Our Little Cherry Blossoms

five. careful

ＯＣＴＯＢＥＲ (( ＬＡＲＫ ))

Demure raindrops pattered modestly, harmonising against the colourful, decorated stone that surrounded the poolside, coalescing into transparent puddles within the shallow dips of the uneven ground. The naked slap of bare feet tapping on wet stone mingled pacifically with the drizzling rain as my classmates made their way to the storage room on the other side of the complex, intent on retrieving their kayaks. My GCSE physical education class was currently in the middle of our kayaking unit as of late, and it was always such a bother to haul those ponderous canoes off their metal racks. It was especially difficult for me, as I always ended up being forced to pull down my kayak on one of the higher shelves with my pitiful height. I stopped in front of the storage room entrance and held the door as my classmates filed out, each carrying a kayak between two. Unlike my english class, the people in my PE class were much livelier, offering vibrant words of gratitude to me as they passed. While the last few students hurried out, my eyes drifted over to Joseph, one of the few friends I have in this class whom I would partner up with during group activities.

"Lark, over here."

Joseph's voice was relaxed and loose, yet filled with a sunny exuberance that I had never found in any other person. His hair was an umber brown, curly and fleecy on his scalp, occasionally falling onto his equally coloured irises that gazed at everything without a speck of judgement hiding behind those dark pupils. Nodding, I trotted over to him and smoothened my rash vest before raising my arms, ready to support the hull of the boat while Joseph dragged it down. The taupe-haired boy didn't appear at the pool entrance yet. Just as he was late to leave, he was late to arrive. Absent-mindedly, I wondered what he could possibly be doing during the time he took to get here. Messing around in the changing rooms? Forgetting to check the clock? I couldn't even begin to fathom what sort of idiocy he performed in the course of his free time. A panicked cry of warning leapt out of Joseph's throat, fracturing my thoughts and shattering them into dissolving fragments as I was wrenched back to reality. A threatening shadow leaned over my eyes just as I realised that the kayak had tipped the wrong way, dodging my fingers by an inch and plunging towards my face. On reflex, I switched the position of my hands in the split-second I noticed the problem, managing to grasp the cockpit of the kayak. Unfortunately it was more hefty that what I had estimated and I fumbled with the grip, the canoe eventually slipping out of my clutches. I prepared myself for excruciating pain until an abrupt movement caught my eye, a tanned hand darting out from beside me and clasping the kayak before it dropped.

"You okay?"

The familiar brazen voice of raw bronze resonated like a sweet, satin breeze, circling around me with gentle concern. Warily, I dragged my eyes across to face the boy, stalling until the last possible moment to make eye contact. His inky gaze sent a piercing jolt throughout my body, paralysing my heart for only a moment as he slowly placed the boat on the ground and glanced at me anxiously. My mind was discombobulated and disturbed; I hadn't the slightest clue of what to think. Not a single soul has ever done this to me before, nor has anyone extricated me from a falling kayak. My cheeks felt hot, so I turned away quickly, hastily reaching for the handle and lifting it up.

"Thanks."

I muttered brusquely, desperately avoiding his eyes. Joseph's bright voice chimed worriedly from the other end of the kayak, inquiring if I was okay. I nodded curtly, adjusting my grip. Shuffling forwards, I motioned for Joseph to hurry up, keen on letting the sound of rain silence my scrambled emotions. Joseph noticed my zealous effort and contributed as well, striding through the door briskly while I followed him until I was certain that the boy's gleaming eyes had vanished from my back.