Side Story One

The two walked to a nearby restaurant for lunch. On the way back, they stopped at the zebra crossing to wait for the light. The interval was a bit long, about 100 seconds.

"How about playing a little game?"

Jessica was curious. "What kinda game?"

"Guess whether the number of the white stripes on this zebra crossing is odd or even."

Jessica instinctively glanced down and asked, "Is there a reward if I win?"

"Sure."

Jessica arched her brow and said, "Then what if I lose?"

"When we cross the street, you're gonna give me a kiss."

Jessica looked up at Lucas, figuring it was indeed something he could come up with.

She shot a glance at the zebra crossing and said, "I guess it's even."

"Then I guess it's odd."

While they were talking, the red light across the street turned green.

They exchanged a glance and both silently counted the white stripes.

"11, 12, 13, 14, 15—"

Once they crossed over, Jessica announced triumphantly, "And the last one, 16! It is an even number. You lost, L