Chapter 4: I don't need a friend.

'' Eh ? ''

That was the only word I could say when she finally gave me her answer.

''I would like us to go out together this afternoon, just you and me. '' She said a second time.

I'm not going to hide it, I was a little surprised by his request. But as usual, I didn't let anything show. Having become a suspicious person, I began to see through this sudden invitation a means of hiding another intention. I decided not to beat around the bush and asked him the question directly.

''What do you really have in mind? '' I asked looking completely tired.

"What do you mean? ''

''I mean... I don't think you want to go out this afternoon just to spend time together. I want to know your real intentions. ''

Hearing my words, she started to laugh. She had softened. She was no longer as serious as at the beginning.

''You are truly amazing! Yes, you're right, I didn't offer you this outing just to spend time with you. I thought about an action plan. ''

"An action plan? ''

'' Separating like that, without an argument or anything would be very strange and I don't want people to suspect us. So, I'm organizing this with the aim of introducing the basis for our future separation. So we could say that after we came out, we saw that we have nothing in common and that was the cause of our breakup, what do you think? ''

As expected, this invitation that seemed to come out of nowhere was actually just a carefully crafted plan, but it was nothing bad. Like what, once again with my eyes, I was able to see through his angelic facade his underlying intentions. I wasn't in danger of being manipulated by her, so I had nothing to fear going out with her this afternoon.

"That's why I need you, so do you accept? ''

If this outing was intended to find a credible way for our planned future separation, I had no reason to refuse.

''Yes I accept. ''

She grabbed my elbow without warning. We were now side by side. I was very surprised again, but strangely, I didn't feel uncomfortable. Like the previous times, I felt vibrations in my heart, a pang that I couldn't explain.

'' Owl ! Have you eaten yet? ''

She asked me, getting much closer to me.

''No, I didn't have time. ''

'' Great ! Me too, don't worry I know a great restaurant...''

A few dozen minutes later, I found myself sitting across from her in the restaurant she had suggested.

To tell the truth, I was embarrassed, very embarrassed. The cause of my discomfort was not that I found myself eating with the most popular girl in college. Seen like this, It's pretty normal for a man like me to feel intimidated in this situation, but that wasn't the case. The problem was due to the fact that I felt myself being observed continuously.

The majority of customers at this restaurant were students from our university. I knew it since they wore the same uniforms as us. I wonder if this detail was also part of his plan.

Could this girl be calculating too?

''You don't seem very talkative it seems, it's not funny. '' She said as I looked around.

''Sorry, but I don't know how to entertain people. '' I replied, remaining indifferent.

She started to laugh. For her who didn't find me funny at first, I seemed to make her laugh again. This contradiction between his words and his actions made me realize something.

This girl was making fun of me...

"I noticed that you are always on the defensive, and that you always look away from others…"

She grabbed my chin with her hand and with a swing of her arm, she raised my head. I now faced him and we looked at each other eye to eye. My heart started beating fast. For that little moment, I lost control of myself. I let show a side of me that I have long tried to hide, that of a man hypnotized by the beauty of a girl.

''Don't you think this way is better? '' She then added.

I immediately looked away from him, I didn't know where to stand, but first of all, I had to regain my legendary composure.

"You know, you and I are very different. You are extroverted. This is explained by the fact that you tend to follow the person you are communicating with with your gaze. You use frequent and dynamic gestures like what you just did. ''

'' It's true ! ''

She said with a radiant smile.

''As for me, I'm the exact opposite. I spend my time observing my surroundings and I avoid coming into contact with others as much as possible. Our ways of interacting with those around us are not compatible. So imposing your method on your neighbor will only make them uncomfortable. You should let go of my chin, people are looking at us. ''

''Oh sorry! '' She said, releasing my chin.

''No, it's me who's sorry. I ruined the mood a bit. ''

I knew she had noticed my discomfort, it was her way of putting me at ease. However, I didn't need that much attention, in fact it was the opposite.

I discreetly looked at her after our little chat and she felt guilty. However, like a phoenix, she was able to rise from these ashes and find a smile again. She even took the initiative in the conversation.

''You don't need to apologize. I know ! What if you told me about your favorite activities? ''

''I like to spend the end of my days lying at home. I don't have any favorite activities or anything else. ''

"You must not have many friends it seems. '' She said after letting out a sigh.

'' Yes. I don't have any friends and I don't really see the point. ''

"How is that useful? You talk like they're objects. ''

"From a logical point of view, this is correct. Human beings create friendships, alliances with each other only out of interest. It is therefore normal to think that each individual uses his neighbor for his own interest as an object. At least that's what I think. I'm not the manipulative type and I don't want to be used for the needs of others, which is why I prefer to be friendless. ''

"So you think you and I are friends? ''

'' How so ? ''

"The relationship that binds you and me currently is the exact definition of the concept of friendship from your point of view. I can understand your theory, but do you think men only think about themselves? ''

''Yes... Men only think about their interests...'' I replied with a firm face, there was no room for doubt.

"So how do you explain that other people feel outraged to see someone being harmed? When I was in need, you reached out to me with this plan, right? "

''I also had my own interests, this situation was not so to my advantage. In the end we use each other to achieve our goal. But make no mistake, I don't consider you a friend because I find this type of relationship toxic. But know that in this world, this is the true face of friendship. ''

A silence settled between the two of us, when I looked at him, I could see sadness and at the same time anger in his eyes. Deep down, I wondered why she was in such a state? Was I a little harsh with her? Maybe I should apologize...

While I was lost in my thoughts, she came back to attack.

''You know, I'm not intelligent enough to develop theories about relationships between human beings. I can only trust your word and according to you, you are not the manipulative type... These are your own words. So, know that you will not make me believe that you have decided to help me only for your personal interests. ''

"You're on the wrong track…"

''Of course not! Men are not only like you think, certainly there is an element of truth in what you say... But life is not about math. It's not all about logic. You forget a very essential thing that defines human beings. ''

''A very essential thing...? ''

''I don't know what could have happened in your life to make you think like that but if you ask me, I don't think thinking like that would be beneficial for you. ''

Although she spoke to me with a firm tone, her look said the opposite. You wouldn't have thought she was worried about me. As for me, I did as usual, look away to avoid any eye contact.

''Maybe it's just an impression, but when you speak, I have the impression that... These words are imposed on you. ''

She said one last time.

I remained calm even though his last sentence surprised me. What did she mean my words were imposed on me?

''I think we should eat before it gets cold...'' I said to change the subject.

''Yes, I think you're right. ''

After this little discussion was put aside, no one spoke again until the end of lunch.

End of chapter.