Pretty Boy

Chapter 3

I finished applying to my sister's university and went to the gym, which wasn't too far of a walk.

I ran on the treadmill while listening to music through my earbuds, sweat running down my face and my legs feeling like they were on fire.

A guy with short, pastel green hair and blue eyes walked over to me. I pulled one earbud out but kept running. "What's up?"

"I'm sorry to bother you but do you know where the towels are."

"They're by the bathrooms, on a big rack you can't miss it. First time here?"

"Yeah...I go to uni nearby. You look familiar."

"Must have met my sister then."

"Well I- I was walking from the dormitories and this place seemed pretty quiet so..."

"Yeah well most of the students like to use the gym downtown with their friends if they're into that sort of thing. It's got coffee shop nearby too. Nice accent, you British?"

"Uh...yeah actually."

"What brought you to Japan?" I stopped the treadmill and turned to him, draping a towel over my shoulder and panting softly. "I don't get to hear a British man speak fluent Japanese often."

"My dad's Japanese. We moved here to be close to his family."

"Well that sure doesn't explain the hair."

"I like green."

"I bet. Excuse me." I headed for the showers but he ran to catch up with me.

"Wait! Uh- I...do you live near here?"

"Yep. I take it you do too."

"No actually, further into town. I'm at the dormitories all week but go home for the weekend."

"Just call it a dorm."

"Right-"

"Can I go wash the sweat from my body or are you gonna keep following me?"

"Sorry! Uh- do you want to get tea some time?"

I stopped and turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "Why?"

"No reason." He shrugged, clearly nervous.

"Give me your phone."

"What?"

"Phone." I hand out my hand. "I'm giving you my number." He handed me his phone, to which I typed my number in and handed it back to him.  "So you want to take me out for tea?"

"I-"

"Like a date?"

"I'm not gay."

"Never said you were gay." I laughed. "Just asked a question but now that you bring it up, are you? Gay?"

"No! No I-I'm not, I- are you?"

"Nope." I cocked my head. "But if a guy with skinny jeans and lime scented hair dye asks me out for tea, I won't decline."

He laughed nervously, running a hand through his hair as a heavy blush spread across his face. "Right..."

"See you around, Carrot-Top."

I took my shower and went home, spending the rest of my time staring at my email. I oddly wanted to get into university, even if it took a while to know if I'd been accepted or not.

My twin sister walked through the door with her friend and shot a smile my way. "I put in a good word for you, Man. You should hear from them soon so don't stress about it. Even if the admission is late, I bet you'll get in. You've got good grades and you put in a hell of an essay. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks."

"This is Maiji." She draped and arm around her friend and smiled. "She likes the same music as you."

"You're gorgeous but unfortunately, I'm not interested." I stood up and walked over to them. "Nice to meet you though."

"You too!" She laughed.

I'm kind of surrounded by girls all the time so it's weird that I finally met a guy. "You two gonna go upstairs?"

"Yeah. Got a condom she can borrow? She's got a date tonight." My sister held out her hand.

My mom keeps buying me condoms even though I don't use them. I don't have sex, not that I've tried.

"I don't-"

"You always keep one in your pocket."

I rolled my eyes and pulled one out of my left pocket and placed it in her hand. "Now buzz off."

"Sure thing. You making dinner or am I?"

"I made breakfast."

"So? I made pop tarts for lunch. Your point?"

"You're making dinner."

"Fair enough."

"Anyway, why are you home? It's Monday."

"Oh we're working on a project and the dorms are loud. Neighbor's having some kind of sexcapade. It's quiet here."

"Right...bye then." Disgust painted my face as I walked back to my room and locked the door. "Gross."