It was lunchtime, but I didn't feel like eating. I walked through the halls clutching my books. I keep replaying me and Seiji's talk on the roof; I don't want him to go to Italy. But it's his dream so he should follow it. I felt my shoulder bump into something hard, looking up I saw the bully of the school. He was at least a year older than me even though we are in the same class, and he was the meanest looking kid I have ever seen.
He knocks my books out of my hands as he grumbles under his breath "Watch where you're going."
He shoves me hard into the wall with his shoulder and keeps walking as I sink to the ground. There was no one in the hallway so I stayed like that for a while. Someone knelt beside me on the ground, looking up I find Seiji looking worriedly at me.
I hadn't realized I was crying until he wiped the tears from my face, "What's wrong" he asks his voice gently as he collects my books scattered around the hallway.
"Nothing" I say looking at my feet, I see him shake his head, out of the corner of my eye, as he leans his shoulder against the wall still looking at me.
The bell rings signaling the end of lunch "You can tell me if something is bothering you, Shizuku" he says as he hands me books and helps me to my feet.
I pay little attention in the rest of my classes, finally the last bell rings and I make my way out of the school building with my classmates. Just outside the school I stop surprised to see Seiji waiting for me leaning against the fence facing away from me. He turns around and sees me and waves as he sprints over.
"Um" we say simultaneously, instantly our faces blush pink.
"About earlier" I say breaking the awkward silence "I ran into the bully and he pushed me into the wall, no big deal."
My breath catches on the way out as I feel Seiji's hand slide into mine as he asks "Are you okay?"
I can feel stares from my classmates as they look from Seiji and me to our joined hands, my cheeks burn bright red as I nod, but I don't pull my hand away from his. Silently Seiji begins to walk me home his hand still clutching mine, I follow numbly not quiet believing this is actually happening. We reach my apartment much sooner than I wanted to; at first we stand awkwardly in front of my building still holding hands. Seiji begins to lean closer to me until eventually his lips brush my cheek, sending an electric shock throughout my body.
"I'll miss you, Shizuku. Every day until I come back." he says as he lets go of my hand and begins walking back the way we came; toward his own house.