Please Write Back

Chapter 10

Alex silently solves the math problems he gave himself while I just watch him behind the tall collar of my sweater. My hands are clutching the top of the collar, pulling it over my mouth while my elbows are leaning on the table. I'm slightly hunched forward, leaning towards Alex. Under me, my legs are crossed. 

I put one of my hands down on the table and look out the window. It's not raining like how it was for the past few days, which is good. I can't stand to have it rain anymore since it's just a constant reminder of my sister. This morning during breakfast, my parents were just silent. I was the only one who had a slight appetite. My dad periodically took sips of his coffee and looked down. My mom just sat at the table. So I can't even ask my parents about what is going to happen with her, but it's not the right time anyway. I'm assuming she's in the morgue right now staying there until my parents decide what to do: cremate her body or bury it. 

I haven't seen Rain since I visited her in the hospital. I haven't talked to her since that same day. It's kind of strange thinking about it now. 

I feel another hand tap my own, and I pull away, startled. "Huh?"

"I'm sorry, I just had to get your attention," Alex says. 

"You couldn't like... call my name?" I ask.

"I was, but you weren't looking here."

"Oh," I say, looking out the window again in embarrassment. "What do you need help with?" 

"I just needed help with this one problem," he answers, pushing his notebook to me. "I'm so stupid. I'm sorry."

"Don't say that. That's why I'm here." I look at the question while he leans over the table, really close behind me. I feel his soft breaths on my neck, and it's hard to focus on what he's asking.

"I-I'm sorry," I say. "But... w-what were you asking?"

"Never mind, I see what I have to do," Alex replies, taking back the notebook and smiling at me. "Thanks, anyway." 

"You're welcome," I say, sitting back in my chair again. 

"Y'know, um... maybe we can go somewhere after this?" Alex asks. "Only if you want to, though, I understand if you have to go home or something." 

Go out somewhere? Does he mean like a date? (Or is it just me?) I do want to go, but my parents will probably ask me why I came home so late. Or maybe they won't since they're dealing with my sister's death right now. But I don't want to go home.

"Yeah," I say, nodding. "Sure."

Alex stands up. "Okay. Do you want to go now?" 

"Sure," I answer.

Alex puts his books in his brown messenger bag and slings it over his shoulder while I stand up too. We walk out of the library together and out of school. 

"Where do you want to go?" I ask. "Did you have someplace in mind?"

He nods his head. "There's this new Japanese café downtown that I wanted to try out. It had good reviews on Yelp."

"Okay," I reply. 

"It's a short walk from here. It shouldn't take very long." 

We walk down the block from our school, and at first, there are groups of friends and couples walking together. As we keep walking, the students start to clear out until it's just us. 

"Have you ever had... someone else?" I ask him. "Like a partner?"

"Oh, yeah, definitely," he says. "I've had, like, three girlfriends."