RE:WRITTEN

005: Encounter with Destiny

The bell rings sharply to end the school day.

Quickly, I get up from my seat, feeling drained from the events of the day. I still can't stop thinking about what the other cheerleaders said this morning about my eyes. Do people really think their color is fake? I really don't understand why they would since I've always had them.

Oh well...

Not paying attention to where I'm going, I almost bump into someone. I hear the girl grumble.

"Jeez, Amai. What's gotten into you?"

I look up to see Ikimono again. She gives me a disgusted look, narrowing her eyes as she breathes in deeply. The girl seems really upset, and she taps her fingers against her messenger bag.

"Sorry! I wasn't paying attention." I nervously laugh as I glance at the fidgeting hand. I notice a ring on her finger with a dark purple stone, and I try to smile. "New ring?"

"Don't change the subject." Ikimono snaps at me. "You're gonna get hurt if you don't pay attention."

I frown. "Sorry Ikimono. I won't do it again."

Ikimono walks away, and I let out a sigh. I can't believe I made her upset just by nearly running into her. It seems unfair. She gets angry really easily too.

Oh well, I guess.

I start to walk to where I normally meet Violet after school. I know her last class of the day is over in the math wing. That's halfway across the school, so I have some time before I'll get over there. This will give me time to gather my thoughts about today.

Maybe I can talk to Momma when I get home.

The hallways seem pretty empty today. I'm sure everyone is eager to get home if they don't have a club this afternoon. I would have cheer practice, but I got an email during 5th period that it was cancelled for today. It feels nice to have an afternoon off. This means I can catch up on homework and relax for a little bit.

Maybe I can finally catch up on that show Sakasu told me about last month during winter break.

Violet stands near some lockers at the end of the math wing. She looks over to me, her arms crossed as she frowns.

"Took you long enough." She mutters. "Where have you been?"

"Sorry. I nearly ran into another student and had to clear that situation up."

"Blonde moment?"

"No!" I playfully nudge Violet. "That's not it at all."

"Whatever," Violet rolls her eyes, a small smirk appearing on her face. "Let's go to the car so we can go home."

We start walking to the nearest exit of the school. The car won't be too far of a walk from there. There's a silence that lingers over us as we move to leave the building.

But as I open the door, I see something I wasn't expecting to witness.

A few feet away from the exit, there's a figure standing there in a dark cloak. Under their hood, I see piercing blue eyes watching us carefully, along with a few loose strands of auburn hair.

"Amai?" Violet gets behind me as I hear her voice shake. She's noticed them too.

I look at the figure, breathing in for a moment. "Who are you?" I call out.

I see the figure move to take off their hood. They reveal auburn hair, tied into a messy low ponytail, and pointy ears that twitch a little with curiosity. They offer us a smile.