NEVER Talk To Strangers

~ 1 ~

"Come on Ayano! Into this store!" Mari begged with childish excitement, pulling the dark haired girl towards the clothes shop. Ayano smiled a little as she watched the red-haired girl get so excited over something so simple to her.
"I'm so happy you got to come home for your birthday and don't have to stay at that stupid school forever. I miss you." Ayano said, pouting a little. Mari had been sent to boarding school for most of her life, barely getting to come home and spend time with her.
"Me too. It feels like I'm never home." She sighed, looking away from Ayano. She lived a very sheltered life, and part of her hated it. She felt like she was treated like glass instead of being treated like a real person by her father. She let the moment pass, looking back up at Ayano. "Come one, let's not be depressed on my birthday." She grinned widely and pulled her into the store.

Mari looked around the clothes store, her eyes locking with the grey eyes of a male in the store. She blushed and turned back to Ayano.
"That guy was totally checking you out." She whispered to Ayano, glancing back at him for a second. Ayano glanced at him, shaking her head.
"No way. He's totally checking you out." She insisted, holding on to Mari's hand. She didn't trust this guy and knew Mari's father would never approve of this stranger talking to her. "Come on, let's just leave. He's freaking me out." Ayano said to her, slowly pulling her out of the shop. Mari sighed as she went with Ayano. She wanted to talk to this cute boy but knew Ayano would never allow it. She was very strict with enforcing her father's rules for her. Both girls were oblivious to the boy following them.

Mari glanced back behind her, seeing the boy from inside the store behind her. She looked at Ayano, keeping hold of her hand.
"I think he's following us." She said to her dark-haired bestie, glancing back quickly again and still seeing him. Ayano looked back, also seeing him.
"God what a creep..." she muttered quietly, walking faster towards the next store. Mari sighed, wanting to go talk to him. Ayano kept walking as Mari tried to come up with a distraction for Ayano so she could talk to him.
"Ayano..." she sighed, putting her hand on her forehead acting faint. Ayano looked at her, slightly concerned. Mari's health hadn't been great growing up, and Ayano was obviously worried. "I'm not feeling great, could you get me a snack from the food court please?" She asked innocently, continuing with the feeling faint act. Ayano nodded her head and led her to the bench nearby, sitting her down.
"Of course. I'll be back in a few minutes." Ayano promised, leaving her to go to the food court to get a snack. As soon as Ayano was gone, the boy walked over to her.
"So, your keeper's finally gone then." He said, sitting next to her. She giggled, looking up at him.
"She doesn't like me talking to strangers, neither does my father." She told him, playing with her hair. She couldn't help but think this boy was cute. He laughed, smiling at her.
"What's your name?" He asked, looking at her.
"Mari." She introduced herself.
"That's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl." He flirted, making her blush lightly. "My name is Budo. There. We aren't strangers anymore." He smiled. She smiled too, nodding her head. There was silence between them for a moment, neither knowing what to say. "Why do they treat you like some fragile glass ornament? Don't they see you as a human being?" He mused, looking around at the shopping centre. Her eyes lit up as he spoke, it was like he understood her.
"It's been that way my whole life. I suppose they don't want anything bad to happen to me, although it would be nice to have some breathing space." She confessed to him. She didn't know why she felt so comfortable around him even though they had just met, but she did. Maybe it was just her naïveté.
"Do you wanna come to the arcade with me so we can get to know each other better?" He asked. Mari thought about it, shaking her head.
"I can't. I want to, but I never get to spend time with Ayano. It would break her's and my father's hearts if I went off with you." She sighed sadly. She would love to go spend some time with a cute guy, but she knew she would never be allowed to. Ayano walked back over, glaring at Budo for a second.
"Who's this?" She asked Mari, pointing at Budo. He glanced at Mari for a moment, seeing her surprise. She wasn't used to seeing Ayano act so hostile towards anyone.
"My name is Budo. Your cute friend looked lonely while you were gone." He told Ayano, trying to be nice to her. Ayano narrowed her eyes as she handed Mari the chocolate bar in her hands.
"We should get going. Your dad will be here soon." Ayano said, pulling her up by her hand. She jumped, looking back at him.
"I'll escort you two." He offered, standing up too. Ayano narrowed her eyes, looking at Mari. She silently pleaded Ayano to let him come too. She sighed, knowing she couldn't say no to Mari when she was giving her that look.
"Fine, but you have to leave as soon as we get there." She said, beginning to walk with Mari. She smiled happily as Budo came with them.

They reached the restaurant, and Ayano couldn't be happier. That was Budo's cue to leave, so he wouldn't be able to hang around with them anymore.
"Before you have to go, can I get your number?" Budo asked Mari, looking up at her innocently. She nodded her head and was about to give him her number when Ayano interfered.
"There's your father, Mari. We should go now." Ayano said to her, pulling her away. She frowned, looking up at Budo. He looked away, making eye contact with two mysterious people. Suddenly there were two gunshots heard.
"GET DOWN!" Budo shouted, grabbing Mari's hand and pulling her down. She pulled Ayano down too as more gunshots could be heard throughout the shopping centre.