Frozen Rose (Langa x reader)

Chapter 6

(Y/n)'s POV

My heart's beating had dulled to a slow thump. Unshed tears remained hidden behind my angry eyes. My hands were clenched tightly together, the blood draining from my knuckles.

"(Y/n)..." Reki started.
"(Y/n), I don't believe her," said Langa.
"...are you trying to comfort me?"
"I'm serious."
"I would believe her if I were you. Not everything was a lie."
"Do you still believe that?!" Reki asked in exasperation.

I didn't meet his gaze. I didn't look at anything. Treacherous, tainted memories mixed with the worry, fighting for right of passage within my overwhelmed mind. How selfish. Yuu was unconscious, and I remained distracted.

His breathing was steady, soft flutters beneath his eyelids assuring me of the life within his fragile body. My nails came to my teeth as an old habit sparked to life.

Reki's mum entered the room with a tray of snacks. She glanced at my brother lying in bed, smiling warmly. Reki had told her a lie, had said he passed out from playing too much. My heart had been overcome with gratitude.

"Um...I have a question," Langa exclaimed once she took her leave.
"Yeah?"
"Why couldn't we have just taken him to the hospital?"
"Because they'd have contacted my parents, and my parents are super big worryworts."
"But still..."
"My mum can't ever know her children are hurt to this extent. Ever."
"Are you all staying over for the night?" Reki asked, subtly changing the topic.
"I don't know. Can we?"
"Sure, I mean-"
"Right, I dibs the extra futon you have."
"Hey! This is my room!" argued Reki.
"I called dibs."
"(Y/n), are you really gonna sleep in a room full of guys?"
"I'm gonna head back home," said Langa.
"Alright, see you tomorrow," replied Reki.
"See ya."

I sent a text to my dad, explaining a very vague sense of the situation, hoping he'd sweep away mum's anxiety. His reply was quick and understanding, attracting a small smile to my worry stricken face.

Reki laid down next to me once I had set the futon. Yuu shuffled in his sleep. Insects buzzed outside, soft wind blew against the trees. We simply stared at the ceiling, growing into a comfortable silence.

"Hey (Y/n)?" Reki whispered.
"Yeah?"
"We're here you know. You can talk to us."
"You already know everything about me."
"I guess you're right but it doesn't hurt to talk."
"Thanks Reki...night."
"Night."

~In the morning~

We waved goodbye to Reki's family before making our way down the road. Reki and I carried our skateboards in our hands, silently making a subconscious decision to walk with Yuu.

My backpack ached on my shoulders, its heavy weight seemingly wanting to drag me down. Father had clandestinely dropped off my textbooks and laptop early in the morning, before the world had waken. Yet I also had yesterday's clothes stuffed inside, quietly thanking my past self for leaving a spare uniform at Reki's place.

"Bye guys," Yuu exclaimed.
"If you start feeling sick, go to the nurse."
"Yeah, don't worry, sis."

Once he was out of sight, Reki and I wasted no time cruising away on our skateboards. The sun's rays beat down on our figures, intertwining with the coldness freezing the warmth of my heart.

My fingers itched, my mind fumed. Anger's hot, impatient fingers grasped my body, slowly drowning me in a sickeningly sweet poison. It was a lie to say I wasn't tempted to call Kenta to show Ruka a lesson...but it was futile.

"(Y/n), watch out!" warned Reki.

My gaze found Langa's before my mind could process the situation. His arms were suddenly around me as we fell, with his body cushioning my landing. Our faces remained mere millimetres apart, soft pink blooming on our cheeks.

Without warning, my heart began pounding. What was this? I couldn't possibly be flustered over something like this...right? My eyes met Langa's bewildered yet shy look of their own volition.

"Sorry!"

I hurriedly stood up and held out my hand for him to take.

"It's fine," he breathed.
"(Y/n), your skateboard," Reki said while handing it to me.
"Oh, thanks."
"All good. You wanna come over to my place after school? I need to help Langa make a board."
"Sure."
"Oi, you three! No skateboarding allowed on school grounds!" yelled a teacher.
"Tch, better make a run for it."

~After school~

The three of us walked in silence with only the chirping of birds and occasional chatter of other pedestrians to fill the emptiness. No wind blew past, no barking dogs invaded our space. There only remained a peaceful tranquility.

Reki's house came into view, when his two youngest sisters ran out to each grab onto both my legs. I heaved a sigh as I took heavy step after heavy step. Langa stifled a laugh.

"Not funny."
"Nah, it is pretty funny," Reki replied.
"I-"
"Oh my! I'm sorry, (Y/n)-chan," said Reki's mum before she hurriedly pried her children off my legs.
"Come on, guys."

Reki ushered us into his room, shutting the door to hopefully keep his sisters out but it was a futile attempt. His hands brushed past surfaces, effortlessly gathering magazines and visual references for Langa to browse through.

I propped my elbows on my legs with my chin in my hands. The two boys eagerly opened the myriad of books now covering Reki's desk, covering my view of the material. I shoved Reki to the side and made space for myself.

"Bully," he muttered.
"Klutz."
"Idiot."
"Brat."

We heard a quiet laugh beside us, turning to look at the smile spreading on Langa's face despite his trying to hide it. Reki and I looked at each other before bursting into laughter.

"We're super close because we're childhood friends," I explained once noticing the question on his lips.
"Yeah, when her family used to live in Australia, they would visit every year during the holidays," added Reki.
"I see. That must've been nice."
"*smiles* Heh yeah. Anyway, what type of board do you want?"
"Type of board?"

A smile remained on my face throughout the remainder of the day. They had managed to help me forget the incident with Ruka, turning my sorrowful anger into a joyful nonchalance. Warmth spread in my chest.