Doki Doki: Through Thick and Thin

Chapter 1: Anticipation

"..." - speaking
... - narration
'...' - emphasized speaking

The last week of the school year always has felt like it goes by at a agonizingly slow pace, but this years has seemed to be taking a millenia. I know why it feels that way though, because I've been experiencing so many mixed emotions with the upcoming arrival of the love of my life, Natsuki. We've had this planned for almost a year now, but all the planning in the world can't prepare either of us for the nervousness which comes with sharing a home with each other.

The entire classroom doesn't seem to be paying any attention to the lesson, so I decide I minus well join them in slacking off. As I go to pull out my phone and shoot Natsuki a text, I see that she's beaten me to it.

Natsuki: "Hey Mason :)) can't wait to be with ya in person!!! Hopefully you've been doing ok without me around for a little while ^^ just an fyi, I'm not gonna be able to remove my arms from you for the first 24-48 hour of me being with you <3"

I swear, the way Natsuki texts forces me to make the dumbest faces while I stare at my phone.

Mason: "Hey Nat, can't wait to see you too, and I guess I've been doing okay. I miss you more than you could know. I'm more worried about you though. Are you gonna be ok on your flight? I know it's going to be SUPER long. I took the same flight last year after all :)"

I don't really expect her to respond at all, due to the time difference. The university is in the United States, but Natsuki has been finishing her last year of high-school back home in Japan. I put my phone away and grab some random papers, trying to look like I was doing my work.

???: "Dude, you do know the teacher just said we can have the rest of the class period to ourselves right?"

I turned to see who was talking to me, but I relaxed a little bit when I noticed it was just my friend Jake. He's been here for me since the move, and we've been pretty close ever since.

Mason: "Oh, I didn't notice. Guess I kinda zoned out. I'm still kinda nervous about Nat's move."

Jake: "Man you really miss her, don't ya? I can't imagine being apart from my girlfriend for as long as you two have."

Jake snickers as he goes to make his next comment.

Jake: "Just make sure you wear some protection while you guys have your little, 'catch up time', cause I don't wanna hear about another teen parent in this school."

As Jake says these words, I can almost feel my face turn red with embarrassment.

Mason: "What's wrong with you? You do realize we've never even done anything like that before I left right?"

Jake: "Woah, sorry man, it was just a joke. I didn't mean to offend you or Nat."

There's an awkwardly long silence, which is thankfully interrupted by the end of the day bell.

Mason: "I-It's ok, just don't say anything like that when you meet her alright?"

With those final parting words, I leave the school for the final time of the year, and boy does it feel nice. Still though, Jake's words keep replaying in my head. Is Natsuki ready for that? Am I even ready for that yet?

I have little time to contemplate this though, because I can feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. I pull it out to see the caller ID, and almost yell out with excitement when I see Natsukis' name flash onto my screen.

Mason: "NAT! I've missed you so much, how are y-"

I get cut off by Natsukis' voice.

Natsuki: "Umm, I'm doing fine, but I saw your text. You do remember what day it is right?"

I stop dead in my tracks as it dawns on me what Natsuki just said. How could I have forgotten. I feel so stupid.

Her flight isn't leaving today...it's arriving.