The New Guy

Rain

Gil's POV (a few days later...)

I was watching the news before school when Luddy spoke to me for the first time in a week. While the weatherman droned on about rain all week, Luddy walked in looking sick with a blanket wrapped around and his hair a mess. I immediately set down my bowl of cereal.

"Luddy, are you okay?" He shook his head. "Did you puke?" He nodded. "You want soup?" He nodded. "Okay, go sit down." I quickly grabbed my bowl and put it in the sink. I still had an hour until I had to leave so I had to make the soup quick.

I don't think I ever cut vegetables, prepared the noodles and chicken, and made the broth faster in my life. I would give Gordan Ramsey heart attack if he saw the way I prepared it.

While it boiled, I went upstairs to quickly change.  I was packing up the stuff I needed for school when my phone buzzed. It was a text from Matthew.

I was up until 3 am last night in deep thought about which one of your dogs is the softest.

I giggled a bit. I looked at the three dogs that just so happened to be peeking into my room. I quickly responded that Aster is the softest. He really is too. He's got a really long coat too.

Fuck I would kill everyone in the room and then myself for those dogs

What a response. I was going to reply but then I remembered the soup. And I ran out of my room and downstairs, almost falling a few times. It was just right when I got to it so I switched off the stove and served the good old chicken noodle soup. I placed it on the coffee table. Luddy only looked at it with a dazed look.

"There's more in the kitchen, microwave it if it's cold." I gave him a small peck on his head.

"This reminds of old times." He rasped.

"You're still my brother no matter what, you know."

"I know."

~

I walked into the library and I found someone else in Lovi's place. A head of black hair hunched over reading something. I casually slip my huge stack of books in the return slot on the side of the desk. I wasn't even given a glance.

I went off and looked for more interesting books. I ended up in the comic section for some strange reason. I guess every once in awhile I need some pictures in my books.

I found myself with about three comic book (at least that's what I thought they were) and four regular books. I accidentally slammed them down onto the desk. I couldn't help it because it was a slightly heavy load. The guy didn't even flinch though. So, I stood there.

For about a minute. I was getting impatient and I was about to speak up when he put his finger up. He flipped to the next page then looked up. The expression on his face was mild amusement despite his cold dead stare.

"Is that all?" He asked looking to my pile of books.

"Yes."

"I see you got a few manga." He said as he picked up the comics at the top.

"Manga?" He looked at me, his amusement only increasing with the smile that was building on him.

"You have opened up a magical world with that question."

"Oh-"

"My name is Kiku." He slightly bowed his head for a second then held out his hand. I was left dumbfounded but to avoid making it awkward I took it and shook it.

"My name's Gilbert." I said slowly. He pulled his hand back.

"Oh, I've heard of you, you're new, right?"