9 | ≠ disagreement

Anger. Confusion. Possessiveness.

After asking Ali about what happened, and seeing the rude lady walk out with Aliana's money, these are these emotions I feel.

Always respect women. But when they act wrong, don't hold back, but do so politely. My mom's words echo around my head. I take a quick look at Ali, who's busy behind the counter yet again as if nothing happened a minute ago. Looking around the cafe, I spot the owner's daughter talking animatedly with her mother, looking angry beyond words. As if sensing someone's eyes on her, she turns to look at me and wordlessly confirms what I'm unsure about. She nods at me and I quickly stuff my laptop in my bag and walk out of the bakery. Spotting the lady walking a few feet ahead of me, I call out to her.

"Excuse me, ma'am" She stops in her tracks and turns around.

"May I help you?" she asks.

"As a matter of fact, yes you can," I hear the owner's daughter speak up from behind me. "I didn't say anything in the shop as I was busy, and didn't want to embarrass you in front of our customers. May I please see your receipt?"

The lady looks at me and back at her, "What receipt?"

"The receipt of the order, ma'am. We always make a point to give the receipt along with the order. And don't even try to say you didn't receive it as I was the one who gave it to you. I remember the faces of people coming in and out of my shop," she says, with a polite but dangerous smile.

The lady's expressions falter, and she opens her bag to hand over the receipt to me. I take a look at it.

"It says here that you paid the exact amount. How is it that there was change remaining?" I question.

Looking back and forth between the two of us, the lady looks ready to bolt in the opposite direction before the owner's daughter takes a step ahead and effectively roots her to her place.

"Look. You have two options. You go back in, apologise to the girl you so easily blamed and embarrassed in front of everyone or I'll hand you over to the officer who is walking towards us at this very moment. Pick your poison,"

"Is everything alright here?" The officer questions.

I look at the lady and raise my eyebrow. Giving in, she speaks up,

"Everything's fine, officer. These two were just helping me with some financial issues,"

"Alright, then. Have a good evening."

The lady sighs and walks back in the direction of the bakery. We follow closely behind. Aliana looks up from her work as the bell rings, so do the rest of the customers in the bakery. When her gaze falls on both her friend and me, who are walking behind the lady who blamed her, her expression transforms from confusion to curiosity.

"May I help you again?" she asks the lady politely. Even after all this, she still doesn't want to be disrespectful to the customer. I feel my heartbeat increase a bit at this, but I don't pay too much attention to it.

The lady opens her bag and pulls out the 5 dollars Ali had given her. "I lied. There was no change pending. It's your hard-earned cash. I'm sorry," and before Ali could reply, she walked out the door.

"What did you two do?" she asks us.

"Nothing," the owner's daughter smirks and walks away. I shake my head at Ali and walk back towards my table and wait for her shift to get over. After a while, I hear someone pull the chair opposite mine and sit.

"I'm Shaye," she introduces herself.

"Shaye. Glad to put a name to the face. I'm Nathan,"

Shaye looks around before she speaks up, a little hesitant. "Thank you for helping her."

I chuckle and shake my head, "I did nothing Shaye. It was all you. I just can't help but wonder, why didn't Aliana do it herself. She doesn't seem like someone who will let anyone get away with something wrong."

Shaye smiles a bit and shakes her head back at me.

"She did tell you that she'll explain right?"

"I mean, I think she did. She just said to walk back with her after her shift."

"So, she will. I don't mean to poke my nose in her business, but I think you would be able to help her. I don't know why. All I came here to say is that Aliana is one of my best friends and that makes her family. And I don't like anyone hurting my family. So whatever your intentions are with her, you better be careful,"

With that, pushing herself out of the chair, she walks away. I look back at Ali and find her looking at me already. And with one wink towards her, I wait for the girl who has been unconsciously taking up my thoughts.

⋈ ⋈ ⋈

I stand beside her as she removes her apron and grabs her bag before leaving. It's almost 7 when she finishes her shift. She finally steps out and starts walking.

"Anything you want to tell me, Grasshopper?" I poke her side, which leads her to squeal in surprise and laugh.

"Fine. I'll tell you. But promise not to judge, alright?"

"Cross my heart, cupcake."

She cringes at cupcake and it only makes me smile wider.

Taking a deep breath, she begins, "I was 5 years old. I didn't even know what I was doing. The playground bully wanted to play with my sandcastle, and I had let him. I had said yes. When I was 7, the mean kid wanted me to run around the school for 10 whole minutes. I had said yes. When I was 9, my friend had asked me to kiss her crush to check if he had cooties. I had said yes. He didn't have cooties. When I was 17, the bottle in spin the bottle game had landed on my friend and the worst kisser of the school. That friend had asked me to go instead of her for '7 minutes in heaven' in the closet. I had said yes. It was more like '7 minutes in a sloppy land'. Safe to say, I was repulsed by kisses for a long time after that." That final statement makes me chuckle as I catch on to what she's trying to say.

She steals a quick look at me and continues, "Do you see a pattern?"

"You can't say no?" I almost say it as a question.

"Bingo! Never could and never will be able to" she jokes meekly and laughs.

I frown. Surely there must be something which can be done. As much as I enjoyed confronting the lady back there, I want her to do it herself. I recollect Shaye's words. I think you would be able to help her, she had said. And suddenly, I know what has to be done. I stop walking, which makes Aliana halt in her path as well.

"Palmer, I have a suggestion," I start.

She chuckles and raises one eyebrow to me, signalling me to continue talking.

"Let's make a deal. I teach you how to say no and in return, you come to all my football games and give me a free cupcake whenever I want one."

I observe her expressions. I can see that she's confused, which makes her look like a lost grasshopper. I chuckle at my own thoughts and bring my focus back to her.

"But how are you so sure you'll be able to teach me. Everyone has tried, Nathan. I wouldn't want to waste your time," she says.

I shake my head no, "I don't know how," I start, repeating Shaye's words, "but I know I'll be successful. Plus, except practice and my studies and lectures, I don't really do anything else, which gets quite annoying for Eli, who just wants to be left alone."

She laughs and thinks about it.

"You want free cupcakes? Understandable. We sell the best ones in town. But me coming to all your games? How is that profitable to you?"

I smile and take one step closer towards her. Honestly, I don't even know why I said anything about the games. It's true, it won't necessarily be profitable, as she put it. But as soon as I had said it, I knew I had to make it happen. For reasons I don't know yet.

"What? Having a grasshopper in the stands cheering for me sounds pretty profitable, don't you think?" I tease.

She shoves me back with a laugh and extends her hand.

"I'm in if you are, Mr Wright. Let's see if you can live up to your name,"

I laugh and shake her hand with my own and use it to pull her in towards me just a little, expecting a reaction. I find none, except the cute smirk she has on, which makes all this even better.

"Oh, I'm in alright, Palmer. Deal..." and quickly peck her cheek. She looks at me in surprise with a small smile on her face, "...sealed, with a kiss."

She laughs even louder now and we continue walking towards her apartment. And suddenly, I can't keep the smile off my face.

⋈ ⋈ ⋈

Phew. Look at the story taking off. How is everyone? Good? Good. I loved writing this chapter, especially the second half and I can only hope y'all like reading it too.

Question of the week, here we goooo,

Q. What is your favourite quality about yourself? (I'm gonna quote Beiber real quick and say, Love Yourself :) )

I hope everyone's happy, doing stuff you love and cracking jokes on bad days. On a side note, if anyone is going through stuff and want to rant to a stranger, you know where to find me. I'll listen (or read?)

Anywho, vote or comment or do anything you'd like. I'll see y'all next week!

Love,

Anushka <3