And thanks for your help,"- as soon as she verbalizes those words, she turns on her heel and walks away

Aiden keeps staring at her back until Nathan's whine reaches his ears.

"Bro, help me out."

Aiden furrows his brows as he watches his pal, throwing a fit over some stupid chewing gum.

"Don't tell me you just wasted a whole 30 minutes without grabbing a thing?"- Aiden sounds mad.

"I can't just grab anything, ya know? Sophi is super fussy about flavors. She is the classy type,"- Nathan states the last line proudly.

"I doubt the last part. At least, as long as you are her boyfriend," Aiden gives him a poker face.

"For your kind information, you are my pal and supposed to give me suggestion instead of insulting me,"- Nathan makes a fake heartbroken expression.

"Just don't kiss that 'red microphone'," Aiden deadpans at him. "It's totally fine to get fresh oxygen from the air rather than sucking from her mouth."

"Excuse me?"

"You asked for my suggestion and I gave you the best."

"I can't believe you!"

"Wow! Finally, something is common between us,"- crossing his hands, Aiden continues. "Even I can't believe I'm wasting my precious time arguing with a love-sick idiot."

"I can't believe you making fun of her beautiful red hair and sweet voice. And not to mention your dumb suggestion on kissing.."

Nathan's rant stops midway as Aiden's focus shifts to the cash counter.

"I might have some Mastika gum left in my car. Go inside and wait. I'll be there shortly,"- Aiden leaves Nathan without looking.

___________________________

~In the parking lot~

As soon as Aiden pays the bill, he takes Bismika's hand and walks out of the store. He doesn't look at her even once until reaching to his car.

Reaching his car, he turns back to face her.

The list of things Aiden hates is long enough to cover the great wall of China and the word 'weakling' is a proud contributor to it. He can't stand pushovers.

However, he finds it hard to muster any contempt for this timid, little girl.

"Do you need to buy something else? I can buy it for you if you want,"-not knowing how to console her, he offers to help as he hands over her bag.

"No. I just came here to buy this. And thank you for helping me out there. I'll pay you once I get the money,"- she is trying her best not to cry and her cracking voice is the proof.

"That won't be needed,"- Aiden replies instantly.

One thing Aiden is sure of is that he isn't feeling comfortable around this girl. Her teary face seems to have some kind of effect on him. He doesn't want this.

He lowers his head to make eye contact. As she has taken her glasses off, her glistening black orbs tug a string in his hurt. He touches the tear marks.

For the first time, he says something genuinely- "Don't cry over small things. Okay?"

Now, he himself is shocked by his actions.

"So, do you have a ride? If not, I can drop you at your house,"- he changes the topic.

"Thanks. But my house is nearby. I can go by myself,"- she tries to sound normal. But it takes more than that to deceive Aiden.

"You sure?"- he has doubts. But before clearing it, his phone pings.

[I can't believe (2). You have pedophilia!]

Aiden can feel that all the veins on his forehead have become visible and ready to explode.

"Okay, I'll be going then," Bismika left without waiting for his response and Aiden doesn't stop her.

He encounters Nathan's verbal assault once more after getting into the car.

"Hi, child abuser. Care to tell me what's going on?"

"Just put some gum in your mouth and keep it shut."

"But to be honest, it's totally fine if someone is scared of you,"- Nathan's words earn him a glare from Aiden.

Throwing his hands up like surrendered position, he continues,- "Look, I understand that you want to be adored by everyone so that no one can ever doubt your dark life. What I'm saying is that someone is scared of your charming version doesn't mean that he or she has any clue about your terrible deeds. So stop pushing it."

"However, it's totally different if you are wooing her to make her your girlfriend,"- to lighten up the mood Nathan jokes. "So, has Mr. Miller finally found his love of life?"

"Ya, and I'm so in love with her that I feel like killing you so she can have the passenger seat,"- Aiden makes the perfect poker face and starts the engine.

"Don't hurt my feelings with your lies,"- Nathan gives him a sad look.

'Lie? Or a half lie?'