Lollapalooza | Zhu ZhengTing

sIx

The music blasting through his earphones didn't seem to fill the awkward atmosphere that surrounded them. It became a regular thing, ZhengTing sitting aimlessly as Meirong played with her phone.

But as he observed the girl, he knew he can't let this go on.

She can't keep on using my WiFi, he thought as he tried to gather up some courage to talk to her.

Pulling out his earphones, ZhengTing cleared his throat, "Meirong."

Surprisingly, Meirong heard him at once, "yes?"

"Look, um," ZhengTing had this small issue, he kind of sugar coats everything, which is part of the reason why he can't kick Meirong out of his apartment.

Meirong paused the video playing on her screen and faced him impatiently, "What is it?"

"You see, uh, I can't always let you stay and use the... WiFi," he tried to be as straightforward as possible, but anyone can see that he failed.

"So?"

"So...," ZhengTing bit his lower lip, please leave?

"Are you kicking me out, politely?" Meirong chuckled as if it were a joke.

"Not gonna happen," she shook her head and returned her attention to her phone.

"So, you'll continue to use my internet?! I have limits too, y'know?" ZhengTing's voice went a notch higher.

"Chill, you're the one who broke my router, not me," Meirong's voice kept its bored uninterested tone.

"So, you're not going to buy a new router? Are you trying to tell me that I will pay for you to stay online? I don't think so."

"I can't buy a new one, I don't have money for that!" Meirong fired back, suddenly outraged.

"Then get a job! Money won't fall from the sky if you slouch about on your phone!"

"I was fired, please don't make this day worse for me," Meirong sighed.

"No, you listen to me, I will not allow you to stay over to use my WiFi anymore."

"Really?"

"Yes," ZhengTing said dryly.

"Okay."

"I'm serious."

"I bet you were serious when you threw your baseball at my window as well," Meirong's lips curved in a mischievous smirk.

"Don't change the topic," ZhengTing rolled his eyes, "you can't blame a broken window for all your problems."

"Maybe, but you must take responsibility for your actions as well."

"Look who's talking! As someone who's employed, I don't think you should be lecturing me about "responsibility"," Meirong was getting on his nerves quickly, she had a knack for knowing what to say in an argument.

"Now, now, let's not overwork ourselves. I'm sure we can agree on something," the girl sighed, it's too late for silly fights.

"Like what?" ZhengTing crossed his arms.

"Like... let me use your WiFi until I can buy a new router," Meirong suggested as if it were the most logical solution.

"Will you buy a new one anyways? I thought you were broke," ZhengTing congratulated himself on his reply while Meirong rolled her eyes, "I'll just find me a job."