Chapter 9

Wednesday After School

Ryoki ran to Asuza's locker after school. "Are you ready to go?" he asked. They had decided to go to the Dairy Queen after school to hangout and wanted to beat the four o clock rush when all the little kids were let out of school.

"I'm ready. We just have to wait for Hatsumi," Asuza said putting on his backpack and shutting his locker.

"Hatsumi?" Ryoki repeated.

"Yeah I invited her. I hope you don't mind," Asuza said smiling. In truth Ryoki did mind, but he decided not to say anything about it to Asuza. He watched as Hatsumi ran over. Asuza grabbed her into a hug and kissed her. Ryoki stared at the floor waiting for her to acknowledge him. She didn't say anything to him as they left the school.

They walked over to Dairy Queen. Asuza and Hatsumi were chatting, but Ryoki found it hard to pay attention to what they were saying. They all ordered blizzards, But Ryoki found it hard to enjoy when Hatsumi kept laughing at all of Asuza's lame jokes. They're not funny, Ryoki wanted to say but he kept his mouth shut. Suddenly he realized they were talking about him.

"It was the ugliest looking dog I've ever seen, but Ryoki didn't care at all. He took it home and took care of it. Everyone said it was sickly and had some disease, but he looked after it everyday. It died a week later but that just goes to show you that he has a heart of pure gold," Asuza said laughing. Hatsumi smiled.

"I already knew that," she said quietly but Asuza had already started talking about the time when he broke his arm walking on the fence. They stayed for an hour until Asuza said he had to go home. Hatsumi and Ryoki walked home together. Why does she have to live in the same direction as me, Ryoki thought.

"Are you going to the party?" Hatsumi asked suddenly.

"What party?" Ryoki asked surprised.

"The party on Friday night at Subaru's house," she said.

"No, why, are you going?" Ryoki said feeling angry he hadn't been invited. And Subaru was his good friend too. He was always invited to all the social outings of the year. Was he losing his popularity?

"Yes, Asuza's taking me," she said. "I've never been to a party before, like with a guy. Oh you won't tell Asuza I said that. He'd think I was totally lame." Ryoki was shocked at her confession. He had never met a girl in grade eleven that had yet to go to a high school party.

"Wow, you're like Ms. Goody-two-Shoes. Next your going to tell me you've never tried alcohol before," Ryoki said.

"Of course I have, but there's not going to be any at the party is there?" Hatsumi asked looking worried. Ryoki laughed.

"It's a high school party! What do you expect?" he said.

"But we're underage," Hatsumi argued. "Oh my god. I should cancel and tell Asuza I can't go."

"No, don't do that. Come on, you'll have o go to a party sooner or later. It'll be fun, just don't drink anything," he said smiling. Hatsumi nodded and Ryoki almost laughed at the seriousness of her expression. They kept walking until Ryoki came to his street. "See you," he called out.

"Bye," she said waving. He stared after her for a minute and then ran into his house.

"She's so adorable," he said to himself walking through the front door.

"Who's adorable?" his mother asked pooping her head out of the kitchen.

"I didn't mean that she's adorable, she just acts adorable…sort of…like's she never been to a party before," Ryoki said thinking how stupid he must sound. The more he tried to sound casual the more squeaky his voice turned out.

"Who's never been to a party before?" his mom asked knowing something was up from her son's strange behaviour.

"Never mind. It doesn't matter," Ryoki said racing up the stairs to his room. He would have to be more careful with what he said. He collapsed onto the bed just as the phone rang.

"Ryoki, phone," his mom shouted up the stairs. He got up and picked up the cordless phone on his desk.

"Hello?" he said.

"Hey Ryoki. It's me Subaru. I'm having a party Friday night. Do you think you can come? I know it's sort of short notice but I couldn't find you at school," Subaru said.

"That's okay. I think I can make it," Ryoki said trying to keep his voice normal. He shouldn't have been worried about losing popularity. For now he was still on top.

Hey! I got so many reviews. It makes me so happy. Thanks so much guys! Next chapter is the party. I can't wait to post it cause I know you guys are going to love it! But I want 5 reviews first.

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