Hobin kept panting heavily as he squirted down to rest. The streets were busy as always, people passing and getting on with their daily lives. Hobin had just finished his daily quest and was trying to catch a break in front of the Lamb Thrift Store. It was a mall for shopping. There, you'd get clothes already won and trashed by big men. It would be recycled, washed, and met with a very low price tag attached to it. Hobin usually shopped there since he didn't have any money. Even with XL's reward system, he barely had much money to get on with his life. Since he wasn't fighting for the next one week, he was officially going broke.
"Is that who I think it is? OMG, guys…! It's my boyfriend". A girl called out to Hobin, and he turned to see Chanel. She embraced him immediately and deliberately stuffed her lips into his neck. "Guys…it's my boyfriend. No! He is not a loser like some people. He is a winner. Yes! He is the hot topic on Tattalia right now. Yes! I freaking love him". She went on and on with her social media fan base, and Hobin wanted to sneak away. She ended the stream and stepped away from him immediately.
"You should take a shower now and then. Cause you stink". She snapped at him. Hobin wanted to say something, but couldn't disagree with her. He was out-of-body spray for the week as well.
"Hey, Chanel. What's up? He asked, trying to be cool.
"Hang on". She said and replied a quick text. She laughed hysterically and wiped her eyes. "These guys are so funny". She muttered and finally put her phone away.
"You didn't get my text? Cause I didn't see a reply".
"Huh? You sent me a text? Hobin asked curiously.
"I'm no fun Hobin. I always get what I want and I want you. Not because you're a bitch or anything, but you are a winner."
"A winner. I remember you bullying me socially with Pa Kong." Hobin said and looked away from her.
"Yeah…but I was a fool, then. Now I realize that you're the one for me. I mean…Chanel and Hobin, that's a cute couple's name. Plus." She pulled in closer.
"What? Is she seducing me or something? Hobin asked himself.
"All of me could be yours". She whispered in his ears and giggled. "Anyway. I will text you later. And you better reply". She paused and glare his hands. "Where is your phone? She asked, looking curious.
"I…I don't have a phone". Hobin stuttered anxiously.
"Oh! Damn…we need something about that. Anyway. Go thing…I'm your girlfriend then." She said and pulled out a wrapped gift from her purse.
"Huh? What is this? Hobin asked, accepting the gift.
"Consider an extension of my apology for all the days I bullied you. Also, it's a token of my love for you…".
"Wow! Just like that. A new phone. Thanks". Hobin said with a great smile on his face.
"Anything for you, pretty face. Now you have no reason to not reply to my text." She said and walked the opposite direction.
Hobin stared at the phone and thought to himself. Perhaps dating her is not exactly a bad idea. She is wealthy and is one of the most followed girls in the school. So she has the P.S. (Package, Power (influence), Pretty) of every hot cheerleader.
[YOU ARE ACTUALLY CONSIDERING THIS. YOU DO KNOW THAT SHE IS USING YOU TO BOOST HEE FAN PAGE RIGHT? EVERYTIME SHE CLAIMS SHE IS YOUR GIRLFRIEND HER FOLLOWERS FOLLOW HER BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO SCENE OF YOU AND HER OR SOME ONE ELSE FIGHTING. SHE IS SIMPLY USING YOU].
"What do you know about love…? Hobin asked.
[I MIGHT NOT KNOW LOVE BUT I KNOW A LIE].
"Really. So you can't tell that I am lying about loving her as well".
[WHAT? WAIT ATE YOU THINKING WHAT I THINK YOU'RE THINKING]
Hobin smiled and turned to enter the thrift store. "She has money and I need that. So you see…it's all a fun and games.
[SURE. UNTIL SOMEONE LOSE AN EYE].
"Shut up! Hobin snapped and entered the store. He picked up a cart on his left and rode it to the cloth section. Hobin tested out a few clothes and lines it up in front of the counter to purchase.
"Wow. You have good eye for cloth". The man at the counter said and Hobin smiled, pointing at his head.
"Years of practice". Hobin chuckled, and the man gave him an awkward look. He could detect that Hobin was poor and had been visiting a lot of thrift stores from his reply.
"Is that Hobin? A voice mumbled in the far aisle. He turned to wondering who might know him. It was one of girls he had rescued from the perverted store worker, who wanted to rape them.
"Huh? You…? What are you doing here? Hobin stuttered in fright. She rolled her eyes and scoffed. It clearly surprised herto see him here in a thrift store. Hobin was only surprise because she was wearing a designer outfit and looked wealthy the day he rescued her. Hobin cleared his throat and tried acting a little more excited than surprised.
"What are you doing here? She asked Hobin, and he replied instantly, with the same question. She glared at him awkwardly. Take her gaze from top till bottom. It was as though she was finding it hard to believe this was the same guy who saved her life a couple of weeks ago.
"What are you doing here? Aren't you rich? Hobin asked curiously.
"Rich? Is that what you people now call it?" She replied and rolled her eyes. "Anyway. I am here to shop for my dog. Grey needs a new pair of sweaters, so…that's why I am here."
"For a dog? Hobin asked. He couldn't believe it. He was shopping for himself, while this girl was out shopping to get the dog a new fur coat. He blinked twice as he felt everywhere was getting blurry. He immediately cleared his throat again, convincing himself that she was really rich.
[DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS? SHE JUST CALLED YOU A DOG FOR SHOPPING HERE AT A THRIFT STORE. TO SIMPLY PUT IT, YOU AND HER DOG ARE ON THE SAME LEVEL. SUCH SAVAGRY]. XL mocked Hobin, who wished to ignore it.
"How about you…? Why are you here? She asked, and Hobin scoffed. He pulled up a long face as he attempted to form a lie. He didn't want to let her know he was poor and shopped at the thrift store. So he acted irrational to look rational.
"Me? I'm shopping to give to the homeless. It's nothing special, it's just a humble deed.
That's all." Hobin said, feeling generous.
"Okay…sounds nice of you. You seem to have picked the right set of clothes. Good colors too. So clearly you got the laundry colors in mind." She said as she gaze into his cart.
"Yeah. I am a considerate giver. It's not like they are lovely clothes. I mean…it's just quantity over quality, really." Hobin said and immediately got a nasty glare from the old man on the counter.
"Last I remember, you said these clothes were marvelous, and I commended you for having a good eye." The counter man said and gave him more dirty look.
"Yeah…that was not me". Hobin chuckled and urged him to pack it up.
"Is that Hobin…?! A girl's voice cut in. Hobin turned to see the second girl he saved. She ran to him and gave him a quick hug.
"It's you…". Hobin muttered in shock. "You shop here too". Hobin asked with a great expectation in his eyes as he awaited an answer.
"Oh, no silly. I don't. We are just shopping for Reze's dog. His so cute and has grown to be even more cute. I could show you a picture."
"Oh…it's okay…". Before he could finish his statement, she cut him off.
"Here…". She snapped and pulled her phone onto Hobin's face. Hobin cracked a half smile and was feeling the girl's energy everywhere. She kept talking and apparently got him dizzy.
"Hanata?! Reze snapped at her and she immediately went silent. Apparently, she just realized that she had been a pain in his ass with all her talking. But she was that type of person. Over energetic, always active and ready to have fun. She was so social, but like every girl had insecurities.
"Sorry about her. She talks a lot and doesn't know when to shut up". Reze said in a cold voice. She looked gothic and dressed like a cold-blooded serial killer. Her black bob-cut hair added a never ending beauty to her round shaped face. Her ruby lips were very attractive and her slim body could make head turns.
"No, it's okay. I don't mind having a talkative, for a friend. It's good." Hobin said and heard XL chime.
[YOU ARE SO GOOD AT SOME MANY THINGS, BUT AT LYING…YOU ARE A GOD].
"A friend? Hanata snapped with excitement in her voice. Reze rolled her eyes in doubt as she knew what was coming next. "Well, since you're my friend. How about you come to the party then".
"Huh? A party? Hobin twitched an eyebrow.
"Yeah! It's this Saturday. You should come and, of course, bring that cute face". She said and pinched his chubby face. Hobin felt his face turn red, and he tried to hide his blush.
[ARE YOU BLUSHING OVER THAT? SO YOU AREN'T GAY AFTER ALL. WOW! THIS IS A RARE SIGHT]. XL chimed, and Hobin ignored it again.
"Here is your stuff". The man by the counter said and offered Hobin a bag for his clothes. He paid for it and heard Reze groan. Hanata walked away toward the exit, whereas Hobin glared at Hanata. He felt his heart skip a beat and felt that felt warm. Reze watched him grab his chest and expose a warm smile.
"Hey. Hobin." She muttered in a low voice and got his attention. "She is excited to see you. She couldn't stop talking about you since the day you helped us out. Perhaps she likes or…maybe not." Reze said and turned to leave.
Hobin felt his heart skip another beat and his chest sink in his rib cage. He cracked a smile and immediately let his thought speak.
"Wait! Where is the party going down? Hobin asked. "I'll like to come". He said anxiously.
"My house. I'm having a house opening for Grey". She said and left.
"Your house? Wait! A dog house opening. What the…?! Hobin snapped and finally paid attention to the next thing XL said.
[SO NOT ONLY DOES THE DOG GET A NEW SET OF CLOTHES FROM THE SAME STORE AS YOU. IT ALSO GETS A HOUSE. DAMN! HOW BROKE ARE YOU EXACTLY…?].
"I wish you would just die". Hobin mumbled and heard XL laugh.
[BEFORE YOU START MAKING WISHES, FIRST ASK YOURSELF HOW WOULD YOU ENTER A PARTY, WHERE THE HIGH SOCIETY RULES. YOU'RE BROKE AND YOU JUST LIED THAT YOU ARE RICH. SO I WILL ASSUME YOU HAVE A WEALTH BAG STORE SOMEWHERE THAT I DON'T KNOW ABOUT].
Hobin sucked his teeth and slapped his forehead.
"Shit!