Chapter 8

"Shopping with Ryou"

"What are you doing," Ryou asked.
"Have you seen my Mini Blue? I can't find it anywhere. It wasn't at my house and it wasn't on the table I last saw it on," she said. Ryou walked up to her and handed her the Mini Blue. Victoria was so happy she didn't lose it and suddenly hugged Ryou. She then released him and asked him a question.

"It's 9:10.Where is everybody," she asked.
"It's Sunday. No one is here because the café is closed," he replied. Victoria put her hand on her head and ran it down. Ryou started looking at her and asked, "Do you want to hang out with me today?"

"No because that would be called a date and would mean I like you but I don't," she said.
"I didn't mean as in having fun. What I meant was would you come with me to the stores because we need to buy things for the café? We can't go shopping on the weekdays and Saturdays because we have to work," he explained.
"I do need a few things, too. So, let's go." Ryou went up to his room and got a list. They left the café and went into town.

They went to a grocery store and a fast food restaurant. They sat down on a bench and ate. Victoria had a burger and Ryou just had fries and a soda. Victoria got out her Mini Blue again. The menu came up and she started thinking. She then saw a music store. She closed the menu and finished her food. She stood up and said, "Hey, Ryou. Let's go to the music store."

Ryou finished his fries and went to the store with Victoria. They went in and Victoria started looking around. She found a black and pink Duncan guitar. A salesman asked her," Can I help you with anything?"
"Can I try this out," she asked.
"Sure. Do you know how to play it though? If you don't, there is a flyer on the counter for lessons," the salesman said.
"I haven't played before but I'll try," she replied. She started playing a few notes and the salesman and Ryou were shocked. She stopped and said, "I made up a song last night and I think I can sing it with the guitar. She got out a piece of paper from her pocket but it wasn't finished. She started playing and singing. When she stopped, the guys clapped.

"So, do you want to buy it," Ryou asked. Victoria reached into her pocket and realized she forgot her money at home because she was too worried about her Mini Blue.

"Don't worry. I can pay for it but you'll have to pay me back," Ryou said. They left the store and Victoria said, "Thanks." They went to the park at sunset and sat down on a bench. Ryou looked really exhausted and Victoria got out her guitar. She walked up to the lake that was like 50 feet away from Ryou. She started playing with her Mini Blue and danced. Ryou watched her and Victoria looked back. She was singing and Ryou was astonished. Victoria had her eyes shut and started walking into the water.

"Hey Victoria! You going to get wet," he yelled over the music. She didn't hear him and he saw her on top of the water. Not in it. The red sun shone on her. Ryou was silent and watched Victoria dance, play her guitar and sing on the red sun's reflection.