Even Now

Even Now - Chapter 5 "Hearts"

Chapter 5 —Orihime—

"Hearts"

.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded, "I'm ok."

I looked at him, his lips were like a thin line, his scowl was deep and his eyes looked into mine, he worried about me.

I smiled widely, spinning cheerfully like a ballerina, just to show him I was okay, "See? I am fine!"

"Don't do that! You'll get dizzy!" he warned me.

I giggled and ran few meters in front of him and did the spin again. Ichigo scowled and watched me with such a disapproving look. Not far from him, Renji and Rukia stood with an amused look on their face and plastic bags on their hands. Renji smirked while Rukia shook her head while smiling. They looked kind of happy that I was back to my old self. I wasn't. I was just pretending.

I was really good pretending in front of them lately.

Today we went to the supermarket to buy some stuff that we'd need during our vacation. We bought much stuff like snacks and fireworks. It was supposed to be a cheerful and happy vacation, I did not want to ruin it with my mood. I wanted to make everything normal again. At least, I did not want to look sad. I knew that Renji and Rukia started to worry about me; I did not want to make anyone worry. No one, not even Ichigo, especially him. So today, after the shopping I requested to them so we would walk through this park on our way home. I wanted to show them that I was ok and fine.

We bought quite a lot of things but they did not let me to bring the plastic bag. They still treated me like this, which was why I wanted to show them that I was fine. They should not worry about me.

A few days ago, I fainted. It was not that bad but they almost canceled the plan just because of that. Just because of me. Of course I would not let them to do that. I had to make them sure that I was okay. I would not let them cancel this vacation they had been waiting for so long just because of a stupid reason: me.

"Ah," I almost tripped when a strong hand caught my arms to stop me from falling.

"I told you to be careful…"

Ichigo looked at me scowling as usual.

I bit my lower lip. I felt my cheeks burning.

He was too close. This was not good for my heart.

"Don't forget, we're here too, you guys!" Renji called.

I quickly pulled away from Ichigo and murmured an almost inaudible thank you. He just nodded. I wondered what he was thinking about. I stole a glance at Rukia and I caught her looking at Ichigo's back. I knew the expression she wore. It was jealousy.

"You will give me heart attack one day, Hime," he whispered as we started to walk again. This time he grabbed my hand and did not let it go.

I just lowered my head.

If I did not know better, I would think that he loved me.

Rukia and Renji quickened their pace, now they walked right beside Ichigo. The three of them talked about something, I looked at the other why, did not want to let them to see my expression now. My heart was beating faster than usual.

Ichigo did not let my hand go. He talked with Renji and Rukia, still holding my hand.

I wonder if he could hear my heartbeats, after all it had been so noisy here inside my chest.

I wonder if there was a naughty little blue man hammering on my heart now.

I close my eyes and inhaled deeply. I tried to calm my heart a little. It didn't work so I opened my eyes slowly. I tilted my head and looked at the summer sky. I wondered why the summer skies always looked higher than usual.