||ETHAN||

Both of us arrived separately at the mall. To be quite frank, I did not expect Jackson to pick this place to be our choice of spending time together. We had parked our cars as close as we could and got out. Hearing our car beeps echo as we locked our vehicles, I rushed over to Jackson. He smirks and made his way to the elevators. The two of us were the only ones occupying the wide space with subtle jazz music playing in the background. "Do you come here often?" Jackson asked me.

"W-well, not really," I answered. Recalling back then, I just don't have the leisure to visit this place as much, "last time I came here was when I took my father out to eat. The past few times was when Noah treated me and the others..."

"Oh, okay," Jackson nodded.

Moments later, the ding sounds off when we reached our designated floor. Stepping out, we ventured around. Aside from that time my dad and I came here to eat, it had been a while since I've taken the time to appreciate and walk around the mall. I do miss the others: Noah, Annabel, James, Kate, and Felix. I frowned at the thought of having not seeing my friends again, but I immediately tried to shift into a positive perception. Who knows, I might meet them again as I did with Kyomi.

-

Jackson and I came across a small ice-cream stand. He paused for a moment to turn to me, "do you want one?" He asks.

Seeing that the frozen dessert did look intriguing, I nodded, "yeah sure," I smiled.

Jackson then went up to the worker and placed down an order. I mentioned that I wanted plain vanilla, so he ordered one for me and himself. After a while, he pays for it and receives the pair of coned ice-creams in return. He hands me mine, our fingers brushing momentarily. "Thank you," I gleamed, "sorry, I didn't bring my money with me to pay," I apologized.

"It's no problem," he chuckles. We continued around the place, moving to different levels using the escalators. With our treats in hand, I am to the right of Jackson. I held my treat on my right while Jackson has his on his left, which I oddly recalled him being right-handed though.  As we strolled, I couldn't help but notice his right hand making bizarre gestures. His fingers would wiggle, his hand would clasp open and closed, and would inch closer to mine apprehensively then retract back later on.

It had been a while and we were both nearing the ends of our cones. We had found a bench to sit down for a moment and took a breather. "Now that you're working in the kitchen, how are you liking it?" Jackson converses.

"I'm enjoying it!" I said so enthusiastically, "ah, that reminds me, how'd you like the dish I prepared for you?"

"Do I need to explain how fucking good- I mean, sorry for cussing," he waves his hands with a pout.

I giggle, "it's okay, I'll take the compliment. That just shows that you like it right?"

"Heck yeah!" He seems to be pumped about it which amuses me.

Each topic would bounce occasionally to different other things. We would talk about more interests that we haven't discussed before; I learned that he not only likes gardening but hiking and nature as well. Deer is his favorite animal. He has a little brother named Alfred who he gets into trouble with. He gets interested in anime and manga. These little interesting specifics about him were so fascinating. I also picked up another small detail from our chat that he would stutter less now as if he had gained confidence. Seeing him, he smiles a lot more, he laughs a lot more, and he really is such a fun person to be around.

-

We had finished our snack and decided to keep sauntering around when Jackson's eyes landed on a particular shop. Curious, we both neared our selves and saw its display of numerous manga books and anime DVDs. I didn't understand or know what those shows were, but seeing that Jackson looks so mesmerized by them, his attentiveness was truly piqued. "Oh gosh, is that the newest edition of- Aaah..." his eyes were wide open with excitement, palms and face pressed upon the window. He was staring so hard at those items. I couldn't help but stifle a small laugh, he looks so funny like an... adorable geek. After a few seconds, he shook his head and sighs in frustration, "n-no... control yourself, Jackson, that's not what you came for," I hear him mutter to himself. He turns to me with an embarrassed look, "s-sorry you had to see that," a hand behind his neck.

"It's okay," I grinned at him.

We then passed by a few more and we were nearing a more electronic part of the mall. Looking around, things looked very technical. I was confused as to why we're here, but Jackson appears to have things in mind. I just followed as we enter a shop that showed different devices and appliances. Blinking, I scanned around the area of cameras, drones, earphones, gaming counsels, computers, and more that looked really expensive. We stopped by the phones section, Jackson inspecting the less pricey ones and held one in his hands. Looking at me, he raises it, "what do you think?" He smirks.

Tilting my head, I said, "think of what?"

"Do you like it?"

I stayed silent for a moment. Considering the price, it looks decent for its numbers; a slick black screen and an average touch screen size, "it looks nice, why are you asking?"

"I'm asking if you'd like this as your new phone to replace your old one," he nods.

I was shocked to hear what he said, "J-Jackson!" I stammered, "you don't have to!" I tried to decline frantically.

He chuckles, "why not? No offense Ethan, but it's just a little bit sad to see you with your flip phone. I can't help but think of giving this to you as a gift, so please..." I stare at his eyes as he looks back at me with pleading ones. I didn't know what to say, I just didn't.

-

We both walk out, the brand new packaged phone in the box rustled within the paper bag it was contained in. I trailed behind Jackson, almost quiet. He had paid it off with his credit card. "So... it's yours now," he dangled the small bag. Taking it from him, I peered inside of it then slowly looked at him, my throat twisting. "A-are you okay?" He frowns, looking as if he had hurt me. But that wasn't the case.

"Is this... is this really mine?" I croaked.

Jackson takes a gulp, "Yeah... sorry, I can't afford a better one but-"

I rushed over to him and quickly wrapped my arms around, pulling him into a tight hug, "please don't apologize," I tried my best not to sound so emotional.

"Woah!" Jackson was surprised by my actions but soon returned the embrace.

"I appreciate your kindness... I really do. I don't know how I could repay for your generosity for something so thoughtful, but I- I just... thank you so much..." I had to fight back any forming tears. The thought of him giving me such a wonderful present was one of the most comforting feelings I've had. He's just so nice and selfless, why would he go all this way to support me?

"Ethan?" I hear him.

Blinking, I pulled back to see him watching me closely. His hand placed on my cheek, then his thumb brushed over something that trickled down the corners of my eyes, "are you... crying?" He frowns.

Oh damn, I guess I did break down without even noticing it, "ah dang it..." I sniffled, "sorry, heh, Thank you, Jackson," I wiped away my wetted cheeks.

He smiles a warm and soothing smile, "you're welcome..."