Two figures walked out of the Cafe carrying a box filled with sweets. A man was holding a cup of blueberry milk, and a girl was happily strutting down the road, holding a box of confections in her hands.
"You better be sure to pay me back. You understand?" with a somber look, sipping his cold drink.
"Hmm-hmmm," nodding her head repeatedly. Her eyes were fixed only on the confections right in front of her; she could only hear her stomach rumbling and begging for a prize.
Swiftly, a hand chop on Cindy's head came down in an instant. Groaning in pain, she could only look at the person right behind her.
"Why did you do that?" she asked dejectedly, covering her head.
" I said, better pay me back. You understand?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll pay you back..."
"What's even wrong with you? Why do you even use physical cash at this point? It's already obsolete ."
"Well, it's just that I hate the fact that I can't hold my parents' hard-earned credits; that they worked their asses off... that's all?"
"You talk too much like Gramps. You know that? Have we been hanging out at my house too much? That old man's way of thinking got a hold of you or something?"
"Just think of it as my way of acting more human." She looks ahead while she scratches her brows.
"What do you mean by that?"
"When I walk these streets, it feels quiet... Men and women alike pass by, but I can't even hear a sound or voice. A sound that makes us who we are, yet we're trapped in a cycle where even differentiating one another from afar can only be seen in our sight. A point where starting a conversation became something harder and more sophisticated than before. Don't you think it's funny... With the click of a button, we ourselves can hide anything from anyone, and we can choose to isolate a word or secret to a certain individual or group."
"What are you getting at?" With a grim look, Alex stopped walking and looked at the back of Cindy.
"I'm just saying it's tiresome. I feel constricted." Staring at the ground beneath her as she caressed the lune gear around her head. "This single thing protecting us feels more like a curse than a gift..."
Unable to say a word, Alex slowly pressed a button. Holding his breath.
"Idioooooooooot!!!!" an abrupt and loud shout came out of Alex as he was panting roughly. His head down, clenching his fist. The drink in his hand spilled. Startled, Cindy could only look shocked. as her eyes that lost its glimmer came back to reality.
"Dumbass!!! Why did you activate Speaker mode!!! Are you stupid?" grabbing Alex's shoulder and shaking him. she frantically. Her hand roamed Alex's Neck. Pressing the button on Alex's lune gear. "You idiot, why did you do that??"
"Because you're an idiot??" With a stupid grin on his face, he stared at Cindy. "Let's eat over there, shall we? I'm tired of seeing you become like some old and dead philosopher. I already have one at my house, and now you're going to be another? Give me a break. Will you???"
"!!!" surprised by Alex's words. Cindy covered her mouth and grabbed her stomach. A chuckle came out of her. She looked at Alex with a grin and opened the box of Confections. Holding one piece and placing it between Alex's lips. "Here... This is my payment for making me chuckle like that" As a smile crept on her face. While grabbing a piece of cookie to eat as well.
Sitting down on the bench. Their small convo was cut off by a drone heading their way. Stopping right in front of them.
[Improper Conduct has been Detected; Perpetrator has been found. Requesting everyone to follow the procedure.]
Stopping in their tracks. Alex and Cindy stood still as both of them looked at each other in concern, knowing what's to come. Alex could only comply; he could only follow what the Police drone instructed, as he turned his back and showed the barcode behind his Lune Gear. A red light scanned Alex's Lune Gear and stopped
[Name: Alex Marx Age: 15 Citizen Code: QRE 1258-8700 Established Floor Residence(EFR): Segundo, would you confirm whether this is you? ]
"Yes"
[You have committed the Crime of misconduct under Section 5-18 of Chapter 12 of the Lune Gear Misuse Act. Person A must not use speaker mode and must not exceed 80-90 db. in public or crowded areas and must follow the rules of conduct. Code: QRE 1258-8700, Alex Marx. You're Given your first Warning. Do you confirm?]
Heaving a sigh, "Confirm"
[Having committed your first Warning. Suspect: Alex Marx will be given his first-degree warning.
Fare: None
Reason: Due to a crime that has been committed, it has a low degree of danger and only committed an act of Misconduct
Will you accept this term?
Yes/No]
"Yes"
[Thank you for your compliance. I hope you have a nice day.]
"You too." Heaving a sigh, Alex could only wipe the cold sweat from his face. As the Drone quickly dispersed. Alex glanced at Cindy on the side, who had a grin on her face. "Well, look at what we have here, Mister Criminal." She sat elegantly, placed her elbow on her knees and rested her head in her palm.
"Shut up..."
"You put yourself into this, not me"
"undoubtedly so"
"Thank you Really…" her gazed slowly shifted away. Playing ends of her hair. Looking away and embarrassed.
"What are friends for?" Alex smiled as he ate the cookie he left unattended. Enjoying the sweet and tangy flavor of the Blueberry tart cookie.
"Yeah, friends" stealing a glance Cindy smiled softly as she stared the same empty skies as Alex. sitting quietly in the eating there fair share of Sweet and bitter memories.
As time passed, fewer people passed by. The light poles the were once turned off flickered open. And lit the dark streets. Signaling the day's end.