-Erina –
Something has been eating at Jojo, Erina knows that. Ever since his youngest brother Jotaro moved out to College, Jonathan has been acting weirdly.
No... it's more like he's being more clingy. He hasn't been doing anything else besides calling them seemingly wanting to talk all afternoon until they have to go and if he isn't doing that he keeps himself busy with work.
Just yesterday he called Erina at her breaks between her appointments, chatting to her about mundane things like the weather and nervously changing the subject every time Erina asked about his brothers.
So to cheer him up she decided to invite him out to a picnic at the local park a few days ago.
…
"Erina! Hello! Nice of you to call me, but it is late though. Is everything alright?" His voice rings out cheerfully but concern drips through at the end.
"Hello to you to Jojo! No, nothing is wrong but I do want to invite you out for a picnic at the local park together on Sunday on my day off. We haven't spent time together recently. Are you available?" Erina replied.
"….." A thump was heard.
"Jojo?..." Erina asks into the phone, concern lacing her voice. What was Jojo doing? Did she ask him on a bad day?
"Sorry about that Erina! I was just clearing up my schedule tomorrow!" He paused. "What time do you want to go ?" Erina couldn't help but smile at the enthusiastic voice.
"How about 10 A.M.?" She proposed.
"…." Scribbling can be heard "Okay! Are Speedwagon and Mr. Zeppeli also attending?" he queried.
"No, I already phoned them a few minutes ago but they have important matters to attend to." Erina could practically see the deflating of Jojo's excitement.
"Oh…"
Erina tenses up and mentions an idea "B-but, What if we just..reschedule? If you want to. So Speedwagon and Mr. Zeppeli will be able to join us. I understand if you don't want to g-"
"NO " She flinched from the volume.
"I mean..*cough* there's no need for that. I didn't mean that I don't want to join you. I'm sorry if I offended you or hurt your ears. I want to spend time with you too. We should just make another schedule after they finish their work." Jonathan sounded nervous. He wants to go with her.
Erina feels her cheeks heat up. "Okay then. I'll bring the food and you'll bring the utensils and drinks alright?"
"Okay Erina, I assure you I won't forget the tissue, unlike last time." He replies
"Goodnight Jonathan. Sweet Dreams"
"Goodnight Erina, I can't wait for the picnic!"
…
Erina rang the doorbell of Jonathan's family home.
A few minutes later comes out Jonathan wearing pajamas. "Hello, Erina! I thought I was going to pick you up later. You didn't have to go to my house.." he grips his shirt sleeve nervously.
"Nonsense Jojo!, I wanted to see you and go to the picnic. Though it seems you aren't ready yet." She ends with an understanding smile.
Jonathan's face goes redder with embarrassment and beckons Erina into the house. " Please make yourself at home Erina, I'll go make tea before I go get dressed." He scurries out of the room red-faced to the kitchen.
'You are really adorable under that enormous body of yours.' She giggled at the embarrassed man running out of the room.
She peers around the living room. Curiously going through the books on the coffee table. She picks a book up and sees a picture of him and his brothers smiling at the camera. Erina puts it back between the book, feeling as if she's going against Jonathan's privacy.
"Here's the tea Erina. I know you like cream in it so I brought some. Thank you for being patient with me not being ready yet." Jonathan rubs his head sheepishly.
"Jojo you're my best friend. Of course, I'm patient with you. And thank you for the cream. You're so thoughtful!" Erina remarked.
Jonathan's cheeks dusted pink, " You're welcome. I should go get ready. I really can't wait to spend time with you, Erina!"
Jonathan, at first glance from an onlooker, appears to be fine ( aside from the bags underneath his eyes, sighing all the time, his lips pulled into a deep frown and his sagging form as if he was a puppy waiting for its master to come back. ) but Erina isn't blind she's seen all the signs.
Even if they haven't seen each other for weeks it's obvious something is bothering Jonathan right now and Erina loved her best friend too much to not help him out of it.
She knows she can't cheer him up alone, however.
She needs to contact Speedwagon and Mr. Zeppeli later after the picnic.