"Here, I got you something."
"Jeremie, I said it's fine-"
"I'm not just gonna make you watch me eat! It's totally fine, I barely spend my allowance anyways."
Aelita sighs as Jeremie slides the cup of chocolate ice cream across the table to her. He has his own cup (strawberry, she notices as he jabs his plastic spoon into the pink dessert) thankfully, but even so, she can't subdue the stab of guilt as she looks down at her own.
While she loves going out with her friends, she can't help but hate it, too- because this always happens.
"What's wrong?" Jeremie sets down his spoon on one of the napkins he'd brought them, his eyes bright with concern.
Aelita toys with her own napkin, unfolding it and laying it on her lap as to prevent her new skirt (courtesy of Odd) from being ruined. "You guys always spend money on me..."
Apparently, Jeremie finds this subject more important than his food, for he nudges it aside to focus more on her. "And you feel bad about that...? Aelita, honestly, we don't mind at all-"
"That doesn't matter!" she interrupts, her voice tight with frustration, "You should be spending that money for yourselves, not for me."
"It isn't like you have anyone else you can get money from, though." The hurt shows on Aelita's face immediately, and Jeremie realizes what he's said only after it leaves his mouth. Eyes widening, he swiftly moves to correct himself. "I-I mean- well, it doesn't have to be like that, I- uh, well, some people do chores and stuff to get money. Or they get jobs. Maybe you could do something like that? I mean, if it bothers you that much..."
The harsh reply to his initial, blunt statement dies on her tongue. "A job? Like what?"
"Well, I'm not really sure..." he admits, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "My dad just gives me the same amount every month, and if I run out, I sell some old robot parts at the pawn shop. I don't think anywhere around here is hiring, either..."
Aelita sighs, resting her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand. "And I need to be able to walk to get there, too."
Her gaze falls on him as she idly pokes at her ice cream with her spoon. He's staring off outside, his fingers drumming the counter and that familiar, far-away look on his face.
She smiles a little bit. Even if he isn't the brightest when it comes to choosing his words, she knows that when the gears start turning, he can usually come up with something.
"Maybe you could do something for the residential area," he finally suggests, his voice still sounding distant and thoughtful. "Like... mow lawns in the summer, rake leaves in the autumn, shovel snow in the winter... you get the gist."
Aelita's face lights up. "That's a great idea, Jeremie."
Relieved to be off the hook, he smiles and drops his gaze. "I'm sure you'll be able to find something. You could even do tutoring- you're really smart, and you're great with people."
He takes his cup of ice cream back, digging the spoon into the chilly dessert. "For now, though, don't even worry about it, okay? Besides... It's fun to hang out with you."
Despite her earlier exasperation, Aelita feels heat rush to her cheeks. Unable to resist a bashful smile, she lowers her gaze as well and takes a spoonful of her ice cream.
"I like hanging out with you too, Jeremie."
For the rest of the day, Aelita firmly insists on sticking to free activities. Jeremie doesn't mind, but even if he did, she's very aware that he's far too shy to protest.
A job. Yes, that sounded like exactly what she needed.