"I'd like the Caesar salad," said Johan.

"And I'll have the fried fish," said Lucy.

Both handed their menus to the waitress, and she soon departed with their orders.

"We should be lucky we got a table, huh?" Lucy said as she looked around the packed bistro.

"Yeah," said Johan nervously. “Though I'm surprised you ordered an actual meal after all that popcorn.”

“Popcorn isn't filling.”

“It filled me up quite a bit. I guess it's because you're still young.”

"Oh, yeah... so, did you enjoy the movie?"

"Yeah, it was nice."

"Really? I heard men don't like romantic movies."

"I heard kids don't like them either, so I was kind of surprised you picked it."

"Uh... so what was your favorite part?"

"I liked the beginning. The guy was kind of clumsy and the girl wasn't as smart as she thought she was. It was funny how both tried to impress each other but just failed to realize their shortcomings. That was quite funny."

"So, you like the comedy more than the romance?"

"Well, I am a man, I guess, ha ha."

"I prefer the second half, the more romantic part. I'll admit, I was looking forward to that part much more."

"Yeah. I'm certain."

"What did you think about it?"

"Well, not to put down the whole movie, but I already saw the ending coming. It's a trope for romantic films to end with the couple together."

“But did you enjoy it?”

“I guess I did. It's not like I hated it, just the same thing as always.”

"In that case, if you were to make your own romantic comedy, how would you write it?"

"My own?"

"You write novels, right?"

"For my own amusement, nothing serious. I'm not planning on becoming a professional author."

"I take it you don't write romantic stuff?"

"No. I mainly write adventure and psychological stories."

"I figured you might add some romance."

"I'm not much into romance."

'Yeah, tell me about it,' she thought to herself before continuing, "But you love to write."

"I do."

"Then can you write me a story?"

"Oh, sure, but I don't recall you having an interest in reading. You said you liked watching movies and videos."

"Well, maybe you can convince me to read more."

"I guess I could give it a shot. What kind of stories do you like?"

"Oh... well... something along the lines of... a boy and a girl... falling in love..."

"So you're trying to get me out of my comfort zone, huh? But the thing is I'm not certain I can actually write something romantic."

"But you just said you predicted the movie."

"Because it was cliche. Do you want me to write something cliche?"

"Yeah. I don't mind. After all, I loved the movie we watched."

"Even if I did write a cliche romance, it would turn out pretty bad."

"But you're an author, right? Even as a hobby, you love to write."

"Yeah, I do."

"Then tell me what makes you want to write."

Johan thought for a moment. "I guess it's just the things I'm interested in that motivate me. I'm sorry to say but the romance genre doesn't get me eager to write about it."

"Your motivated by your own interests?"

"Yeah."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Then it should be easy to write something romantic."

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it. What is something romantic that has happened to you recently?"

Johan thought momentarily before his eyes widened causing him to turn his head around in a bit of a panic. Returning his attention, he found a very cheeky grin on Lucy's face. "I don't know how to answer this but..." The waitress finally returned and placed their food on the table. "Oh great, the meal is here. How about we now eat?"

His attention away from her, all Lucy could do was roll her eyes and give her attention to her meal.

--

"That was really good," Lucy commented as they exited the restaurant.

"Yeah, it was great."

"So... what do you want to do now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, since I've chosen movie and dinner, or lunch in this case, I figured it's your turn now."

"I thought that was it. You said dinner and a movie, right?"

"There's still a whole day ahead of us."

"But I don't know what else to do. Besides, if we keep this up, it's going to be night before you know it."

“It's the middle of the afternoon.”

“But you know our excursions always end. Right up into the night.”

“Then we'll stay out all night."

"We can't do that. I'm sure your parents aren't going to approve."

"My parents don't care about me. So let's just hang out all night long."

"Your parents are going to get mad.”

“They're always mad. I stopped caring what they think a long time ago.”

Johan exhaled. “Lucy, you can't talk about your parents like that.”

“Why are you bringing up my parents? Let's change the subject.”

“But a girl your age can't be out at night, your parents will worry. I'm aware they don't know about this. How could they?"

"Yeah, they don't know because they don't care. I actually tried to tell them, but they don't listen.”

“You tried to tell them!?” he said surprised.

” Relax. Even if they were listening to me they wouldn't care. That's what I'm trying to tell you. They just don't care."

"No, Lucy. I don't believe this. I'm sure they care about you."

"I've already explained myself. Dad only cares about making money and Mom only cares about dating other men. I barely see both of them."

"You shouldn't talk about your parents like that. Whatever grievances you have, I'm sure they still love you."

"Johan, I don't want to talk about my parents. Why are you bringing them up during our date." Johan gets hesitant while Lucy groaned. "Will you knock it off. I get it, you're uncomfortable, but I'm getting kind of tired of this."

"Look, you don't understand-"

"I do understand. This is weird, but only to everyone else. I'm fine with dating you. I don't care about our age difference. I know people look at us weirdly but who cares what they think. All they care about is their own selfishness. I mean, what business is it to anyone that we're out on a date. Why don't they mind their own?"

"Lucy, don't say that out loud."

"Can you please knock it off and start acting more serious?”

“I am being serious.”

“No, you're being petty. How long are you going to be uncomfortable about this? I mean, I'm probably uncomfortable too but I'm starting to warm up to you. Yet you still refuse to acknowledge me.”

“Acknowledge? I don't understand.”

“What do you see me as? Just a kid? Because I feel like I'm the more mature one here. Your always so uncomfortable that we can't even hold hands. Only little kids get embarrassed when they have to hold hands. We're on a date, okay? You can't deny that no matter how much you want to. Why did you even ask me out if you didn't want to? Oh wait, it just slipped. You didn't even ask me out properly, this was probably more my idea.”

She paused for a moment, inspecting Johan as she noticed a slight tremble upon him as he fiddled his fingers. Though she understood his position and wanted to pity him, she tugged on his sweater, “You're not even making eye contact when I'm talking to you. Why are you like this? We all have problems. I've been telling you about my problems for some time, but I don't recall you ever telling me yours. You seem to keep to yourself so much. But I have a feeling you want to say something. What's keeping you from speaking your mind?” Johan once again avoided eye contact as he scratched his face. “You know you're doing exactly what I 'm talking about.”

“Hey, Lucy,” he finally spoke, “Maybe it's time we call it a day.”

“Can you please stop ignoring me? It's like you're pushing me away but still trying to hold on to me. I mean, do you even like me in the first place?”

"What? Yeah, of course. I mean, you become a good friend."

A discontent look was upon her. "Just a friend?"

"Lucy, what are you getting at?"

"What do you think this is, Johan? We're on a date, not another outing."

"Lucy, please."

"Johan!" she said this so loudly that the few people around turned their heads at their direction. She took his arm and pulled him around the corner away from the prying eyes of the public. "Alright, fine. If you're going to act like this, go ahead, but at least listen to my situation, okay? The thing is, I can't remember the last time I was this happy. I keep thinking about it but I can't remember the last time I was really happy. I'm supposed to have memories of being with friends and family, but my family kept moving from place to place because Dad kept working and Mom wanted to do whatever she wanted. Whatever friends I kept making would eventually forget about me. And then my parents separated and are now in the middle of a divorce, but I don't think my mom wants custody over me."

"What about your dad?"

"My dad just wants me to work for his company. Not because he wants me to be a part of the family business but because he wants someone he can trust when he's busy with other work, or just drinking at the bar with his friends. I'm not his daughter, I'm just another employee to him."

"That can't be true. It can't."

"It is," Lucy said with a cracking voice as her eyes were now watering. "I only have one friend now and even hen; I'm just going to end up moving away. My parents don't love me. I have nobody. I only have you, and I'll do anything to be with you, Johan. I'll give up everything for you, because you're lonely too, aren't you?"

"What make you think that?"

"You're just like me, and not just because of the dreams. When we chatted, I noticed that some of the things you've said reflect what I have been going through. You seem so invested in studying and writing your novels, but you never talk about your friends, hanging out, or having fun. You always just keep to yourself. Maybe I'm wrong, but I have a feeling I'm right."

Johan scratched his brow, "Well, you're not too far off."

"Johan, do you love me?

Through the sadness in her eyes and the deep desperation emitting through her emotions, the question pierced him like a lightning bolt, fast and painful. He exhaled once again as he clutched his fist.

"Is there a problem?" a police officer suddenly appeared. "I'm sorry but I couldn't help see this situation. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," responded Johan. "Don't worry. I'm taking care of it. She's just a bit sad about her parents."

Through the tears in her eyes, she gave Johan a disproving look.

"Very well, sorry to bother you," the police officer said as he walked away.

Johan turned his attention back to her only for Lucy to turn with a pout.

Black dots suddenly appeared to decorate the sidewalk as both looked up at the sky where the clouds had now become dense.

"Come on, we go to go." Johan took Lucy by the hand only to be rejected as she swiped her hand away.

"I'm just taking the train home," she responded before walking away.

"But it's going to rain.”

No response from Lucy other than turning the corner and being out of his sight.