Nadia walked out of the shop after Lenny. She smiled kindly at him.
"They took off without you again, huh?"
Lenny nodded slightly. He didn't want to complain too much around Nadia. He knew that she had it much worse than him, being almost the only child. Not that in general being an only child was something bad, but everyone knew that her parents had strict rules. Too strict, if you asked Lenny, but who did ever do that?
"You know, if I can do something for you, just tell me", Nadia said and Lenny had to be careful not to scoff.
He nodded again. "Same goes for you", he mumbled, smiling slightly at her. She was a tiny bit taller than him, but he didn't mind. Nadia somehow was the good soul of the town, even though she went through so much trouble. While her mother's pregnancy with the second child, Roshan, Nadia hadn't been seen. All questions had been forced down by her father. One time that Tom had been too insistently asking to speak to her, on Lenny's request of course, because he himself had been too afraid, Nadia's father had slapped him so harshly that Tom had bruises on his cheek for two full weeks. Now, if Lenny thought about it, maybe Tom did care about him after all. The fact that nobody saw Nadia in that time also sent out the gossips about Roshan being her child. Lenny didn't believe that. He couldn't. Nadia was way too innocent for that.
"How is Roshan?", he asked while fidgeting with his shirt.
"Oh he's fine." Nadia smiled that beautiful smile of her's again. It was still so pure and true, even after all the stuff that happened in her life. Lenny admired her for that positivity, he already had lost, even though he was younger than her.
"I should go", he said. "My mother surely expects me to be back already. And I have to tell her that Tom isn't coming so soon."
Nadia nodded. "Sure. I guess I will see you soon then?"
She was so insecure, that she still had to ask, even though they had the only store in the city, Lenny thought.
"As soon as we need something, yup", he replied then hopped on his motor cycle. He put his helmet on, hiding his black chubby hair again. Before starting his bike, be cast her a small smile and then headed off, towards home.

Ellie smiled at Nadia as she returned into the shop. It wasn't really a kind smile, but also not a sarcastic one. It was a mere smile, that was all.
"Why are you hanging out with that cycle freaks? They are no good."
"Well, at least they are not spreading rumours, like others are", Nadia retorted with a shrug.
"Besides, Lenny and Tom are actually rather nice."
Ellie frowned. "You mean the gay guy who got slapped by your dad?"
Nadia tried not to show her annoyance as she gave a quick nod.
"I think it's such a waste of men that he and Chris are gay", Ellie rambled on and Nadia sighed.
"I still think they're nice", was all she replied with a finishing tone.