the art of faking a smile. (under-construction)

13. Bad news

AKIO POV

"What a beautiful day it is." I sing in joy whilst skipping.

"Its 10 degrees outside and why the fuck are you so happy?" My brother asks, annoyed, he seems to be in a bad mood for some reason.

"I think I met the perfect one for me at work, and he's really really nice!" I exclaim jumping around and probably smiling like an idiot. I'm excited to hopefully see Jacob at school because I feel like he's the one.

"Cool but you shouldn't suddenly fall so hard for a guy you literally just met at work. He might be nice to you because he just wants a good fuck." Hideki rolls his eyes.

"I know I shouldn't get my hopes up after crush number 14 but I can feel a connection between us, and for some reason I feel so so comfortable around him. Don't you know how that feels?" I reply, sighing in content.

Hideki sighs and his irritated face turned into a heartbroken one. "Yeah I know..." I frown at him.

"Is something wrong big bro?"

"...no"

"C'mon, you can tell me. I'm your brother and I'll do my best to cheer you up!" I smile, giving him a tight hug. He smiles slightly before frowning again.

"I doubt Dylan likes me..." Hideki mumbles.

"What are you talking about? Of course he likes you! You guys have been friends since you were born!" And he also likes you more than that.

"No! I mean, he probably doesn't like me more than friends.." He says slowly. It takes time for me to process what my brother just said before I explode.

"Wait! Does that mean you like Dylan that way?" I exclaim excitedly, he puts a finger to my lips to shush me before nodding, a slight blush on his face.

He grasps a bunch of his hair. "But it's just a crush and nothing more. I'll get over it sooner or later... I hope..."

I squint my eyes at him. "Just a crush huh?" This is definitely not 'just a crush', and I know that from experience.

"Shut up it's just a crush jeez!" Hideki punches me in the arm. "And even so he doesn't even like guys meaning he doesn't like me like that. If he finds out about my feelings for him it's also gonna destroy our friendship and I don't want that."

Freaking hell. I'm so disappointed at how much of an oblivious bitch he is.

As if on cue Dylan pops up behind us, putting an arm around Hideki's shoulder.

"You look really disappointed, what's wrong? A new crush turning out to be straight?" He asks me, I turn to Hideki and I can see him blushing like crazy.

"Never mind." I roll my eyes, let them find out for themselves. And so all three of us continue walking to school.

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Time flew by in a split second and I haven't even seen a single trace of a badass normcore from 11th grade. I just hope I see him at lunchtime at least.

"Why so sad? This morning you were all hyper and shit." Dylan states.

"I haven't seen a single trace of Jacob." I fake sob, my head hidden in my arms.

"When you meant Jacob last night, did you mean Jacob Shin from the year above us?" Cassie asks out of the blue. I lift my head and face her abruptly.

"You know him?! Why didn't you tell me last night?"

Cassie shrugs. "I needed to confirm my assumptions and I've only heard of him from Hannah," I slump in my chair and sigh. "I did look into him though." Cassie chuckles at the sight of my face light up.