Chapter 3

When I realized that I'd be leavin' Ryouta behind, tears started to form in my eyes. Great. Now I'm gonna start cryin' in front of him and make him think I'm a freak.

"Kasuga-san, are you alright?" he asked. He's so kind...

"Yeah." I lied.

"You're taking the giggling thing hard, huh?" he asked.

"Hm? Oh, no. Just thinkin' about movin'." I replied. Another lie. I was thinkin' about how I was never gonna see him again.

"Oh. I'm sorry." he said. It seemed like he was in an awkward position with a teary eyed girl in front of him. I tried to change the subject.

We talked about the weather, the upcoming culture festival, which was happening the day before I was leaving, and takoyaki.

The bell rang. "Oh. That went fast." Ryouta said. "We have P.E. now."

I hated gym. More than I hated math.

I entered the locker room and I immediately saw that girl from my math class. She's about to make another comment about me. I know it.

"Hey Space Case!" she called out. Crap. Here it comes...

"I saw you with Ryouta at lunch. I feel so bad for him for feeling like he has to sit next to a ditz like you!" she chirped.All the girls started laughing again.I tried to ignore by gettin' out my gym clothes.

"Hey Sakura, I thought I saw Ryouta looking at you the other day. I think he might like you!" one girl said. My gut wrenched.

"What?" I remarked. I regret opening my mouth.The girls stared at me for one moment, as if I'd never spoken before or as if I had said something shockin'. Sakura grinned.

"I can't blame him for liking what he sees. Maybe I'll ask him out." then she eyed me."Chibi-chan!" she pointed at me. "Don't get any ideas." The bell rang, and the girls walked outside for gym. I stayed behind for one minute, swallowing hard as I tried to hold back my tears.

Chibi-chan? CHIBI-CHAN?! Is this my new nickname? I can't believe it! I've lost my chance with Ryouta! As if I had any chance at all. I'm moving.

I walked out of the locker room and outside. Everyone was lined up for a relay, which I'm horrible at. I always come in last. My P.E. teacher looked at me. I knew it. I'm late again.

"Kasuga-san." she said. "You're late."

"Yes. I'm sorry, sensei."

"What could you have been doing that me you tardy, Kasuga-san?"

Then Sakura piped up. "She was in the locker room trying to fix her hair, but I told her that it would get messed up anyway. She just pushed me away and kept fixing it. I didn't know she was so obsessed with looks!" what a liar.

"Did I ask you, Sakura-chan?" Sensei asked. I smiled thinly.

"Don't smile, Kasuga-san! For holding up the class, you shall take another two laps after the relay is finished." Great. As if I don't look like a big buffoon already.

I got in line for the relay, and I paused to look at Ryouta, a couple people ahead of me. He saw me and smiled and waved, and I looked down and blushed. He's to good for Sakura.

Speak of the devil, someone flicked the back of my head. Her.

"Don't think I didn't see that, Chibi-chan." She hissed.

The relay began, and as I was crossing the finish line, last by the way, I tripped. Everyone saw it and giggled. As soon as I got up I heard "Two more laps, Kasuga-san".

My life is over.