Author's note: Rukawa's POV. This story is purely fiction, and if related to your life/experiences, it is highly coincidental. Reviews/criticisms/flames are entirely welcome!
Rukawa's POV
Italicized paragraphs = flashback.
Jekyll and Hyde
Chapter 1: The Mask
"Rukawa-kun." a distant call. I turned to see Ayako touching my shoulder, her eyes worried and so deep that her stare might swallow me in. I averted my eyes from her and stared aimlessly at the person sitting in front of me - Kogure. He returned an uneasy nod at me, his eyes the same as Ayako. The next seat was supposedly for Akagi, but it was eerily empty. Scared and frustrated, I just closed my eyes, taking short breaths, and swallowing the unmanly act dwelling in me. Slowly, moments torturing my mind, memories started to crawl in my thoughts. Second after second, a dizzy sensation whipped into me, and my closed eyes found the pain I have kept all these days.
We often lie down on the grass and gaze at the wide, endless sky studded with stars. We do it, anytime possible, but certainly not absent when the moon is full and hazy. However, this night she didn't come. The full moon glowed above me as I crossed my hands, supporting the weight of my head, silently contemplating her absence.
The night was empty and silent without her, that boredom started to reach onto me. After a few minutes of staring into nowhere, I stood up, inhaled the fresh night air and went home. I knew she couldn't make it. Anger discreetly coursed through me, arousing my usual cold self, which is well known to the basketball team. She must have a reason. I convinced myself and was stunned to find myself standing right in front of our house, especially when my eyes darted at her. She was there. Waiting. Alone.
The glow of the moon didn't conceal her serene and innocent face. Her long, hazel brown hair shone and her smile never left her face.
Suddenly, my eyes went glacial, and I stared at her. "Why didn't you come? You said you would. You know I can't wait that long," I said in a low monotone, ice literally darting to her.
The small girl giggled happily. "Gomen nasai, Rukawa-kun!" she said breathlessly, which is oblivous to me. Though she said it with unexplained happiness, her apology was sincere. Her big eyes twinkled in the dark. "How was the game?"
I nodded discreetly and freely let a smile claim my face. Her face glowed when she saw it. "As usual, we won because of me."
"Great Rukawa!" she kind of freaked out and the nearby houses opened their lights and poked their heads on the window. One old man threw a beer can on my head, shouting, "hey bastard! Give us some sleep! Don't ruin my night, asshole! K'so!" and then he slammed the window shut. From a distance, a silent "Teme kitsune!" was heard.
The girl turned red and giggled nervously. "I'm sorry. Rukawa. Ummm. you must be great in the game, Rukawa. Rukawa.."
To be continued…