This part is something I think COULD have happened after Taka left. The things I wrote here are pure fanfic.
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She walked into the park, determined, her steps purposeful and confident.
She wore a simple one piece yellow dress her mom had bought for her, a pair of sandals, and a hat with a red ribbon on it.
She felt pretty.
Her mom had seen her going out. Her eyes had popped wide and her mouth twitched. She looked like she had eaten a lizard, a very big one. Her mom asked her where she was going, but she ran away before her mom could stop her, before her courage left her. It was very satisfying to see her mom like that though; maybe she should wear dresses more often.
She looked around, trying to find any traces of Taka. She found none.
She wasn't surprised though, she had come an hour before their usual meeting time. She was anxious to get this off her chest, and so she went out earlier than expected. She wasn't excited, not really.
She walked around once, then chose a bench near the playground and sat. A few people were passing by and the park wasn't crowded, it was fairly sunny, most of the adults were probably indoors. There were a few kids around her age hanging around though, mostly boys, some of them were even staring at her, as if she had two heads or something! What was their problem?
She ignored them, concentrating instead on her toes.
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She glanced at her watch. It was time.
She steeled herself and looked around. Her palms were getting sweaty, it was annoying.
A boy had approached her just a few minutes ago, asking her if she wanted to play with them. As if! Who did he think he was? She'd never hang out with those losers.
She recognized some of them. They were the same group who had bullied Taka a long time ago. She'd fought them together with Taka, and they won, against all odds they won. They had both ended up lying on the ground laughing afterwards. They've been friends ever since.
They didn't recognize her because of the dress, or because they were too stupid, probably both. She'd never hang out with them. Never.
She turned her head from left to right, her eyes jumping from boy to boy. She was a bit nervous now, and she wanted to run away and go back home. But she wouldn't. No, she would stay and wait for him.
What if he didn't recognize her?
That would be silly. He would recognize her. He was Taka after all. But she would approach him first, just to be safe. She'd go to him, call him by his nickname, and tell him… tell him…
I'm sorry.
Yep, sounds about right.
She was never good at apologies, she was never sincere, never felt the need to, but she thinks one is in order.
She would apologize first. He would forgive her, she was sure of it.
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He was late. He was never late.
She took a glance at her watch again, just to make sure.
Did something happen to him? Was he off on some errand? Maybe his dad asked him to buy the groceries or something.
She kept looking around anyway. The boys were saying their goodbyes to each other, done playing or talking about whatever stupid boys talked about. A few couples were lounging about, doing whatever gross things couples do. A few were walking their dogs, some of them were cute, and some butt ugly.
It was weird how she felt now though, at first she was nervous, embarrassed, and a lot of other things, but now she felt calm, even happy. She wanted to see Taka, wanted to see his reaction, she wondered what dumb look she'd get once he figures out the girl in front of him was his 'buddy'. She was looking forward to it…
She twiddled her thumbs while she looked at the passersby, sitting and waiting, smiling.
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It was getting dark.
She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ward away the chill.
It was almost 6. Her mom would be worried by now.
The people in the park were leaving one by one; probably heading out for dinner. A policeman was looking at her, a worried expression on his face. She would have to leave soon.
It looks like he won't come today. She'd have to come again tomorrow or maybe next week, and wear another stupid dress.
Odd how disappointed she felt. It almost hurt. Almost.
She sighed and stood up as she saw the policeman approaching. She didn't want to answer any of his questions.
She headed out for the exit, walking quickly. Like a criminal trying to leave the scene of the crime, trying her best to avoid attention.
She didn't feel pretty now.
No, she didn't feel pretty at all.