I want to "reset" my image and life as a new high school student.
Why?
I am feminine and I was ostracized by my female friends in junior high, and because of a misunderstanding, I couldn't get my feelings across to the only boy I have ever liked...
I said as I returned his uniform which I had neatly folded and carefully wrapped in a plastic bag. He received it with two hands.
"Are you going to the summer festival?" He asked, his voice fading as he spoke. Caught off guard, I looked at him, surprised.
His gaze still kept on the floor as he spoke. "Did you make plans with your friends?"
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I blinked. "Uh..." My voice seemed to be caught in my throat for a split second. "Not yet..." I replied with a confused expression.
"7 o'clock!" He blurted out quickly, as though he had been waiting to say this for a long time. His left hand flew to his eyes, shielding them from me. "At the clock in Sankaku Park."
I stared at him, shocked at the suddenness of his invitation. His hand slowly lowered and his hazel-brown eyes flicked around nervously before his gaze rested on mine. The air seemed to go still.
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My eyes widened as I registered his words and expression, and for once, if it was even possible, I felt my heart skip a beat.
*** "Hey!"
The light brown-haired boy - Naitou - followed me closely, pressing on with that annoying voice of his.
"What's with you and Tanaka?"
I clenched my fist tightly, trying my best to shut his voice out as I stalked ahead. He must have saw him inviting me out. I thought irritatedly. Of all people, why must it be him?
"You're telling me it's nothing? C'mon, tell me everything!" He raised his voice a little louder when I did not respond. Something snapped inside me.
I whirled around and yelled angrily, "Stop being so annoying!" I glared at him in frustration, seething with anger.
"This is why I hate boys! I just...hate all boys!" I gritted my teeth as my voice rang through the hallway loud and clear.
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I did not realise how grave a mistake I had made until I saw him appear at the doorway, eyes wide and frozen on the spot.
My heart froze.
Tanaka stared at me for a short while before tearing his gaze away, his expression blank.
Turning away, he dug his hands deeper into his pockets and walked away from me, never once looking back.
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I watched him go silently, even though a part of me was screaming for him to return, for him to give me a chance to explain. But I just stood there.
Naitou glanced at me and at Tanaka, before wordlessly scrambling after his friend.
My fists uncurled as I regained composure. I stared at the floor, hoping that Tanaka didn’t really hear what I had said. But as time went by, I felt a deep sense of dread sink in.
He will understand, right? I may hate all boys, but… he is different. I am sure he will understand...
