It Started with a Hello

xxvii

[Best Friend's Name] approached Hanamiya cautiously. "I need to ask you something."

Hanamiya spared him/her a glance. "What the hell do you want?"

He/She gulped. "I wanted to ask about [First Name]."

"What about her?"

"You know what's going on with her," he/she stated, "What's happening? Why is she acting like this?"

Hanamiya scoffed. "What makes you think I know?"

"Aren't you two dating?"

It had been two weeks since he and [Last Name] shared their first kiss, and it also became Hanamiya's indirect way of asking her out.

To [Last Name]'s surprise, they did more couple-y than she thought they would. They held hands when walking together; he kissed her hello and goodbye. He still threw some small insults and gave her snide remarks, but she knew Hanamiya wasn't trying to be mean to her-- at least she hoped not.

He sighed, crossing his arms. [Best Friend's Name] caught him right after basketball. He just wanted to go home.

"If you want to know, go ask her yourself," he said.

"But why can't you tell me?!" he/she demanded.

"It's not my place to tell you," he replied simply, "especially this you acted like an asshole to her."

He/She flinched. "She told you."

"Why wouldn't she? I asked if she had any other friends, and she told me what happened between you two."

[Best Friend's Name] frowned. "I just don't understand why she trusts you so much..."

Hanamiya shrugged. "I don't either."

He/She  sent him a glare. "Are you dating her out of pity?"

"Of course not," he scowled, "I'm not that shitty of a person."

"Then why--"

"Look," he interrupted, clearly irritated, "how I feel about [First Name] is none of your concern. This isn't about me and her, it's about you and her."

He/She looked down at the ground. "But I left her in such a bad way... I can't just waltz back into her life again."

"Maybe not," he agreed, "but [First Name] isn't the type to hold grudges. If you actually sat down and talked to her, you'll be able to work things out."

He/She nodded. "Yeah, you're right."

...

Hanamiya contemplated the conversation on his walk back home. He didn't know why he gave [Best Friend's Name] advice. He just knew [First Name] missed him/her.

He groaned. He didn't know how to feel about being a good person.

...

Writing/reading that last sentence amuses me.

-Caity