𝔽𝔸ℂ𝔼𝕊

THE THIRD PAGE

NEW FRIENDS

Nana's pov

2019, where the pandemic started where school and the whole country went shutdown. I lost two years of school and was promoted to high school without studying and so did happen to everyone. When I got into high school I met none other than my old friends Yuna and her friends, it hurts to see her with new friends who weren't me. I met a lot of people from my old school which made me feel comfortable but who I didn't expect to meet was Zenji.

Zenji was the quiet girl in my class I had her contact for studies purposes but in those two years we barely texted each other. No one really talked to her including me until one day she told me to stop talking about anime in the middle of the class I still remember what she said "I get it you like anime but can you shut up" her voice was deep and raspy it send shiver down my spine that was my first ever interaction I had with her back in middle school and that's how we became friends...though after I got her number the lockdown started and she was my only friend at that time...or so I thought.
I didn't like the idea of being friendless so I called her my friend even though I never actually considered her as a friend after all there was a feeling that if I got attached to her, she'd leave too.

To be honest I never really considered her as a friend but I only kept sticking to her cause she was useful but that was until she texted me one night where I was bothering her cause I was bored, "you're my best friend after all" reading that text stirred something in my heart and mind and I felt guilty for using her, that night she also told me that she doesn't replied to me because she doesn't have her own mobile phone and her mother is strict that was when I realised she wasn't the cold mean hearted girl everyone describe her to be.

She didn't told me which high school she was going after middle school which is why I was surprised to see her in the same class as me when I excitedly approached her she'd frown and turn away calling me annoying but instead of getting hurt I smiled whole heartedly when I saw the glimpse of small smile on her face when she faced her back against me.

My heart fluttered with joy and all I ever did was squeal and hug her even though she ended up pushing me away I was really happy. Sadly I couldn't sit next to her due to our sitting arrangement and when I saw some of the girls approaching to talk with her my blood would boil with anger and jealousy but what made me happy was when she turned her back against them, uninterested.

And what made me more happy was that when I hung out with her, the meanest girl of my class everyone was shocked when they saw how Zen-chan treated me with gentleness.

It'd only fuel my ego when I flex to people saying we knew each other since the second year of middle school and always have been a good friend, seeing the expression on their faces was worth it.

I know I said I won't get attached to anyone but after the message she sent me that night, that particular night where she called her one and only best friend I loosen my guard and get attached to her.

She'd call me annoying and dumb but still fix my hair whenever it was messy, she'd buy me food when I am hungry she'd do everything for me. Even if she called me a bitch she'd still give me her homework and help me with studies. When I had her I felt like I needed no one by my side...it was just us against the world...I loved her with my heart. The feeling of staying with her was better than even dating a guy even though I never dated...she was the best...with her cold yet caring demeanor, smart yet street dumb brain...if she was a guy I'm certain that she'd be the love of my life.

The new transfer student was beautiful, from the day she came she was popular in the school because of her beautiful features. Silky smooth black hair with a layered cut and curtain bangs framing her perfect face like a wooden frame adding beauty and security to the delicate fragile glass. She was small, tan and curvy just like the MC described in those books.

Me being me, the first way I introduce myself to her "Would you like to commit double suicide me?" my favourite line from Dazai Osamu from the anime I watched 'Bungou stray dogs' her reaction was beautiful she smiled and laughed beautifully and replied "Of course I'd love it too!" I could hear the genuine amusement in her voice and the polite tone was replaced with her genuine voice of cheeriness and her body that relaxed at my joke.

That was how I became friends with the popular and beautiful girl Fuyuka...but little did I know the jealousy Zenji had nor how hurt she was.

ZENJI’S POV

she watched Nana chatting and laughing together with the new transfer student as if they have been friends since they were kids. Zenji had no idea what she was feeling or why, but her stomach churned and her chest tightened and she didn’t knew why.

When Nana came back to Zenji with a beautiful and delighted smile on her face Zenji’s blood only boiled and she didn’t say a word to Nana. Which left Nana in a bewildered state.

Later that night Zenji felt something…something which she rarely felt, jealousy…it was jealousy but what would the innocent thirteen year girl know about the feeling of jealousy and possessiveness she felt when she saw Nana and Fuyuka together.

If Zenji were to describe how she viewed Nana, then she’d say “A kid…that’s what she is” “annoying and dumb, careless and fragile…too gullible” she added further…but her stern face softened a bit as she stared down at the matching bracelet Nana made.

It was homemade and ugly not pretty at the slightest nor was it wearable in public but she kept it…Zen treasured and cherished it. She looked up with a small faint smile and uttered with a soft genuine tone filled with gentleness,

“but I’ve to take care of her…after all she is my best friend”