THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
Buddy

When the clock struck at 11:00 that morning, Zachary turned off the TV, put on his sneakers, and walked out of his apartment. Although this was his day off, he did not want to spend all his free time confined indoors, inside his living room. There is nothing more you can do to spend time at home because watching TV has started to bore him. So, he decided to make the most of his free time to speed up his post-match recovery by going to a massage in town and going to the Lerkendal gym for a simple workout afterwards.

But when she started coming down the stairs— en route out of the apartment building, her phone vibrated. When she pulls him out of the side pocket of her gym shirt and realizes that it was Emily who called, she immediately receives the call.

"Hello Emily," she said, putting the phone near her ear as she continued down the stairs. "What's wrong? Have you finished meeting with the Red Bull representative?"

"Hello Zach" she heard Emily's voice from across the phone. "I've just ended the meeting with them now. So, can we meet so I can tell you about my discussion with them? Where are you now? I can see you soon if you're not too busy at the moment."

"I'm quite free and just left my apartment looking for something to do—to spend my free time," Zachary replied. "So, why don't I just come to you? Remember, it's easier for me to move around Trondheim." He added, deciding to change his plans in the heat of the moment. He was very happy to hear about whether the Red Bull representative had come and offered him another good support contract.

"It's even better" Emily said. "You can find me at our usual meeting place— at another cafe near Trondheim Square."

"You mean Cafe le Frre?" Zachary asked for confirmation. He slowed his pace as he approached the exit of his apartment building.

"Yes" said Emilia. "That's his name, I guess. I'm just heading there now. I'll get there in about ten minutes."

"Okay, let's just get in there" said Zachary, stopping next to the exit. "I should be able to get there in about fifteen to twenty minutes, depending on the traffic. But that means you have to wait for me for a minute."

"That's no problem" Emily quickly replied from the other end of the phone. "If you don't mind, I'll order a cappuccino and a cake for you while you wait."

"It's okay" said Zachary. "Can you also order some fried bacon and fries? I had a very light breakfast this morning. I'm already hungry."

"Okay, then," Emily replied before ending the call.

Zachary immediately put his phone back in the side pocket of his sports pants. He then pushes the door, intending to get into his car and head to Trondheim Square to meet Emily.

But just as he was about to step out of his apartment building, he almost hit someone. She almost collided directly with a young woman, wearing a formal black skirt suit, who rushed back inside.

Zachary immediately reacted with the speed of a pro athlete. He jumped to the side and gave her a hand to stop her from falling to the ground.

But a moment later, he realized that it was Kristin, his neighbor from the fourth floor, who almost hit him. He had not recognized her immediately since he had changed his entire appearance. He looked almost like a different person. She looks prettier and more mature—after changing her hairstyle and wearing a little makeup that matches her formal attire.

"I'm sorry about that" Kristin said, clearly still not recovering from the incident. He doesn't even seem to recognize Zachary yet. "I was in a hurry, and my mind wandered..." He stopped in the middle of the sentence as his eyes finally fell on Zachary's face.

"So, it's you, Zachary," she exclaimed, her brown eyes wrinkled at the corners. "Good morning!"

As soon as Zachary looked at him, his mind immediately jolted awake. He later recalled that he promised to go with him to meet his grandfather in Bergen on the day after Rosenborg's match with Molde. But the subject completely escaped his mind that morning. So, he felt guilty at that moment.

"Yes, it's me" said Zachary, returning his smile and hoping he forgot his promise. "Good morning to you too."

"With your expression, I suspect you just remembered that we should travel together to Bergen today" Kristin said with a smile.

"I'm really feeling down right now," said Kristin, slightly pouting and holding her gaze. "You can't even remember a little promise to me."

"But the fault is not entirely with me" Zachary replied with a smile. "You didn't even remind me of yesterday's trip. And you don't look ready to go to Bergen right now. Perhaps, you also forgot about the trip."

"But that doesn't set you free from breaking your promise" Kristin replied, still smiling. "If I remember it correctly, your words are exactly that: You hold my words, and I will not forget. But you obviously forgot!"

Zachary could only smile curiously at her.

Kristin chuckled at her reaction. "I caught you this time" he said. "So, how are you going to make it up to me?"

"I can take some time next Sunday so we can go visit your grandfather then" Zachary said. "That will be the day after our match with Vlerenga. So, I'll be free and won't forget this time."

"Aren't you supposed to go back to Congo after the game?" Kristin asked. "As I recall, Valerenga's match was the last game before the break. Aren't you?"

"Yes, indeed," Zachary replied as he nodded. "But I can travel with you first to Bergen before returning home. I can even take my flight back to the Congo from Bergen Airport."

"In that case, it's a deal" Kristin said, beaming. "This time, I'll remind you two days earlier so you don't forget."

"It would be for the best" Zachary said. "But tell me the truth. Are you really ready to go to Bergen with me today? Based on your clothes, you look like you're heading to the office."

Kristin smiled. "I have to go now" he said, pushing past Zachary and starting towards the stairs. "If you want, we can talk more later tonight. But for now, I really have to go. And depending on your outstanding performance against Molde yesterday."

"Thank you," Zachary replied, turning around to see him start climbing the stairs. He looked even more amazing from his new perspective. "And please be careful along the way. Don't hit people when you open the door." He added a little humor.

Kristin chuckled at hearing that. He then stopped around the fourth staircase before turning around to face her. "Where did you put my Zachary who always meant it," he asked, still beaming. "Are you sure that you're not a trickster alien who has mastered his mind? The Zachary I knew would never tease a girl who was about to get involved in an accident."

"Perhaps, you don't know Zachary very well," he replied as he scratched his chin. "I'll be happy to introduce you. That's if you want to."

"You said it yourself" said Kristin, beaming. "I'd love to hear all about this new Zachary over dinner at my place tonight. Are you ready?"

"Why not?" Zachary said, matching his smile.

"Then, see you later" said Kristin. "Don't make any excuses now. I'll start preparing dinner earlier today. So, you have to be present in any way. Are there certain foods you don't eat?"

"Yes, there's one" said Zachary, his voice serious. "I don't eat chicken claws. That doesn't make any sense to me."

Kristin laughs. "Don't worry," he said, glancing at his watch. "I'm not going to cook a chicken claw today. Okay, then. I really need to go now. See you later." He waved before quickly running up the stairs.

Zachary sighed, shaking his head as he watched his figure disappear. Since her mind had calmed down a little, she couldn't help but wonder why she said so much to Kristin and even agreed to have dinner at her house. [Has the boredom from this morning burdened me?] He pondered, glancing at his watch. Realizing that it was eleven o'clock past seven minutes, a light bulb flashed in his mind. At the time, she recalled that she had promised to meet Emily in about eight minutes. So, without further ado, he rushed out of the building and quickly got into his car. A minute later, she had gotten out of the parking lot next to the apartment building and started driving like the wind towards Trondheim Square to meet Emily.