Page 102 of Hawthorne

“Rach,” I squeeze her hand in comfort, “we’re still young. You have time.”

“I know,” she hums, almost inaudible through the hectic sounds of the city. “I’ve just been lonely. Charlie and I hit it off the other night, but…he hasn’t called since.”

Did they hit it off?That’s amazing!

“I knew you fancied each other,” I can’t help but blurt out.

“Well, as it seems, he was just looking for a hook-up. Thank god I didn’t put it all out there on the first night,” she tuts, annoyed.

“Charlie has always been a slow one,” I recall, remembering how I had to be the one to take the first step with the both of us. “Why don’t you call him and arrange to meet up? A brunch or something?”

Her frown deepens. “What if he says no?”

“Why would he?”

“I don’t know,” She sighs, and I roll my eyes.

“You’re gorgeous. There’s no way he could refuse. Text him!”

“What?” Wide and panicked eyes stare back at me. “No!”

Snatching her purse from her hand, I take her phone out and unlock it. Hmm, no password.

“If you don’t, I will.”

Typing, it takes me a few seconds to send him a text.

Rachel

Hi! I was thinking we could meet up for lunch one of these days.

“Oh my god,” Rachel gushes, covering her flushed cheeks. “What if he doesn’t answer?”

“Then you don’t spare him another thought.” I nod in reassurance. “You are an outstanding woman. If he doesn’t see it, he doesn’t deserve you!”

She clutches my arm with a stressed sigh as we reach Carpenter’s Road. The funny thing about some of the streets around here is they are named after the artisans that used to work here…

Carpenter’s Road is parallel to the Goldsmith’s Road, for example. And like these two, we have many more. I love it. It kind of keeps alive in the memory of what once was…

Even though it is already dark, the streets are lit up with countless Christmas decorations, giving wet Livia such a romantic look. Our hot breaths mix with the cold air in small steam clouds since the temperature has been rather chilly for a few weeks now.

Even with the heavy coats, our faces are flushed from the low temperatures we’ve been enduring all day long.

“Only you could have such kind words for an uptight rich kid like myself.”

“You might be rich, but you’re not uptight or cruel. Believe me, I wouldn’t get along with you if that were the case.” I chuckle lightly.

“Yin-Yang?” Rachel asks, and I think it over.

“Is Baozilnn still open? It used to be my favourite.”

“Sure, let’s go!”

In the five-minute walk we have left to arrive at the restaurant, Rachel’s phone pings with an incoming text, and she hastily takes the phone from my hold, eagerly reading it. Her eyes widen before a soft smile stretches her cheeks. If it weren’t for the cold, I’d say she’s blushing, too.

“He said yes.Yes!“ she gushes.

Her smile is wide, and her eyes are twinkling. It’s so satisfying to see her happy. My mission has been accomplished by pushing them to get to know each other even better.

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