9.8 Meters a Second. [Complete]

5: Little Numbers

"Hey, dad?" I ask, setting my cup of coffee down on the table in front of me.
"Yes, Slaine?" Cruhteo responds.
"Could I go out to lunch with a friend?"
My words seem to hang in the air for a bit.
I don't think he's gonna say yes.
"Okay. Do you need money?"
"Maybe," I mumble, surprised he said yes.
"Alright. I'll give you some cash and then call me when you're done. I'll come pick you up."
"Thank you dad," I smile.
"It's no problem, Slaine." He said, going back to reading his book.
We sat in silence for a moment. Cruhteo slipped the book mark in, took off his reading glasses and looked to me.
"Is it a girl?"
"Hm? Oh, no." I say, probably a bit more bashful than intended.
"Who is it?" He says quizzical.
"His name is Inaho Kaizuka." I sorta freeze here. I don't know how to carry myself, and I'm not sure what Dad is feeling.
"Kaizuka come from the middle class. They aren't as rich as I'd like, but... If you're going to be in a relationship at least they're decent."
"Relationship?" My cheeks are blood red. I can feel the heat radiating off of them.
"Oh! I meant friendship. Slaine, do you have feelings for this boy?" Cruhteo questioned. The man leaves me very little choice
I bury my face in the sleeves of my sweater.
"Dad oh my god..."
"Did I embarrass you?"
"Read your book! I'm not answering you!"
I sigh out, a sour look on my face. Sometimes dad can be ridiculous. He doesn't understand. Then again, as of now I don't either. Whatever I feel for Inaho is weird... And I've only met him twice. I don't even know how he got my phone number to text me...
Seven little numbers. Those digits act as a bridge between stranger and friend, all by an access of random data and key sending information.
Those seven little numbers.
I check my phone again, and I see I have another text from Orange.
"Is 11:30 cool?"
"Fine by me," I message him back. The clock on my phone says 10 now.
Okay, so I need to get a shower and get some money from Dad...

It's 11 now and I'm out the door. The fall weather is cold enough for me to wear some dark skinny jeans, brown leather converse and I decided on a purple Polo sweater with a charcoal dress shirt underneath. Not too flashy but I still look good, I think.
I get to the Cafe about 11:25, and Orange isn't here yet, so I grab a caramel frappe from the barista and an apple fritter to match.
I grab a table and check my phone.
Nothing much going on. I decide to take a look around the cafe and I see two kids that go to Aldnoah High. Nina and Calm. Calm kinda looks like my dad now that I think about it... Pushed back blonde hair and oceanic eyes. Nina is a really pretty girl with light hair, blue-green eyes and a genuine smile who could win anyone over. Very cute. I wonder if she and Calm are going out? They're both from Canada...
"Hey," a pristine voice says, sitting down in front of me.
It's Rayet.
"Oh, hello," I smile at her, and offer her my apple fritter.
"No, thank you." She says quickly.
I clear my throat, and not trying to sound rude, I say,
"How can I help yo-"
"I want you to keep him away from Aseylum Vers."
"Orange?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
She stands up now, and places her hands on the table. Her shorts are too short for her to lean forward like that, but I dare not to say anything. I think she knows, but she doesn't care.
"You like him, don't you?"
"No,"
But my face gives me away. My lips are pressed together and my cheeks are red. She knows.
"Well he can't like you if he's in love with The princess of that damned school."
"He really does like her?"
"Don't take it personal. All the guys do. Even Calm does," she thrusts her thumb at the blonde boy behind her, and then places the hand against the table again, "He's just loyal enough to stay with Nina."
I'm silent again.
"Why do you want him to stay away from her...?"
She looks as if she's lost now, and doesn't know how to reply.
"Well...?"
"Because... Inko is my friend and..."
"She likes Orange?"
"His name is Inaho." She corrects me.
"I know. Look, I'll try but... I'm not very courageous..."
Silence.

"Then make yourself."
And she left the cafe.
Then, in walked Orange looking more adorable than I had expected.

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Woo! Another chapter bites the dust. Awesome sauce. Lemme know whatcha think!