Going to school seemed easier and easier as days passed. I could almost pass by Masaya without hurt, without disappointment. I started getting involved in school and enrolled in an after school cooking class where I met the most fantastic girls in the world. I met Sakura, a cute girl with short blonde hair that went to her shoulders, who loved to put on vintage and dress like a hippie. Then there was Samantha, she was really shy, and was an amazing cook, she had long wavy black hair that went to her thighs and she wore a lot of baby doll clothes. Cara was athletic, cooked great pastas and she was a yanki with a tough attitude, but she was the sweetest and looked out for all of us, she wore her light brown hair down and was the tallest of the group.
When I got to work, I looked out for the crashing of plates, from both Lettuce and Pudding and managing the register. After work I stayed and helped in the kitchen doing dishes, messes as I made pastries with the help of Keicherro. Keicherro was a good sport and listened as I told him about school and how happy I was. "Ichigo, it's really nice to have you around, sometimes it seemed like you did everything, but you weren't really there, and I'm starting to get to know you and seeing the real you, before, you only came and did everything with an attitude because you were in a hurry to see Masaya." Keicherro said. "I'm starting to get my life back, I'm getting new friends, I'm fitting in and I'm helping a lot more and I realized I have talent. I'm so glad I broke up with Masaya. It's still hard for me, but I'm slowly getting over it. I am happy I have time for me." Ichigo replied with a smile then she looked down at her completed cupcake, a chocolate cupcake covered with pink icing and pink and red sprinkles, and I said, "It's getting late and I should go." I picked up my cupcake and headed to Ryou's room, which is something I've done ever since I started baking with Keicherro, he always ate it happily then asked me out somewhere, when I was with him he made me feel special and complete.
I was going up stairs and almost knocked on the door when I heard Ryou on the other side of the door say "Okay Anne, I'll be there later on, how about eight, sure, okay, at the restaurant across from the mall. Okay Bye." I suddenly felt jealous by someone Ryou was going to see; I don't know why it upset me so much. I opened the door and saw Ryou; he looked at me and smiled. I handed the cupcake to him and watched him eat it. "It's delicious," he said. "Just give me a minute and then I'll take you" I looked at him as he picked up his jacket and then he said "C'mon." I didn't budge. " I really don't feel like going anymore, I'm going home" I pushed myself past him and ran down stairs and locked myself in the dressing room and cried and I didn't know what else to do. I got out of my uniform and then got dressed in my street clothes.
I opened the door to find Ryou outside the door waiting in the couch, "Why don't you want to go with me??" He said, as he got closer to me. I didn't answer. "Were you crying??" he asked. "Did he do something to hurt you again?" he said. I shook my head. "Then what's wrong?" he said with a concerned look in his face. He pulled me closer to him; his arms wrapped around my waist into a really tight hug, made me feel warm and comforted. His nearness made my heart speed up and blood rush to my face. I pulled away from him and asked him "Why are you being nice??" He looked at me with a surprised look on his face, and then stayed quiet, and stared straight into my eyes trying to find the answer. His hand slowly reached to pick up my chin; his eyes were staring intently at me. His face was near mine I thought I was going to go crazy and he whispered into my ear, " If you don't know how much I like you and care for you, you must be blind" and before I knew it he kissed me, his soft lips brushed against mine, it sent a shock through my body, I was melting, my knees were going weak. It was extraordinary, like nothing I've ever felt, even with Masaya. His arms were wrapped around me, and I put my arms around his neck and kissed him back. His kiss wasn't short and quick, his kiss was full of love, and it deepened and deepened until I pulled back and grasped for air.
I looked at him and saw his start to blush; he was touching his lips as though he thought the kiss was just a dream. He turned to me and said, "You don't know how long I've wanted to do that" which made me blush. I felt my hormones go wild and my cat ears and tail popped out. Ryou chuckled softly and gave me a peck on the cheek. I then said, "I'm sorry, I do want to go out with you tonight!" and he looked at me and said, "What are you waiting for??" as he slipped his arm around my waist leading me out the door then screamed out to Keicherro in the back, "Keicherro, can you lock up, I'm taking my strawberry out on a date!!" and then we left the café.