Chapter 8 - Where to Begin?!
"Kagami?" Jo whispered.
She didn't get a reply as both Kagami and Kise didn't look as if they were willing to back down from this fight. The three guys from earlier came over to where Kagami and Kise stood.
Where's Kuroko? I hope he is ok.
Jo felt a tap on her shoulder. She almost wet herself from being in the situation. Kuroko put his hand on her shoulder as a reassurance. She smiled and stood tall among the guys.
The thugs looked a tad nervous. "Come on boys, let's get out of here. This woman is totally not worth it."
Hey! I am so totally worth it… oh wait. Scratch that.
Once the thugs walked away, everyone began to talk at once.
"Jo what were you doing way over here on this side of town?"
"Are you hurt? How's your head?"
"How do yall know each other?"
"Enough!" Jo cried out to everyone. Silence fell on the group.
"For starters, thank you very much. I was in tight spot with little to no options. I am fine. A few bruises but yes I will be fine. I really don't know these guys" she waved a hand towards the three guys from earlier, "I was just playing some basketball when the thugs rained on a perfectly good game." She crossed her arms defensively.
"I honestly got lost and was trying to get back home near the Seirin school. Now can yall explain how you found me?" Jo asked as she looked from Kise, to Kagami to Kuroko.
"My school is not terribly far from here. I walk this way to get home. I simply saw some big guys picking a fight. When I got closer and saw one of them had you…well…." He slightly blushed and rubbed the back of his head. "I can't remember most of the beginning because I guess I was just so angry."
"As far as us, you can thank these three guys. Once you stormed out of the restaurant, Kuroko commented 10 minutes after you left…" Kagami let out a low growl with the last couple of words, "that you had gone the wrong way to go home and you had not doubled back. You had told him once during practice that you had not explored the city much so he thought you might have gotten lost. So we went to go look for you. After a good 10 min of searching, these three came burling around the corner and ran right into us. They thought we might actually know you and asked for us to come help the person."
"How did you…" Jo looked at the three guys.
One of the boys spoke up, "You had said you went to the Seirin High School. They both had gym bags that said 'Seirin High School'. It's not a very big school from what I hear so it was a good chance you knew each other."
"Regardless if we knew the person, a fight was not a good thing I said." Kuroko spoke up and startled the three teens.
"So we came and saw it was you, well, you know…" Kagami looked away from Jo. "anyways, are you sure you are ok?"
"Maybe we should take you back to the hospital." Kise spoke in a worried tone.
"For once I agree with Kise Jo." Kagami huffed.
She held up her hands in protest, "Thank you for your concern, but I really am ok. I can't thank you enough for all the help you guys gave me."
"Well, we have to get up early, nice meeting yall. If you're in the neighborhood again, we usually play here in the late evening." One of the teens offered and waved as they began to walk away.
"Thank you again." Jo bowed deeply and smiled.
"Oh by the way, Jo is it? Where are you from? I heard you and him," nodded towards Kagami, "speak another language."
"I am a transfer student from America." Jo waved and smiled.
They returned the wave and turned the corner. Jo looked back at her friends.
"Come on guys, dessert, and my treat! It's the least I can do." Jo grinned patted her pocket with her wallet.
"How can I say no to a damsel in distress? I know a great sweet store up the road." Kise replied as he turned his head to the left.
"From what I could tell she wasn't exactly in complete distress. She put the plan together and put up a descent fight. I mean, did you break that dude's nose?" Kagami chuckled and began to walk towards the shop.
So I go from a day where I wake up with a horrible headache, boring as hell classes, a pop quiz I wasn't exactly ready for, missing out on practice, my mind swept with so many emotions, then a near kidnapping… yet I couldn't be happier walking with some really good friends to get some junk food. This… this is what I pictured this trip was going to be like. I wonder what kind of sweets they have.
"Hello, Jo anybody home?" Kagami tapped her lightly on the forehead and spoke irritatingly.
"Huh? Oh Im sorry. Got lost in thought." She stammered and looked around.
"What were you thinking about?" Kuroko asked.
"That this is what I hoped would happen when I came here and I couldn't be happier."
All three stopped in their tracks and stared at her.
"You mean, getting beat up..." Kagami chuckled.
"Nearly kidnapped…" Kise gasped.
"Getting lost…" Kuroko said like he would to remind her that the sky was blue.
Jo sighed but happily and kept walking.
"No, making new friends and hanging out with them like this. Especially ones who risked getting clobbered to save me kind of made you close friends of mine."
Kise and Kagami grinned then looked at one another and the grins simultaneously faded. Neither one angry, nor happy, just blank. Unsure. Basically what Jo felt inside, unsure what the future held. Kuroko walked up to Jo and gave a small smile, "We like you Jo. We consider you as a great friend too."
"Right." Kagami and Kise agreed in unison
They made small talk along the way to the shop. The shop was pretty good size. Jo was in awe at the amount of stuff on the shelves! Hundreds of different options surrounded her.
Her eyes landed on a standee that held over thirty different kinds of KitKat Bars. Jo inhaled and called them over.
"Really? I mean they even have tea flavor! That is just amazing!" She giggled with excitement.
"That's not all the kinds either. Japan has at least 100 if not more kinds of different flavors. These are just the most popular." Kise said smiled at her reaction.
"I know I was shocked too. I freaked out too when I first came here about the same thing." Kagami chuckled.
"America is boring. We have chocolate. Oh and dark chocolate." Jo joked and pouted.
"Don't be fooled, not all them are really that good, but it's fun to try. You can get a sample pack and try different kinds." Kuroko handed her a box of 10 flavors.
She smiled and thanked Kuroko. They chatted about the different snacks and everyone eventually found something to munch on outside at the tables.
As they ate and talked about basketball, school and America/Japan comparisons, Jo's phone went off. It was her study alarm. She really didn't want this evening to end, but she needed to study.
"Hey guys it's getting late and I've got to get ready for a test coming up. Actually you do to Kagami." Jo laughed at his shocked expression.
"What? When? Who's class? Whyyyyyy?" He grumbled.
"History, this Friday, Ie in three days, Mr. Wig's class and because that's why we are in school, to bombarded us with books that stacked together would be taller than even Kagami. So up up. We have to go." Jo shook her head in a joking matter.
"Same, I've got a math quiz tomorrow that I should have been studying for since… what day is it? Well, the point is, I've been putting it off. I guess I need to pass in order to stay on the team right."
Everyone agreed and waved goodbye. Kise parted from the sweets shop and Kuroko eventually parted from Kagami and Jo. Kagami and Jo walked home together in silence for a bit. The sun was begging to set.
Jo jumped when Kagami began to talk in a low tone, "I was scared today."
Jo arched an eyebrow. "Why?"
Kagami stopped and grabbed Jo's shoulders, "Jo, when those thugs had you and I couldn't save you immediately, I was scared."
Jo's heart began to race.
Seriously, my heart can't take this much longer.
Kagami looked at her with eyes, Jo had not seen on Kagami before. Scared. He was genuinely scared. His face showed that he was not joking about this.
"Kagami, I…"
He pulled her into an embrace. He wrapped his strong arms around her shoulders. Not even with a thought to it, Jo returned the hug. "I am just glad you are safe."
They stood there for a moment. Jo could feel Kagami's strong mussels all over his body. He pulled away and she let go. Part of here didn't want to let go though. Before they were too far part, Kagami lightly kissed her on the forehead.
He spoke so very softly and looked straight into her eyes, "I know I upset you and for that I am sorry."
Her legs felt like jello and her mind felt like a fog.
Kagami just kissed my forehead, he said he was scared for me, am I over thinking this or does Kagami like, like me? Nah, he was just more likely just really worried about me as a friend. Yup that's what I am going to believe and that's that.
"Th-thank you for coming to me Kagami." Jo stammered trying to gather her thoughts. "Come on… we need to go study."
Kagami heavy sighed and hung his head, "Do we really have to? I mean there is a basketball court just down the street from the complex. I wouldn't mind another pair of shoes."
Back in the joking frame of mind, "You haven't even received the ones my mom sent yet!" Jo huffed and placed her hands on her hips. "Plus we both need to get ready for the test. Come on." She began to push Kagami down the street towards the complex. He whined and tried to convince her otherwise, but she was stubborn.
They arrived at the apartments. They parted ways and both went to their separate apartments. Jo unlocked her door and went inside the cool entrance way. She kicked her shoes off and sat at her desk. She turned on her lamp and began to study.
About twenty minutes in her phone dinged a text from her friend Sara down in Texas where she was from.
"Hey Jo, J it's Sara. Got a minute to catch up? Miss you!"
Ok, if I answer this it's going to be going back and forth for at least 30 minutes. Study for 10 more minutes then I'll talk to Sara. When was the last time we talked? Maybe at that party? No. it was more recent... NO study! Ugh this is so boring.
10 snail crawling through cold maple syrup minutes later, she stood up from her desk.
She went to the fridge and grabbed a soda and flopped on the couch and called Sara. The phone rang a bit and then Sara picked up.
"Hey Sara, It's Jo! How's it going?"
"OMG! Jo! It's so good to hear from you! I miss you! The whole team misses you! Ugh, without you the basketball team is so short without you!" Sara's voice was extremely bubbly as usual.
"Oh Sara I miss you too! How are the Tiger's doing this season?"
"Ugh we are not doing that great. I mean we are ok, but I don't see us going to finals at least not at this rate. Anyways, dish about JAPAN!" Sara squealed at the end.
"I am enjoying it a lot! I actually joined a basketball team here."
"OH! They have a lot of girls that play there?"
"Um, no. Not really. In the district I am in I'm the only girl that plays, but I am really getting along well with at least my team so far." Jo took a swig of soda and heard someone playing basketball court outside her window.
"Oh my gosh, you are so lucky! The boys must be all over you then huh?"
Jo stood up from the couch and looked out the window. A red haired teen that made Jo's heart leap at the sight of him was busy shooting free throws.
"Ummm… You know the boys never knew what to do with me."
"Liar! I can hear it in your voice. You've got a sweetie. Come on…." She whined on the other end of the call. "tell me about him."
Jo heavy sighed and stared at Kagami play on the court.
"I don't know what to do. I... I honestly don't even know where to start."
"How about at the beginning. Our first grade teacher reading the middle of the book will make anyone confused." Sara giggled happily.
"No laughing got it?!" Jo gritted her teeth to the happy teen.
"No promises."
Jo begins to go over the last couple days for the next 20 min.
"Sounds like you have a favorite, but you are unsure. I'd say just go day by day and see what happens. You love basketball you know that. Focus on that love!" Sara seriously offered as her advice.
Jo sighed and heard the typing on other end of the call.
"Oh my goodness Jo! Kise is a hunk!" Sara squealed.
"What?! How did you..." Jo stammered.
"Internet Jo…Google is amazing. He's a model for crying out loud. No wonder you are in a hard place. I would love to see a pic of this Kagami when you get a chance." When Sara finished she yawned. "Ugh, its waaaay to early for school. I've got to go. Mom is saying it's time to go."
Jo sighed. It was good to have a girl chat about boys. She did miss her girls back home.
"Sure thing. Tell her I say Hi and I miss her double chocolate brownies." Jo walked back to the window. Kagami now sat on the court. "Talk to you later."
I wonder what's on his mind. No! Must study. Stalled long enough with girl talk. Ok.
'In 1582, general Akechi murdered Nobunaga and captured his Azuchi castle. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a general fighting for Nobunaga…'
Jo sat at her desk study until about 10:00 p.m. Her phone went off and she closed her books. Her brain felt full, but she felt better for the test.
The next three days dragged on forever. She had nothing really to look forward to. Kagami even acted as if nothing had happened the other night by the apartments. She had to wait until Friday to practice with the team. So she studied the team from afar, watched for weaknesses and talked with coach about different ideas and plays.
Friday morning came and Jo woke up early to go for her usual jog. She hadn't been since the accident. It felt great to see the sun rise as she listened to her music on her phone.
I feel like today is going to be a great day. I feel ready for the tests that are today, I get to return to basketball, and it's almost time for the weekend… man I feel like things are finally looking up.
"A 'B-'?! You've got to be kidding me?!" Jo stammered as she stared at her graded paper.
"Yo what's wrong? You got a 'B' that's great! Better than me."
Jo let her head hit her desk, her paper fell to the floor and moaned as she spoke, "I've never received a B. I always got A's in my old school. I felt so ready."
Jo heard Kagami pick up the paper and chuckled as he spoke in english to her, "Maybe next time when you try answer the question use the right word. At least I hope you used the wrong word."
Jo turned her head slightly and squinted at the word Kagami pointed at.
"That means kill right?" Jo asked hopefully.
Kagami held back a laugh, "Nope that says 'boy'.
Jo dumbfounded yanked the paper out of his hands to look closer. She grabbed her translation book and thumbed through it. She heavy sighed when she compared the characters. He was right.
She shoved the book back in her bag and stood up to leave with a low grumble under her breath. She heard Kagami follow her and she could hear him stifle a laugh. She chose to ignore him when both she and Kagami's phone went off. A text message came up from Hyuga.
"Team Meet Up at 11:30 in front of class room 'E'."
Jo arched an eyebrow, "Wonder what captain wants."
Kagami shrugged his shoulders and put his phone back in his pocket. "I dunno, but BOY he'd KILL us if we missed it."
Jo stomped on his foot and he cried out in annoyance.
"Idiot. Come on it's 11:15. Lets head over to the meet up." Jo growled.
"I can't you broke my foot with your Godzilla like feet. You're going to have to help me walk."
Jo rolled her eyes and tapped her foot annoyed.
"Wow, leaving a team mate for death. How hateful are you?"
"How is a broken foot leaving you for dead Kagami?" A low voice came from the right side of both of them. Kuroko appeared beside them. Both Jo and Kagami jumped a little, but the surprise was beginning to wear off.
"Well, I am kind of getting used to you sneaking up on me Kuroko." Jo ran her fingers over her hair.
"Not me. That shit is still annoying." Kagami grumbled. "Anyways, to answer your question Kuroko; if Jo hadn't helped me get anywhere, I'd be stuck here and I would sit here because no one can help me up besides a person of her size. Therefore I'd starve to death."
"Fine, make fun of my size Kagami, but I don't hear any wise cracks when we are playing basketball." Jo crossed her arms and smirked.
"Excuse me, but Hyuga asked us to meet him and we have to go." Kuroko began to walk towards the meet up.