They drifted out of the mall's main gate with the excuse of "treating her".
Now they were side by side, steps matching up a little too neatly, shoes scraping the concrete path as they headed toward the park entrance like they'd made an actual plan, like there was a destination waiting for them beyond a bench or a food cart or the fountain that sometimes shot up so high kids screamed about it on MemeNet.
Except there was no plan, like at all. Just this wide, awkward silence that fell between them like a big warm blanket nobody wanted to pick up first. Lanz felt sweat tickle the back of his neck even though the breeze was so soft it tugged at the ends of Talia's hair every time they passed under a tree.
He stuffed his hands into the front pocket of his hoodie, the same old hoodie he always wear everywhere, even though he'd told himself he should've left it behind if he wanted to look cool for once. Not including Zero, he personally think he looks cool.
