Rei was watching her again. It seemed 'her boyfriend' could only be a buffer for so long before the older boy's interest was engaged again.
I'm just too cute for my own good, she thought weakly, trying to make light of the situation. She was actually feeling much better this morning. For once she had slept the night through, and thankfully without any dreams to wake her gasping.
She hummed distractedly as she showered. Forced a smile for Aki when they were heading out the door, and steadfastly did not think about anything at all but the perfect weather.
Okay, so winter was finally settling in, and it was cold enough that she actually needed gloves this morning. But, by skiers' standards, that was perfect weather.
She also did not notice his eyes following her this morning, much closer than usual. Nor did she catch the way his breath hitched slightly when she knelt to tie her shoes. She didn't notice any of this, because she steadfastly decided she didn't want to.
And last night...Well, last night simply did not exist. And if it did, it was a distant dream.
And dreams didn't mean a thing.
They were in a lull, before the afternoon traffic, and Aya found herself wiping down the small tables distractedly, as her mind wandered to things that could have been.
She never really liked school, but she found herself missing it now. If not for the tedious lessons and long hours, then for the laughter and friends. And the choice.
The future ahead of her seemed so...closed.
Work work work.
Hide hide hide.
Fear.
The towel stopped its whirl around the table, as her fingers clenched in rough cloth.
That wasn't a word she liked. That wasn't a part of her vocabulary.
We're full of denial today, aren't we?
Shut up, she muttered silently, pushing her darker voice away with the ease of practice. She wasn't thinking about...that. There was no 'that' to think about.
She pushed away from the table and moved on to the next one.
Eyes followed her. She could feel it like an itching between her shoulderblades. Slowly lifting her head, she glanced out the front windows, berating herself quickly when she didn't see him there.
Then she turned just slightly, seeing Rei leaning on the counter next to the cash register, his chin in his hand. He smiled at her when he saw her looking. She smiled back, thinking that maybe she really hated boys.
Before the moment could stretch into invitation, she turned back to her work and concentrated only on wiping out ever spot of imperfection that she could find.
"Aya?"
She closed her eyes momentarily in exasperation, then reopened them, pasting a cheerful smile on her face as she straightened again. Rei was standing next to the table now, and she noted that he looked especially silly in his brown apron. Though she couldn't really judge, as she was wearing the same.
"Rei, what's up?" she asked brightly, feeling anything but bright at the moment.
Maybe the 'niceness' wasn't a good idea to discourage him, but what could she do? He was shift-manager after all, and she had to work with him nearly every day.
"Some of us are getting together Friday night for a little party, and I was wondering if you'd like to come?"
The 'with me' wasn't said, but it was definitely implied, and Aya froze, not having prepared for this eventuality. Though honestly, she should have.
Don't commit, something warned her. But she couldn't be outright rude either.
She raised her eyebrows slightly in consideration, then frowned prettily. "I'm not sure. Aki mentioned doing something Friday night, but I don't know if he really made any plans..."
Stay of execution. She needed more time to think of how to answer this question.
He didn't even wilt this time at the mention of Aki's name, she noted.
"Okay...well, let me know if you can go. It's going to be at Shiori's house, and she can throw really good parties."
Shiori was another co-worker of theirs. Though Aya didn't know her well, she did know of her. She was a bit of a wild-child apparently.
Not that Aya held that against her or anything, seeing as she was much the same.
When she wasn't hiding.
Don't get involved with these people, something warned her again.
I'm not getting involved. I don't want to go anyway.
Why?
Well now, she didn't really know the answer to that, other than she didn't much like Rei.
And Aki didn't-
"Okay, just let me see if we have any plans, and I'll definitely let you know something by Friday."
Or tomorrow. As soon as I figure out a believable lie.
Her life was so full of undercurrents now. Sometimes she worried that they were slowly dragging her under.
TBC...