It was the first time when Ai Lan leaned her head on his shoulder in a public place. They've been dating for nine months - since the last New Year, but in China such behaviour was a taboo. Here, in Ukraine, one of their holiday destinations, it was such a common thing that no one - except Ah Ru - even cared. But the young man was really confused and even a little annoyed by a noisy heartbeat in his ears.
"Hey, Ai Lan," he whispered. "Everyone's watching."
She didn't answer.
"Sleeping," he thought, humbly sighing.
They had to drive six more stations till the needed one, so he’d decided to pretend to be asleep too.
He didn't succeed in knowing everything about the cute girl, whose short hair tickled his neck, but one thing he knew for sure - Ai Lan was using him. Her parents had died two years ago and his school friend has cardinally changed. She quit dyeing her hair, neatly dressing and laughing. And became non-emotional messy and passive observer. So his offer to start dating was like a lifebuoy for her, meaningless, but bringing communication and some sort of feelings in her life. He knew it. Even this trip was fully paid by him (despite being a freshman, he got several part-time jobs) and his parents. But he really liked her. So he didn't care. As well as she, unfortunately.
"Hey, it's our station. Wake up," he heard Ai Lan's voice.
Ah Ru didn't notice falling asleep or waking up, but suddenly realized Ai Lan's leading him through the crowd, holding his hand.
"I'd like to buy that vyshyvanka thing. For both of us," she mumbled.
"What about horilka?" he asked, muffling a snicker.
"Why are you even asking?"
"She wasn't asleep," he thought, smiling.
Her ears were red.
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