First Love

Ch 1

Today is the start of a new school year.
I get on the same train as always, and find my friend Maki there.

Maki says, "Hey, Ava!" Her voice ever so excited.
I respond with a simple, "Morning!"
And add a, "Starting today, we'll be juniors!"

Maki nodded, "Right. And I have decided that this is the year I'm going to get a boyfriend for sure."

I rolled my eyes, "Hmm? Really? I seem to remember you deciding that exact same thing last year."

Maki did the same crossing her arms, "Oh, shush. I really mean it this time! This year is definitely going to be the one!"

I think about how much more fun high school would be if I had a boyfriend. (But I'd be too embarrassed to...I mean, I can't just come out and say it like maki does.)

Maki smiled, "We got this Ava! Let's go all out!"

Just a simple nod, I replied with, "Y-yeah..."

"Then let's get starting getting guys right away with my own patented system!" Maki said, "I call it the Love Visualization Training Method, or Love Vision for short!"

I was lost. "Wait, what?"

Maki shrugged, "You know, visualization training, like what athletes do."
She continued, "You picture in your mind what it would be like if you met a guy and started dating!" She seemed so excited.

I raised a brow, "So you mean...just daydreaming?"

Maki grinned, "Well, anyway, everyone does it!"

"T-that so..?"

Maki manages to rope me into this game of hers by sheer force of personality.
Even so, it seems like it might be fun.

Just as I'm warming up to the game, my train of thought is interrupted.

There's a man talking loudly on a cellphone. His voice carries through the whole car.

The rude mans voice echoes through my ears. "Come on, I got the quote last week! Just do your job and confirm the details!!"

I sighed, "...Ugh, people like that are so obnoxious."

The man looks like some kind of office worker.

By now, every eye on the train is focused on him, glaring, but he doesn't seem to care.

Maki seemed very irritated, "Oh, I can't stand rude people like that!"

Bristling, Maki sets her shoulders and starts toward the man.

"Wh- Maki! Don't just-" before I could finish...

I panic a bit, following after her.

"Using your cellphone in the middle of a train goes against basic courtesy!" Maki talks to the man in a commanding voice.

She's standing in front of him, feet planted firmly apart, arms crossed in indignation.

"You say something?" The man glares at her from under his brow.

He was frightening.

As soon as I think, the man's gaze shifts towards me.

"This your friend? You got something you wanna say to me too?"