I bounce my leg impatiently, waiting for the bell to ring signaling us to leave. Kaoru said weʻd go skating later. Though I was a bit tired from cooking lessons with dad last night, I said yes as always. I know Kaoru likes avoiding home and having some fun. Besides, if I said no heʻd try to find someone else to go with him.
The bell finally rings and we both look at each other. Hurriedly, we pack our things and head straight to the bushes out back of the school where we hide our skateboards. After that we make a V-line for the boys restrooms to change out of our uniforms into something a little more stylish.
Then comes the best part. The launch of a new adventure. A new adventure to add to the many adventures only him and I share. Something unique to us and our friendship.
I gently deliver my board to the flat asphault and it starts to roll. The light rumble of jelly wheels against hard ground is something I will never get bored of. First hopping on the board after a long day as well.
"Kojiro, wait ʻtill weʻre outside of the gate." The pink hair spat. "The teachers will throw a fit if they see us with our boards here. And if they catch you Iʻm leaving your slow ass behind." I look back and I canʻt help but smile at him. I think he noticed, cause he shifted and turned away.
--
I watch Kaoru place a new band-aid on his skinned knee like a trophy. Weʻd just come off a steep hill when his board started to wobble and he leaped off. The board skidded off the road into the grass, while Kaoru hurled onto the pavement before catching himself, scraping his right knee and palms. His dark ripped jeans now had new scuffs and tears.
We laughed it off together, tossing snark remarks at each other about whoʻs skating skills are better. I sat down next to him on the side of the street. It was a small town. Quiet, not many cars or people out at this hour. You can even hear the croaks of toads and the far-off chatter coming from the house down the street. I let out a heavy sigh, looking up at the orangy-pink clouds of sunset.
"You done yet?"
"mm. Itʻs kinda tingly still. Letʻs wait a little." I can see him look over at me in the corner of my eye. I look over too, but he turns to face the sky. He always does that evasive thing.
It was barely dark out when we found his board and started walking towards the local convenience store. Following the path illuminated by flickering street light posts and dim light from house windows we walked.
"I need more band-aids and some disinfectant," He told me. "We can get meat buns too, I guess."
"Youʻre paying?" I look at him, grinning widely as if he had already said yes. He narrowed his eyes and frowned. His lip piercing always sticks out a little more when he does. The same happens when he flashes his contagious smile.
"Youʻre such a leach." Sighing and rolling his eyes.
"And youʻre the idiot who agrees anyway."
A little bell jingled as I opened the door of the store for the both of us. We greeted the owner politely and started searching in the first-aid section. Shelves and shelves of decorative band-aids, but he chose a box of plain light brown ones. Despite his charming pink hair, he usually favors bland things.
"Youʻre so boring. Get the hello kitty ones. They match you." He jabs me in the side, and leaves me to go to the counter.
"Just this and two meat buns." He rumages through his backpack. The old man rings us up and gives Kaoru his change. We wave as we leave with a steamy meat bun in one hand and skateboards in the other.
We sat at a bench outside of a vacant store place. The only light came from some dim old lamp posts that are in desperate need of a light bulb change. But it was nice. The stars show brighter that way. And Kaoruʻs porcelain skin stands out in the dark, looking nice next to my tan arm. As I observe our contrast to each other, his stomach growls a little and he starts to devour the bun.
"Hey, Kojiro," He fits the words in before taking another chomp of his food.
"Mm."
"Last period I randomly thought of something."
"Yea? What?" I start to open the wrap from my bun as he continues.
"What made us start skating? Oh, and whatʻs so great about it that we donʻt mind getting hurt?" I pause mid-chew to think about what he said. Itʻs a good question, but it sounds a bit sentimental for Kaoru. I look over to squint at him.
".. What?" I stop squinting at him in hopes that he drops it. In all honesty, I donʻt really know why I started. I know why I stayed at it. Cause itʻs fun. Cause itʻs an escape for me.
ʻCause itʻs our thingʻ
I chuckle at the thought. Saying that aloud would get me another jab for sure.
I see him roll his eyes, as to signal that heʻs dropping the question and the moment is over. Silence follows as we finish up our food.
A single truck passes to exaggerate the quiet of the street.
"Do you.. Wanna come over?" I ask before the noiseless moment returns.
"mm. Your mom ok with it?"
"She never minds. You know she loves you." I snort. "More than me, in fact. Iʻd bet money sheʻd trade me for you before sheʻd say you canʻt stay over."
We both laugh and elbow each other. The noise echoes in the empty streets, but we pay it no mind.
"But, letʻs stay a little longer." I sigh.
"Itʻs getting chilly." He complained and rubbed his arms.
"Oh, poor, fragile little Kaoru." I put my hand to my head dramatically. He scowls at me.
"Well.. Penguins stay warm by huddling together. I saw it on TV." I inched closer to him and gave a goofy smile.
"Well, youʻre not a penguin. I think youʻre a gorrilla." He spat as he scooted away toward the end of the small bench. I take one more big scoot to pin him between me and the arm of the chair.
"Youʻre squishing me, you big oaf! Lay off before you kill me!!" He squirmed and started rapidly cursing under his breath.
"Nope. Iʻm a penguin." I chuckle, staring right into his eyes. He jerked his head to look the other way. FWIP! His ponytail followed, smacking me in the face.
"shut your fat mouth.. dimwit." I hear him mumble. I chuckle and scoot over a bit. I know Kaoru and how to push his buttons. Heʻs cool-headed and calculated. He knows how to deal with awkward or difficult situations using his smarts and whatever. But I always know just which brick to pull for his whole wall of confidence to fall.
I know itʻs flirting. I know it annoys him. He knows that I know it annoys him too. But he keeps me around. So itʻs like my duty to stay and put a lid on those feelings of mine so they donʻt overflow. So I donʻt scare him away and never have another adventure with him.
Itʻs too bad I developed this little crush so late. If we had just met a year or two earlier. If we had more time this would be so much easier. If graduating and growing up was out of the question, maybe weʻd.. What? Work out? As if.
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Repaint My World
FanfictionAnime: Sk8 the Infinity Ship: MatchaBlossom (Nanjo/"Joe" x Kaoru/"Cherry") A MatchaBlossom fanfic taking place in an AU where the two never met Langa or Reki, the timeline being in their late high school years. Basically, theyʻre back being the litt...