in the heart of;; (JONATHAN)

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T

he mall was a place where a limitless amount of information and entertainment could be found. Here he came searching for something, anything that called to him in a creative way. Jonathan liked to take what he learned from the world and make it into a story with his art. Violin or paint it did not matter, Jonathan found joy in using the talents he had to open up the minds of those around him. Today he carried his trusty Violin in the worn case that it called home.

His choice of style today was for once rather simple. With a pair of black dress pants and a blue button down shirt Jonathan counted himself as looking fancy. Of course he had done higher forms of classy but that was only when he had to. The guy really was not into dressing to impress, but he had to admit how much he really liked his dress pants. In fact if Jonathan had to pick between dress pants or jeans he would pick the pants, though a good pair of shorts could really change his mind.

The only problem with these pants is that they had no pockets, or better yet they only had fake pockets. What were fake pockets? Well they were these things that make the pants looked like they had pockets, but in fact where the hole should be there would only be a sewed line. Jonathan really did not mind the missing pockets since he never really carried much to begin with. He had no cell phone and hardly ever carried a wallet. All he really ever needed was his Violin and a little cash.

So where would he put his money? Why in his shirt pocket of course, sure it was small but a few bills should stay in place, right? He spent most of the day walking around, staring in a window here and there. That was until strange feeling decided to awaken in his stomach, a feeling he was all too familiar with. It was the smell of food that caused it, he was so close to the food court by this point that he could not help but wander over. The lines were not super long, but not really short either. He spent the good time of 30 minutes before finally picking a place to eat. The Chinese food stand was what he picked in the end. He did not want much, just a egg roll or so too keep him happy.

He waited on the line debating what he should get before finally being asked for his order. Once he asked for the egg roll he managed to realize that his mouth was watering for the long waited food. With the egg roll now in reach he dipped his fingers into his shirt pocket to get his money, but then paused. Wait a moment... where was those few bills he was saving? A few pats here and a few pats there and he came to the understand that his money was now gone. He looked defeated at the lady at the counter and watched as he took his dream egg roll away. He couldn't help but release a whimper from his lips as it came to his understanding that the love of his life, that wonderful warn egg roll, was not gone forever.

Feeling as if all hope was lost he walked over to the near by tables thinking that if he could sit down for a minute his hunger might just go away. He made it to a chair and looked at it, should he? But wait, in the corner of his eye he spotted her. The most beautiful thing he had ever seem, so warm and so very inviting. His dreams had came true as he stepped closer and closer, and by the time he was at her table he knew her name. Ms. Amor, the most mouth watering egg roll ever. Yet they were not meant to be, because she had another that had eyes only for her. So he would stay back and watch his love be taken by someone else.

Never did he notice that he was leaning on his knees, or that his chin rested on the table, or that his hands were gripping the sides. No, it never ever crossed him to stay hello to the woman who had claim over the egg roll. All he could do was look at the roll as he let out of small whimper in his need for food.

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N

o attention was given to the women by Jonathan, oh no, he was just way to busy in his own little world. He couldn't help but imagine just how lovely that egg roll would taste. How warm and caring she would be to his lips, and how tasty she would be as he ate her and trapped her within his belly. Jonathan mouth watered and he let out one final whimper before he lifted his head up and tilted it to one side. He pointed at himself with one finger as if to ask 'Who me?' and then swung over the take a seat beside her. He held the egg roll in his hand and could feel the stars aline as all his hope and dreams came true. This was by far the best thing to happen today.

His hungry catching up to him he could not help but take one nice big bite. That one bite was gone before he knew it, down to his belly where it would give him the energy he would need to carry on. Yet it did not go down without a fight, Jonathan was left hitting his chest as he helped his food move down. Saved from the chance of chocking, he heard her question and perked up. What this women interesting in music? Well that would nice, not only did he get to find food, but now he had someone to chat with as well. He placed his half eaten egg roll on the table and reached around for his case.

Sliding it off his shoulder he gently plopped the case on the table before him and opened it up. "Violin, it is what I'm best at. Though I am good with a guitar and am learning the Piano." Needless to say that it was self taught on a very small keyboard, but it was something. He gobbled up the rest of the egg roll and sighed in peace. Oh food, why did you taste so wonderful? He had that feeling of wanting more, but also knew that one would be enough till he walked back to his truck.

At least at his truck he had some snacks waiting for him, some chip and a few bags of crackers. Really it was all he needed, food was food and he was never really picky. With a smile on his face he turned to her and spoke. "You are a real life saver, thank you for the food. I promise to pay you back when I can. The names Jonathan, and you are? I'd love to know the name of my hero." Anyone could hear the gratefulness and gratitude in his voice. He was really happy and would probably show it for the rest of the day.

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J

onathan nodded as he tapped his head, making a point that he would remember her name from then on. The guy was pretty good with names, he didn't like messing up a name of someone he would like to make a friend out of. " Nemesis, Nemi, Got it." He shook his head from side to side, there was no way he could just forget her kindness.

Jonathan knew how the world worked, it was really a rare thing for someone to be so kind as to give up some of their food for a stranger. Nope, he had made up his mind, maybe not today, but soon he would pay her back. Maybe he had a painting of his he could sell for a few bucks? After all he needed so extra money now that he had lost what little money he had. Luck was still on his side though, his truck was good when it came to gas. See now that was a good thing to look forward to, he had been smart enough to full up the tank before coming to the mall.

Food was taken care of now too, he wouldn't be hungry again for a few hours, that means he had time to find any lose change in his car. Oh snacks! John was sure that he still had a bag of chips somewhere in his car, oh and a bottle of water. Yep, everything would be just fine, he was fine for the next day or so. Plenty of time to find a way to make some money. Sadly it wouldn't have been the first time Jonathan had ran out of money. One he spent a week he lived off water from a water fountain and 5 cups of raman. He had been smart and cut four in half and the last one in... 6 pieces? Yea that had been an interesting week. The following week he had made it up with a steak dinner.

Speaking of food Jonathan looked down to see the piece of egg roll that was left. Well that would have to be fixed, he picked up the egg roll and went munch, munch, munch on it. Then he turned his attention back to Nemi. That was a very good question, why was he at the mall? "Just looking around really..." Then it hit him... did he come to buy something? Oh yes at the hobby store those soft paint brushes that he had already paid for..wait. "Oh no! I completely forgot I had bought these paint brushes and then..."

What did happen? He had been at the counter, paid.. then started talking with a old friend, someone he had went to school with. Then they walked out, parted ways... where did that shopping bag go? Was it still at the store. "Oh, I think I left the stuff I bought today back at that hobby store." He looked panicked as he stood up from his seat and waved to Nemi. "I have to go! It was nice meeting you!" He ran off in the direction of that hobby store, once again forgetting something. His violin sat on the table forgotten by it's owner. Would Nemi be kind enough to chase after him, or wait for his return?

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Meanwhile, Jonathan ran at full speed up some stairs and then down one of the many halls of the mall. Once at the hobby store he rushed to the counter. "Miss I was here a little ago and.. OH thank you!" The lady had been waiting for him to return, not sure if he would she had placed what he bought in the back. He nodded at being told to just wait for a moment while she went to get his bag. With his heart racing he was still to distracted to remember his lonely violin.

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H

e waited at the counter, allowing his mind to wander on what he was doing only moments ago. The woman he had been talking with was a kind soul. In fact her kindness sparked a bit of a muse in him. Jonathan wasn't sure if he wanted to paint a picture or write a song. The got the guy excited, he had given up writing music for a while now, but this woman bought back the creativeness in him. He looked around allowing himself to get distracted by the random items of the hobby store. Finally the lady he had spoken to earlier came back from with his missing items. He smiled and took the bag from her, with his excitement levels high he bowed and waved good bye. "Thank you very much, have a nice day!" Jonathan pretty much bounced out of the store and back into the busy mall.

He reached behind his head to rub the back of his neck and then paused. A question crossed his mind, why did he feel so much lighter. Seconds passed before he realized what the answer was. In his rush to claim one lost item, he created another. A sigh escaped him as he went over the fact that he was a bit of a spazz. Jonathan knew that he could be a bit of a scatterbrains but never like this. For once he took a deep breath before panicking, all he could do was hope that his violin was safe. Looking around he jogged down the path looking for signs that would lead him back to the food court. Luckily Jonathan would not have to go too far, out of the corner of his eye he spotted her. The kind soul that had fed him when all others would have turned away. Now Jonathan was finally convinced that Nemi was a real life angel.

He rushed over and stopped in front of the woman, bent over catching his breath. She still looked as lovely as he left her, oh yes he would have to paint her one day. "I'm sorry, I somehow forgot it. Thank you, did you come looking for me?" He talked high speed as he did his best to calm down. "See i was right you are a life saver, my hero, maybe even a modern day angel!"

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H

e really was thankful for her being so kind to look for him. Jonathan wasn't stupid he knew that there were people out there that would have just left the violin alone, or worse. In fact he could not begin to think on the horrors that could befall his precious violin. He would be sure the double check from now on, after all it was not the grandest of ideas for him to lose his livelihood.

How would he make money if he couldn't play? Sure his paintings sold, but no where near the about he could make when playing in just one concert. Overall at least he wouldn't have to worry about such a thing, his violin was safe. He had to give her some credit thought, as he took the violin from her he got to thinking. The right thing to do? That wasn't something a person heard everyday. She was perfect, a 101% absolutely perfect. Now would he tell her that? Of course not, but he was still allowed his thoughts.

The blush to her face bought a smile to his face. It wasn't everyday that a guy like him got to meet such a wonderful person. He pulled the violin over his shoulder and nodded. He understood, but that did not mean he wouldn't try to pay her back, after all it felt only right. How he would pay her back he was not so sure, but something would come to mind. "Even if you say not to, I would still like to pay you back one day." His phone rang and he fumbled in his pocket to see who could be bothering him at such a time. The number was the hospital, he heart almost sank right then and there. Could something be wrong? When was his last check up? He wasn't sure, but he needed to answer this call.

He gave Nemi a defeated look and grabbed her hand and kissed it like a true gentleman. "I'm sorry I have to go and take this, but I look forward to another meeting with you dear Nemesis." He tipped his head in and bow and jogged off as he answered his phone. Please, Please, don't be bad news. he prayed as he went down some stairs and headed to the exit. Never once did it cross his mind that he never even got Nemesis phone number...