The One

06

I WAS so nervous and also busy thinking about how I would tell my mother about how I broke my phone that I forgot to ask about the man's name and I went with a stranger just because he said that he would help me repair it.

I recognized a few faces of my classmates but I didn't know their names. I didn't want to associate with those elites and it was the same for them. This was the first time someone tried to approach me.

"I'm Lay." I said.

Zhenya nodded and drove out of the academy.

"Thank you very much." I said.

"No. I'm sorry. I didn't see your phone."

I never saw who stepped on it but maybe it was him? He has a huge build but how could he break a phone by just stepping on it? How heavy was his foot?

"It was my fault anyway. I didn't notice." I said.

"It was my fault. I stepped on it."

So he really was.

I didn't know what to say anymore. Why does he want to compete with who was at fault? I just stayed silent and I heard Zhenya chuckle.

We stopped at a repair shop and I walked behind Zhenya as we walked in. He did all the talking and I gave the phone to the person behind the counter then he inspected it.

Zhenya and I took a seat to wait. I was looking around the shop and they had a glass counter where phones were displayed. They too have phone cases hung on the other side of the wall and accessories too.

I glanced at Zhenya and I caught him looking at me.

"How much will it cost?" I asked with a low voice.

"You don't have to worry about the cost." He said. "I was at fault."

"I still feel responsible. You wouldn't have stepped on it if I did not drop it."

Zhenya chuckled and gave me a mysterious look.

"I...I'll feel bad." I honestly said. I know I don't have the money to pay for the repair but I don't want anyone to pay it for me. "I'll pay you by installment if it's okay."

Zhenya looked at me and sighed.

"If you feel bad, then how about dinner as p*****t, I won't accept cash."

It was hard to say if Zhenya was telling the truth but he did look serious. Won't he lose his appetite if a shabby-looking guy eats with him? Maybe he does not want to accept cash because he already has a lot.

"Okay."

What if he wanted to eat in an expensive restaurant? I frowned because I had never been to a good restaurant. All I could think of were those fast food ones. Even our school cafeteria tastes better compared to those fast food foods.

"Anywhere will do." He said. "Maybe you know a good place to eat. It doesn't have to be expensive."

I looked at him and I remembered that place where mom and I always went every time she had spare money. We would go out to eat at that noodle place.

"Okay." I said, relieved and I looked away after seeing Zhenya smiling at me from ear to ear. I felt my ears going hot. He even looked good when he smiled.

"Maybe tomorrow night, if you're free, or the next day." He said and I nodded.

It only took a couple of minutes for my phone to look brand new and Zhenya paid for it with his card then we went back to his car. He wanted to take me home but I refused so he dropped me to the nearest train station.

"Let me borrow your phone for a second." Zhenya said as he parked his car on the side of the road.

I gave him the phone and he tapped on it and I heard his phone ringing then he gave it back to me. I jumped when my phone rang with an unknown number and saw Zhenya dialing my number with his phone.

"Save my number. Call me anytime if you need help or anything." He said.

"Thank you." I just nod. I could save his number but I didn't wish for a day to call him for help. He was kind but I don't want to owe anything to him.

I just got home when I saw mom's old car parked in front of the house. I waited for her at the front door and kissed her. She looked tired but still insisted on cooking dinner.

"YOU DIDN'T read my message."

I was startled when someone sat in front of me while I was eating lunch. It was Zhenya.

"I... You did? I mean you sent me a message?" I stuttered.

Well, the only contacts in my phone were my mom, the neighbor lady who was good to me, and Zhenya. I saw his message but I did not want to reply so I did not read it.

"Hmm." He pursed his lips. " You're not ignoring me, right? "

"No. I never touch my phone when I am at home."

I have nothing to do with my phone, I only used it to message mom and search the net, I did not even install games because I did not want something to distract my studies.

"You don't?"

I shook my head and resumed eating my lunch. I had this uncomfortable feeling as if a lot of eyes were on me. They were looking and wondering why Zhenya was sitting in front of me.

"I just want to ask if you're free tonight?" He asked.

I looked at him wondering why he was asking then I remembered that I still owed him a meal but I didn't know how to invite him.

"Yes."

Zhenya smiled and I looked away because I did not want to stare at his beautiful smile.

"Then you better watch for my messages and remember to reply."

I nodded and watched him walk to where his friends were feeling glad that I could finally eat alone, but all I could think was if it was a good plan to let Zhenya eat cheap foods. He might get a stomachache.

I brought the utensils down and checked the money I had. It was only enough for three bowls of regular noodles.

MY PHONE vibrated in my bag a minute before class dismissal. I opened Zhenya's message.

Parking lot. Same place.

16:58

Isn't it too early for dinner? I thought, but still walked my way to the parking lot.

I hugged my sling bag as I passed the students who were walking with me to the parking lot. Some were looking at me, especially women. I had a bad feeling that it was about that lunch when Zhenya talked to me. Now I did not want to go and see the man. I never thought Zhenya would be so popular because I never had the time to care. Maybe because I already knew his name and face that I kept hearing his name from every woman's mouth. He was practically one of the heartthrob on the campus. I actually confirmed it this morning from the school's weekly newspaper. The paper had these three special pages for the campus crushes and Zhenya's smiling face was there together with other four male students.

I walked slowly and took my time as I watched cars driving out of the parking lot until more than half of the cars were gone before I saw Zhenya standing beside his car and looking somewhere far away. I could see how perfect his side profile was at that angle, from the line of his forehead down to his chin, it was just perfect.

Zhenya turned his head and saw me. He smiled and even waved at me as if we were that close and that he was so glad to see me.

I sighed.

As much as I wanted to thank him for helping me the other day, I also did not want to get involved with the likes of him.