I'm Not Trash

Step One

Bill was pensive while staring straight ahead with an expression on his face that was hard to describe. After the ruckus he had created at the restaurant earlier, Joana now took him to a quieter place. The two of them were currently sitting on a park bench by the artificial lake in the city of Arden. And since then, Bill had remained silent without saying a word.

"I'm sorry that you had to witness something you didn't deserve to see." Bill said finally breaking the silence.

Joana turned her head and glanced at her friend. It was clear that Bill was devastated.

"That's not a situation for which you should apologize to me, Bill. I'm the one who should be apologizing. I think, I said a lot of nonsense in front of that woman." Joana said.

"No, you saved my pride. I'm very grateful for that." Bill said as he turned to Joana and smiled slightly. A smile that made Joana's heart ache even more.

"I didn't do anything." Joana said.

"If it weren't for you, I would have really looked like a loser in front of Miranda and her mistress." Bill said again.

Joana could only sigh. She didn't deny what Bill had just said. If he had not come forward and claimed to be his friend's lover, Bill would have been even more humiliated.

"So now you don't have a place to stay?" Joana asked then rather cautiously.

Bill nodded. Lying and making up stories was pointless. Joana had heard it all from Miranda's mouth.

"Is that why you were sitting at the bus stop with your suitcase?" Joana asked again.

Bill nodded again.

"Then, the friend who said he would pick you up, are you planning to stay at that person's place?" Joana asked again.

This time there was a sigh from Bill's mouth.

"I lied. No friend is going to pick me up. I'm sitting on the bus stop bench not because I'm waiting for someone, but because I'm tired of walking aimlessly." Bill replied in a sad tone.

"Geez, Bill--" Joana sighed with concern. She really didn't expect the fate of her childhood park to be that sad.

"I'm sorry that you had to meet me in this condition. Really, it's very embarrassing." Bill said as he looked up at the sky which looked very bright. In stark contrast to his cloudy facial expression.

"Why should you feel embarrassed? Do you not consider me a friend anymore? We're even like brothers, Bill." Joana sighed again, as if something was squeezing her chest at the moment.

"That woman, I mean your wife, she's really too much. Even though you're in financial trouble right now, I really believe that you're doing the best you can. She could be having an affair with another man and throw you away like trash," Joana scolded.

Bill glanced back at Joana. His heart felt touched inexorably just because Joana said she believed that he had tried. Bill couldn't remember the last time Miranda appreciated him like that.

"Thank you for saying that." Bill said sincerely.

"So what are your plans after this?" Joana asked later.

"I don't know." Bill replied in a tone that sounded a little desperate.

"Before, because of Miranda's humiliation, I vowed to have more money than anyone else. But what can I do? In fact, today alone I would have gone back to eating free bread from the bakery if you hadn't turned me away," Bill added.

Joana fell silent again, as if considering something.

How about you stay with me for a while?" Joana asked.

"Stay with you?" repeated Bill without being able to cover his surprised face.

"Yes. I have an empty room in my apartment. You can stay there." Joana said.

This time it was Bill who seemed to be thinking. Of course Joana's offer sounded very tempting, but was it appropriate for him to stay with a girl, even though the girl was his own friend?

"Later I also have a job for you, if you want." Joana continued.

"A job?" Bill asked.

"Yes, but before that, you'll want to finish your business with that girl, right? Stay with me for the time being, Bill. I'll help you." Joana said in a tone that sounded rather pleading, as if she was the one who needed help, not Bill.

Of course, Bill had to think rationally. For the time being, he couldn't sell out in the name of pride. After all, Joana had also heard how her pride was trampled on by Miranda and her affair with Alan. It would be unwise for Bill to reject Joana's offer at this time.

"Well, it looks like I'm going to be a lot of trouble for you." Bill finally said.

Joana smiled with relief at Bill's answer.

"Good. After this, let's show that woman that without her, your life will be fine, even better." Joana encouraged Bill.

Bill smiled back at Joana. "Thank you in advance, Joana." He said sincerely.

Joana finally took Bill home to her apartment. At first, Bill thought that the place where his friend lived was a simple apartment, but apparently Joana lived in a fairly luxurious apartment.

"Your apartment is very nice. It looks like what you told Miranda earlier wasn't just nonsense" Bill said as he entered Joana's apartment.

Joana chuckled. "What did I say?" she asked.

"You said that you have a lot of money and won't run out even if you spend it on fun every day." Bill said.

Joana chuckled even more.

"Don't you understand the concept of bragging? Of course I'm exaggerating my words to sound cool."

"Oh yeah? But I don't think you're bragging. Of course you have to have a lot of money to live here, right?" Bill gave Joana a slightly serious look.

"This is my foster parents' property. I just occupy it." Joana said modestly.

Bill was still staring at his friend. He clearly didn't believe Joana's answer.

"This is your room." Joana changed the subject in the nick of time as they arrived at the door of a room.

Joana led Bill into the room and prepared the items Bill needed, such as toiletries and a shave.

"Clean yourself up and get some rest, Bill. You must be tired." Joana said.

Bill nodded. He hadn't cleaned himself properly in three days, nor had he slept properly.

"I'll see you at dinner tonight." Joana left Bill's room, letting Bill enjoy his time alone first.

Bill immediately showered and shaved. After a few days, he could finally see his face becoming fresh again. He felt like he had rediscovered his lost self.

After that, Bill lay down on the bed and slept for some time. In the late afternoon, he woke up and came out of his room to look for something to drink.

"Hi, feeling better?" Joana, who was in the kitchen of her apartment, greeted Bill.

"Yes, thanks to you. Thank you so much." Bill replied while getting a glass of water. He then sat at the pantry table while sipping the water he had taken earlier, facing Joana.

"So, have you thought about the first steps you're going to take?" Joana asked.

Bill nodded.

"I'm going to take care of my divorce from Miranda as soon as possible." Bill said.

"Even without you taking care of it, she seems to be the one who wants a divorce from you the most." Joana responded casually.

"No, I should divorce her first. She's not the one who dumped me, I'm the one who dumped her!" Bill said firmly and determinedly.