"Hey, it's Will. Kriss gave me your number. I'm sorry we fought."I replied,"Me too." Then I turned off my phone and went to sleep.It's a little annoying that Kriss gave out my number without asking... but I know she meant no harm, so I'll just let it go.
After Mom woke me up the next day, I put my phone on its charger, washed my face, and ate breakfast before doing anything else. Then I returned to my room to get dressed. After that, I grabbed my phone, turned it on, and swiftly put it in my pocket.I wasn't surprised to have received a text—what surprised me was that there were two.One was from Will, the other from Serco. I checked Serco's first and was disappointed to see it only said:
"Thanks."So I sent back:"Now you return the favor. I want to use your voice as a jingle."
I waited a moment before checking Will's message:"We're still going out Friday, right?""Sure," I answered.
Just then, Serco sent me an audio file of him aggressively saying:"Answer my text."It came with a follow-up message:"Here you go. Hope you like it :)."Does he have a split personality or something?
"Yeah, it's perfect," I replied. It made me chuckle. I went ahead and personalized his text tone.Now I wonder… could I get him to record a ringtone too?
A little later, Serco replied:"Hope you have a better day at school than yesterday."I smiled and put my phone away as I headed downstairs, where Nacina was already waiting.
She immediately launched into a rant about her latest dream and then she mentioned a late-night conversation she'd had with Cam:
"…Can you believe he said that?!" she asked, way too energetic for the morning. Morning people baffle me.I shook my head no, so she continued."Then I was like, 'It's late, I should go,' but he kept talking anyway. So I eventually just hung up. Then he called me back, like, twice. So I answered and was pissed at first, but then he said, 'Good night. It was fun talking to you,' and I calmed down."
She went on and on about our mutual friend, so I asked,"So… are you into Cam?"Nacina gasped.
"No! No way! Not at all." she shouted defensively. That means yes.
"Why don't you tell him?" I asked, ignoring her blatant denial.She glared at me, then looked away, pouting.
"Because I don't like him," she retorted. I rolled my eyes, yawning. That's when she relented and said,"Fine, I'll tell Cam I like him if you tell Shion you like him."I gasped, suddenly wide awake.
"It's just a crush! It doesn't mean anything!" I argued.I was the flustered one now. She smirked like she'd won.
"It's worth exploring. It's your first crush! Just tell him! What do you have to lose?"
"No… I'll just get rejected anyway. And feelings fade, so I'll just wait it out." I muttered defensively.I'm more afraid than anything. It's a miracle he even talks to me. I don't want to ruin that.
"Fine. Then so will I." Nacina replied with a huff.I opened my mouth to argue—but the bell rang. She left smirking, and I was left holding the silence.
When I entered the classroom, Will cut me off and trapped me in a hug.I froze.
"Good morning, Akina!" he greeted.
"Hi," I responded, lightly patting his back.
"How'd you sleep?" he asked. I smirked.
"On my back."Will laughed, finally letting me go—but only for a second. Then he started tickling me.
"You know what I meant. Answer my question!"I giggled and pushed his hands away.
"I slept horribly! Is that what you wanted to hear?!" I replied playfully dramatic.
"Why was it so horrible?!" Will asked, matching my tone.
"It's because... I need a new mattress!" I said putting my hand to my forehead and feigning despair.
Will could tell I was joking. He grinned and finally stepping aside so I could take my seat. He still lingered by my desk and chatted until the teacher came in.
School went by at a pace I've grown used to—okay, uneventful. But as I was leaving, I saw Serco standing by the school gates. He was wearing a white hoodie with one black sleeve and the AngelGear logo on the front and back (which I found amusing), paired with black jeans.There was a girl talking to him. I didn't know her, and because they were deep in conversation, I hesitated to approach. I don't know why her presence near him bothered me. I couldn't even think, it hurt to try.
Before I could decide what to do, he looked up at me and smiled.
"Hey, Akina!" he called, waving me over.
The girl frowned. Serco didn't seem to notice—or didn't care. Hesitantly, I walked over.
"What are you doing here?" I whispered, trying to ignore the daggers the girl was throwing at me with her eyes.
"I wanted to walk you home… does that bother you?"He said it so casually, and I couldn't help but blush.
"No, it's fine, really. Um… is she a friend?" I asked.He laughed and said:
"No, she's a total stranger."
"I told you my name! It's Jennifer," the girl corrected, smiling and attempting to playfully push his shoulder, but he caught her wrist, looked in her eyes and said in a chilling voice,
"You are a stranger. You have no right to touch me,"Jennifer huffed. Her eyes moistened as if the embarrassment was enough to make her cry, but she rushed off before any tears could escape.
Serco's cold tone surprised me. He can be rude sometimes, but he's always gentle with me.
"So are you ready to go?" he asked, his tone returning to normal and slipping his hands into his pockets. He looked like he was posing for a magazine shoot.
"N-no," I stammered, turning away to calm my heart. I'm happy he sent that other girl away but I shouldn't just leave with him."My best friend always walks with me… we should wait for her." I explained, finally.
"Okay, let's wait for her." he said, smiling at me again.
A few seconds passed with his eyes locked on me so I asked,"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"I pulled my hood down to hide my face.
"Nothing's wrong." Serco answered, there was a hint of amusement in his voice.
"So… what's with the hoodie?" I teased. He was technically wearing Guardian Fan clothes.
"It was free. I get all the new AngelGear merchandise before it's released."Oh. So expensive, limited-edition fan gear is just handed to him? Must be nice.
"It looks nice on you," I said, peeking out of my hoodie.He met my eyes and then he smiled—softly, like someone looking at a puppy.
"Everything looks good on me."I giggled at his smugness."But thank you."
He said as he gently pushed my hood back, tilted my chin up, and looked at me.I froze. Couldn't move. All I could do was stare back at him. As if he had me in a trance.
"Akina?"Nacina's voice snapped me out of it. Serco slid his hands back into his pockets quickly andI turned around, hoping she didn't notice.
"Hi!"Why did I yell? She's right next to me.
"Oh, you must be Shion," Nacina said, looking at Serco.He smirked and nodded.
"That's me."
She yanked me aside
"Holy hell, he looks even better than the pictures! Is he a model or an actor?" She whispered.I shook my head no. So she continued by saying,"Well, he won the gene pool lottery! I can see why you're afraid to conf—"I quickly covered her mouth.
I'm not risking Serco overhearing that. His hearing is way above average.
"This is the friend I was waiting for," I told him, moving away from Nacina before she said more.
"Nice to meet you," Serco said, offering a handshake.Nacina shook it eagerly.
As we walked home, she asked,"So Shion, how do you feel about ice cream?"
"I like it."
"Wrong! You should be in love with it!"Serco chuckled.
"Now, where are you from?" She investigated,
"Does that have anything to do with ice cream?" he asked playfully.
"You don't look like you're from around here. And you talk weird."She's so blunt! I elbowed her, but Serco only laughed.
"I'm not from here, but I'd rather not talk about my home. Too many bad memories."
That sounded… genuine. My heart ached a little.
Nacina went on about a place called Icy's and recommended we all go."Sure. It's a good excuse to spend more time together," Serco said, checking his watch.He must not have much free time.
"He wants to spend time together~" Nacina whispered, throwing a wink my way.I could die from embarrassment.
"Yeah, because we're friends," I mumbled, face burning. I also said it to remind myself that that's all we were.
We sat inside Icy's so we could talk longer.
"So, what are your plans for my Akina?" Nacina asked.I wanted to vanish.
"I want to… give her lots of good experiences." He replied quickly, as if he did not even need to think about it.
"Why did you approach her?" She investigated further.
"Why do you assume I approached her?"
"Because she's too much of a scaredy-cat to approach anyone. Especially someone like you." Nacina reasoned.I nudged her, and gave a death glare. It was useless, because she refused to retract her statement.
"You're wrong. She spoke to me first." Serco revealed as he licked his spoon and went to get more ice cream.
"Is that true?" she whispered once we were alone.
"…Well, yeah. Technically." I replied back, keeping my voice low.She looked impressed.
When Serco returned, she asked,"Do you have a brother?"
He looked at me, then back to her before answering with,"I have eight."
"Wow. Any sisters?"
"Nope. You?" Serco replied, putting his elbow on the table and resting his chin in his palm.
"Only child. But Akina has a brother in college." Nacina stated, pointing in my direction.Serco looked at me again.
"Are you two close?" He asked. My face got hot again, now that his attention was back on me.
"We used to be… before he moved away. We're both bad at staying in touch."
"I'm sure he misses you. You should call him." He replied after hearing my explanation.
"I don't want to bother him if he's busy." I argued.
He chuckled."Even if he is, I'm sure he'd be happy to hear from you." Serco's tone somehow implied that he was always happy to hear from me.
I blushed and shoved the rest of my cone in my mouth to buy time."I'll… try."
"We should go. I have somewhere to be in a few minutes," he said, already heading for the door.
I rushed after him. Nacina caught up more slowly, but we all arrived at my house around the same time.
"Bye, Aki!" Nacina waved at both of us. We waved back as she crossed the street to her house.
"Thanks for walking with me. I had fun," I said, mustering some courage.
He stared at me for a moment—long enough to make me panic—before saying,"I had fun too."
I looked away."Good."
"Your friend seems nice."
His comment made me happy… and a little sad.
"I'm glad you guys get along. She's more likable than I am, so I knew you'd like her."
Saying it out loud stung a little. I blinked fast to avoid tears.He placed a hand gently on my head and said,
"I do find her tolerable… but you are the one I like."
Then he disappeared—before I could ask what he meant.
I shouldn't jump to conclusions.But my heart's not listening to my brain right now.