Sora & Fumiko

Chapter Thirty-Five

"It's really hard to believe we'll be graduating soon" I told Natalie as we walked from class together.

"Yeah, that and the fact that we're finally going to prom" Natalie added.

I sighed at that as we turned along a corridor filling with students because school had just ended.

"Fumiko, who are you going to bring with you?" She asked suddenly .

"I'm not sure"

"Don't worry, I think Jake is probably going to ask you"

"Yeah, I guess" I shrugged  while holding onto my books closely.

She smiled at me mischievously before nudging me on the shoulder.

"You're really lucky to have Jake ask you. Lot's of girls would love to be in your place"

"Maybe"

"Maybe?" She responded surprised. "Don't forget that since we've won the tennis championship, Jake doesn't have to hang around the tennis court anymore so he'll have more time for you."

"Oh, yeah" I recalled sadly.

"Don't sound so upset, you'll be the envy of everyone at prom" she chuckled.

"If you say so but who are you going with?" I had to ask.

Natalie stopped smiling and pulled me towards a locker.

"Him, over there" She said pointing to a tall guy standing not too far away from us. "He's going to take me"

"He's your crush?" I asked while staring at him, his eyes set on his books, not noticing me.

He was handsome and tall with a muscular build body and broad shoulders. The fierce yet gentle look on his attractive face wasn't taken away by his rectangular rimmed glasses that he wore nor by his dark brown and decisive sharp eyes.

"He's the guy in your business class, right?"

"Yep" She smiled as she pulled out a mirror and fixed her hair, her courageous and mischievous smile brightening.

"So have you told him how you feel yet?" I questioned curiously.

"No" she responded with a laugh.

"Then how do you know he'll ask you?"

"Because I'm going to ask him"

"What!" I nearly shouted in disbelief.

"That's what I'm going to do" She recounted simply.

"H-How do you know he even likes you?"

"Because when I look at him I know it. Love isn't something you can hide when the person you love looks you in the eye."

Natalie smiled at me brightly as I marveled at her words before striding over to him.

"Charlie" she called as she stood in front of him waving a flirtatious smile. "You like me right?" I nearly keeled over at her bravery and boldness.

Charlie himself looked like he couldn't speak, his eyes wide as he drew away from her slightly.

"Yes" He finally admitted causing my eyes to bulge in disbelief and my mouth to fall agape with shock.

"I'm getting tired of waiting for you to ask me out, so if  you're planning to, you have to do it now" He looked away from her slightly, the serious look he had on his face dying down to a smile.

"Will you be my date at the prom?"

"Yes" Natalie answered happily.

Even though everything had occurred in front of me, I still couldn't believe that she had really confronted her crush.

Wasn't she afraid?

Wasn't she nervous?

"What do we do now?" He asked as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Well, I guess you could carry my books" She said smiling and holding them out as he took them from her and carried them with his own. They walked together down the hall and Natalie turned and winked at me before following him.

***
I walked down the paved sidewalks of my street as I slowly trudged home. The setting sun behind me somewhat reminding me of Sora.

It was only a matter of time until I would leave him.

After graduation and prom I would be going away for college.

I was scared, I was really scared.

I was afraid of losing Sora. I was afraid of telling him what I felt and I was afraid of rejection.

So much about me had changed since I'd met him and I was afraid that I was going to lose that along with him when I left for college.

All I want is to tell you how much I love you.

I snapped out of my thoughts and back to my surroundings as I heard footsteps approaching from behind me.

"Anastasia" I said before she also noticed me and slowed her pace.

"Fumiko" She returned before walking by me.

I quickly hastened my steps to match her own until we were walking together side by side.

"So, I guess it's good that the tennis championships are over" I said trying to strike up a conversation.

Anastasia said nothing and continued walking beside me quietly without turning to me.

"It's really great that you and Jake helped us to win it this year. If it wasn't for you I don't think we would've made it"

"Really"

"Yeah" I continued. "Didn't you see how excited Jake was when he brought home the cup to our school? He couldn't stop talking about you and thanking you for helping us to win"

Anastasia, tightened her grip on her bag strap, her downcast gaze flickering for a moment.

"Jake isn't like other guys, the reason he's so popular is because of how smart and kind he is, not to mention helpful. He's a real good guy."

"I know"

"It's just a shame that I don't like him as much as he likes me."

"What?" Anastasia shot almost disbelievingly.

"He's everything I thought I would've wanted in someone but I don't feel the same about him" I confessed.

"Why?"

"There's someone else that I like"

We walked together quietly after that before I sighed and broke the silence.

"Jake deserves someone who can like him as much as he likes them. He's a good person with a great heart and I know someone is out there who truly feels the same."

Anastasia stopped walking and fell behind me, the sheets of hair covering her eyes obscuring her expression.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah" she said rematching my pace.

"I really do believe someone right is waiting for him." I concluded softly.

"Fumiko, do you really believe that?"

"Yeah" I answered truthfully.

"Thank you"

"For what?"

"Telling the truth"

We both walked home quietly after that without uttering a word. My chest somewhat lighter to have finally admitted how I felt about Jake. Though I couldn't stop wondering why Anastasia had even cared.