Scarlet Love: Unforgettable Memories of Nobody

Day 4: A Dress?

Ichigo POV:

The next week or so seemed to fly by faster than any other. I started meeting Senna in the neighborhood before the bridge and walking her to school every day. She had a normal seat at our lunch table now, and she talked to the girls more than me some days. Maybe it made me jealous when that happened, but it made me feel better when she started waiting for me by the lockers after school. I started following dutifully wherever the evenings took her. She seemed to be working a lot more than a few nights a week lately, but either way, I always made sure she got home safe. There were no more encounters with spirits, but rather she saw me or not, I was always there just in case.

It was a Friday when I came upon a conversation at the lunch table that jolted me completely back to the present moment.

"I mean, why're they so expensive?! They're just dresses..." Senna scratched her head, disheveling her ponytail.

"I know, stupid right?" Tatsuki agreed.

"Where all have you looked?" Orihime more helpfully questioned as I sat down across the table by Chad.

"Everywhere in Karakura by now," Senna's shoulders slumped. "I mean, I've been picking up extra shifts and everything, but it just feels wrong to blow it all on a dress."

"Hey, maybe you can borrow one of ours," Orihime tried to lighten the mood. "I still have some from last year's dances."

Oh... They were talking about dresses for the dance... The dance that was in less than two weeks.

Shit. Time had really been flying.

I made the subtle promise to attend homecoming at this very table, and it completely slipped my mind with the exciting new normal we'd fallen into over the last week and a half. Actually, I'd never admit it, but I knew there was more to that promise than attendance.

I was planning to ask Senna to the dance.

It just seemed right. Sure, I knew she'd have a good time either way, but I wanted her to get the full homecoming experience she never had. I wanted to make this a dance to remember.

I think I was staring at her while I was lost in these thoughts. She met my eyes with a questioning look, and my gaze instinctively skittered away. I couldn't think of anything else the entire school day:

How am I going to ask? What am I going to wear? Didn't couples usually match at these things?

My mind raced up until I could meet her autumn eyes again at the end of the day. It was only then that I could think clearly.

"Hey," she smiled sweetly.

"Hey," I greeted as we fell into step. "So, where to tonight?" It was my usual line.

"Work," her smile turned lopsided.

"Again?"

"Yea, I'm trying to save up."

"For a dress? Can't you ask your parents for help? I mean it's for school technically," I suggested.

"No, no. I can't ask them for that... They let me keep my tips, so I just need to pick up more shifts and I'll be good."

"Senna," I stopped. "You shouldn't push yourself like that, not for something like homecoming..."

"But... I wanna go. You're going, right?"

"Y—Yea, of course."

"Then I have to go. It'll be worth it," she was suddenly resolute. "And besides, I'm going to Orihime's after work to look at her and Tatsuki's dresses anyway. Maybe they'll have something that'll fit."

"Well, don't work too hard..."

"Aww, Ichigo is worried about meee," she sang, spinning around in a circle and continuing to walk.

She had no idea...

END PART 4

A shorter piece I know, but don't worry! The next is coming right up! :)