The Hard But Easy
Chapter 2

I don't know why Jonathan feels that Carlos's love sounds like a mission to him. Though it's just a small matter, using a jacket and a scarf. Little children also know that in the winter of December like this, everyone must feel cold and need warmth. The man seemed to give Jonathan the green light to approach Eliza. That was just an accident. Naturally, if you are surprised to see something that appears suddenly to make you lose consciousness?

Carlos responded a little exaggerated.

Jonathan doesn't even know what to do now. He just follows Eliza Fern from behind, like a spy. Whether the girl realized it or not, but it didn't seem like it, because Jonathan was far behind Eliza.

What Jonathan saw at this time, Eliza stopped in front of the flower shop. The man frowned, where he went to buy all the flowers. Carlos tells Jonathan to make sure the girl uses his coat and scarf, but in the end, Jonathan follows where the girl is going.

I don't know who's overreacting here.

Not long after, Jonathan saw Eliza coming out with a flower in her hand. I don't know what flowers are clearly white. Again the man followed Eliza's steps which were not clear where. Jonathan knew that he was stupid, but his feet told him to follow Eliza.

In the end, the girl stopped in front of a Christmas shop. No, not in front of the store, but on a bench in front of the store. Eliza chose to sit on the bench, a second later she opened the contents of her bag and picked up the cell phone. Play it for a while then put the earphones into the ear. The girl looked pensive in the middle of winter alone.

Jonathan looked at Eliza's movements from a distance, he furrowed his brows, puzzled. Usually people will enjoy this winter time, whether it is going with a girlfriend, friends or the closest people.

But Eliza?

The girl was like a desperate man. Seen from the way several times to throw a sigh.

Jonathan felt a little pity to see Eliza. She hides something from those closest to her and prefers to run away. Jonathan doesn't know for sure what the girl's problem is, but all the girl needs is a friend. Friends to chat with, friends to share stories with, friends to make her laugh.

And Jonathan realized that the smile the girl had given him was, like, forced. That girl must have had a hard time until she acted like that. Although Jonathan only knew Eliza, but he knew through the look of the girl's eyes.

The man finally ventured to approach Eliza who was daydreaming staring at the streets. Maybe the streets are crowded by pedestrians, but not for Eliza's heart. And Jonathan knows very well that right now what Eliza needs is a friend.

Jonathan sat down next to Eliza, looking at the girl for a glance, and then directed his focus to the highway. Eliza also took off both earphones in her ear, when she saw people sitting next to her. At first Eliza thought the person sitting next to her was a bad person, but after seeing Jonathan's stature, she was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

"What's all this alone?" jonathan asked, when he found out Eliza was no longer using earphones.

Eliza did not answer right away, she put her phone and earphone into the bag. "Just enjoy the winter in December."

Jonathan smiled. "When winter comes every year and you can still enjoy it tomorrow, and next year" he said, looking back at Eliza.

Eliza seemed to smile mirisingly at Jonathan's words. Winter comes every year, it's just a matter of time. And Eliza understood what the man meant. He simply replied to Jonathan's words with laughter. A slightly forced laugh.

"By the way, we're not acquainted yet. You remember me, right? We just met a few minutes ago." - Jonathan.

Eliza nodded, still with a smile on her face. "still. Carlos' friend, right?"

"I'm Jo..."

"Jonathan Darrel, right?" not finished Jonathan introduced himself, Eliza had already interrupted. And unfortunately it's true. "I know from my friend he's a fan of yours. I'm Eliza Fern." By the way."

Jonathan even just realized who he is, it is unexpected that he will forget the fact that he is a youtube artist popular among young people. It felt a little tickling as soon as he heard the reactions of people who knew his name first without the need for him to introduce himself.

"I want to see your friend." jonathan.

"If I go back home, I'll introduce him." Eliza said.

"Home?"

"I live in San Francisco. I just want to visit Carlos here, and enjoy the snowy winter" he said.

"Oh, you deserve to enjoy winter." Jonathan began to understand why the girl next to him chose to leave in the middle of winter like now. It turned out that the girl wanted to enjoy the snowy winter, considering that the winter in California was never accompanied by snow.

Eliza smiled faintly, then stuffed her hand into the coat bag with a sigh, until white vapors appeared. "I can't believe I'm currently chatting with an artist" he said.

Jonathan smiled broadly in response to Eliza's words. "What does it feel like?"

Eliza raises both her shoulders. "It's like talking to a regular person."

"I am indeed a person, Miss." Jonathan replied with a short laugh. "What are you hoping for?"

"Either." said Eliza. "Where do you live?"

"near here. From the road at the end of there, just turn a little to the left." Jonathan pointed at the road.

Eliza also nodded. After that, he frowned. "Then why are you here? This isn't the way to your house."

Damnit. I know Jonathan's been following Eliza. He didn't think it would happen this way.

Eliza tried to hold back a laugh seeing Jonathan's expression. Geez, when he just met but he can already make Eliza smile and even laugh. For a moment he could forget something that was currently troubling his mind.

Jonathan immediately rounded his eyes, how could this girl know? Secretly Jonathan shuddered at the girl next to him, lest he could read the minds of others.

"He likes to be overrated sometimes. But, to be honest, he's been considered like my real brother." he said.

Jonathan nodded, confirming that Carlos was indeed a bit of an exaggeration. Fortunately, he was overused in the right situation. For example, at this time, he made a brief scenario of his first meeting with Eliza Fern.

"Want to enjoy winter together?"

...-οΟο-...

"Oh my god! That's Jonathan Darrel!" Several girls were heard exclaiming as they watched Jonathan traverse the streets of suburban New York. Jonathan repeatedly threw a smile greeting the girls who called his name. Eliza next to him shakes her head.

"Is it possible they'll think I'm your girlfriend?" joke Eliza.

"Maybe." - Jonathan laughed. "I think the comments on my youtube will be full later because of the news."

"Geez, it must be hard being famous, huh?" timpal Eliza laughed. "Where are you taking me?"

"To somewhere. I'm the tour guide."

Eliza laughed short. Geez, just the first time you met can make Eliza laugh. Impressive once. And all the girl did was follow Jonathan Darrel while his hand he put it in a coat bag.

"I used to live in Los Angeles." Jonathan said suddenly. Eliza raised her head, looking at Jonathan.

"really?"

Jonathan nodded. "When eighteen years I moved here."

"Olderly as well."

"It used to be summer time, we were always on holiday to Santa Monica Beach."

"It's so much fun." murmured Eliza. "If you may know, why did you move?"

Jonathan took his breath. "On that matter, I can't tell you."

Eliza nodded, understood. Not everyone will share their stories, especially with new people. "It's okay. I understand." he said. "Oh, yes Jonathan. By the way, you've known Carlos since when?"

"She used to be next door to my apartment before moving out and renting her studio now."

"Brain it's been a while, huh? It's worth being familiar."

"Yes, that's it." Jonathan said.

After that they started chatting casually, talking about winter and Christmas which will soon come. Jonathan says that if Christmas in New York is really crowded, the city streets will be filled with people passing by. New York City can be said to be a city that never sleeps, even on Christmas, the city is even more so.

During the conversation with Jonathan, Eliza did not ask where the man was going to take her. He just followed Jonathan. Until in the end, Jonathan stopped his steps and made Eliza come to a stop while frowning.

"Why?" ask Eliza.

"We've arrived."

"Hm?"

Eliza looked around. He doesn't know where it is, but it's a beautiful place. Unknowingly the girl advanced her steps slowly and stopped again. He looked out at the big river in front of him. The winter wind is now flying her hair. For a moment Eliza forgot Jonathan behind her, the girl slowly closed her eyes. He tried to throw away all the thoughts that have become a burden lately. Everything felt so heavy that he wanted to cry.

Although there are many people in this place, for some reason Eliza's heart feels lonely. As if he was just here.

Slowly Jonathan approached Eliza. He noticed the girl and knew there was something inside Eliza that he did not know. Maybe even Carlos, the person closest to him, didn't know that. Seen from the look of the girl's face as if hiding the burden alone.

"If you want, every afternoon I go here." Jonathan jolted Eliza and opened her eyes reflexively.

Eliza smiled bitterly. A second later he looked up, looking at Jonathan. "It's okay" he said.

From there Jonathan realizes that he is not the only one who keeps a lot of secrets. After she meets Eliza, she realizes that the person who seems to be fine may be a fragile person.

And Jonathan realized, if all this time he was not the only person who had a sad story.

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