Silver's Effect

Koyuki

School seemed to go by in a blur as I stared at my closed music notebook lost in my thoughts.

Surprisingly Ryoma didn't say anything at all as I stood up and walked past him to go to the changing rooms for gym.

I could feel his curious gaze on me but he never said anything.

Once I changed I grabbed my headphones and went outside to await our assignment.

We were soon given cross country again.

With a blank expression, I swiped my hair up in a high ponytail before placing my headphones over my head and clicked on a song that seemed to match my feeling at this moment.

Invisible by Anna Clendening played in my ears as I jogged to the beat.

My eyes started to water slightly, realizing just what position I was in right now.

I wanted to keep my feelings a secret, but I never thought about him dating someone else.

It figures that as soon as I realize my feelings for him I would discover he already likes someone else.

I wonder who it is he likes.

A flash of long braids filled my mind's eye and I felt a pang in my chest.

It's probably her.

after all, he does know her pretty well.

They went to middle school together, and they almost walked home together that day.

My eyes widened slightly as I realized something.

He would have walked home with the girl he liked if it wasn't for me getting in the way.

I'm in their way.

I'm like the bad guy in a storybook and I didn't even realize it.

Poor girl, maybe I should back off a bit so they can be together.

the thought caused a lump to form in my throat but I ignored it.

After all his friends said he liked her.

And if his reaction was anything to go by then it has to be true, regardless of if he wants to admit it or not. 

I glanced over my shoulder to see him giving me a hard look as he jogged a few paces behind.

So long as he is happy, then I can't really complain, can I?

After all, it's his choice.

My heart felt as if it was sitting in my stomach as my mind lightened a little at the realization.

All of this was his choice, and I will support him no matter who he chooses.

Even if it isn't me.

I gave him a small smile over my shoulder that seemed to soften the intense look he was giving me.

to cover my thoughts and feelings I quickly gave him a challenging grin before kicking myself into high gear and sprinting as fast as I could.

I could hear him chuckle as he speeds up to try and pass me, immediately understanding the unspoken race I had challenged him to.

I let my grin widen as I leaned forward to push myself faster, knowing he was right behind me.

we must have been running for a while because when I looked up we were nearing the end of our course and I could see Ryoma's teammates waiting for him as they received their own instructions for their afternoon practice.

"I'm so gonna beat you in front of all of your friends!" I said loudly as I pushed myself even faster.

"you wish!" he growled as he finally caught up to me.

"watch me!" I taunted back as we both grinned and pushed our bodies faster, eyes on his friend momo as we silently agreed he was the finish line.

both of us reached our hands out towards his turned back as we sprinted as fast as we could.

my grin turned devious as i yelled "Momo-senpai!" at the last second.

he jolted and jerked his body around, giving me a slight advantage as he spread his arms to keep his balance thanks to my surprise.

he was closer to me now and Ryoma's eyes widened as I reached out and touched momo's arm a half second before him.

we both skidded to a stop as he turned a half-hearted glare to me as he called "cheater!" 

I just laughed at him before saying through my giggles "there were never any rules!"

he just huffed at me and crossed his arms as I giggled at him for pouting.

momo, on the other hand, looked between the two of us as if we were crazy.