HANAHAKI

"contemporary distractions"

           

John was feeling anxious as he walked towards his next class – Biology. As he entered the room, he heard loud talks and laughs at the right corner. As he looked into the faces of those students, he realized it was Dale. He instantly turned his gaze on his table and quickly sat down.

Miss Jinri arrived and everyone in class was rushing towards their seats. Today was about anatomy. As Miss Jinri finished her discussions, she talked about their laboratory activity for next week: frog dissection. Dale couldn't hold the scream because she was afraid of frogs. But she knew beforehand that they're gonna do this activity.

Dale slowly approached his partner after class. "Hey John. Uhhm.. I don't think I can bring a frog by next week since..." John stopped her from continuing. "You're afraid of frogs. I know."

"Dale was a bit confused, "But how did you know?"

"You wouldn't scream like that if you weren't." John teased the girl with a small grin.

"Don't worry, I'll bring the frogs next week." He went out the room silently.

Dale felt embarrassed for what happened but she has to do this activity since it's one of the major activities in their subject. She was definitely left with no choice at all.

Wednesday came, it only means one thing to John – laboratory day. He felt nervous for no apparent reason. Dale was already in the lab when John came.

"Hi!" Dale bellowed. John can hear nervousness from her voice.

"Hey, are you ready to face the frogs today?" He teased the girl beside him. Dale, out of reflex, hit John's shoulder. "Awww!" John exclaimed while giggling. They both laugh at each other. "Don't worry, I'll help you out." John smiled.

The activity went well for Dale with the help of his partner. John, on the other hand, felt strange. He didn't expect that he'd get along with that loud girl in his class. He shrugged the thought of it and went on with his normal day.

Dale and John were only classmates on Biology class, so they only get to meet each other thrice a week. Weeks passed, they have been doing activities together. John thought to himself that maybe he can give this a shot, maybe it's time to come out of his comfort zone. It's been so long since he could actually talk casually to people he barely know. Years being aloof and with no friends at all, this has been John's issue since he was a kid.. since that accident.

He went home smiling. As he approached the dining area of the house, Kevin noticed the glow in his face. "You look happy today. Is there something extraordinary that happened in school?" Kevin nosily asked the boy. He can't hide the excitement in his eyes while waiting for John's response. "Nope. Just another normal day at school. I'll just wash up." John quickly ran to his room to wash up and get ready for dinner.

Kevin, for the nth time, did not bother asking more questions from the boy. They were silently eating  dinner and when they finished, John offered to clean the dishes. Kevin's curiosity aroused but he didn't trouble the boy anymore. He let him do whatever he wishes and whatever is going on to his nephew, he only wishes that it's for the better.

           

After washing the dishes, he went straight to his room. Laying on his bed with the thoughts of this certain girl. He has never tried befriending anyone for the past years since the accident. There's something with Dale that he can't even explain. He shrugged the idea of it and went to sleep. But even before he gets to close his eyes, his phone vibrated.

"Hey John! Are you busy tomorrow? We have no class in biology."

John was confused. Nobody knows his number except the class beadle. He was about to ignore the message when his phone vibrated again.

"It's me Dale. I was thinking you wouldn't reply since you don't know my number. Anyway, hang out tomorrow? Yes?"

A smile appeared on his lips. It took him a while to respond to the message. He's still dazzled about the situation. Dale wants to hang out with him. It has been a month since the class started and he already felt comfortable with Dale's company. 'It's just a hangout, John. Come on!' he thought.

"Sure. What time and where?" he finally replied to the message.

"I thought you were already asleep! Yes, 9 AM. Let's meet at the cafeteria near our building. See ya!"

John turned off his phone. He felt strange. He's happy. He's finally coming out from his shell. He closed his eyes with a smile painted on his lips.