The evening sun painted the sky in warm shades of orange and gold, its light spilling across the backyard where Johnson lay stretched out on the soft grass. His hands rested behind his head as he gazed upward, lost in deep thought, the stillness of the moment broken only by the faint rustling of leaves.
"Still meditating again?" Rosemary's voice called lightly as she floated closer, a bowl of fruits balanced effortlessly in her hands. She descended gracefully beside him, her green eyes shining with playful curiosity. "Care for some melons?" she asked, offering him the bowl.
"Yeah, I'll take that," Johnson replied, reaching up to take a slice of watermelon.
Rose hovered nearby, watching him closely. "So," she said, her tone laced with curiosity, "what were you thinking about?"
Johnson let out a quiet breath, his expression softening as memories stirred within him. "Well, I was thinking…" His words trailed off as his mind drifted back to the classroom after school that day.
He had been packing up his bag, preparing to leave, when a boy and a girl approached him.
"Good afternoon, Master Johnson," the girl greeted politely.
Johnson turned, startled, and found himself staring. The girl before him looked no older than seventeen, yet she carried a presence that demanded attention. She was tall and graceful, her silky scarlet hair cascading like fire, her dark brown eyes gleaming beneath long lashes, her skin pale and smooth as porcelain. For a brief moment, Johnson forgot himself and whispered under his breath. "Beautiful…"
Before he could say more, the boy beside her growled defensively. "Don't look at my sister like that, you creep."
Johnson froze, blinking in confusion. "Wait, do you want…" His words faltered.
The girl nudged the boy forward with a firm hand. "Well, Johnson, Henry has something to say to you. Please hear him out."
Henry's face turned crimson as he stammered, struggling for words. "I… I um…"
"Go on," his sister encouraged gently.
Finally, Henry blurted it out, his voice cracking with embarrassment. "I am sorry! For breaking your sister's necklace and insulting you and doing mean things to you. I didn't mean to bully you like that. Here, take this…" He fumbled in his bag and pulled out a small item, holding it out with trembling hands. It was a necklace tho an imitation of the one he had destroyed. "Please forgive me. It's a replica of the necklace I broke."
Johnson looked at the necklace, then pushed it gently back into Henry's hands with a smile. "Well, it's okay. I can't be angry at you. It's just that… I can't accept this. Nothing can replace what my sister gave me." His smile brightened. "Let's be frien.."
Henry cut him off with renewed determination, pointing at him boldly. "Well then, I'll see you as my rival from now on. Since our last match, I've decided I'll get stronger than you! Thanks for forgiving me."
Johnson chuckled. "I'm not angry at you, bruv. All is good."
The girl smiled softly and spoke again. "Thank you very much for forgiving him, Johnson. The truth is… Henry doesn't always make friends. Instead of being bullied, he bullies others to make himself feel strong. But in reality… he's actually weak inside."
"Oh, I see," Johnson said, his eyes softening with understanding. Then suddenly, his gaze shifted back to her, sparkling with excitement as he stepped closer and held her hand. "More importantly
are you really Henry's sister? Do you attend this school? What's your name? Let's be friends!"
Henry immediately snapped, his fist landing sharply on Johnson's head. "Get your filthy hands off my sister!"
"Ouch! What was that for?" Johnson asked, rubbing his head playfully.
"Stop looking at my sister like that, you horny perv," Henry snapped again, his face still red.
The girl pulled her hand back quickly, her cheeks flushed. "I'm sorry… My name is Joyce Hart," she said, blushing as her eyes darted away.
"It's okay," Johnson said with a grin before turning to Henry. "Why didn't you tell me you had such a cute sister?"
"Shut up! Just know that I'm not going to lose to you!" Henry retorted as he grabbed his sister's arm and started toward the door.
Johnson waved after them, still smiling. "Well, make sure you get stronger than I am—possibly faster even. Until next time. Till next time."
Joyce chuckled softly, her laughter lingering in the air as the memory faded and Johnson returned to the present. He glanced at Rose, who was watching him with an amused grin.
"I had almost forgotten how much of a perverted bastard you are," she teased.
"Oh, shut up," Johnson replied, smiling despite himself.
Rose smirked. "The way you were describing her, it was like she was the most beautiful girl in existence. You know she's the student council president, right?"
Johnson's eyes widened. "Oh really? I didn't know that."
"So you've finally fallen in love, I guess. That's good. At least you'll throw away all the porn in your room," Rose teased as she floated lazily above him.
"What's the use of loving if the person doesn't love me back?" Johnson said, his voice quiet, his expression shadowed. "Besides, I don't think I can ever be loved by anyone with the kind of personality I have." He paused, blinking, before suddenly snapping. "Wait...what! I don't watch porn!"
"Of course you don't," Rose replied sarcastically, her voice dripping with mockery. "Very true. Coming from someone who has a box full of it."
"I do not!" Johnson protested, his voice rising defensively, though his guilt was written all over his face.
Rose patted his shoulder gently, leaning in close with a mischievous whisper. "Well, it's okay. I won't tell anyone. Don't be scared." She smirked. "On one condition."
Johnson's eyes widened with suspicion and desperation. "What is that? Wait..how did you even know?"
Rose's lips curved into a sly smile. "I can read minds, remember? I could literally hear your thoughts every time you watched it at night." She yawned casually, then added, "Don't think you can't be loved by anyone. That feels harsh when you generalize it."