The Boy From Everywhere

Ch. 19: The Test

Exams are coming up.

Our homeroom teacher announced it on the first period, though my attention wasn't fully on her as I turned my head to look outside.

As it turns out, exams aren't the only things coming up either. Because, as the rainy season slowly came to a close, the winds remained strong, pushing through the trees and the buildings outside, reminding me of the next season coming up: the dry cold season.

Winter, in other countries. But in here, it would just be wind, a cold atmosphere, and perhaps barely any rain for the next several months. I hope Eli will at least have something to keep him warm while working those late-night shifts. He works so hard, I sometimes worry if he even knows how to take care of himself.

... He really just won't leave my thoughts, won't he?

"Ah... But it can't be helped. He's really all the good things I can think of now, so what can I expect?"

I'd think that. I would like to. It was so easy. Everytime I did, a smile would come up, forming on my lips, like I had just had the most pleasant dream I could ever have.

Eli, though... That's one more good thing about him. He's not just a dream. Though he feels like one, he's real. Otherwise, I would have never gotten that purple umbrella he gave the first time we met.

Classes ended, eventually. I left in almost a hurry, hoping to see Eli at the café before I went home. Even though I would definitely be seeing him at the convenience store during my shift, I still wanted to see him before that, too.

My heart pounded in my chest as I came to the place. This time, however, I can definitely say it's not just because I had been running.

A smile formed on my face once I spotted Eli at the counter, his usual friendly smile on his face, stretching out and emanating through his actions as he tended to his customers. I hadn't even gone in yet, and I could already feel that friendly aura he always carried around.

Well, I'd have to go in, anyway, what with my aunt's usual request for bread. I struggled to hide my excitement as I went in, fighting the urge to even so much as skip or change my pace as I went straight towards the counter.

Eli spotted me not too long after I had gone through the doors, and I felt my heart skip a beat as his face brightened yet again. He raised his hand, and then waved, before greeting me. "Hannah!"

"Well... so much for hiding."

I couldn't fight my smile anymore as it slipped through at Eli's greeting. I bet they even reached my ears, and I could already feel my cheeks heating up in embarrassment. Eli didn't seem to mind, though, as I approached him and he went on with his usual work.

"You're early today. What order will you be making today?"

"The usual. Five cinnamon rolls and five slices of banana bread."

Eli was quick to put all those down in the monitor. All the while, I watched, observing the way he looked. His brown eyes focused on the screen, while his fingers tapped on the keyboard. He must have made a small mistake, though, or struggled for a bit searching for something, since he pursed his lips for a moment, and his brown-dyed hair bounced as he drew back, tilting his head in confusion. "Ah! Here it is!"

I jumped when he suddenly shouted, snapping me out of my trance. And then I flinched when he turned back to me, before I forced an awkward smile onto my face as he spoke again.

"That'll be a hundred and fifty! Would you like an eco-bag with it or will the paper bag do?"

"Uhm, uh... the paper bag will be fine, I guess?" I replied, before I realized I had to pay, and I fumbled to get my wallet out and give the payment.

"Oh, I'm really doing a great job at this, aren't I?"

Though, frankly speaking, what can I even do in this situation? I mean, it's been a real long while since I even had a crush on anyone, but what just made this one even worse is the fact that it just feels... different.

I flinched when I handed over the payment and Eli's hand touched mine. At the same time, he quickly drew his hand back, letting out a small yelp which I almost didn't notice all due to the fact that now the cash I handed over had fallen to the ground.

"I-I'll get it!" Eli volunteered, though seriously, how can he even when it fell on my side? "... Or not."

"... Yeah, I know he can be clueless sometimes, but I just have to accept that that's one of his charms, I guess."

"... I'll get it," I awkwardly volunteered eventually, picking the bills up and then placing them on the counter this time. Just to be sure. I'm sure Eli's having a really awkward time right now, too.

Maybe it was a horrible decision to come here being all too excited.

Anyway, the transaction was made, and I'm proud to say I survived, as I stood there with the paper bag in my arms and ready to leave. I had already turned halfway, but then Eli called my name out again.

"W-wait, Hannah!"

I stopped immediately, and then I turned. Eli looked completely flushed, but I really can't blame him. I mean, who even gave me the right to just come here and make things awkward between us? Again?? "... What?" I asked back.

It was then that he looked away, as he brought his hand to the back of his head and he spoke with a shy tone. "I, uhm... I'll see you... later tonight?"

Another skipped beat.

Alright, maybe it is a good thing I came here. Less on the excited part, though. Maybe I should still tone down on that next time.

But, this is enough.

I finally decide to let myself smile freely as I raised my hand, waving towards Eli. "Yeah. See you then!"

And then I left, my heart warm and my smile refusing to leave my face almost all the way home. It felt good, having him as a companion. Of course, I was going to fall.