Chapter Four:
What do you get when you cross a cat drowning and a brick sinking?
Kasumi trying to swim, that's what!
Anyone would think I'm kidding, but no. I'm not. I completely wish I was, but no. Not one bit. How someone could suck that bad was unbelievable. I wanted it to be a dream or just her taking the piss on everyone in the room. Really...just anything but what I had witnessed. I'm not going to say that I was disgusted by it. Horrified, but I have a line that I never cross when it comes to friends. The snickering and pointing that the other people on the other side of the room did weren't even discreet. It made me look as sweet as Shirley Temple, for crying out loud! And only I'm allowed to tease my friends. They were lucky that I was concentrating my attention more on Kasumi and cheering for her. Otherwise I would've used every swear in my itinerary that I knew since childhood to make them go crying for their mum.
Kasumi looked stiff while using her arms like the bloody Queen's Guard, so I assumed that she had a cramp in her muscles. Samantha asked her the same thing when Kasumi tredged her way to the finishing point in last place, Ryuko and I at Sam's side.
"I-I'm quite...alright," Kasumi uttered.
She really wasn't. It was a mystery how she managed to walk back to our bench after trying to turn the pool into a bubble bath with just her legs.
The team looked to be speechless before she sat down. Most of them like Hazuki and Makoto tried to brush it off with nervous encouragements. But not Nanase or Ryugazaki. Those gits didn't even try to say anything to her, much less wipe the stupefied expressions off their faces. I couldn't help but feel pity for her. Being watched by a crowd of people as you swim and pathetically make last place in a time practice takes its effect on anybody. She sulked on another bench away from the group for the rest of the visit. Even if I wanted to I couldn't have done anything to make her feel better, so I went along with the others trying not to soak in her piss-poor attitude.
Samantha took her opportunity to go next. I knew it was to divert our attention from Kasumi's horror show to the real reason we where there, but after watching her take the glory it was also to show off her "almighty" form at diving. I was partially grateful-partially!-that she was a better swimmer because Ryuko needed a reason to believe that we had a chance of becoming a decent swim team...and because the Hyperactive Twat was holding me to our bet. I could feel his eyes on the back of my head every now and then like he were waiting for me to cave in. I was definitely not going to back down when my chances were so much greater than his.
After watching my captain bask in her praise and compliments, even some from Tachibana that made her giddy, I felt like she challenged me to do better with her happy expression and cheery remark, "C'mon, Ella, let's see what you can do next!"
"Hmph, I'll beat your record easily!" I dared.
"You sure about that?"
It may have been friendly banter before, but when you get cocky like that with me I take that as a dare!
"Just you watch me!"
I stomped onto the diving board, throwing my towel to the side, not giving a rat's ass if I was making a scene. It would've been better to have it that way so that all eyes were on me.
After I checked the clock for my starting time and the whistle blew, I pushed off from the board wanting to dazzle the team, but the idea quickly dissolved with the chlorine once I hit the water. I didn't realize that the water could be so warm when it was a bit chilly in the springtime and how relaxing or dare I say blissfully calming for someone like me. It was like I was in a good dream with warm fuzzy feelings and silenced the outside world. Perfect, I'm getting poetic. I must be really stressed for a simple swim in a pool to soothe my nerves...
Though it's peaceful...screw it! I've got to beat her record! I'm aiming for athletic swimming, not synchronized!
I kicked into full throttle while there was still time. It may have been a year or more since I had last swum in a pool, but that didn't mean I didn't know how to do the front crawl. Every one of us in each lane used that style particularly because it was the easiest, but a few among me thought they were such experts. While catching my breath I caught a glimpse at the competition in front of me. I was in the top five.
By the turn I thought I could bump it up to second place. When I slowed to spring myself from the wall I twisted a muscle wrong. It was a twinge, but enough to sock me into the losing end. To boost my speed I kept telling myself, I can't let those elitists break me down!, over and over until I was closing in on the other side of the pool. It didn't matter if the burning sensation in my muscles was overpowering me or the weakness from lack of sleep kept pulling me under. To be honest I was always too proud to let anything physical effect me when there was a challenge to be had. One could say that it was a strength of mine, but that particular moment wasn't a good day. If not for a second and a half, I made it to second place. The girl in the lane on the far left was the first-place champ. Bollocks...
"Maybe next time, sport," Samantha said as I grabbed my towel from the floor.
"Don't shove it in my face, twat," I grumbled. She was too flamboyant to not be undermining me.
I flopped onto the bench next to Kasumi. I figured I might as well add another to the pity party.
My oh-so-happy captain jumped onto Ryuko's case for the final call. The whole team cheered her on to the board as I watched carelessly with my gloomy bench seat partner. Ryuko could've said no, but she felt the need to please them, put on her goggles as she bent over on the diving board. Why won't she just be honest and say she doesn't want to? I wouldn't after seeing me lose...
Let's just say I felt like I was rubbed the wrong way after my botch job of a swim.
What kept my focus on the pool was Ryuko. I had no idea that she was a pro and swimming, like, athletic pro. She swam like Nanase, only more girly graceful if that makes any sense or is even possible. Seeing her take first place brought my spirit back knowing that I could shove my diamond in the rough new member in Hazuki's stupid face. Ryugazaki was average at best, but Ryuko topped the cake. She would be our saving grace for a novice team like ours, that is, if Samantha or I could get her to join. My captain didn't try to hide it that she wanted my classmate on the team when she was talking to her at the end of the last practice. With the expression on Ryuko's face I thought that Samantha came on too strong. It looked like I needed to step in afterwards to smooth things over.
Trying to start a conversation while in the locker room was a bit tough. Maybe even a little creepy, but I saved it until both of us were half dressed. The first thing that came to mind was what she thought of athletic swimming. A tacky move, but effective. Ryuko mustered a little before we heard loud voices from our 'senpai's echo off the walls from the shelves across. After a minute of it still going I went ahead and tried to break it up, telling them to get a move on.
"We're comin'! No need to get your panties in a twist!"
"It's 'knickers'! 'Knickers' in a twist!"
"Americans say 'panties', dangit!" she told me in her Texan, English accent.
"Yeah, what other phrases haven't you already screwed up...?" I shot back in my British English.
...What? I'm allowed an opinion...
"You do know that I can hear you mumblin' back there!" Oh, look, she can switch back and forth between English and Japanese that fast...Egh, great, what the heck...
"Maybe I wanted you to hear t-hey, don't look at me! I don't have my shirt on!"
When I wasn't looking Sam peeked her head around the corner and caught me indecent. She huffed and replied, "Yeah, and you're the one wanting to rush us out of here!"
"Oh, bugger off!"
I stopped to replay that retort in my head while Sam stared at me. She laughed a loud, and soon I realized that my voice cracked out of nowhere. I don't think that's ever happened before, especially for me to laugh at myself with her. I could've been waterlogged or there was too much water in my ear from all that swimming for all I knew. It was weird.
How often do I even get to laugh like this with a friend? It feels like it's been so long...
It probably had been. So for my sanity and to humor Sam I went ahead and laughed with her. Besides, laughing made me feel happier about my day than I thought it could. Almost like when I was swimming.
Ryuko left us at the Samezuka gates after we had to thank their captains for inviting us over. The "uncle" of hers stood by the other side like a creepy stalker, silent and both sharp eyes on our group. She turned to us and said in a polite voice, "I'm sorry. I'm afraid I can't ride the train back with you."
"Don't worry about it," I replied. "We'll see you later."
"Sad to see you leave so soon, but there's always school tomorrow."
Yep. Came off too strong like I called it.
Right as Ryuko was leaving she met eyes with Ryugazaki. He and her sort of stared at each other, both red in the cheeks, before Ryuko bent over in a bow then got the hell out of dodge. I'd've done the same thing if I'd bumped my cheek to his shoulder. People like them were still scared of breaking moral code and loved their personal bubble, unlike my parents. Seeing a change of pace was amusing when I wasn't the victim of random touching. I swear I'd had too much after that wanker Gou fondled me, but having to brush off Hazuki was another matter. I thought we were competitors until the end of the day, not friends who were touchy-feely. Nope. He could not, whatsoever, respect my space.
"Neh, neh, Ella-chan," Hazuki prodded as he followed me down the street. I thought I got rid of him by the train station, but he was too quick. "Do you have to go so soon?"
"I gotta pick up my brothers."
"What? I didn't know you had younger siblings!"
"I wish I didn't..."
"What'd you say?"
"Nothing. I'm going."
"Oh!" he gasped. "I forgot! Hold on, Ella-chan!"
He didn't hesitate to grab my hand to stop me on the sidewalk, but I assumed it was also to spite me and what I asked him not to do a couple days ago. And what'd I do? I froze. Of course. Like a love-stricken idiot whose heart was pounding as rapid as a drum. Honey Nut Weirdo took my other hand while standing in front of me and continued, "Since you and I recruited people at the same time, then we should call it a draw."
Another useless tactic to catch me off guard. The booger thinks he can out-maneuver me, but he's heavily mistaken! I mean, seriously?! The drop-the-bomb-cheerfully trick? I think not!
"Is this some kind of joke?" I demanded. "Because I know for certain that none of the newbies have signed up yet. Therefore, no one has officially won."
"But Rei-chan and Michi-chan both looked happy at practice. So, technically that counts as them wanting to sign up."
"How the heck does that even dignify as-"
"Ah, Ella-chan, you're hurting my wrists."
My hands were gripping something thick as I tried to deny his petty logic on winning a bet. Stupid of me to do I looked down at his hands. He was right. I had a firm hand (technically two) on both of his wrists. What made things worse was that I took a moment to hod onto them. They were slightly larger than my own and just as creamy-skinned as his hands...Oh, God, I was even describing it...What was wrong with me?
"Ella-chan?"
"I-I-"
Slapping his hands away I shrilled, "I-It's nothing. I thought I told you not to touch me anymore."
"Sorry," he laughed, "I'll try not to."
"Well...good..And..."
"What is it?" he asked curiously.
"I will not accept a draw."
"Aww, then how do we determine the winner?"
"Hell if I knew...how about waiting for one of them to actually sign up?"
"Oh! I got an idea!"
No, of course you do. Just when I told you the actual solution...
"How about we settle it with a challenge?" he offered.
"A challenge?...Really?"
"Yeah! We can run to the cafeteria and see who gets the special Iwatobi bread first!"
The sweet bread? Does he really wanna gamble with me on this one?
"Okay..." I said, feeling up to something easy. "So,...tomorrow?"
"Uh-huh! What do you say?"
What do I say? I'd say-
"You better prepare to lose at lunch tomorrow!"
He chuckled.
"I'll see you tomorrow then, Ella-chan!"
Hazuki happily waved to me as he ran back to the rest of the group still together in the opposite direction. I smirked to myself thinking about how I could beat the imp at his own game. The best way to get to the cafe was running through the courtyard and around a few shortcuts, although he probably already knew about them.
By the time I made it to the twins' school gates I gave myself a headache trying to decide which quick route I could take to get to the cafeteria. The dweebs had to shout my name in order for me to snap out of my funk.
"C'mon," I said, feeling peckish, "let's go home. Mum's making supper tonight."
"Sis, you're acting weird," Daniel pointed out as he walked beside me on my left, Tachi on my right.
"That's 'cuz I'm tired. Both of you take my hands so that I know you won't yank my skirt like the other day. And don't lick your palms like that one time!"
The monkeys mischievously grinned to each other.
"We won't do it this time," answered Tachi as he took my hand. No wet palm.
"Yeah, we promise." Daniel grabbed my other, only holding onto a few fingers as he peeked over at his twin. "Tachi, did you wanna show her 'that'?"
"Show me what?" I groaned with little tolerance left to be pranked by the idiots.
"We drew something for you in class today."
Like I'm gonna believe that they made me an innocent drawing like good little kids.
"Here." Tachi pulled out a white piece of paper from his bag, holding it up to me.
I reluctantly snatched it from him expecting to see a crude drawing of me as a cloud of fart or as a monkey flinging poo. Surprisingly it was none of those. The title was scrawled in crayon as "Big Sis" and a roundish stick figure with a yellow ponytail and brown circles for eyes. Two smaller ones with the same black half-circles for hair stood next to my picture, one with a D above his had and the other a T. For once, I was touched.
"You guys..." I breathed.
"There's more on the back," issued Daniel.
I turned the paper over. There was nothing. Or, at least, not until I moved my thumb and saw two circles along with a-
"Why the bloody hell is there a floppy todger on this paper?"
"Because big sis likes 'em!"
"Get back here you nasty little tossers!"
They ran down the street with their willy picture flapping with the wind in their hands. At the end of the day they were able to get home first, hide the picture, and taunt me at the dinner table with their forks and pieces of tuna on their plates. How they became so skilled as ninjas beat me, but it confirmed that my parents were so beyond daft.
Having more sleep than the day before I walked to school refreshed after dropping the twits off. Their prank of the day was weak compared to taking off their pants off in public. Saying different terms of the word "penis" at the end of every sentence wasn't as effective since the people in town rarely knew a lick of English. The strangers about the town didn't react to what the two hoped to make another gaffe for me, so I was pretty happy.
In the schoolyard I found Kasumi and Samantha off to the side, chatting as usual. I walked up to them wanting to ask when the next club meeting would be only to hear Samantha say that she wore makeup almost constantly and ask if girls wore it often. Not the typical kind of talk to charge into, but I knew that Kasumi would give her a bunch of jibberish so I invited myself in.
"It's that not a lot of girls here wear makeup at school," I explained.
"Really?" Sam turned to me. "They don't wear it here?"
"I don't think it's against the rules here 'cuz I've worn mascara since day one and still get away with it. But there's also the sort of girl-code that says we don't wear makeup unless there's a guy involved."
"What? Like a crush?"
"Yeah, I guess...but don't take it from me seriously. I'm only in on half the stuff here anyway..."
I followed Sam's eyes to Kasumi. The conversation spun itself in a different way when Sam and I started teasing Kasumi with things like "she would be so cute if she wore lip gloss" and stuff. Kasumi had one of those faces that you could read easily so it made it a lot more fun. As I expected Kasumi's cheeks grew apple-red and she backed away with a shy smile trying to bloom. I dared to mention my lip balm in my bag that I could put on her, but was quickly ignored with our "team manager" shoving his swimsuit codswallop into something polar opposite.
"Please, for-the-love-of-GOD, do-not! talk..." I couldn't stress enough to him.
"But it qualifies as-"
"Sorry, guys, but the bell just rang," Sam chirped.
Thank God. Time to get out of here, I thought. I hurried to my locker, threw my outdoor shoes in, stuffed my feet into my other pair, and made a bee line to my class. It took a bit before I sat down in my seat and realized that Samantha lied. Or the bell did ring and three-quarters of the class suddenly grew ill.
Let it go, it's a good thing that she cut me short. Gou isn't even worth the effort. I forgot about it during lessons as my motor-mouth of a teacher went on and on about rubbish. I pretended to understand what they were saying as I tried copying examples next to Ryuko. As far as I could tell she was keeping up more with the lesson and not the notes. After the last few test results we got back I'd bet that she already knew the entire curriculum. It sucked to be on the short end of the stick when someone like her could easily flaunt her knowledge. But thankfully she wasn't that kind of person. Algebra really sucks the big one...
To hear the lunch bell ring was like music to my ears. My hands were nearly shaking because of the cramps that spiked through the muscles. Ryuko excused herself as I was about to joke about our last class to go somewhere, Chiya and her group eyeing her concernedly. I packed my bag and checked my pockets for my yen. Hazuki skipped giddily in his step as he came closer asking, "So, Ella-chan, you ready to race?"
"I'm ready to settle this once and for all with me as rightful winner."
"Whatever you say. On the count of three."
We walked outside the classroom and stopped in the middle of the hallway.
"Three..."
I curled my hands into fists.
"Two..."
I bent my knees.
"One..."
No going back...
"Go!"
Pushing off at full force I ran down the hallway. All those times of having to race to class to make it by the bell had helped me with sprinting. I was as fast as a bullet, give that the floors were slippery when it came to corners. Hazuki had his advantage as he flew past me around the corner. Other students nearby pressed themselves against the walls to keep from being trampled on, some even having balls to shout back at me and the dork to watch where we're going. Any other time I would've rolled my eyes at them and hissed something back, but they were all far behind me as I was neck and neck with Hazuki by the entrance. It was that way, around another corner, down some ways, then a door, and finally a lunch line to cut through. We were gradually surpassing the other until the corner. I had a bit to catch up on, and when he and I were dodging people outside near the doors I was so excited to win that a giggle came out of me. Bunny-zuki looked at me and smiled, thinking that I was enjoying it just for the thrill. Boy, was he wrong.
Inside the cafeteria there weren't a lot of students around. My guess was that they hadn't made it there yet or were still left in my dust so it left a thin veil of people wrapping the food stand. Hazuki chose the same counter I did, eyeing the same basket with the long, sweet breaded-sandwiches on the shelf right below the register.
He quickly reached out to grab it. I outstretched my arm at the same time. Time froze in that instant with our hands closing the distance...then...
"Got it!"
Both of us had the packaged bread in our clutches. I glared at him, wishing for Darth Vader powers so he'd choke on his own spit, but instead he smiled and offered, "Wanna call it a tie?"
"In your dreams!"
"Very well..."
The arse swiped the other one in the basket and gave it to the cashier. She took his yen before I could yank it off the counter, smiling and thanking him for his "patronage". Then she looked to me to buy something with the same grin as Hazuki's.
No...no...You've got to be kidding me. That can't be it. Wh-Why...? I was supposed to win!
"Would you like any-?" the lunch lady had the gall the ask. I cut her short when I snatched the closest sandwich I could reach and slapped my pocket change on the counter. I didn't even think to check if it was the right amount...she deserved it anyway...
"Cheer up, Ella-chan. Maybe next time you'll win."
Maybe next time I'll have your head on a pike...I snipped at him internally. Bloody hell...I'll just have to ignore him if I don't want a migraine.
With him following me inside the room I wanted any kind of excuse to get rid of him. Thankfully Kasumi was my savior standing by the other door. Nearly running towards her I went to see how she was doing. She was more quiet than usual, but I took it as just hunger keeping her from talking. And the awkward atmosphere with Hazuki and I around her. Mostly Hazuki though who had terrible manners, talking with his mouth full while pushing moist bread behind his cheeks like a bloody chipmunk. I told Kasumi, "Yeah, well...you better get in line soon 'cuz pigs like Nagisa-kun are going to take all of the good stuff."
"What'd you say, Ella-chan?" he chipped in.
Ignoring him I waited by the doors for Kasumi to buy something. Hazuki insisted on talking to me even if it were obvious that I gave him the silent treatment. So, in a fit of frustration I cracked. Kasumi had to deal with him and me in a heat of a pathetic argument about something I don't even remember anymore. My headache was bigger by the time we made it to the outdoor locker room entrance.
But I wasn't prepared to see Chiya and the two other girls waiting by the locker rooms. Hazuki was in the middle of asking me what swim style I'd prefer to use when I walked up to them.
"What're you guys doing here?"
"Hey, Takemono!" Chiya greeted. "We noticed that Ryuko went in for something. We were wondering if she could help us with...class..stuff..."
It sounded weird that they were wanting her help when they never made one nice comment about Ryuko, but I took it as a good sign for them to become more civil with each other.
"Does that mean you guys aren't fighting?"
"Yeah, we-we talked it out earlier. We're good friends now."
"Totally," one girl agreed.
"Will you tell her that we're out here waiting? It's kinda important." Chiya smiled, the two others begging on the side.
"Uh...sure. Sure."
"Great!"
Taking lead of my group I set out to find Ryuko for my classmates. It was good to know that they made peace. All those times of snappy remarks and watching Ryuko walk out the door made me compelled to choose between the two sides. Now that they were friends I didn't feel conflicted to be friends with Chiya's group and teammates with Ryuko. Though it certainly did not make my overall mood any better with Hazuki still nearby.
Ryuko was talking to the team captains when I found her. She left on the spot once I told her that the others were waiting for her. Feeling upbeat, I stood among the group for the rest of the period eating lunch and listening to the other chat away. Sadly, it didn't complete the mood when Ryuko was gone. As far as Samantha announced, Ryuko turned in her club application form, so as a new member she should have been there eating with us. With her absent it reminded me that I shouldn't have agreed to the last bet Hazuki put me up to. I could've won...He was lucky that I didn't give him on wop to the face. Even more so at the end of the day.
That scenario went like this: After classes ended and the club wanted to get together for some kind of official meeting I was standing by to wait for Ryuko. She packed her things and took her time putting on her outdoor shoes. Her "uncle" was on school grounds so she had to let him know she'd be a while with us. And then we were casually talking as we took the shortcut to the locker rooms.
I mentioned that she looked a bit dreary. She replied, "Oh, I'm just curious about our last test. I feel as though I hadn't given my best to it."
"You're worried about THAT? It doesn't really matter! That guy has had issues since day one. I know that Bubble Butt had it out for me ever since I came in late the one time."
"Bubble Buh...do you mean our homeroom teacher?"
"Sure, yeah...I never cared to call him by his real name, anyway..."
'Where's this going?' Hold on. I'm almost there.
I stopped to ask Ryuko if her "uncle" was really blood related. I mean, c'mon, it was apparent that the guy wasn't any regular person. He wore a pressed suit everyday, for Christ's sake!
Just when I was about to hear the answer my arch nemesis comes leaping out from the door shouting my name.
"Oh my GOD! WHAT?!"
"What're you talkin' to Michi-chan about?"
"I'm asking her something in private."
"Oh, okay! Then let's let her finish! "
"That means you're not a part of it!"
"Aww, but what if it's something good?'
"Then I'll make sure you don't hear about it."
"Aww, c'mon, Ella-chan. I just want to be friendly..."
Then guess what he does...
Okay, I'll say it. He leans over and rubs his forehead on my shoulder. Like we're such good friends. I couldn't keep count of how many times I've had to remind him not to touch me, but it became futile to keep doing so. I gave him a warning that time, only...I used his name without any honorifics. He didn't deserve the respect, but he took it the wrong way, like we were on good terms.
"Yeah, but..."
Ugh! He's not letting up! This is clearly useless! No matter what I do I can't get him to stop. And why's my heart fluttering so much?!
"Whatever,...baka," I murmured.
I folded my arms and waited for him to get off. When he didn't, Ryuko spoke up, making me remember that she was there. And she watched the entire thing.
"Are you two...perhaps...dating?" she asked nervously.
I told her exactly what I was thinking.
"HELLLLL, no!"
Shoving the idiot on me off I went to hide my face from embarrassment. But apparently the team thought it best to show up and catch what was left of the moment, and Hazuki from falling. Samantha stepped in front of him and Makoto to see Ryuko and I.
"Whoa, what's everybody doing out here"
"I was-Hazuki-but-Ryu-agh!" I fumed. "I give up!"
They eventually caught up to me after I stormed away. More than humiliated by my incredible display of me being tongue-tied I wanted to go home and lock myself in my room for the rest of the century. Samantha talked me down so that I could go with the team to see Ryugazaki at his track meet for whatever bleeding reason. My presence there didn't make him any better at practice pole vaulting. He still sucked the landing and made a spectacle of himself almost as much as I had. The Blonde-Wonder got to gloat about his "charm" that worked on Four-Eyes from joining the team after he approached us, what with his cheerful smiled and dancing around like a madman.
After he made a fool out of me for losing the bet and touching me without cause I was livid. He shouldn't get to have a happy ending to his day when he clearly wasn't innocent. Why does he get to be the happy one? I whined to myself, Why doesn't my embarrassment get some kind of compensation?
Honestly, I didn't know what kind of emotion was running rampant in me until I was walking home alone in the evening. Everyone had left school, me with Ryuko for a little bit. She had to ride her fancy car home, so I was to keep myself company 'til I made it to the elementary school. Part of me was truly frustrated but more or less at my own self.
I let myself lose the last bet. That I have to admit. If only I hadn't let my competitive side take over. I could've showed him! I could've! ...I let myself down...
The train station came into view as I continued down one street. I could faintly hear the sound of two boys having an upbeat chat some ways away, but I didn't care to look at them. I was too depressed to really care about what was nearby. But with that thought came one of them shouting my name with his hand waving in the air. Trying to avoid them I trudged the sidewalk as if I didn't hear them. They called out a bit louder.
"Ella-chan!"
It had to be that git.
What, is he going to shove his victory in my face a second time? I harped.
My legs disobeyed me when I meant to walk faster. I came to a slow stop as his footsteps clomp on the pavement. Thinking that I might as well put a brave face on, I crossed my arms and turned to him.
"You heading home, Ella-chan?" He stopped right in front of me.
"...Yes. Why?"
Hold your ground. You don't want him to think that you're a sore loser or anything...You're not. You are definitely not!
"I can walk you home if you'd like."
It's a joke. It's a horrible joke.
"No, thank you..."
He took two steps forward before asking, "Are you okay? Do you not feel good?"
He's putting you down. It's a ploy to make you look weak.
I stomped my foot on the ground and snapped, "Why do you care?"
"B-Because we're teammates...we're friends!"
"That's what you may think...but if you think you can come here and gloat about your 'glorious' day then I'll be happy to leave."
"W-Wait, Ella-chan!"
Why does my throat feel constricted?...Am I gonna cry?...
Something cold and wet was burning the corners of my eyes, so I spun around to dab my finger at them. What I found were actual tears about to roll down my cheeks. I couldn't believe that my brave act was shattering into pieces. And right in front of him, too.
"Ella-chan! What's wrong?"
He spun me back to look him in the eye, but I bit my lip in hopes of keeping together my demeanor. The tears wanting to form were falling, cascading off my cheeks like a damn waterfall. I kept my eyes on the sidewalk. Maybe if I pretend that I stared at the pavement too long then he won't suspect a thing..., right?
"Ella-chan..."
"Wha-"
Hazuki liked to be hands-on, but I never thought he'd have the balls to do what he did. I blinked once and suddenly I found myself wrapped in his arms. Any sign of tears bursting from me disappeared in that instant.
"Wh-What're you doing?" I demanded, trying to wedge my arms in between our chests so I could push him away. But clearly my body took over from there. I didn't move any more than that. I felt numb with a warm sensation trying to cloud my mind.
"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, Ella-chan," he said close to my ear, making my knees weak to the sound of his voice. "I thought it was just all fun and games. But to me you are my friend."
I kept my mouth shut. Saying something would only be giving into him.
"If it's because of earlier, then I'm sorry. I'll call us even and you don't have to be upset anymore...You can cry on me if you want to."
Hello! Calling control system from reality! He's clearly calling us weak damsels-in-distress here! Why won't you pick up?!
My body still wouldn't respond. I felt so comfortable with him holding me that I forgot where I was. Briefly, though. I did have my dignity left after that horrible day.
"Don't think I'll let you get off so easily this time," I warned him with my cheek on his shoulder. "It's just been an off-day for me."
I kept my eyes to the side after separating from him, doing all I could to keep him from seeing my red cheeks.
He smiled and told me, "You okay, now?"
Pouting my lips I huffed, "I've been perfectly fine. But tomorrow you better believe that I'll be in top shape to beat you once and for all!"
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow!" he laughed.
As he left to catch the trolley, I was nearly floating down the lane trying not to think about his arms around me. I kept telling myself that I didn't like him. I mean, of course not! Hazuki just doesn't understand personal space! And I certainly had a weakness to embracing. It's normal to be off-guard when someone suddenly grabs hold of you.
Besides, it could've been the adrenaline from being spooked like that...right?
But, setting that aside, I looked back on the entire day and how it ended. I thought about how I lost to Samantha during swim practice, lost the bet with Hazuki, had that whole blunder of an encounter with the team played out. No one had ever been able to knock me down for the count in all my time at school. The whole saying about "a taste of your own medicine" was almost like slapping me in the face. Competing with others had always been my physical mantra. I never liked to lose, and yet when I faced the reality of it more than once in two days...I wondered how that was going to effect me and my appearance later on.
And "taste of your own medicine" reminds me of that Mary Poppins song..."Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down...medicine go dooown..."
"Just a spoon full of karma helps the depression go down..."
Oh, shut it!
