Tracing Memories

23: B e c a u s e

A/n: Credits to SJRocky for the prompt used in this chapter.

I cut my hand today and now a band-aid adorns the tip of my index finger on my left hand. It is a simple band-aid, the plain brown one made for adults. Not like the one you once materialised out of your pocket that sent me into a laughing fit, when I fell and bruised my knee. I still remember it had hello kitty's face printed all over it.

It was your fault I fell in the first place.

It was the weekend and we decided to watch a movie. Since I love movies so much, it was like a pilgrimage to me and I anticipated it eagerly. I dressed up in my best outfit and wore my new shoes. I came downstairs expecting you at my door any moment but half an hour passed there was no sign of you. I started pacing around with anticipation, with my phone in my hand, occasionally looking at it to see if you had texted me about your whereabouts, but to no avail. After waiting around for ten more minutes, I finally texted you,

DON'T TELL ME YOU'RE

LATE AGAIN!

Calm down, I'm on my way. ;)

We better not miss this movie.

I waited a month for this.

Open the door now.

When I opened the door, I found you smiling sheepishly. I wanted to say something but we didn't have time, we were already getting late. I took your hand and started running to reach the bus-stop as soon as possible.

"We don't really have to run." You said calmly as I dragged you along with me.

"We most certainly do or else we will miss the beginning." I said, looking back at you for a split second and that split second turned out to be a mistake, for the next moment I stumbled on to something and fell forward with a thud, pulling you with me. Somehow, you managed to regain your balance before you could fall.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I clutched my knee in pain. You immediately came down to my level and asked me if I was okay.

"This is all because of you." I said in frustration, "If you had been on time we wouldn't have to run."

"We didn't have to run anyway." You muttered. You then searched your pockets and brought forth a single band-aid. Without saying a word, you carefully placed it on my injured knee. Once you placed it, I actually paid attention to it and realised it was pink with hello kitty prints on it.

I looked at you with questioning eyes and found your face reddened as you refused to make eye contact with me.

"I...I bought them for Yuuka yesterday and one was left in my pocket." You mumbled with a frown.

Seeing you like that, I couldn't help break into laughter forgetting all my pain. You had stood up by then but I was still sitting in the middle of the road unable to stop my laughter.

"Stop laughing and get up now," You extend your hand for me to get up, "Aren't we about to miss the movie?"

"You said we still have time." I answered forcing my laughter down to a chuckle as I took your hand and stood up.

We barely made it in time.