Lunch time. A time where students get to have two hours of free time to replenish their energy for the next few hours of classes ahead.
In videogame terms, it's like a quick checkpoint before fighting the boss just beyond the gates.
With such limited time on their hands, students fill up the hallways. Walking towards the cafeteria to get a seat early or maybe get a certain item from the store before it's sold out.
'I just need to buy some bread and milk and I'll be outta there quick.'
Those are my thoughts as I walked through the hall filled with students and teachers alike.
Melon bread and Milk (preferably strawberry) are the usual lunch items I get because of their portability. You can bring them anywhere you want. Like on the rooftop or behind the school.
Don't get me wrong, the cafeteria's not a bad place to be at. It's just the vibes there are a bit too much for someone like me. I like to eat lunch somewhere quiet.
After buying the things as planned, I slipped past the students crowding the hall and took a few sharp turns until reaching the place I wanna eat at for today.
"Okay, this place should do."
It was an old fire escape behind the school. Just by looking at it, you can already tell those stairs have been through hell and back.
The rust caused by the water from the rain, dents everywhere from all the students that have climbed up its steps, and fallen down railings that highlight no matter how sturdy modern infrastructure is, nature always finds a way to break it.
I gotta say, there's a certain romance to places like these.
That being said, at the end of the day it's just an ordinary staircase you'd find almost anywhere in the world.
"Alright!"
I plop myself down on one of the stairs and open up the packaging of the melon bread to take a bite.
"Mm! Yep, just what you'd expect. But it's kinda strange that melon bread doesn't really taste like melons..."
I guess "melon bread" doesn't necessarily mean "melon-flavored bread". I heard it from somewhere that melon bread is named after its looks, but I personally don't see it.
As I finished that thought, my throat started to get dry and thirsty from all this bread soaking up the all moisture in my throat. Because of that, I opened up the milk carton I bought earlier.
Taking my first sip, my tongue was immediately embraced by with a gentle sweetness.
Ah, strawberry milk. How I love your artificially flavored taste...
After taking another sip, I put the notebook I brought from home on my lap. These quiet places are perfect environments to write new things on it.
Poking my cheeks with the blunt part of my pen, I start to ponder about what I should write on it.
"Let's see... What do I add next?"
The notebook is a list of all the things I wanna do before graduating highschool. Kind of like a highschool bucket list.
There's currently about nine things listed on it.
[ 1. Make a friend
2. Learn to play guitar
3. Join a band
4. Become popular
5. Hang out with a friend
6. Eat Korean barbecue
7. Go to a manga cafe
8. Pig out eating convenience store food
9. Help out for the cultural festival ]
As I looked over everything, I get reminded about how I couldn't even do a single one of the things listed here since the start of the schoolyear.
Getting a bit too ambitious now, aren't we? We still haven't even crossed out one item...
Disappointed, I let out a sigh.
"I should really get a move on and start doing stuff... There's only three years of highschool, after all."
I said, leaning back on the stairs before turning my attention back to the notebook.
"Seriously, Pick. What are you going to do with yourself?"
I asked myself hanging my head low.
Looking over the first page of the notebook, the very first item I wrote on the list catches my eye.
Reading it made me put on a wry smile.
'Make a friend.' it says.
It sounds so simple but It's easier said than done. Everyone already has their own groups in class. It's really hard to approach them. Longest exchange I've ever had with one of them was borrowing an eraser.
"Maybe if I wish hard enough, a miracle will happen?"
I said, looking at my notebook before scoffing.
"Pfft. Yeah right, if only it were that easy... It's not like one is just gonna fall down from the sk- brmgh!!!".
In the middle of my sentence, something from above suddenly hit me with enough force to make me drop the milk from my hands, making it spill everywhere and causing me to fall face first on the ground below me.
"Ouch..."
"Ow..."
Picking myself up from the fall, I scramble to find my glasses that got flung away before a voice suddenly calls out to me.
"Ah! Are you okay?! I'm totes sorry!"
"N-no. It's alright"
I said, waving off my hands towards the stranger as reassurance.
Judging from the high-pitched feminine voice they had, this person was most likely a girl.
The way she spoke sounded a bit familiar too, but I can't put my finger on why.
Though my vision was blurred, I can make out something approaching my face. It looked like a hand, from what I could tell at least. And it seems like it's holding something.
"These are yours, right?"
"Oh?"
Being offered something, I took it from her hands although with a bit of caution. This is a stranger we're talking about after all.
Getting a feel for the object with my fingers, I realize they were my glasses.
"Thanks. I've been looking for these."
"No prob."
As I put my glasses back on, the first thing I saw was a girl with blonde hair. She had painted nails that resembled the sea and her hair looked like bundles of long gold threads.
And as to compliment the already stylish looking appearance she had, she was also sporting some unique looking heart-shaped earrings.
As I finally snapped out my trance, I realized something. Why is SHE here?!
"Ahhhh!!!"
"Eh?! What?!"
My sudden yell shocks her, making her jump back.
Through my yelling, I start to stutter.
"A-a-a-a-!"
"...'A-a-a-'? You trying to sing a song?"
"ARIA HOSHIKAWA!?"
I yelled out loud without thinking.
No one in school would not recognize her! Even I, a loner, knows who she is! She's basically a celebrity in this school!
Daughter to a massive corporation, she's rich, pretty, and has the charisma of a thousand bards! The final boss of social butterflies!
Wait, isn't she that popular girl from the second years? What's she doing here?!
She nervously raises her hand up as if she was being called up for morning roll call.
"Uh, yeah... That's me! What's up?"
Realizing just how weird I was acting, I try to compose myself and immediately turned to her to apologize in the most respectful way possible.
By groveling down on the ground and prostrating myself.
"I APOLOGIZE FOR WHATEVER TRANSGRESSIONS I HAVE CAUSED YOU! BUT PLEASE, I BEG OF YOU TO BE MERCIFUL AND JUST CUT OFF MY PINKEY FINGER!"
"Huh?! W-wait, lets chill out for a second!"
Seeing the strange display of apology happening infront of her, she desperately tries to calm me down.
After a few minutes, I finally composed myself enough to talk normally. Well, somewhat normally at least.
"Sorry about earlier... I didn't mean to be weird. Its my first time talking to someone as popular as you and I didn't know how to react especially under the circumstances-"
Seeing me ramble on from nervousness, she couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
Well, it would be way more accurate to say she was choking from laughing so much...
"HAHAHAHA! Hey hey, chill out! I'm not mad or anything! Just surprised is all. Your 'Yakuza-getting-punished' act earlier was totes hilarious for real!"
She said, wiping the tears she got from laughing so much.
"Besides, it was my fault I crashed into you."
"Oh, I see..."
"You in the drama club or something?"
"N-no, not really..."
Huh? That's strange, usually people would just accept the apology and scurry away without bothering to talk.
The two of us stood there in awkward silence until she decided to break the ice.
"Sooo.... Whatcha doing back here?"
"I was uh... Eating lunch."
I face palmed myself from disappointment in my mind.
It wasn't exactly a lie, but couldn't I think of something better to say?
Maybe something along the lines of 'I was watching the birds while eating'? I'm being too vague!
"I totes get iiitt~"
"Huh?"
She's going with the flow even though my reply was staler than week old toast? She's so nice! Okay, let's follow her pace! Conversation mode activate!!!
"We gotta fill our tummies up before class, right? I just fall asleep if I'm hungry as heck!"
"Uh... Yeah."
And I just wasted all her effort to be nice down the drain... 'Conversation mode' my ass!
This must be the dullest conversation she's ever been in. I'm so sorry, Ms. Aria...
Oh god, this is killing me... What should I do..?
We remained standing there, as the awkward silence starts to creep in again.
Not saying a thing until the school bell suddenly broke the silence, making me jolt my body from surprise.
Yes! The perfect opportunity to escape!
I did an exaggerated gesture of me checking my watch. Trying to act as convincingly disappointed as possible.
"Oh, good heavens! Look at the time! I'm so sorry, but I got go back to class! See you!"
"Eh? Wait!"
She said, trying to reach out her hand towards me.
"Byyyyeeeee!"
I immediately booked it outta there. My voice starting to sound farther and farther until it can't be heard anymore.
I can't handle the awkwardness anymore than this! Why can't I just follow the vibe of a normal conversation?! I wanna crawl into a hole!!!
The girl who was left behind in the dust lowered her stretched out hand and uttered something quietly.
"You forgot your notebook..."
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[]
The classroom was illuminated by the orange sunset through the windows as the teacher finishes writing on the black board. His chalk's dust crumbling down as he added a period to sentence he wrote.
"Alright, you guys better remember this. This is going to be in the upcoming quiz."
"Yes~" The entire class said in unison.
And with that, the last class of the day finally ended.
They all wore relieved expressions on their faces. Some were stretching their backs while yawning, others immediately picked up their bags and went out and some went over to their friend's desk to talk about what they'll do later.
For me though, my thoughts were still stuck thinking about what happened during lunch with Aria.
What happened earlier was bad for my heart. I shouldn't have ran so much for something so trivial...
Letting out a sigh, I stood up to start packing my bag. But then, I noticed something missing... Something very important.
"..."
"MY NOTEBOOK!!"
I yelled out loud, leading the remaining people in the classroom to look at me weirdly.
"Oh! Uhh... Sorry..."
I bowed my head to apologize as everyone quickly shifted their attention away from me.
Well that was embarrassing...
I'm definitely going to be thinking about this moment in the bath later.
Turning my attention back to my belongings, I continue to search for my notebook that seems to have just vanished suddenly.
Rummaging through my desk, shuffling around my backpack, and even the thought of checking the bags of my classmates crossed my mind.
But the last one's impossible for me.
No no no! Where did I leave it? I'm pretty sure I had it with me!
As I continued to search, my mind traced the location of the book in my memories. Following the steps I took up to the point where I can remember when I last had it.
And when I finally I remembered, I straightened my back and cross my arms out of absolute pride of my brilliance.
You could almost see a light bulb appearing around my head as a small 'ding!' sound effect plays.
I lost it when Aria crashed into me earlier! It's probably there!
Packing up quickly, I immediately ran to the fire escape stairs behind the school.
Trying to catch my breath, I look over my surroundings, slowly as to not miss a thing.
"C'mon, where is it?"
I searched right, left, high and low. I explored every nook and cranny of the area trying to find that notebook. But to no avail...
"I guess a cleaner found it. Maybe it's in the lost and found?"
I walked back inside the school and towards the staff room to ask around.
"Notebook? Sorry, sport. We didn't get any reports of missing items today."
The teacher told me.
"Oh, I see. Thank you anyways, sir."
I said to him, before turning my back to exit the staff room and closing the door.
No luck. The notebook's nowhere to be found.
Hanging my head low, I turned to go home in defeat. It was just a notebook with only nine things listed on it. I can easily make that list again...
But, I don't know. I can't help but feel a little bit sad about this.
My big sister was the one who gave it to me as a gift before moving away for to go to her dream university.
I promised I would use it until the very last page, but I didn't expect that it would only last a week into the schoolyear.
Approaching the gate, I suddenly notice something. No, someone.
A familiar figure crouching down. Looking like she's waiting for someone.
It was Aria!
Turning her head towards my direction, she noticed me.
What's she doing here?! This has to be a coincidence, right? Oh god, it looks like she noticed me. Okay, no more sudden crashes! Time to prepare yourself mentally!
Her face lit up before standing up and patting down her skirt. She waved at me cheerfully then ran towards me.
Well, "skipping towards me" was a more accurate way to describe it.
It kinda reminded me of a golden retriever running towards the person who threw the ball while playing fetch. That person being me.
"Took you long enough!~"
Snapping me out of my thoughts, Aria waved her hand infront of my face.
'Took you long enough' she said.
It kinda sounded like she was waiting for me or something. There's no way, right?
"Sorry, but I don't think I get what you're saying."
"Oh c'mon, don't tell me you already forgot about me? I even waited for you!"
She said, pouting her cheeks.
Oh my god, she really was waiting for me. But why? Did I do something wrong?
"Oh no, I just didn't understand. Were you seriously waiting for me all this time?"
I said. Trying to explain.
"Yeah! You're late! It's rude to keep a lady waiting for so long y'know?"
'I didn't ask you to though...' Is what I would've said if I was brave enough.
Instead, I just bowed my head slightly and apologized.
"...Sorry."
"Nah, it's alright. No worries!"
Her sudden mood swings took me aback. So am I supposed to feel bad or...?
Don't sweat the details...
"I see... Why were you waiting for me at the gate? Don't tell me you got injured because of me?! Sorry, do you want compensation?"
"Oh c'mon, I already told you it was my fault! And no worries I'm super duper okay!"
"O-oh, I see. So why are you here then?" I asked her.
"Oh yeah! I got something for you!"
She said as she opened up the zipper of her bag and started to rummaged through it.
From my angle, there wasn't much to see.
Is what I would've thought if not for the trash in her bag overflowing as she continued to dig through it, revealing the giant mess that's inside.
All sorts of candy wrappers and old crumpled up papers were littered all over.
So messy...
After a short while, her eyes widened as she finally found what she was looking for.
Picking it up, she proudly presented it. Lifting it over her head like an Animal Crossing character getting an item.
"Tah dah! You know what this is, right?"
Seeing the item in question, My eyes widened from surprise.
I'd recognize that light grey cover and handwriting on the cover anywhere. It's my Notebook!
"Wait... That's my-"
"Ding ding ding! Bingo! You forgot to pick this up earlier! You were in such a hurry! You were like, 'ZOOM'!"
Without even thinking, I immediately went to shake her hand out of relief.
"Thank you so much! I thought I would never see it again!"
"W-whoa! Easy there! It's not a big deal, I think?"
"It is! Seriously, thank you."
"Oh, I see. Roger that!"
She smiled back at me as she gave me a tiny salute-like gesture.
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[]
Walking down the road on the way home. It's something I've been doing everyday I go to school or outside my home. Same old post office in the corner of the street, and same old playground. But there was something different this time.
"Uh... Is this your usual route home, Miss Aria?"
Hearing the way I said her name, she puffed up her cheeks to pout.
"You don't have to be so formal! Get rid of the 'Miss'! You're making me sound like an old lady!"
"Oh, sorry about that..."
Aria smiles softly. Making eye contact as we continued to walk.
"...Well, just be careful next time."
"Yeah..."
"Oh by the way. To answer your question earlier, no. This isn't my route home."
"Going somewhere then?"
"Hmm... You could say that!~"
Such a vague answer. But there's no need to pry. I can't be rude to someone who helped me.
"I'm just following you!"
*Pfft!*
She said it so casually that I physically recoiled from surprise.
Adjusting my glasses, I turned to look at her.
"Wait, why?"
"Well, first of all, sorry. I kinda snooped around your notebook."
Hearing that, I started to blush and sweat.
There wasn't anything weird or embarrassing in there, right? No, I'm pretty sure there wasn't. We're all good.
Trying to act nonchalantly as to recover from the slight shock, I fix my glasses before speaking.
"I see... That's okay."
"Whoa, letting me off the hook just like that? Thankies!~"
"Mhm."
"And now the other reason..."
"Yes?"
"Wanna learn how to play the guitar with me?"
Hearing her question made me flinch from surprise. That's one of the things listed in my notebook...
Wait, how'd she- oh yeah, she read my notebook.
I heard (from eavesdropping) that Aria was from the Light music club, but I didn't know they also do lessons...
"Are you sure though? Aren't you busy with the club?" I asked with a bit of worry.
"Yeah! It'll be totes fun! And it's fine since our next gig is still a ways off.
Feeling reassured by her words and realizing the pros outweigh the cons, I decided to accept her offer. This opportunity doesn't come by often.
"Alright, thanks. I'll gladly take you up on it. How much do I have to pay you?
"No need! It's on the house. I do need your contacts though. For planning and all that stuff. You've got Rine on ya?"
Rine? Oh the messaging app. I heard it's very popular with people my age, but I've never really downloaded it.
"No, sorry I don't."
I've never really had anyone to call or message. And my family just messages me through the default SMS.
"Wait, people without Rine still exist? Lol that sends me!~"
Sends you where...?
I don't understand the social butterfly tongue. I gotta search up some common phrases later...
"Here, let me download it for you!"
Aria holds up her hand over to me. Gesturing me to lend her my phone.
"C'mon, I won't steal it! No worries!"
"No, it's not that. I'm just checking if there's anything weird or personal in here."
"Hehe! Alright then, I do have a history of snooping through other people's stuff..."
She said. Awkwardly scratching the back of her head.
After a while, I handed my phone over to Aria and shortly after that, the app finishes installing on my phone.
"Here, let me add you to my friend's list!"
"Huh? Wait a second!"
"What's up?"
"Friends lists are where you add your friends right?"
"Yep."
"Then, I don't think you should add me there. You can just put me under your regular contacts."
"Huh? Why tho? Are ya feeling shy?~"
She said in a teasing voice.
"Well, I've just met you today, right? I'm happy, but isn't it a bit too early for me to call you my friend?"
Surprised by what I suddenly said, Aria's tone of voice suddenly grows a bit quiet.
"So... You don't wanna be friends with me?"
Aria said, looking at me with sad puppy dog eyes.
C'mon, now that's just unfair!
"No no! I'd be very glad to be friends with you! I'm just saying you don't have to force yourself to be friends with someone like me."
"Someone... Like you...?"
I don't think I said anything wrong. Aria's the most popular girl in school. Everyone loves her personality and admires her. Someone like me who struggles to even talk to someone new doesn't deserve to be friends with her.
But for some reason, Aria got mad at me for what I said.
"Hmph! Listen here, you!"
She said, loudly and firmly.
Being called out in such a way, I stand up straight and do a salute subconsciously like a soldier being called up by their drill sergeant.
"Yes ma'am?!"
"Don't ever say stuff like that again!"
"Huh? What are you-"
"...."
Looking at her eye to eye, I couldn't say anything in reply.
Taken aback by her tone of voice and seeing just how serious and upset she was, my instincts told me that I should keep my mouth shut and stay quiet.
But still, I couldn't hold back the questions like 'What happened?' and 'Did I say something wrong?' that started to flood my mind.
Then something unpleasant started to stir deep in my gut. A familiar feeling of nervousness like I've done something wrong.
And with that, the memories I've held back from long ago started to seep through.
[C'mon dude, learn how to read the damn room.]
[Why'd you even say all of that?]
[Take it back, man!]
[Why don't you just quit and never come back?]
Remembering those words from the past, my chest starts to tighten.
I guess it's happening again... Same as in middle school... Why can't I understand other people at all?
Taking a deep breath, I try to apologize to Aria. But before I could even say something, she continued.
"I'm sorry-"
"Stop putting yourself down like that!"
"!!!"
Hearing her say that, my eyes go wide as I gently placed a hand on my chest.
I don't know why, but her words stung. But not in a bad way.
Those words she said to me... Something so simple and obvious yet, It felt as if I just got hit by something that I've been searching for for a while now...
'Give yourself a break.'
'Stop putting yourself down.'
'Don't say that about yourself.'
I've said those words to myself over and over again like a broken record. And no matter what way I phrased it, it just sounded so plastic to my ears that I just tuned them out over time.
But this time, It was different... I realized something.
I wanted someone else to tell those words to my face... Someone who isn't me.
With a slightly flushed face from all the scolding she did, she suddenly pointed her index finger at me.
"I wanna be friends with you, and that's that! And since you're okay with it, that's awesome!"
Taking another deep breath, she continues.
"Someone like you?! What are you even saying?! Don't insult yourself!"
"...."
What she was saying felt so genuine. I feel like I could believe in those words.
Other than family, that was the first time someone got mad at me for talking bad about myself.
This feeling... I'm sure that I'm happy right now. Incredibly so.
I was so stunned, I couldn't even utter something as a reply for a while.
My heart felt so warm that it could melt or burst at any moment.
Letting out a chuckle, I looked at Aria with a smile.
"I see... Sorry, that was stupid of me."
"Mhm! For real!"
I nervously reached my phone towards hers. Looking away as to hide my flustered expression.
"Can you add me then? To your friends list, I mean."
"Hehe! Yep!"
A tiny ring can be heard echoing through the street as my name was added to her friends list.
"Thanks."
"No probs! So, Pick huh? That your nickname or something?"
She asked. Referring to my name in the messaging app.
"Ah no. That's my actual name."
"Whoa! That's cool! Sounds so quirky y'know?"
Blushing slightly, I scratched the back of my head.
"Thanks..."
"No probs. Anyways, I gotta go catch uo with the next train! See ya!"
"Yeah, see you."
I waved goodbye at her retreating figure until she turned a corner.
Seeing that she wasn't visible anymore, I turned around to continue walking home.
For some reason, my steps felt a lot lighter today...
1. Make a friend. (Done)