We were sitting opposite each other against the wall. We were alone on the first floor. Nobody could interrupt us. I had a view of the stairs behind my friend's back. Sophie, like almost every teenager or somebody addicted to a cell phone, had her phone on the table. I was drinking a Cola, while she was eating a Zinger Burger. We were talking about our vacation. I spent them at home, sometimes I went out to different places. Of course, I didn't tell her that I had made a cruise and humiliated a woman by removing one of her shoes and kicking it away. The less she knows, the better. But she told me that she had learned how to crochet. She showed me her scarf on her cell phone, a small 3D blanket for a toddler, and her wound on her finger. She also showed me her big family. She also complained that through her studies she could not become a godmother, because she didn't have time to go to her hometown. I felt sorry for her.

 

While I was talking to her, I noticed that a man was walking up the stairs with a tray. He had food and drink on it. Everything looked normal if not one detail. When he reached the first floor where only Sophie and I were, he blinked at me before going to one of the empty tables. It felt strange because I didn't know how to understand that. I stared at him until he sat down to my right against the wall. I did not pay attention to him afterward. I thought about telling Sophie what had just happened. She is not the type of person who likes to tease others, and I didn't want her to get scared or react in any way. I admit, I still felt strange.

 

After some time I understood, or so I thought at that time, what this guy meant. Two women were walking up the stairs. They were both holding trays of food and drink. The first woman reminded me of the one I had seen for a moment in the park, shouting at her child because she was throwing gravels everywhere. Brown hair, red shirt, and blue jeans. Once she finally reached the first floor, she revealed her sneakers. Her friend, who was walking slower and more carefully, was familiar to me. I recognized her immediately. She was also in the park at that time. This time she was wearing a blue shirt, navy blue pants, and gold flats. They looked a bit strange because it looked like the leather of the shoes was gilded and extremely low cut. Both women sat at the table that was just between mine and the guy's table (so they were in the middle). I didn't know if I was surprised or glad to see this woman again (I'll call her "the shoeplay lady"). Sometimes I had the feeling that these random meetings were destined and maybe even set up. I was already curious to see how things would turn out. I just had a big problem... with myself. I couldn't just take my cell phone out and record with a hidden camera because it could be suspicious for this man and for the woman's friend who was sitting next to me. "The shoeplay lady" was sitting next to Sophie. And unfortunately, Sophie was also a problem. She often looked at me while we were talking to each other or even while she was touching with her fingers the screen of her cell phone, maybe even texting with someone. Therefore, any pranks, taking pictures, recording were not an option that day, even for Sophie's shoes that were close to my legs.

 

Of course, "the shoeplay lady" couldn't be herself if she didn't start playing with her shoes. After two hits on the floor, I knew that she wouldn't stop. She was speaking with her friend, and Sophie didn't notice what was happening right next to her. I had to think of something to keep her from looking in that direction, and more than that, I had to do something to prevent her from hearing the sound of those constant shoe drops. I thought that she would probably be annoyed by that woman's behavior, but as far as I knew her, she didn't mean people badly, so she would rather ask me to change our seats than tell the woman anything. Somehow I remembered some adventures I had in the past. And to play on time, I decided to tell her about a certain day that made me hate Thursdays. But to make sure that she would actually listen to me and have her eyes focused ONLY on me, I raised my voice. I realized that it would probably drag a lot of attention on myself, but it was the only idea I had at that moment. And unfortunately, I got "the shoeplay lady's" attention. She asked me to lower my tone because she couldn't hear her friend and that I was not alone in this place. She was right, I knew that. I apologized to her, but then I also knew that my idea had already failed. Immediately I heard the sound of her shoes falling on the floor. But Sophie told me, "Don't worry. Considering what you've had to deal with, I'd be pissed off too". She was referring to the story I was telling. "But that's not the end of the story", I said. I finished telling the story, but I still felt bad because my idea had failed and that I didn't know what to do next. I also started thinking of ways to get Sophie to leave the table for a little while. For example, she could just go to the bathroom and after that fill our cups with Cola. Also, I thought about spilling Cola on her dress or on her shoes, but I quickly changed my mind. As attractive as she was, the shoeplay lady wasn't worth spoiling my relationship with Sophie.

 

After I finished telling one story, I started telling another, which I was actually making up, but I wanted to buy some time. Unfortunately, even during the story, I was nervous. I didn't know what to focus on more: Sophie's shoes or "the shoeplay lady's" shoes? My knees were shaking. I was giving everyone obvious clues of my nervousness. The man noticed it. I remember when I was telling the story, I turned my head towards him for a moment. He blinked at me again. Although our eyes only met for a short moment, it was enough for me to realize that he was still looking at me. I didn't know how to perceive it. Did he want to make a move on me? Or was it about the shoeplay lady again? I had to take a deep breath and drink some Cola.

 

I don't know if it was worth telling these stories to Sophie, because I suddenly noticed that "the shoeplay lady" got up and walked down the stairs. I heard the sound of a shoe falling on the floor. "It must have slipped off her foot", I thought. But I knew that things were getting worse and worse for me. I was sweating even more, my hands were wet and I was breathing faster. "Are you alright, Sebastian? Your face is all red", Sophie said. I was surprised. Was it that obvious? "It's a bit warm in here", I started. "And... I can't calm myself down". "Is it about that woman?" she asked. I was surprised again that she had come to that conclusion. She was actually right, but I preferred to lie to her. "No, it's about my neighbors. They want to sue my family because our pipe burst flooded their apartment...". I then noticed "the shoeplay lady" returning to her seat. And of course, she immediately lost her shoes when she crossed her feet at the ankles under her chair. I don't know if Sophie heard it, but she suggested that we move to another table, but I firmly declined. I immediately apologized for raising my voice and promised to calm down. Sophie took our cups and went downstairs. At least for a moment, I could hear her high heels.

 

I had to take a deep breath. I was still nervous, but my knees had stopped shaking. Taking advantage that Sophie was gone, I took out my cell phone and started recording. As always, I put my cell phone on my pants. I knew that the risk of detection was high because I was sitting, not standing, and therefore both the man and the two women could become suspicious. Unfortunately, the recording from my spot didn't go my way. I was about to turn it off, but then the craziest thing happened: I don't know if the man could read my mind or just knew me, but he got up, walked towards the stairs, but before he reached them, he kicked one of the shoeplay lady's shoes towards me with his left foot! Everyone had obviousky heard the sound of her shoe sliding on the floor. I was stunned. Her empty flat was now touching my left foot. Of course, both women noticed this. I've seen confusion in "the shoeplay lady's" eyes, but not in her friend's. She got up and started screaming at me and accusing me of taking pictures! I explained that it wasn't true, that this guy had kicked the shoe in my direction, but she didn't believe me. She threatened to call the police! As for the photos, she must have figured out that I was taking them because I had a cell phone in my hand. "The shoeplay lady" appeared next to her, trying to calm her friend down. I apologized for this "incident" with her shoe and asked them not to call the police. I also showed her that my camera wasn't on. "The shoeplay lady" kept saying that everything was ok and that they were going to return to their table. The friend sighed and warned me with her finger.

 

If that wasn't enough, Sophie came with our cups. I didn't know what to tell her. I didn't know what had just happened actually. I had just got framed! That guy had clearly done this on purpose, and he seemed to know exactly what consequences it would bring. I had never been so scared in my life before. Was this supposed to be revenge? What if he was a friend of Lucas?

 

"What happened?" Sophie asked. I saw that she was looking at me while both women had already sat back at their table. "I got carried away", I lied. "I had to react. Sorry". "Did you? Then why do you look scared?" I've always been impressed with her perceptiveness. I had tears in my eyes, but I tried to calm down. "You know, maybe it's better if I" "No", I took her hand, "Please, don't go. I'm sorry again. I'll calm myself down. I'll be like an angel. Just don't go, please". Sophie sighed, said something quietly, and sat down when I released her hand. Personally, I knew that I wouldn't be an angel, but I was telling myself to get a grip. In the meantime, the man returned to his seat. He looked amused. "That bastard got his revenge", I thought.

 

Sophie and I talked a bit, mostly about our studies, we drank together. I was getting better, but the shoe issue remained. Somehow I wanted to stop thinking about it. The only way to get rid of it was to leave KFC. I even thought about going out, but this guy was bothering me. I didn't know what he was planning, and he was still staring at me.

 

While I was talking with Sophie, an unexpected situation happened. If I understood correctly, the woman's friend said, "I'll be back Lisa". She got up and went downstairs. I didn't know if she was talking to someone on her cell phone or to this woman. If she was speaking to the shoeplay lady, then I had finally discovered her name. But I wasn't sure if she had really said that to her. Nevertheless, "the shoeplay lady" was now sitting alone and focused on her cell phone. I looked at the man who blinked at me again. More than that, he moved his head as if he was giving me a signal to move towards that woman. More precisely, he was pointing at the floor. So it was all about that woman. I just didn't know what he meant by it. What was I supposed to do with her shoes? Move them, kick them, or maybe... steal them? My knees started shaking again. I was letting everybody know that I was nervous again. This was noticed by Sophie who asked me what was happening again. I said I had to go to the bathroom and that she should wait for me outside because I had to make a call. Sophie had a little suspicion in her eyes, but she agreed and walked away. I looked at the man again. He wanted me to hurry. "What the hell, you only live once in this world!", I thought.

 

I got up and walked towards the stairs. But instead of going downstairs, I crouched down and used my old trick - pretending to tie my shoes. I turned my head towards the shoeplay lady's feet, which were encased in sheer nylons. She had the toes of both feet resting in her left shoe, so she wasn't touching the other one. I had to act quickly. I reached her empty right flat with my outstretched hand, picked it up very quietly, and quickly took it from under her chair. I knew that someone might notice that I was holding a woman's shoe, besides this guy sitting in the corner, so I decided to put it on the first step of the stairs. With this move, the shoeplay lady would have to get up and go to the stairs to find her shoe. After I did this, I went downstairs quickly. Just in time because I walked past her friend. I knew I would be in trouble soon, so I quickly left the building.

 

Sophie was waiting for me outside. I knew from her face that she would rather like to hear some explanation from me. I told her that we could go but our time was short. I told her along the way that my family was going to have a trial and that I was needed at home right now because something else had happened. That was a lie, of course, but I never told her what I had done on the first floor. I also preferred to stay away from these two women, especially from the shoeplay lady's friend, for my own good.