Freddy took it out and saw that it was indeed broken.

He wondered if he could fix it.

The moment Freddy laid eyes on the hairpin, he thought it was beautiful and would look good on her, but never would he have predicted her reaction to rain on his expectant parade.

As Mashauva returned to him after her jog, Freddy handed her a tissue to wipe off as he forced a smile.

"You tired? Here, drink some water."

He handed her a vacuum flask.

Mashauva took a sip, and the temperature was just right. Then she smiled and said, "Thank you, Freddy."

"Anytime. You hold on to it. You've worked up quite a sweat. Rehydrate yourself."

"Okay."

As a thought came to mind out of the blue, Mashauva asked, "Freddy, is Bruno still overstretched?" "Not really. I wouldn't use overstretch."

Oh."

That was all she said in reply.

"What's wrong? You two haven't seen each other for a long time, have you?"

"Yeah."

"Well, since it's Saturday tomorrow, how about we take you hiking?"

"No, no." Mashauva shook her head and quickly refused. "No thanks."

"Why not? Is it because of me?" He assumed he was the reason she rejected so immediately. "Are you still doubting the sincerity of my words?"

"No, I believe you, I just..."

She didn't want to see Bruno yet, not before her weight loss plan worked wonders.

"Anyhow, it's good that Bruno isn't too busy. Freddy, I'm done with my jogging. You should head back."

She waved goodbye and ran off.

rooted to the spot until

as if centuries had passed when he finally got up and

whole day studying. He was well aware Freddy had been hanging out with Mashauva lately, but he didn't say a thing about it because they had made

if he brought Mashauva out

thought, Bruno dropped his work and headed out, holding his phone in

the door, it

of alcohol wafted in, preceding

the smell, Bruno took a few reflexive steps back, far away from the

"Ugh!"

He staggered

the collar and asked, infuriated,

"F-F*ck off."

the collar, he

was futile as Bruno was

Mashauva's school

name, he went wild. "Yes, I went looking for her.

Rejected?

narrowed his eyes, danger within

her? Freddy, did you forget what you promised

of course,

why were you

now was that Freddy might have said something he shouldn't have to Mashauva

that thought in mind,

out as he

walled his free hand into

to wake him

me you've forgotten she still hasn't reached legal age. What the hell were

fought back

the wall, looking dejected. "Of course I remember. That's why... I didn't have the

the sides a

guess

girl might

what,

something."

She had sensed something?

if I liked

anxious, a wild thought came to Bruno. "He didn't

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