Lollapalooza | Zhu ZhengTing

fouRTeen

A week passed by, and it was finally time for a break. Meirong was watching a drama on her phone when she realized that she was oddly bored. She turned off her phone and heaved a large sigh.

"I'm bored."

Her sudden declaration of boredom took ZhengTing by surprise. Meirong, bored? It seemed utterly impossible.

"Why? Did you run out of dramas?" He chuckled as he raised his gaze from his phone, he, too, was watching a show of his own.

"No, I just don't feel like watching dramas right now," Meirong rolled her eyes.

"Well I don't know about you, I'm having fun," ZhengTing disregarded her and resumed his "show".

"What are you watching?" Meirong skipped over to ZhengTing's side and peeked at his screen. She wasn't in need of words as her confused, judgmental looks were enough to describe her thoughts.

"Do you take show recommendations from five-year-olds or what?" Meirong cringed away from her neighbor.

"I don't need your criticism," ZhengTing stuck his tongue out at her and minded his own business.

Weirdo, Meirong shook her head, and sat admiring the walls.

Sensing her boredom, ZhengTing turned off his phone, a suggestion coming up to his mind.

"How about we go watch a movie?"

"Why is it that the prices in cinemas are always doubled? Should we like... bring our own snacks?" Meirong complained as her eyes scanned the options before her. The two were currently by the snack booth in the cinema, a few minutes away from the beginning of their movie.

"Just take whatever you feel like," ZhengTing shrugged.

"But how?! Do you see these numbers?! I can buy lunch with that!" By now, the people waiting in line started shifting irritatedly on their feet, a few mutters of 'oh my god' floating around.

"If you're concerned about the prices, don't worry, I'm paying anyways," ZhengTing said, trying to bring an end his neighbor's rambling.

"Wait, no, that's absurd-"

"A large buttered popcorn, please," ZhengTing smiled to the lady at the counter and she rushed to bring them the snack.

"Hey, I don't think-" Meirong was about to object but she was interrupted by an impatient groan coming from the person behind her.

"Never mind, I'll pay you back later," Meirong admitted defeat. Finally.

"That'll be fifty-six," the lady at the counter said monotonously, and ZhengTing handed her the amount of money with a kind smile. Meirong rolled her eyes as the people behind her sighed collectively, I didn't take that long.

"C'mon, we're late enough," ZhengTing ushered Meirong towards the hallway.

"We're not late, they're probably playing ads right now," Meirong replied as she popped a few pieces of popcorn in her mouth.

"You better not finish that before the actual movie," ZhengTing's slushee was still untouched, and it was gradually melting from the heat of his hands.

"I won't be able to finish this either way, you bought enough popcorn to feed a tribe," Meirong deadpanned.

"You should be thanking me, y'know."

"I said I'll pay you back."

"A thank you would be enough," ZhengTing said in an overly friendly manner.