chapter 6 - Market

It was a lazy Sunday, and Amy had nothing much to do. She lay sprawled on the couch, her legs draped over the armrest, her head nestled into the cushions, enjoying her chips and playing games on her phone.

Look at the way she's lying on the couch,

Zahn thought, shaking his head in mild disbelief. He could never understand how Amy could lay around for hours, staring at the mobile screen and eating junk food daily.

Although he usually kept to himself, he felt a growing urge to correct her habits. "Using your phone all day and eating these snacks? You don't even exercise. Don't you think you'll end up living an unhealthy life?" he scolded as usual.

Amy didn't even look up. "Haha, I don't care," she replied nonchalantly.

What did he even expect?

A thought occurred to him. "Want to go out? I was thinking of going to the supermarket to buy some things."

Her eyes lit up, and she finally got up. "Yes!"

"You don't want to laze around anymore?" he mocked.

She grinned. "No, I need a new gaming set."

How childish...

Zahn mused. He preferred ordering things online, but today, he felt like he had some free time, and getting Amy out of the house seemed like a good idea.

Amy immediately got dressed and went with him. She realized it had been a while since they walked side by side. Since college started, she hadn't pushed him much to go out with her. I should probably do that again...

As they walked through the sliding doors of the supermarket, Amy's eyes sparkled with excitement. She felt like a kid in a candy store, her enthusiasm palpable. Amy had always liked coming to the supermarket and looking around at things. She grabbed a shopping trolley and pushed it ahead of her with glee.

The first aisle was her favorite: snacks. She sped towards it, her eyes wide with delight, tossing chip packets into the trolley one after the other.

Zahn raised an eyebrow. "Don't you think you're getting too many snacks?"

"Snacks are tasty," she replied with a shrug.

He sighed as they moved on to the next aisle, her eyes scanning the shelves for more treasures. Her enthusiasm surprised Zahn. She looked like a child, excited to see everything. He couldn't understand what was so exciting about it, but the smile on her face was delightful and warm.

After filling their trolley with snacks, groceries, and an assortment of other items, Amy and Zahn headed to the checkout. As the cashier scanned their purchases, Amy nudged Zahn.

"Let's get these delivered. We still have time to explore the market," she suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Zahn shook his head. "No, let's go home."

"No! Let's go, please?" she requested, pouting slightly.

"You can go alone then."

Amy grabbed his arm. "Fine, I will post your photo in a bunny hairband if you don't go with me!"

His eyes widened. "Are you... serious?! You... urgh, fine."

With no choice, Zahn arranged for home delivery, providing their address and setting a delivery time for later in the evening.

"Now, let's explore the market!" Amy exclaimed, grabbing Zahn's hand and pulling him towards the bustling streets.

Amy and Zahn arrived at the bustling market, a lively place filled with colorful stalls and vibrant chatter of vendors and shoppers. Amy's eyes sparkled with excitement as she took in the scene, while Zahn looked around, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the noise and crowds.

"This place is amazing!" Amy exclaimed, grabbing Zahn's hand and pulling him toward a stall displaying an array of brightly colored hats. "Look at all these!"

Zahn glanced at the hats, puzzled. "Do you really need them?"

"It's not about need, it's about the thrill of finding something unique and cheap," Amy said with a grin. "Plus, bargaining is so much fun!"

Zahn raised an eyebrow. "Bargaining?"

Amy nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! You can get things for very cheap if you know how to bargain well. It's so much fun!"

They moved from stall to stall, Amy chatting animatedly with vendors and looking at different items-bracelets, bags, dresses. She loved every minute of it, her joy was visible. Zahn, on the other hand, felt slightly out of place. As someone who came from a different background, everything was new for him.

"How about this one?" Amy held up a dress against herself, turning to Zahn for his opinion.

"Good..." Zahn said, unable to understand her excitement.

"Sigh, you say 'good' to every dress I show you."

Zahn shrugged. "I have no idea about them. Everything seems nice on you anyway."

Amy smiled. "You don't seem interested in such markets."

"Mhm. It's too crowded. Why do you like them? You can shop in a mall instead."

Amy looked at Zahn with skepticism. "Malls are too expensive. Markets are a good place where you can get things cheaper."

"Oh," Zahn replied, processing the information.

They continued walking, Amy pointing out different stalls and explaining why she loved markets so much. Zahn couldn't relate but listened patiently, awed by her cheerful nature.

At a stall selling homemade jewelry, Amy spotted a pair of earrings she liked. She began haggling with the vendor, her face lighting up as she secured a good deal. Turning to Zahn, she proudly showed off her purchase.

"See? A bargain well-struck," she said triumphantly.

Zahn couldn't help but be impressed by her enthusiasm. "You seem to know a lot about that."

"My mom taught me well, haha. Should I teach you too?"

Zahn shook his head. "No need." a smile almost tugging on his lips.

As they wandered through the bustling market, the crowd increased, making it difficult to move. "Amy, walk behind me."

But when he looked back, he couldn't see her anymore.

"Amy?" he called out, glancing around frantically. His heart began to race as he realized he couldn't see her in the sea of people. He pulled out his phone and tried to call her, but there was no answer.

I told her to walk behind me, where did she go now?

He pushed through the crowd, scanning every face, his worry growing with each passing second.

Where could she have gone?

His mind raced with concern. What if she got lost? What if something happened to her?

10-15 minutes passed, feeling like an eternity to Zahn. He finally spotted a familiar figure at a stall. There was Amy, happily chatting with the vendor.

Relief flooded through him, quickly followed by a surge of frustration. He marched over, ready to give her a piece of his mind for wandering off.

Before he could say a word, Amy turned to him and spoke. "Zahn! Where have you been?" she scolded playfully. "I've been looking everywhere for you!"

Zahn blinked in surprise, completely taken aback. "Me? I should be the one saying that! I've been trying to find you!"

Amy huffed, crossing her arms. "You should have stayed close. It's a crowded market, you know."

He was surprised at her audacity and opened his mouth to argue back. "It's all your fault. You didn't pick up your phone... I was worried...!"

Amy smiled, pleased. "Wow, you seem so concerned about me."

Zahn was stunned by his own actions but tried to ignore that. "Enough shopping, let's get out of here," he said, firmly holding her hand.

"Fine," Amy agreed, smiling as she looked at their hands held together.

On the way back, Amy's eyes were caught by a vendor selling golden, crispy potato croquettes. Her face lit up with excitement-it was her favorite.

"Oh my gosh, Zahn! Potato croquettes!" she exclaimed, practically dragging him towards the stall. "You have to try these."

Zahn raised an eyebrow skeptically. He wasn't fond of street food, and most importantly, it looked so oily.

"No, let's go home."

"Please, Zahn! They are so delicious!" Amy didn't wait any longer and rushed to buy some potato croquettes herself. Then she handed one to him.

Zahn sighed helplessly. Amy took a bite, looking delighted. "Mmm, so delicious!"

Zahn hesitated but finally took a bite. It tasted good, but he knew such foods weren't healthy. "It's good... but too oily."

Amy rolled her eyes playfully. "Who cares? As long as it tastes good. I eat this all the time"

He frowned, "What? You shouldn't do that. Think about your health."

"Haha, nothing will happen. I'm still young," Amy spoke without a care.

She is really too stubborn.

Amy and Zahn took a taxi back home, carrying the bags from all the shopping Amy did. Her eyes were on Zahn, just gazing at him, remembering how fun the day had been.

"It was fun, right?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Fun? You made me tired, Amy. All the shopping in the crowded market, then having me carry the bags, and you even got lost."

"Haha, I'm sorry, but you can't deny it was fun."

"Next time, you better follow what I say. You are such a trouble, Amy."

Amy laughed heartily, seeming unaffected.

To him, Amy seemed like a complete chaotic person, too impossible to handle.

_______

Back at home, Amy and Zahn settled into their usual routines. He busied himself with his studies, while Amy continued snacking and using her phone in her room.

The next day at college, Amy felt a dull pain in her stomach.

"Amy, let's go eat pizza. My treat," said Ruby.

"No... I can't."

"Am I hearing this right? You're seriously saying no to pizza?"

"Uhm... I'm going home..."

"Huh, what?"

"Actually..." As she tried to speak, her vision blurred, and her head felt light.

Thud!

The next moment, she stumbled, hitting her head on the floor as she collapsed.

"Amy!" Her friend shouted.

Zahn was in the library, scrolling through his phone when he saw the posts on the campus forum. His eyes widened in shock.

User1: "OMG, did anyone see what happened to Amy?! She fainted in the hallway!"

User2: "Yeah, I saw it too! She hit her head pretty hard. "

User3: "She's in the nurse's office now. I hope she's okay."

Panic surged through him. He immediately got up and rushed to the nurse's office. He found Amy lying on a bed, with a a bandage on her head. The nurse had given her some medicine and fruits to eat.

"Amy...," he said, his usually cold tone now filled with worry.

"Yo, Zahn? You're here to see me?" she asked, surprised.

He didn't answer, just went straight to her. He held her face, caressing it softly, his eyes on her injury. "How did this happen...?"

She was even more stunned by the warmth of his touch. "Zahn, it's nothing. The nurse said i fainted cause of dehydration, that's all. But hey, at least I don't have to attend classes. I can just rest the whole day."

His worry turned into anger. "Are you serious?! All you care about is skipping classes? Amy, it's because of your unhealthy habits! Junk food and sugary drinks dehydrate you! How careless can you be?"

Amy was astounded, all she could see was his concern at the moment.

"Amy, at least try to look guilty. You need to change your habits!"

She looked down, feeling remorseful. "Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I didn't take things seriously. I'll try to change."

"Sigh. I don't trust you. Let's go home."

"Woah, really? Will you skip your classes for me?"

"I have no choice, you're a troublemaker."

Amy just laughed as usual, seeming unserious.

"...what's funny, huh?"

As they left the nurse's office and made their way home, an unspoken bond began to form between them. Despite their differences, Zahn's stern demeanor softened in moments of genuine care, while Amy's carefree spirit subtly transformed with each word of concern he voiced. The tender gestures, like Zahn gently supporting her as they walked and Amy's small, appreciative glances, hinted at a growing closeness..