Tracing Memories

6: A r t .O f .C o n v e r s a t i o n

The next morning when I woke up, I found that the sky was clear, devoid of any clouds and the sun was shining brightly making the little puddles on the street glimmer like they were made of liquid gold. But I didn't have much time to admire the scenery since I was getting late for school. So I broke away from the scene in front of me and hurried off to get ready.

As I moved through the hallway making my way through the crowd of students moving haphazardly to reach their classrooms, I suddenly saw you walking towards me and stopped immediately. Someone bumped into my back and made an annoyed remark which I didn't pay attention to. My eyes were fixed on you and I felt a strange joy in seeing you walk up to me.

"Good morning." You said as you ran your fingers through your hair. I noticed they were back in their signature state yet I couldn't help but think about the day before when they had surrendered to rain and played on your face.

"Riye?" You suddenly interrupted my thoughts.

"Yes! I'm fine!" I answered abruptly and immediately realized that's not what you had asked and blushed out of embarrassment. You looked at me quizzically for a moment, then chuckled and walked past me to talk to Endou who had showed up just then.

I stood motionless in the middle of the corridor for a while, confused at my own behavior. It was not like I was talking to you for the first time, in fact, I thought I was finally able to talk to you and everyone else comfortably without being anxious and confused yet it seemed like something changed overnight. Not to mention the extraordinary bliss I felt on seeing you. I had never been so happy to see anyone ever as I did in that moment. All these things took over my mind, dazing me.

The rest of the day is pretty much a blur. I was lost in thoughts, more than the usual. I barely talked to anyone and only spoke when the teachers asked a question. You sat right in front of me and your presence constantly distracted me. I couldn't think straight and I couldn't figure out why. Why was it that all of a sudden your company was simultaneously blissful and intimidating?

Tired of trying to come to a conclusion, I headed towards the field where the team was having a practice match between themselves. It hadn't been halftime and there wasn't anything for the managers to do yet so I just quietly sat on the bench, resting my head against my palm and watched the game. But no matter how hard I tried to focus on the game in its entirety I found my attention falling back on to you again and again. My gaze followed you and my mind recorded your actions only.

I must have been obvious in my ways since I was suddenly startled by Aki's loud voice in my ear. I looked at her, flustered and with slight annoyance, and found her smiling mischievously.

"Why are you yelling?" I asked not caring to hide my annoyance.

"Because I called you three times and you didn't answer." She responded slightly amused at my state.

"I'm sorry I didn't pay attention." I answered monotonously, shifting my eyes towards the field again. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw her tracing my gaze to its destination and smirking.

"You are awfully quiet today." She began a new conversation.

"W-what? N-no. That's not true." I defended myself immediately.

"Please don't try to lie to me. It's like you have forgotten what conversation is." She joked.

Before I could answer her, Haruna blew the whistle signaling halftime and we got up to provide everyone with water bottles and towels. I absent mindedly did my job but as soon as you came in front of me, my attention level shot up. You were panting from all the running you had to do and beads of sweat dripped from your hair onto your face the same way raindrops danced on them the day before. Your face radiated a delight that comes with being able to do something one cares about and to you that was soccer. It was a rare expression on you and seeing you happy made me happy.

"Thanks." You said with a smirk as I handed you a water bottle and a towel. In return I smiled in silence. I realized I hadn't properly had a conversation with you all day. Every time I faced you, I was left tongue-tied. I was never good at the art of conversation but you made me forget it entirely.

A/N: Thank you @Raimon51 for your continued support on this book. Hope you will keep finding this book interesting till the end. :)

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