A/N: So yay an update! I want to thank everyone who reviewed (Really I was so happy, i did back flips in my room)
I'm not sure if I have to do the disclaimer each chapter but it's fun so I will! :D
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the bleach characters (except Andou who I made up! :D), They belong to Tite Kubo. I'm just a potato.
Chapter Two
Orihime's POV
We got to the mall with the train, on the ride to the packed mall I chose to stand up to avoid sitting beside Andou-kun but he stood up as well, he's such a gentleman. For the hundredth time since he showed up at my door I felt my heart ache with guilt. Not only did I turn him down but I avoided him after, I'm sure he hates me. I glance at him and I'm a bit relieved he's not nervous or uncomfortable. The mall is crowded but I don't mind, I love watching people and it used to be a habit of mine to guess why random people were here. Mostly there were families and couples both of which made me feel a deep sadness I try to ignore.
Before my mind wanders to depressing things Andou-kun speaks, "Do you know where we check first? I mean do you want to? Tatsuki set you up to it but you can still back out if you want." He smiles at me and I'm once again amazed at his kindness.
"I know a few stores that are good" I reply with a smile. I think I'm over thinking things again. Andou-kun has obviously moved on and is happy now. So I decide to enjoy my time with him and I love that we've easily fallen back to our old pattern. "Who's the present for?" I asked/
"It's for Tatsuki, don't tell her" He smiles and brings a finger to his lips.
I can't help laughing because Tatsuki-chan hates presents. We go around the mall looking for something that Tatsuki-chan would like and I'm relieved that there isn't a hint of awkwardness and when Andou-kun held my hand, I didn't flinch. We entered a book store and bought her a book on Karate, even though Tatsuki-chan doesn't like reading like I do, at least the book was filled with pictures. While Andou-kun was paying I wandered through the stalls to see if I could find a book I'd like.
The shelves were impressively stacked with every genre imaginable and I was totally consumed reading title after title of the books. My eyes skimmed past a shiny red book and I nearly passed it but a single word caught my eye 'friend zone' I pulled it from the shelf and read the bold title: 'Escape Planet friend zone' and on the cover was a picture of a couple deeply kissing. I have no idea how long I stared at the couple before my mind morphed the couple into Ichigo and me.
"Orihime-chan? Are you ready to go?" I jumped and hid the book behind me. I hope my face isn't as red as I think it is. Andou-kun luckily didn't notice my weirdness, "Yeah umm, in a minute" I don't know why I grabbed the book; I mean it has nothing to do with… Holy cow…. It's me I'm in the…the…friend zone?
I snatched another random book from the shelf and walked to the counter, luckily Andou-kun was fiddling with his phone so he didn't see my embarrassing purchase. The clerk however saw both the books, He shook his head sympathetically when he saw the friend zone book but then he saw the second book I had randomly picked 'The guide to getting it on, all night' if my face wasn't red before it definitely is now, I covered my face when the clerk widened his eyes and started coughing. He kept looking between me and Andou-kun who was still flipping through his phone and I just wanted the floor to swallow me up right then.
After that embarrassing encounter, my mind was still swimming with all the things I should have told that nosy clerk, "not that it's any of your business but this happens to be for a friend!" I barely noticed when Andou-kun slipped his hand into mine again but then we bumped into someone on our way to the exit. I snapped out of my internal argument to apologize but when I looked up, I was met with warm brown eyes and my heart clenched.
"Inoue?" said the deep male voice that echoes in my head all day and night.
Of course! Of course this would happen to me. "Kurosaki-kun?" without meaning to my voice comes out as a squeak. As always I suddenly become so nervous I start fiddling with my fingers but then I realized my hand was still in Andou-kun's. It must look like we're on a date! Ichigo's eyes fall on our hands and I don't know what to do, I don't know whether to pull my hand away from his but how do I do that without hurting Andou-kun's feelings. While I'm contemplating all this Andou-kun casually greets Ichigo.
"Yo, I'm Andou" He smiled like the nice guy he is but didn't pull his hand away from mine to shake Ichigo's (like I'd hoped).
"Kurosaki Ichigo" Ichigo replied curtly.
I decided to jump in then, "Andou-kun is Tatsuki-chan's cousin!" I say a little too cheerfully. I slowly pull my hand from Andou's who is still smiling. I don't know why it's so important to me that Ichigo doesn't think I'm on a date with Andou-kun.
"Well, I'll see you later, Inoue" without another word he walked away without turning back…like it didn't make a difference to him.
Thank you for reading, I love you guys (a lot...i mean it; a lot) I would love reviews to hear your opinions/Ideas. I'll be updating soon :D
