Choso Kamo | Short Stories

Backpack

[Previous part continuation]

A few days later, who am I kidding... exactly two days and 8 hours later, he texted.

He had sent a picture of his bike and said, "She's ready, are you?"

Am I?

We're about to find out, as I am making my way to the location he sent. I figured it was a grocery store parking lot.

I see him from a distance and wave, hoping he's seen me, too.

As I get closer, I take a good look at him. He has his hair down this time, his bangs framing his face perfectly. He wore a black hoodie and sweatpants.

"Hey," Choso beats me to the greeting, and I smile.

"Hi," I nod at the bike. "She's looking good. Did you name her?"

He chuckles. "Really? That's the first thing you're gonna say?"

"What?" I shrug. "Aren't I just your backpack?"

He hands me a black helmet. "You could be more."

Before I have a chance to reply, he hops on his bike, helmet on and everything. He turns to me, patting the seat behind him.

I quickly get on, being as careful as I can. "Where are we going?"

"Nowhere in particular." He answers, turning on our mics so we can talk freely without worrying about the wind.

We ride off smoothly at first, then he starts to build up speed. I loop my arms around his waist and lean onto his back to hold on better and help with the balance and turns.

"Did anyone teach you that?" I hear his voice inside my skull since it's a mic and headphones system. Which made me flinch from the surprise after the long silence.

"Uh, the internet?"

Choso chuckles. "Fair point."

We take a sharp turn and I see the coastline unfold on the horizon. "Woah, I've never really been to this part of the city."

"For real? I come here a lot. I like the sunsets the most."

"That's wholesome."

We slow down to a pace where we can look at the view without risking our lives in the process, and I can't help but smile widely and giggle.

"This. Is. So. Cool!!" I squeeze my arms around him a little, just to show how excited I am. I hear his breath against the mic as he groans from my tight grip.

The sun is beginning to set, engulfing everything in pink and gold. The sea shimmers boldly underneath the sun disc, and as we approach the beach, it sinks lower.

"Do you wanna stop by the beach for a bit?"

"Yeah, why not."

Choso parks the bike but none of us gets off, we're just looking at the sunset from our seats. I lean back and stretch, allowing him to do the same.

It's very weird, going on a ride with a stranger and watching the sunset together in silence, yet feeling completely safe and content.

Choso removes his helmet, his hair half messy, and half matted down. I laugh as I attempt to comb it with my fingers from the back of his head.

"I didn't notice how long your hair was the other day." I say, taking off mine.

"I usually put it up in buns, but it's pretty uncomfortable underneath the helmet." He explains before he looks over his shoulder at me. "How come yours stays in place?!"

I shrug, matting down my short hair and running my fingers through them. Then I get off of the bike, and so does he.

"What are you doing tonight?" I ask him.

He frowns at me. "I thought we were hanging out."

"Okay, but what are we gonna do?"

"Dinner?"

"My treat, though." I raise a threatening finger. "Don't make me repeat myself. You're already giving me a ride home."

He eyes it and ponders. "Fine."

"Cool." I flash a bright smile. "Do you have any place in mind?"

He pouts pensively. "Pizza?"

"Sounds good."

——

☆ pizza date next chapter ?!?!?