a song for november.

four.

chapter four — kei ate a bug and alex pissed his pants

The sun shone a bright light onto the concrete and Kei adjusted his sunglasses.
He thanked the universe for giving him the gift of rarely sweating, thus his shirt didn't stick to his upper body. All the boy wanted to do was jump into a pool or lie down on an ice rink to cool himself but he was standing in front of Halley's house with a bouquet of begonias and california poppies, feeling his skin sizzle under the hot August sun.

Even though it was his birthday, he couldn't help himself when he saw the flower arrangement on his way to Halley's house. Besides, on one's birthday, one should be a bit more generous to everyone, no?

Gnawing on his lower lip the blue-haired boy whispered something at the colourful blossoms with a red tint across his cheeks — somehow he looked like a grade school kid who was about to confess to his crush.

The door opened and Halley exited the house, smiling brightly when she saw her boyfriend.

"Happy Birthday, sweet cheeks," she giggled and buried herself in his arms, taking his sunglasses off and putting them on her face.

"I told you to drop that nickname," Kei mumbled into her hair and kissed the top of her head.

"Good morning to you too, I'm feeling great, thanks for asking," Halley joked and gasped when she saw the bouquet.

Kei grinned and handed her the flowers.

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah," he grabbed her hand and started walking toward school.

"Babe, I can't take this with me!" She wanted to walk back and put the flowers in her room but Kei refused.

"Why not?"

"These are way too attention-catching."

"So what? Show them off." He winked and draped an arm around Halley's waist.

"You're insufferable," Halley huffed. Then she whispered, "Thanks for the flowers. I love you, pumpkin."

"Again with the nicknames," Kei said and poked the girl's side, even though he secretly loved the nicknames. She laughed and ran ahead, flowers clutched tightly in her hand.

"I love you too, star girl. Happy birthday to me."

（　♪　）

After school had ended, the friends stood outside the building, trying to escape the burning sun under the shades of linden trees. Winnie was wearing all black and glared at the by-passers who gave her pitiful looks — she wasn't the one sweating from head to toe with dark stains on her bright clothes.

"So, Kei, what are you gonna do today?" Winnie asked and chewed on her apple.

"I'm gonna go home, eat cake, and practise."