No words were exchanged as Anna and I walked through the streets. I had let go of her hand a while back, and she quietly followed two paces behind.

At this point, I wouldn't even mind if she just up and left. This was awkward.

After walking for a short time, I noticed a park right near my apartment complex and decided to head there. It was a little late, and this area behind my apartment was a bit deserted, so there was no one in or near the park.

I stepped in and she followed, her head kept low as if she were a child caught doing something bad. I pointed at the swing, and she took a seat while I stood near the other one. Then I sighed again and sat on the swing next to her.

"You smoke?" I asked, reaching into my pockets.

"Oh?" Anna looked at me, finally raising her head. "Oh... no. I don't."

"You mind?"

"Not at all, go on."

Awkward. This was seriously awkward. The lighter clicked, and the cigarette lit up. Blowing out a plume of smoke into the night sky, I turned my gaze up. The nicotine didn't even hit these days, but the act of holding a cigarette was just as calming.

Maybe it was not right to talk about the situation right away. And to be honest, I wasn't very interested. The story of *Heaven Waits, Hell Grabs* was quite dark in its own way. Most of the characters were involved in unfortunate circumstances, but that was life.

A few encouraging words, a pat on the back, and then we both should be on our way.

"The worst thing about growing up is the lack of swings, right?" I muttered. "There are barely any we can fit on."

Anna lowered her gaze. The swing creaked a little as she slightly moved it, hooking her feet on the ground.

"My parents..." she began. "They have a lot of debt. Those were loan sharks, private collectors since no bank would give us any money."

I glanced at her hands at those words. Cuts and small, tiny abrasions littered her palms and the backs of her hands, even some burns. Her hard work was rather visible.

"My education is funded by the state, and I would eventually make more money if I learn, right? Otherwise, I would have quit school to work a while back..."

Anna looked my way, her eyes on the cigarette in my hands. I gazed straight back at her and then slowly moved it toward her.

The girl took the cigarette, and I looked ahead again. Instead of smoke, a small whimper escaped her lips.

"They didn't have good intentions, right?"

Stolen story; please report.

They didn't.

"I was such a fool, thinking everything would work out."

I didn't say anything.

"Making conclusions on my own... thinking people like me..." she sniffled.

There was no need to say anything.

The girl cried and cried, faintly, holding herself back with every sniffle. Just like the world had stifled her, she stifled her sorrow.

I didn't light another cigarette.

Perhaps it was half an hour later, or maybe just ten minutes; it felt quite long, but she eventually stopped crying. Anna stood up straight, the cigarette completely fizzled out in her hands now.

"We haven't talked properly before, but you still helped. Thank you very much, Abel."

"Don't mention it," I said.

"Do you live close by?"

"Right there, the apartment complex over there."

My house was in a rather high-end building; it was visible even from the park. Anna looked at it for a few seconds and nodded.

"I work on Tuesdays and Thursdays at this shop," she pulled out a pamphlet and handed it to me. It was a takeaway menu stores would hand out with newspapers. "Come visit sometime; I can get you dessert on the house."

"Sure, I might take you up on that."

I stood up from the swing as well. Anna looked at me, then behind her, hesitating, but in the end, she bowed and turned away, leaving at last. Instead of moving, I watched her for a bit.

"How tiring. This wasn't in the original story, was it?"

To be honest, Anna was just a character there to help set things in motion for the main character and his encounter with many people. She also wasn't a member of the Helping Hand Club the main character formed, but rather a character that seemed to swoop in with perfect advice at the best time.

A gentle embrace that made it seem everything would be fine. To think she was going through something like this...

Right then, from the turn she had left, Anna came running back. From the entrance of the park, she waved at me and said out loud.

"Abel! Let's be friends, okay? I'll see you in school!!"

My eyes widened. For a second, I couldn't respond.

"Y-yeah!" It was my turn to stutter with an answer. The small 'yeah' was satisfying enough for her as she smiled and turned around.

I smiled and stepped ahead, taking the opposite turn from her on my way to my home. There was no need to drop her home; no one would mess with her.

I was sure of that.

Friends, huh? That sounded tiresome.

"What should I make for dinner today?"

***

The next day came like any other. I had gotten a little less sleep than I wanted to, but nothing else had changed for me.

Except in the classroom, when the first lectures ended and time for lunch rolled around. One of the more popular kids in class did not go to her usual group of popular friends.

"Anna, what do you have for lunch today?"

"Should we head to the park? It's quite sunny."

"Hey, Eric, you've been a little cold to Anna all day. Did something happen between you guys?"

Anna, the blue-haired girl who was at the center of her friend group, did not move.

"Sorry, I have to meet with someone else today," she said.

Oh no. Nope. I knew this kind of development perfectly. She turned toward me at that very moment. Before she could say anything, I quickly grabbed my lunch and stepped out of the classroom as fast as I could.

"Ah, wait!" Anna yelped. "Guys, sorry! I'll come back later, okay?"

She followed me out of the classroom, empty-handed. "Abel, wait! Would you like to eat with me?"

NUH UH.