Shelter

"You're roommates with Akko?" Amanda asked in disbelief. They were all in the dorm living room, drinking tea, sitting across from Lotte. The bespectacled girl nodded, taking a sip of her tea. "Yes, I am. We just recently met too. I'm surprised you know her. What a coincidence, huh?" She cheerfully commented.

Constanze glanced at Amanda, who was already looking at her, and glanced at Jasminka, who was also looking at her. She sighed, drinking more tea.

Classes were canceled, as the drizzle of rain turned into a serious downpour, and crackles of lightning and thunder echoed over campus. Lotte was all too quick to offer shelter to the girls, who were extremely thankful. Constanze blushed, feeling the shirt she was wearing rustle against her bare skin.

When were her clothes going to get dry?

"Oh, hey guys!" An all too familiar, cheery voice announced. Constanze felt heat creep her cheeks again and looked up slowly. Akko stood there, wearing clothes like Constanze's, steam rising from her hair. Out of her barista uniform, Akko was clearly…much more charming. The short shorts accentuated her long, slender legs, though marked by scars, Constanze quickly noticed, and the white shirt clung to her frame, and her hair, freed, fell over her shoulders.

Her hair looked soft. And smelled…

Constanze quickly sipped more tea to try to hide her blushing face.

"Are you alright?" Jasminka asked, putting an arm around Constanze's shoulders. The contact was nice and secure, Constanze leaning into it. She quickly signed, "I'm fine" and Jasminka rubbed her back fondly.

Lotte gasped. "Oh, Akko! I'm sorry, I let Constanze borrow your clothes."

Akko smiled, sitting down on a nearby chair. "Its fine. You're still unpacking, right? Constanze is okay with it too, right?"

Constanze nodded, still holding her cup in front of her face.

Silence.

Amanda began jiggling her leg and looking around. "This is a, uh, nice dorm. Suite style, right?" She asked, trying to get rid of the uncomfortable silence. Lotte nodded. "Yes! I was really happy there was an open spot. And that I got really nice roommates."

Constanze wanted to leave. Like right now. But at the same time, she didn't want to. Feeling warm…Akko's clothes on her back…drinking tea with new and old friends…it was all scary yet exciting.

"I guess you really like that tea, don't you, Constanze?"

Constanze nearly spat her tea out upon hearing Akko's gentle teasing. She put the cup down, and started fiddling with her hands before signing. "Um…yeah…its very good. What kind is it?"

Akko thought before answering. "I think its…sencha? My mom sent me some before I came here."

Constanze signed again, slowly. "Its good."

Lotte looked back and forth, clearly confused. "You know sign language, Akko?" She asked, in a tone that was…more curious than…whatever negative emotion that Constanze associated that question with. Too often was she used to people making fun of her or trying to mimic her signing. Or, in the worst cases, grabbing her hands and doing— She shook her head. Now was not the time for those memories.

She concentrated on the conversation instead. Lotte was clearly interested now, and looked back at her. "Umm, I know I didn't say anything about it, but I just didn't want to seem, uh, ignorant. You're the first person I've met, Constanze, to use sign language. I've heard about it but I've never seen it." She paused, clearly putting her thoughts into words. "Well, not that you're something to spectate or gape at, I mean—"

Constanze waved her hand and tried to smile in a comforting way. Jasminka was good at those type of smiles. She began signing.

"Its fine. Thank you. I can help teach you some things."

Lotte studied her hand movements seriously and intently. Amanda laughed. "She said its fine. And thank you. And…that she can help you learn some of it."

Lotte glowed. "Really?"

Akko joined the conversation, nudging Lotte with her arm. "I can too, duh."

Constanze blushed at that. Of course she could. Now that she was in the presence of others that could translate for her, Constanze continued signing as Amanda concentrated on the movement of her hands, translating as she made motions. "Oh, she says…Thank you again for the shower and clothes. I was worried about getting a cold. Thank you again." Amanda rubbed her back. "Constanze, that enough thank yous, I think they get it." She replied sarcastically.

Constanze felt herself pout and heard Lotte and Akko laugh. Jasminka intervened. "She just wants to give you her appreciation. And we do too. Is there anything we can do to help before…" Jasminka cast a glance towards the window, where the rain still fell heavily. "…before the weather calms down?"

Lotte shook her head, putting her teacup down. "No, it's fine, you're our guests!"

Jasminka paused, then, "Would you happen to have an oven? And some baking supplies?"

"Eh?" Akko and Lotte both asked at the same time. Amanda sighed, rolling her sleeves up. "She's going to make us help her, isn't she?" She dryly replied, nudging Constanze. Normally, Constanze would've tried to get out of helping, but, the expectant looks on Akko and Lotte urged her to help Jasminka with baking.

Lotte answered first. "Um, we do, but the ingredients…"

Jasminka smiled. "I can figure something out."

"Woooow! I can't believe you were able to make something like this without a mixer!" Lotte exclaimed, having another bite of yellow cake. Jasminka smiled, flexing her arms. "I've been mixing things by hand for a long time. I'm glad you like it!"

Akko nodded, her cheeks too full to say anything, prompting a soft giggle from Constanze. It amazed the small girl as well, that something so simple and easily accessible would be so delicious. The weather calmed somewhat, but raindrops still loudly thudded against the glass.

They were all in the kitchen, standing, eating and talking.

Constanze stood a little to the side, deciding to retire to the living room. She sat down on the couch, making sure to not drop any crumbs, watching the weather.

"Mind if I join you?" Constanze nearly jumped out of her skin as Akko sat next to her. She gulped the cake down and signed, "Go ahead".

She was still in her clothes. Lotte had been carried along and seemingly forgot about the laundry. Not wanting to appear rude or needy, Constanze didn't say anything. Nervousness crept over her small frame (she never really wore shorts in front of other people) and…happiness.

"The weather is still like this, huh? I kind of like it though." Akko commented, watching the rain fall. "What kind of weather do you like?" She asked, looking at Constanze directly. Constanze put her plate on the nearby coffee table and begin signing. "Fall and winter? I bet you love this weather right now, don't you?" Akko replied, taking a bite of the cake.

Constanze really did like fall and winter but didn't care too much for rain. Although, right now…rain did bring them together. Right now. Sitting maybe a little too closely together on a soft couch. Constanze silently thanked the rain.

Akko chewed before speaking again. "I like spring and summer, actually. Don't get me wrong, I love fall and winter, but I always feel like you can do more when its warm. Like swimming, running, traveling…" She looked out the window again. "Then again it's nice to just stay still." She spoke, her eyes concentrating on something far away, her voice becoming more soft and warm.

Constanze felt light. Airy. At the sound of Akko's voice changing. Constanze was about to fly away if she didn't weigh herself down. Of course, that was impossible, if she was light enough to fly away, she obviously would have other problems to deal with, and the fact she was defying physics and—

Her hands moved quickly. Akko blinked then signed back. "Again, please."

Constanze blushed and shook her head, signing, "Nevermind."

Akko looked questionable, signing "Again, please", clearly interested in what Constanze said.

She couldn't feign ignorance. Akko was the type of person that didn't give up. Or at least Constanze was getting that feeling from her. She signed slowly, her eyes focused on Akko's.

"Do you…want…to…hang out…this weekend?" Akko slowly repeated back, making Constanze feel like she was about to fly away any second, defying physics and gravity being the least of her problems.

Akko paused. Constanze sweated. Akko smiled. "Sure! I don't have work this weekend, so it works out! What do you want to do?"

Constanze let out the breath she was holding. She swallowed what doubt and hesitance she had before signing again.

"How does the aquarium sound?"

TO BE CONTINUED