25. Present
Prompt: "No Reason."
Setting: High school AU
Genre: Pre-dating Romance
383 Words
Ichigo stared at the pink and white paper gift bag, already regretting the whole thing. Why had he bought it? What if she read too much into it? What if she thought it'd be weird?
... Though, now that Ichigo thought about it, it was weird. Friends didn't just buy each other gifts on a whim. At least he never had. Until now.
Forget about it, he cursed darkly to himself and was about to shove the damn thing to the bottom of his school bag where it'd be out of sight, when he heard her voice.
"Ichigo!" She rushed toward her, the skirt of her school uniform fluttering with the movement. "Sorry, the club ran a bit long, hope you weren't waiting."
"It's fine," Ichigo replied.
She noticed the gift bag he was still holding, her brows hiking up in surprise. "What's that?"
"This... uhh..." Ichigo cleared his throat. "This is for you."
"For me?" Rukia blinked, taken aback. She tilted her head, looking curiously at him. "Why? What's the occasion?"
"No occasion. No reason," he replied, rubbing the back of his head. "It's just a present. Whatever."
"Well, thank you," Rukia said, smiling as she accepted the gift bag from him. She peeked inside and pulled out the cell phone strap. "It's really cute."
"I thought you'd like it," Ichigo muttered, determinedly avoiding her eyes. "Since you have a thing for bunnies."
Rukia's small fist curled around the cell phone strap and she looked up at him, trapping his gaze with her own.
"I love it," she told him, and her violet eyes flashed, the soft look in them making Ichigo's cheeks flood with heat.
Something heavy lurched in his gut, uncertainty mixed with fear. Suddenly he felt helpless, as if the air between him and Rukia was shifting, but he didn't know into what.
Then, she flashed him a smile and looped her arm through his in a familiar, decisive grip.
"I'm starving," she announced, her voice light. "Let's get going."
"Where?" Ichigo asked, allowing her to drag him along.
"To our usual spot," Rukia replied.
As she pulled him along the streets, Ichigo relaxed. This he knew. This was normal. A smile touched his lips and he followed her as they made their way towards their favourite family restaurant.