Chapter 2- Mask
Mask escaped to library, like usual. Lunch triggered not only his hay fever, but his social anxiety too. The teachers designated a table to being alergy free for him, which was a stupid idea. When he did sit there, he sat alone, as he seemed to be the only kid in this dang school with allergies.
But even if he did have someone to sit with, he would be too shy to actually make conversation or anything.
Not really in the mood to eat, he wandered the aisles searching for books for their group report. What were they doing again? He was pretty sure Army said Great Turf War, and no one would be able to change his mind. He kept looking-
And bumped right into a girl.
"S-sorry." He muttered hoarsely. He rarely ever used his voice, talking too much hurt his throat, and he found it hard to form words without his stupid condition making him slur.
"No no, it's my fault! I really need to look where I'm going, and- oh they fell off again, didn't they!"
Mask looked down, and uncomfortably close to being stepped on, were the girl's glasses. He carefully picked them up and offered them back to her.
"Thank you!" She cheered, pocketing them instead of putting them back on. "I really don't like wearing them." She further explained.
He nodded and studied her for a moment. Now that she was squinting, it was hard to make out her eye color, but it appeared to be the same soft blue as her short tentacles. She wore a simple gray hoodie and one of those puffball hats. But what was most noticeable, was her smile. It wasn't quite like any smile Mask had seen, it was much bigger, and looked genuinely happy.
He didn't like Inklings who smiled all the time. They only reminded him of his own reasons to smile- he had none.
"Anyway-" the girl continued, "I'm Bobble Hat! What's your name?"
Oh no, she was trying to converse with him. "...Mask." he responded, not sure what he was getting himself into. He really didn't feel like talking.
"Are you... forgive me, I know you probably get this a lot, but... are you sick?"
He nodded. At least she was being nice about it. "Hay fever. It's not contagious."
"Oh don't worry, I know! And even if it was, I'm not afraid! See, I'm studying to be a nurse, and I love helping people, and well... again, so sorry if this sounds weird and sudden, but- can I practice by helping you?"
Mask was taken by surprise. He was the sick kid, nobody talked to him, nobody wanted to be around him, and nobody, nobody, had ever offered to help him.
"Um, I supoooose…" Dang, he had just slurred his words. And he was doing so well, too. But Bobble Hat was unphased.
"It makes it hard for you to talk, huh? That's okay, most questions can be answered other ways! So, do you know what specifically you're allergic to?"
"Too much…"
He had records in the nurse's office, stating every single thing he was allergic to. It was a long list… but, perhaps he could bring her a copy.
"Have you eaten today?"
Now he was really embarrassed. He shook his head no.
"Well, it doesn't matter what you have, food and water are the bare essentials! Please, eat something!"
He didn't exactly bring a lunch today, and going down to buy something at the cafeteria just sounded… ugh. But he could tell that this girl wasn't going to let him get away with that. She was already sorting through her own lunchbox, trying to find the simplest, safest food.
"I can make pretty good tuna salads! Are you allergic to-"
"No." Mask actually really liked tuna.
"Alright!" She beamed. He watched her crack open a can of tuna, mixing it with mayonnaise and salt packets, then covering it in crackers.
"Here you go!"
He was going to be honest, for how simple it was, it looked amazing. Suddenly, he was hungry. But there was a problem- his gas mask. He couldn't just take it off here, in front of someone he'd only just met. Though he was pretty sure Bobble would hold him hostage here if he didn't eat. Oh, what to do…
He decided to ask. "Can you… look awaaay? I don't like people seeing-"
"Of course. I understand!"
She turned her attention to a bookshelf of manga, while Mask slid his mask up just enough to expose his mouth. He took a bite. It tasted wonderful. He could never taste well, but this- this was delicious.
"...It's good, thanks."
"No problem!" she called, not turning around.
Then the bell rang. That was… fast. He'd never had a lunch hour go so quick before. He sloppily pulled his mask down and stood to dispose of the tuna can. He didn't get time to finish it, which made him just a little bit sad.
Bobble Hat started to head out too, when she stopped in the doorway. "Mask? Will I be able to find you here tomorrow?"
Mask froze. Yes, he had nowhere better to be tomorrow, but meeting her here would mean more social interaction. Not that he disliked Bobble Hat, but he wasn't sure about giving away his lunch of solitude and sulking to this random girl.
"Sure." he said.
"Great! See you tomorrow!" Bobble smiled even wider, walking away with a small skip in her step.
Mask stood there, blinking a couple times, trying to process what exactly just happened. Had he really just agreed? He sneezed, blamed his hay fever for making his thoughts hazy, and continued on his way.
Now he had tomorrow to dread. Great.