Majida's fraternal grandmother told her once to be wary when things went too well. That's when the gods liked to play pranks. Her maternal grandmother always warned her about about trying to have it all too soon. And really, how else would she expla...
The scene at the school gate gave Majida hope that she'd finally be free. Shin looked extremely uncomfortable despite his relaxed posture. It was too late to play it cool, he was already surrounded, caught by a particularly pushy group of girls. They were in the middle pressuring him to join them for a few rounds of karaoke when Majida attempted to sneak by on her bike.
"Jida-kun!" came a strangled cry. Shin pushed his way through the crowd in order to reach her.
So much for that, she thought as she resisted the urge to speed away. "At least use chan." She responded sourly. The girls attention switched to her. Majida didn't appreciate the glint in their eyes.
"Like I said," Shin explained with a waver in his voice. "I've already made plans so."
The leader was quick to respond. "Then she can come with us. It can be like a welcoming party for her too."
Majida smiled at the girl, wanting to make peace. "Thank you for the invitation but I'd prefer to get a head start on homework."
"Yes, and I agreed to help remember!" Shin interjected.
God he's a horrible actor, she thought.
"It's still hard for her to read Japanese," he tried to explain to the group of girls.
The girl's accepted the lie on the condition that he join them another time. Shin was left with little choice but to accept. Majida was left with the lingering effects of their cold stares. There'd be more rumors about her by tomorrow. She, of course, knew that rumors were impossible for a transfer student like her to avoid. But regular stuff can be explained, this, well, she at least didn't want to make enemies during her first week of school. Especially not over some boy.
"Do you want to make my life more difficult?" she asked as she walked away.
"I owe you one for sure," he answered as he kept pace.
"What were you doing there anyway?"
"Waiting for you. I'd like to talk more, about you joining the team that is. We were interrupted so many times today."
"You hungry?" she asked, changing the topic. This wasn't going to end unless she put an end to it. That just might mean sitting him down and setting him straight one good time.
"I could eat." he responded. His stomach wasn't as modest, it growled.
"That answers that." She looked at his stomach and smiled in spite of herself "Well, if you don't mind western style food come with me. We can finish this talk you want so badly."
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It took longer to get home while walking but at least Shin didn't speak. He offered to carry the groceries, and she let him, but that was the extent of their communication during the mile and a half walk to her place. Majida wondered if all the talking he did during the school day wore him out. She certainly wasn't expecting so much chatter from a boy that brooded through the first two days of school.
