“What’s wrong with standing? Isn’t it just a little harder? When did you become so fussy?”
Emily’s tone brimmed with disappointment.
“I thought you were kind and considerate, but I didn’t expect you to be so shallow! You’re embarrassed just because you’re not in business class? You’re going to ruin everyone’s mood?”
I listened to her words, the irony cutting deep.
Shallow?
Shallow about a business-class ticket on the high-speed rail.
She’d never know that I didn’t truly need that ticket. I just wanted to go home with her, to share that trip together. With one call, my mother could buy not just one seat, but the entire train.
But I didn’t want to explain.
I only wanted to see what little drama she and her delicate “green tea boy” could pull.
I stayed silent for a few seconds, but to Emily, that silence seemed like guilt and surrender.
Her tone softened, though still condescending.
“Okay, stop it. I know you’ve been wronged. I’ll go to the movies with you later to make it up to you, okay?”
“Hurry up and see if you can still get a standing ticket. Jason and I will be waiting for you at the exit.”
I could almost picture her face, convinced she had generously calmed me down.