365 Days

1

Reki speeds to the finish line for what's probably the twelfth time that month, and Langa runs over to him with a soft smile outstretched on his face.

"Reki, you won!" He exclaims, happily. Reki looks up and chuckles.

"That was fun!" Reki responds, filled with joy. Langa grins as Miya approaches up behind them.

"You almost fell, slime." He looks up at the redhead, attempting to hide his smile, but a glimpse of his deep dimples gives him away. "But you looked kind cool, I guess." Reki smiles as he kneels down to be on Miya's level.

"That was a compliment, wasn't it?"

"No!" He huffs, turning away from him. Reki raises his eyebrows.

"Oh, no?" Reki pokes at Miya's hoodie, tugging at the ears on the hood. "You sure?"

"Shut up." Miya sucks his teeth, pushing Reki away as he pulls out his game.

"Hey Reki, let's go get some food. We missed the last time." Langa said.

"Man, that sounds great, but I told that girl, Kodama, that I'd hang out with her and her friends after my beef," He awkwardly half smiles.

"Oh."

"Yeah, but I'll see you tomorrow morning." Reki smiles, running towards a group of girls. Langa sighs as he looks at his board. "Yeah, see you."

"It's quite interesting." Cherry Blossom says, approaching Langa and Miya, Joe slumping close behind.

"What is?" Langa asks.

"You won the tournament but somehow Reki has more attention than you." Joe slurs. "From racing ADAM."

"So?"

"Aren't you jealous?" Miya comments, not looking away from his game.

"No." Langa shrugs, ignoring the incessant tugging in his chest.

He doesn't have any reason to, does he? They're finally friends again, Reki's now getting the attention in "S" that he rightfully deserves, and they're living up to their infinite promise.

Yet, Reki seems to pull farther away the more races he agrees to; the loneliness Langa feels each night is beginning to get out of hand.

Langa watches him walk away with a new group, as he does every night and every night, he's left standing there with his skateboard in one hand and his heart in the other.

-

Reki finally reaches his house after a long walk from "S", flopping onto his bed. He changes into a t-shirt and sweatpants and snuggles into the sheets of his bed, letting out a light groan, the warmth of the sheets submitting him to his exhaustion. Before he has the chance to fall asleep, his phone buzzes from his nightstand.

Reki reaches out to grab his phone and sees 'Langa<3' calling him. He yawns as he swipes right to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Sorry, did I wake you?" Langa whispers, sounding slightly alarmed.

"No, you're all good. What's up?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to see if you got home okay." He says, relaxing a little bit. Reki chuckles, forcing his eyes open.

"Well, I got home in one piece, so that's good news, right?" Reki sighs.

"Yeah." Langa smiles to himself, all too relieved.

"Did you end up getting food?" Reki asks.

"Yes." Langa lies.