Average [Ayano x Budo]

Chapter 3 // Internet Stalker

After getting out of the shower, I looked in the mirror.
"This was a weird day." I told myself. "Weird is good."
I dried off and changed into some new clothes before unlocking the door and heading to my bedroom. I shut the door behind me and grabbed my phone from my bed. I got comfortable and started scrolling through my many social media sites. That's when I found Shadow's profile.
Her entire account just looked.. forced. Her only selfies were of her and her friends, and she really looked like she couldn't care less about them. I started getting deeper into her profile when I did the most unfortunate thing that can happen to a person while internet stalking... I accidentally double tapped and like a picture from months ago.

Strike four.

It wasn't long before I received a dm.
Stalker.
Oops..
Caught red handed xD
I replied.
There's nothing interesting on my profile. You have no need to look through it.

You don't seem to like taking the pictures.

So what?

Nevermind.. you do you boo. Anyway, are you busy right now?

No, why?

You wanna chat for a bit?

About what?

I don't know.. just stuff.

Sure, why not I guess.

And that we did. We ended up talking for a very long time, almost as if we weren't strangers. When the clock struck eleven, I decided that I should end the conversation.

You should get some sleep, I don't even want to imagine your sassiness when you're tired haha.

If you say so. Not sure if I'll be able to sleep though. Have a good night Budo.

If you can't sleep then I'll talk until you can, I'm only a call or a text away. You have my number now.

Thank you Budo. Good night.

It took me a while but I eventually got to sleep.. that was until I received a phone call at about 2am.

"Sorry to wake you Budo.." a familiar voice started.
"It's fine." I whispered in a raspy, tired voice.
"Are you sure? You can go back to sleep if you want.."
"No, it's fine, shadow. Anyway, is there any reason why you can't sleep?" I asked.
"Not that I can think of." she sighed.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Hm.. I don't know."

"There once was a girl who was very loud and happy."
"Budo what are yo-"
"She had a secret identity though. Only people that were close enough to her would realise that she wasn't just a loud, irritating person at all."

From Ayano's side of the call all I heard was movement. I guess she was getting comfortable.
"What kind of stories do you like Ayano?"
"None in particular.. just one where there's a happy ending for the main character, no matter what they have to do to get it."
"Ahem." I coughed, "One day, the girl met a strange, mysterious boy. It was like he just emerged from the darkness."

"Like a shadow?" she asked.
"Exactly. Like a shadow."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"And as the rain stopped and dried up around them, they shared their first, but not last, kiss. The end." there was no reply from Ayano. No more movement, just peace. "Goodnight Ayano." I whispered, hanging up the call.

I looked at the time on my phone: 3:42. That was a pretty long story. I looked through my phone's contacts and sent one final message before going to sleep.

Good night, Shadow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up a little early and decided to check my phone; one new message.

So you call me Shadow because I just kinda came from nowhere?

~Ah, she understood. Wait, how much else did she understand? It started off as just.. then I.. and then they.. oooookay it was just a story. No big deal~

Bingo! ;)

I got up and ready a little early with my usual routine. Normally I would walk to school with my brother and sister, but I decided to go solo on that day.. well, solo for a minute or two anyway.

*Knock knock*

From inside I heard a key in the door lock before the door was swung open in my face.

"What do you wa- Oh, hi Budo."
"Wow I'm sure people love knocking on your door." I laughed.
"What are you doing here this early?" she asked.
"I just wanted to know if you'd like to walk to school with me." I smiled. She paused for a moment before answering.
"Come in." she opened the door a bit more and I entered her house.

It was completely spotless, it looked more like a show home than a home someone lived in.
"Woaaaaaaah."
"Take your shoes off." I did as she ordered and sat down on her couch.
"Technology." I said, amazed by her high quality TV.
"Are you hungry?" she asked walking into the kitchen.
"Nah, I had breakfast before I came here."
"Do you want a drink?"
"A coffee would be nice if you don't mind."
"On it." she started rummaging through her cupboards when I heard a loud 'Bang! Crash!' I immediately ran over to the kitchen to see if she was okay.
"What happened?" I asked. I couldn't see her though, once again.
"I dropped this." she popped up from behind the counter with a frying pan in her hand, "Oops." she smiled.
"Are you alright?" I laughed.
"Yeah I'm fine."

I sat at the counter while Ayano made 2 drinks, one for her and one for me.
"Hey, Ayano?" I asked.
"Mhm?"
"Your hair looks nice like that." I referred to her hair being down as she hadn't put it up in her strict, flowing ponytail.
"Oh, thanks." she put her hand through her hair.

I started laughing a little as an idea popped into my head. "What?" she asked.

I grabbed my phone from my pocket and opened up an app. I turned the camera onto us and for once she didn't look like she was being forced to take a selfie - she just laughed and called me silly.

"Smile!"