"So…" he started, a bit awkward. "Do you always go around helping random guys stuck on the road?"
Emmy raised an eyebrow and gave a small smile. "Only the ones who look like they've totally given up on life."
He laughed, a real one this time. "Wow. Harsh."
"Well, you were just standing there, staring at your car like it broke your heart," she teased.
"I mean, it kind of did. Ran out of fuel. My card got blocked. And my phone's basically useless right now."
Emmy hesitated. She still had a little money on her from her failed trip earlier. Not much, but maybe enough to help.
She pulled out a small folded bill from her pocket. "Here. It's not a lot, but it'll get you a few litres. Enough to get to town."
He looked at the money, then back at her.
"Are you seriously giving this to me?"
She shrugged. "You need it. I can survive the bus ride."
"Wow… thank you. I don't even know your name."
"It's Emmy."
He smiled. "I'm Franklin. And... you just saved me."
She gave a small smile and stepped away. "Go get your fuel, Franklin."
A few minutes later, Emmy was back at the bus stop, waiting and scrolling aimlessly on her phone. She looked tired and a bit lost herself.
A familiar car slowed down beside her.
It was Franklin.
He rolled the window down, grinning. "Hey, good timing. I'm back. Want a ride now?"
She shook her head quickly. "Nah, I'm fine. The bus should be here soon."
He tilted his head. "You sure? I mean, after all I owe you?"
She glanced at the road, then back at his face. He did seem harmless… and kind.
She sighed. "Fine. Just to the next stop. Nothing more."
"Deal," he said with a grin.
They didn't mean to spend the whole day together. It just… happened.
He drove with no destination. They stopped by a food truck, grabbed two sodas and some fries. They sat on a bench and talked — not about serious stuff, just little things. Silly things.
She told him how she once tripped in front of her whole class in high school. He told her he accidentally wore mismatched shoes to a wedding once.
They laughed. Real laughter. The kind that comes from forgetting life for a minute.
After a while, he said, "You hungry?"
"Starving," she admitted.
So they shared a taco plate, and he insisted on getting her a bottle of water.
They walked through a small park nearby. The sun was already beginning to set. They didn't talk about the job she didn't get or the meeting he skipped.
It was like the world paused for them.
Later, Franklin drove to the beach.
"Do you know how to swim, I think I should have some gears in my trunk," he said, parking the car.
"I do but I don't think I need that now" Emmy replied smiling
They removed their shoes, rolled up their jeans and walked on the soft sand barefoot. The breeze was light, the waves soft, the sky slowly turning orange and pink.
She stood close to the water, watching the waves touch her toes.
He stood beside her, quiet for a long time.
Then they sat on the hood of his car, sharing a bucket of popcorn and watching the stars come out.
Everything felt still.
"You're not what I expected," Franklin said, looking at her.
Emmy looked at him. "Good or bad?"
"Good. Really good."
She smiled. "You're not too bad either."
He gently removed a strand of hair from her eyes as he caresses her face.
Then their eyes locked.
His face moved closer.
Her breath caught a little.
He stopped just inches away.
"Can I….." he began to ask.
But right then, a loud wave hit the shore behind them.
They both froze.
She blinked. He didn't move.
Their faces were so close. But no one leaned in further. And no one pulled away.
Everything around them faded.
Only the sound of the sea, their quiet breathing, and the question that hung between them…
Would they kiss or not?