A Ticking Time Bomb - Ruikasa

1

I unpacked my lunch: a disgusting, vegetable sandwich was the first thing my eyes landed their vision upon. I sighed: "No proper food for me today, hehe, I'll have my sweets instead." Everyone looked at me in my class, their piercing looks attempted to cut through me like a knife to the heart, yet they didn't realise their weapon was blunt. Used up - like a candle in a midnight-black engulfed room. It didn't harm me, so I simply smiled.

I didn't even say it out loud. I began eating the cola-flavoured, sour sweets. Sour just like everyone around me. What did I ever do? Why am I viewed as scary, or weird...? "No, shut it. They're them and I'm me." That's what my Mum always told me when I was younger - I should live by such a quote. It is hard, though. Truly. Yet why? I have a group of friends now. People who do not seem to see the same thing in me like everyone else. They're my only source of happiness and my robots! Especially him. He's everything to me. Why do I still have this deep, empty sensation within my heart? It should be impossible. There is no piece missing in this puzzle of life. I have a clear picture created... so what the hell's mi-

"Rui!" Ah, Tsukasa. How long was he here for?
"Tsukasa," I responded with a smile.
"Rui, you zoned out for a little while there. You were muttering random things."
"Such as...?"
"Oh, something about 'him' (whoever he is) and stuff like that. Are you alright, Ru?" Tsukasa questioned, moving one of the unbearable to stay sat on seats towards my desk and sitting down.
I watched him open his lunchbox - a pork sandwich, as usual, with cakes and a salad. "Ah... It was nothing." How did he hear me? I was sure I was saying it all in my head?!

"You look troubled." Yeah, I am! I wanted to respond with such a statement but dismissed it with a wave of my hand.
"Heh, why should I? I'm alright. You?" Clearly, that would change the subject. Although I didn't want to be like Mizuki, I'd rather not discuss my annoyance with my classmates.
"I'm fine. Rui, you're speaking extremely fast again. You're lucky I can keep up with you! Hah! Only a STAR like ME can accomplish such an impossible task!"
Does he have a God-Complex or something? I'm tired of him. No! Why'd you say that?!
"Uuuugghh...!" I hit my head on the desk and let it lay there.

I felt a warm touch on my head. It was clearly Tsukasa's hand - his friendly, calm fingertips danced gracefully in my hair. "You're not fine, Rui. What's up? I'm always here for you." He removed his hand on my head. Kinda wanted more of that. "I can tell when you're off, despite you being a hard character to crack. Haha, I'll pull the same joke as you: I'm like Alan Turing, I crack people and make a difference!"
"Hey, you didn't have to copy the entire format!" I responded, my signature grin (that Tsukasa called a 'kitty-grin') publishing itself on my face.
"Well, I did! Now, look at me, Rui." Tsukasa forcefully lifted my chin off the table. "Aww! Your kitty-grin is showing!"
I had no response to that. I didn't want to smile, but Tsukasa was amazing enough to turn my frown upside down. I didn't look in his eyes, or I'd break down crying. "Now, what's up for the 5th time?" He asked me again, "Hey! Look me in the eyes, Ru! It's common etiquette!"
"Etiquette?" I naturally followed his order and looked him in the eyes. Damnit. "...I-... Oh! Haha... look at the time. My greatest apologies, Tsukasa. I will be forced to see you next break. Bye!"

I took his hand off my chin and ran out of the classroom, leaving my things at my seat for I trusted Tsukasa with them. I didn't have anything to attend to or do. I just wanted to escape the situation and run to the rooftop for fresh air. My face my heating up. No, not from having a crush on him, from the fact the class was packed with so many people and no windows were open.

The corridors were surprisingly silent - everyone was with their friends and hanging inside their classrooms. I was afraid of losing my friends. They won't leave me. No, no, no! What if there'll be a rumour that'll convince them I'm weird? Or they won't want to be my friend anymore because I make weird things, or talk too fast, or-or...