— Nozomi, is that you?!!! – Noah said, stunned.
— Y-yeah – He answered quietly, sweat dripping down his forehead.
— Phew... – Noah sighs and thinks:
"Why didn't he say anything earlier, and just stared like he was about to kidnap me at any second?" – He stares at Nozomi ringing up his items.
Nozomi looks at the book The Boss and the 9-to-5 and asks:
— Do you like books like this?... – He asks while his hands tremble holding the book.
"NO! NO!" – Noah looks around searching for Íris, and tries to respond.
— This Na... – Noah is interrupted.
— I think this is one of this author's best, it's definitely one of my favorites. I think my favorite part is when she tries to run away and he locks her in the basement, but since you haven't read it yet, I won't spoil it. But the ending is pretty happy. – Nozomi says with sparkling eyes.
— Oh, alright... – Noah is speechless for a moment and thinks:
"Help me, and this even has a happy ending?!!!" – Noah's thought is interrupted by a shout.
— Look what I found! – Íris raises her arm and shows a book: I Fell in Love with My Kidnapper and Cheated on Him with His Best Friend – I'm sure this is a work of art, buy this one for me too... Please... – Íris insists, making puppy-dog eyes.
Noah thinks for a moment as he reads the book title:
"I am surrounded by craz..." His thought is interrupted.
— What, this one is simply perfect. You have to get it, like, this woman is a revolutionary. Who manages to cheat on their kidnapper with his best friend? And look, I know it's right there in the title, but the development was incredible. It's one of my favorites. Reading this book healed me, I swear to you.
— Seriously kid, I've never been so excited to read a book. Tell me, do you have any other recommendations? Because... – Íris is interrupted.
— We won't have enough money for the bus fare if you buy one more. – Noah pauses for a second and thinks: "I am surrounded by lunatics, lunatics!!" – While his face turns pale.
— I know you have it, stop lying to me... Please, just one more, I swear I won't ask for anything else. – Íris tugs on Noah's shirt.
RIP!
WHOA! – Íris's eyes widen and she drops to the floor.
"I can't believe this, I'm going to kill myself right here and now. I need to find the nearest bridge. That's it." – Noah is so pale his veins are almost visible.
— Put it on debit. – Noah uses his last remaining strength and asks.
— Do you know any clothing stores around here?!
Íris remains silent on the floor and thinks:
"I think it's advantageous to fake a faint, I'm just gonna stay right here."
— Ah, I actually do! It's a thrift store run by a friend of mine. It's not open right now, but I can talk to her. If you guys wait a little bit, the shop's about to close and I'll take you there. – Nozomi says as sweat drips down his face and he tries to hold back his laughter. — You can wait on the chairs up front. – Nozomi hands the bags to Noah.
— Fine... Íris, get up and let's go to the front, stop faking a faint. – Noah heads toward the chairs.
_______________________________________
Author's Note:
To make reading easier, I used the following formatting standard:
— Dialogue
– Action / Description
" Thought "
( Whisper )
Oh, and if there's any point that could be improved in the writing, don't forget to leave a comment to help me out.