Being Next to You

Chapter 34: it was nothing.

Shaine is an alien. He reads minds whenever he wants to.

Those stupidly attractive eyes of his might be his secret.

I can't help to think they're beautiful every time he looks at me because we're neighbors.

"What?" I questioned.

He was laid back as always.

"You're thinking that you have an unusual childhood." He blunted, "But don't worry," an angelic smile appeared, "if you think yours is unusual, then mine is beyond normal."

"It's okay, you've always been beyond ordinary to me," I tried commenting, but looking at his angelic smile was very dangerous. I glanced at the other side, "Sherry Tindle," who is in the front row was standing next to me.

"Rina, you free after school?" She asked.

I shook head.

"Great, let's do homework together after classes. Is your house fine?" She suggested, and I flinched.

"A homework date?" Entered France, "Let me join too, it will be my first time going to Rina's house? Hey, is it okay to ask another person?" She adds.

Sherry answered on her own, but I don't mind-- having plans like this are very rare to experience.

I glanced back to my opposite side, and saw a bored Shaine, wondering, however, listening at the same time.

I spot Julian along, maybe curious about our racket. It was difficult to admit that I'm more curious about their conversation than mine... I apologized.

"What are they doing?" He asked his vice.

"Don't ask me, I don't know a damn thing what they're saying," Shaine yawned, and Julian pulled his ear.

"That wasn't very nice," he said.

"Julian, they're girls and girls likes talking like that. Trust me, I live in a female environment 24/7." Shaine spurted, "and I was not born to be nice to everybody."

His eyes reverted to mine. It surprised me, I looked away, and made a phone call as an excuse.

"Hello?" I got through, waiting for my brother's voice. "Hello, Kiku? Are you home?" I asked.

"I am..," His voice was rigid yet soft, (and stressed from work.) "What is it, Rina?"

"Is it okay to bring my friends at home?..."

"Okay," he immediately replied.

"Really?! Then--"

I was cut off shortly from my brother.

I much have predicted that he went back to sleep; what a rude brother.

"What's the news!" France's voice was so loud, because of her habit wearing headphones in the highest volume. "Did your brother approve it?"

No fair, hugging behind me, while touching her soft silky skin which I envied.

"Pretty much..," I (forcedly) smiled, and hands were all up for the girls. And it seems that Julian and Shaine have their own dimension. Making fun of each other like normal boys do.

"What is it, Rina?" Julian noticed my gaze, "Am I being "stupid" again perhaps?" Bringing up the previous dark topic I said.

"People are not perfect, so they still have their stupidity." I was defending myself, "And that includes you, I guess." I smiled at the end.

"It can be, thanks to a certain someone." He bumped against Shaine, that he seemed to notice the fact that it was on purpose, and I giggled.