Abe The Nurse [A Big Windup! Fanfic]

Chapter 10: Sleepover Shenanigans

The sleepover hadn't actually been planned until a week later, for next Friday. The following week was pretty normal: school, baseball until dark, going home, sleep, repeat. Unfortunately due to this schedule we had, I couldn't spend much time with Mihashi unless it was during practice.

However I still walked him home every day, and every day ended with a kiss somewhere and a goodnight. Still, Mihashi didn't call me by my first name. It didn't bother me too much, considering Mihashi was a spazz, and pretty weird. He'd get to it eventually.

"Aaaaabbbeeee you're finally here!" Chirped a freckled boy in front of me, the door to the house I'd been knocking upon being thrown open.

I was currently standing at the front of the Tajima residence. It was the night of the sleepover, and I could already hear the voices of other teenage boys inside.

"Hey, Mihashi already here?" I asked bluntly as I was ushered inside by Tajima.

"Yeah, I think he's in the bathroom or somethin'. Hey Abe, remember what I said before?" Tajima asked.

I raised an eyebrow in question, and Tajima gestured for me to lean closer.
I did so, feeling the whispers in my ear now, "I need some help from you and Mihashi. Like wingmen. You know what I'm saying?"

This was a surprising approach from Tajima, considering I had always thought he'd just proclaim his love to whoever he liked. Since he was so outspoken.

I just nodded, "Sure man." I didn't really know what exactly I could do, but I'd try.

After getting Tajima to tell me which room the bathroom was I headed directly for it. I passed by the kitchen in which the team was already making pizza apparently. I felt a little amused, seeing them covered in cheese and sauce, bickering childishly and laughing. It was refreshing. But at the moment I had someone else to worry about.

After trudging upstairs and dropping my things off in Tajima's room, I made my way to the bathroom, knocking on the door. "Hello? Someone in there?" I called, knowing it was Mihashi.

And of course I heard a whimper.

A groan left my lips without me controlling it. "Mihashi? What's up man? Can you open the door?"

I patiently waited for a response, finally getting one after a couple of minutes.

"A-A-Abe-Kun, I-I-I'm sorry, I-I'm so annoying a-and a bother to the t-team! I-I bet Tajima-k-Kun just invited m-me out of pity!" The sniffled response cried.

I cringed, wanting to groan again, feeling annoyed. "What're you talking about? We all like you Mihashi, come on out and let's go make some pizza with the team. Nobody thinks your a bother or whatever." I knew I was insensitive. I didn't get feelings like this. I wasn't good at handling them.

"B-But you're lyyyiinnnggg.." Mihashi cried through the door.

I gritted my teeth, jutting out a foot to kick on the door; raising my voice now, "Mihashi! Come on, I'm not lying! Jesus Christ just get out of there alrea-"

"Abe, let me help."

I think my yell had traveled through the house, because now Tajima was standing behind me. The rest of the team was hanging around at the top of the stairs, looking scared shitless. Oh geez.

Tajima pushed past me, gently knocking on the door. "Hey Mihashi, can I come in?"

Good luck with that.

To my utter shock though, the door opened slowly. Tajima entered, closing it behind him.

My jaw dropped.

What the hell?

I felt my brow twitch in annoyance.

How come Mihashi always talked to Tajima so easily?

I knew I shouldn't be jealous...but I was.

Over the course of being Mihashi's teammate I could see him grow in overall confidence. But he still had these moments. And always, always Tajima swoops in to save the day.

Soon enough Mihashi and Tajima exited the bathroom, and I must've been making a pretty scary look because Mihashi visibly flinched, avoiding eye contact with me.

"Let's go finish making pizza guys!" Tajima announced, grabbing Mihashi's hand and pulling him downstairs. I swear I wanted to throw a baseball at that boy's head.

"Yo Abe." My attention was caught by Hanai who waved at me as the group was going downstairs. We walked along with them, and I nodded my head back at Hanai in greeting. "'Sup man?"

"Nothin' really....just wondering....does something seem to be...I dunno, between Mihashi and...Tajima?" Hanai gestured to the smaller boys. Tajima was talking quietly to Mihashi, trying to show him how to make a simple cheese pizza.

I unconsciously gritted my teeth again, yet stopped. Wouldn't this now be a good time to drop hints about Tajima?

I thought for a moment before replying, "Well....I wouldn't say that." I turned, mindlessly started to roll out some batter and cover it with sauce.

"What do you mean?" The bald captain asked anxiously, beginning to make his own pizza, accidentally dropping some sauce on the floor.

I rolled my eyes as I handed him some napkins, "Well, they're just friends, I think Tajima may like someone else."

"What? Who?"

I glanced at Hanai with slight confusion. Why did he care so much?

"Ok guys lets put the pizzas in the oven!" Tajima interrupted everyone. I had just completed mine, and luckily got away from the conversation this way by leaving to slip it into the oven.

The gears in my mind were whirring endlessly as I pondered. Maybe Hanai was just curious, and wanted to satisfy that curiosity by knowing who Tajima liked.

"Hey guys let's go to my room and play some games until they're done!"
Tajima proclaimed, running up to his room and being followed by the herd of boys. He also pulled Mihashi along, as Hanai and I took up the rear of the pack.

Once inside the monkeys room we all chose places to lounge around. Tajima's house was pretty fancy, his room was also quite large. You could tell he'd cleaned it for this event; there was still clothes sticking out from under the bed.

I could just imagine him shoving multiple items under his bed last minute. He seemed like that kind of guy.

"I have an idea!" Tajima stated, plopping down on his bed. Mihashi sat next to him, which annoyed me since I had wanted a closer spot to Mihashi. I resorted to sitting in Tajima's desk chair, spinning around to face the group. Everyone had sorta formed a messy circle.

"What is it?" Mizutani questioned with a hint of interest in his eyes.

"Let's play....truth or dare!" Tajima said dramatically, throwing his arms up into the air.

Wait what?

I immediately cringed, noticing Mihashi looked frightened as well.

Oh geez, Tajima came up with the wildest of ideas.

I really dreaded at what direction this could be heading.