The player and the shy girl (english version)

Silent Echoes

The waitress comes over and looks at both of us.

"What will you have?"

"A vodka with cherry for you, Emma?"

"Make it two," I say, and the waitress leaves.

"Well, you didn't tell me, did you catch the plan yesterday for the girl you like?"

"Unfortunately not. From what I saw, she was with someone else."

"That's unfortunate. I really hoped something would happen."

"I made you put in some effort."

"No, you didn't put me in any trouble at all. You know that if you need any help, I'm here."

"What about you? What happened with that guy? I saw he was acting strange yesterday."

"He started telling me again that he wants me, and he apologized for breaking up with me. He confessed everything while he was drunk."

"That's good; usually, guys don't do that. But you didn't tell me what this guy's name is?"

"His name is Lucas. He's 19 and has repeated a year."

"Wait, what? The Lucas you know, Emma?"

"Yes, and I don't know how to explain it, so don't ask me."

"Emma, he changes girls like shirts. I mean, it's like changing the tops you wear every day."

"When we wear them, we wash them afterward, just saying."

"I know, Austin, it's not like I don't know! The bad thing is that I'm living with him for a while because some repairs are being done in my house. And the biggest problem is that..."

Austin looks at me with curiosity, waiting to hear what I want to say.

"The biggest problem is that I think I'm falling for him."

Well, yes, that was the cherry on top, as we say...

"Very, very bad, Emma."

"I know I shouldn't, but I can't help it."

"Emma, I'm here if you need anything."

"I know, Austin. It's clear from the beginning that you care about others." I smile, and he smiles back.

I feel like I've gained another good friend.

The waitress brings us our drinks, and we start sipping slowly...

"I'm telling you now to be clear; if he hurts you, I'll do everything I can to help you. I'll do whatever it takes."

"When that day comes, if it ever does."

"Never say never, Emma," I say to myself, thinking.

"Instead of talking to yourself, you'd better tell me," he says, chuckling.

"Hey!" I say, and we both laugh.

After a little while, we continued chatting about random things and decided to take a walk.

"How are you enjoying yourself so far?" he asks, looking at me.

"Very well. You're actually quite fun."

"You doubted me?"

"A little at first."

"But now?"

"Now I think you're a really good person."

"And I think the same, Emma."

"To be honest, when you bought me the drink at first, I thought you were going to hit on me or something, but you didn't."

"Look, yes, I saw you dancing, so I liked you. But I can see that there might be something with someone else that you like, so I won't make a move. I don't like it when it's done to me, and I don't like doing it to others either."

"So if you found out that I wasn't interested in someone, would you hit on me?"

"Maybe yes, or maybe not."

"You know what I like about you?" I ask, looking at him curiously.

"That you can speak your mind."

"I never sugarcoat my words."

"I'm glad you're honest," I reply, and he smiles.

I pull out my phone to see if Lucas has sent me a message, but nothing. It's already 11 PM, and he hasn't texted.

"Is everything okay?" he asks as he sees the strange expression on my face.

"Um, yeah, I'm fine. I'm just waiting for a message," I reply, forcing a smile to convince him everything is alright.

"Okay then," he says as we reach the park where we met.

"Wow, it's already 11."

"Yes."

"So we should start heading home because if we stay any longer, I can see us staying up all night."

"Yeah, you're right," I reply, my mind still on why Lucas hasn't responded to my message.

"Do you want me to give you a ride?"

"Um, no, it's just two blocks to my house."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, really."

"Okay then."

"I'll see you tomorrow, Austin."

"Goodnight, Emma," he says as he hugs me, and I walk toward Lucas's house.

After about five minutes of walking, I arrive.

I open the door and walk in; all the lights are off. What's going on? Is Lucas not here? And if he left, why didn't he text me?

I head to my room, take a shower, and then go back to the living room to see if he's returned. But nothing. I take out my phone and start calling him. It said his phone was turned off.

Great.

I sit in the living room for a bit, waiting for him to come back, but he doesn't, and I'm already starting to feel sleepy, so I head to my room to sleep...