Strawberry Milk [COMPLETED]

❧Chapter Sixteen

Hajime and I were talking like nothing ever happened. As usual, he was so easy to speak with in all of his charming ways. It made me forget for a second that he was just like every other student here. And every student here was a person to be wary of..

We arrive at the door of my next class. Taking a deep breath, I immediately reach for it. No sense in waiting and getting nervous about it. I don't need to be nervous! I need to look tough so my classmates will know not to mess with me!

But as I'm reaching, Hajime's hand darts out and wraps gently around mine, stopping me. The warmth from his soft, silky smooth palm makes me jump and flush deeply all over again.

"Wait, Ichigo.... about that girl that pulled that prank on you," He turns me to face him, his bright blue eyes demanding my attention. I freeze at the contact and my heart starts to pound against my ribcage with excitement. A gentle warmth that seems to attack me from the inside spreads from where his hands are to every part of my body.

"Y-Yeah?" I gather myself in enough time to answer.

"Avoid her, if you can. She makes a habit out of singling people out and ostracizing them. I don't want her to do that to you."

Oh, Hajime. How could anyone ever stay upset with you...

"Oh yeah? Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm not afraid of her!"

I wait for a smile to break out across his face at my cheerful and tough attitude, but he remains serious. "The students here follow the leader. And she happens to be one of many. I don't want you to become a target..."

His worry for me is much more than flattering. The concern that I feel in his gaze actually makes me feel a whole lot better about the situation. At least I had one friend looking out for me in this place!

"Don't worry about me, Hajime. I'll be just fine. I'm not your average girl, remember?"

A tender smile spreads his beautiful lips, his eyes growing softer, "You're right. You're definitely special. That's why I worry for you more!"

"I'm not fragile, you know. Did you forget how I beat up al those guys when you met me?!" I place my hands on my hips like a superhero, grinning broadly, but Hajime tightens his grip on my shoulders and his worried expression returns.

"But you're still a girl, Ichigo. You may not he fragile, but you still have feelings and you're very sensitive."

"How would you know that?"

"Were you not also wiping away tears when I met you?"

Ba-bump!

I pushed Hajime's hands away quickly, blushing furiously. I looked away from him, feeling embarrassed and for the first time in awhile, smaller than someone, if that made sense. I always felt like I could defend myself and hide my underlying emotions, but Hajime saw right through me. No matter how much I tried to act tough he still saw me as just another girl!

I look back up at him, shyly, and he returns my gaze with a smile. We stand in silence, me not knowing whether to look into his eyes as he gazes upon me full on. He never takes his eyes away. A strange feeling seems to stir in the pit of my stomach and the center of my chest, and I can hardly describe it. It felt like someone was squeezing my heart. Before long, I become comfortable enough to stop looking away and stare into his eyes, surrendering to his spell.

Hajime reaches toward me, his lips parting as if he'll say something, but not before the bell rang above our heads, breaking the spell and forcing us to resume our day.

"Meet me in the courtyard at lunch and we'll eat together, okay?" He whispers softly before rushing off down the hallway. I watch him go, an indestructible smile playing on my lips. With this excited feeling in my heart and the anticipation to move forward, I step through the class doors and continue my first day of school.