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 the dark skies

passed when he

say a thing about it because they had made a deal before. However, looking at

was and if he brought Mashauva out to fool

face appeared in his mind, and after some thought, Bruno dropped

the door,

smell of alcohol wafted in, preceding

by the smell, Bruno took a few reflexive steps back,

"Ugh!"

stumbled in, reeking alcohol. He staggered and almost fell to

the collar and

"F-F*ck off."

by the collar, he hit the roof

his attempt was futile as Bruno was usually strong while he

to Mashauva's school

I went looking for

Rejected?

his eyes, danger within them.

to her? Freddy,

forgotten, of course, I

were you

might have said something

that thought in mind, he

out as he

free hand into

wanting to wake

still hasn't reached

fought back

the guts to say anything. I

from the

guess

might

what,

something."

She had sensed something?

asked me if I

you say?" Inexplicably anxious, a wild thought came to

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