Stormy Summer

A Rough Day at School

Monday came quicker than anticipated.

We were currently sat in the second period. Math.

I sighed. The period was almost over, and we just sat and took notes of the most important things. It felt like the day should be nearly over already.

Time seemed to be ticking by much slower, as we waited for school to end. Or the first break.

Whichever came faster.

Five minutes, I noted as my eyes glanced at the clock yet another time.

My eyes drifted back to the teacher, hoping to whoever was listening, that the teacher won't notice me glancing at the clock every few seconds. I heard that could be considered rude, and I have no interest in being scolded for my impatience.

Not any time soon, at least.

When the long-anticipated bell finally rung, I packed my things in record timing, waiting for the others to follow suit, I sat nervously.

Just now, I realized that having the first break also meant that we'd get to see Akaashi and Bokuto again.

I kind of dreaded seeing him again, as I didn't know how to act just yet.

Though sooner rather than later, I would find out, as Rose tapped my shoulder, "You coming?" she raised her eyebrows at me, waiting for me to stand up.

I nodded, Anna and Charlie were already at the door when I joined Rose to go up the staircase to the rooftop.

Bokuto and Akaashi weren't there yet, so the four of us sat and ate with little conversation between Anna and Charlie, who were discussing some book that Anna had read recently, "It's the saddest excuse of a friendship I have ever read in a book," Anna complained for the umpteenth time within the last twenty-four hours, "and the worst part? The author actually knows how to portray friendships! I had high hopes for this book!" you could practically taste the disappointment that dripped off her voice.

I understand her disappointment, though. From what I heard, this really is the saddest excuse of a friendship.

The heroine just trots after the guy she likes, completely forgetting about her other friends. Then, the guy friend who has a crush on her is only used to get her homework done and once he dies, for whatever reason, she's suddenly all sad about it, as though he had mattered to her before his death.

It's ridiculous.

I was so lost in thought that I nearly yelped as Bokuto sat down next to me, "Hey! What're you talking about?" he asked Anna, who immediately went on a rant.

Judging by his expression, Bokuto was surprised the bookworm could talk so much, though, he immediately joined in on her rant when he got the rough grip on what Anna was complaining about.

It was kind of nice to see that nothing has changed between the six of us. I was somewhat afraid that things would change now.

My worry was completely unwarranted, though, as it turns out.

And by the time the bell rang again, I was actually disappointed that we'd have to part. It was so refreshing to listen to Bokuto, Anna, and Charlie complain about the book. At least now I know what I shouldn't read. Not that I find the time to read much anyway. Apart from the monthly shonen jump.

When we made it half-way to the third-year floor, I trailed behind with Bokuto, who suddenly stopped me just before reaching the last step, "Come watch practice later," he said before he gave me a quick peck on the cheek and went on his way to his classroom. I blushed bright red as I realized Rose was grinning at me. I quickly went past her and walked behind Anna and Charlie, who had been in front of us this whole time. At least they didn't see anything they could hold against me.

I felt Rose's eyes burning into my skull as we sat in class again. I sighed internally.

This is going to be a long day.

I wasn't wrong.

It felt like an eternity until we spend lunch break in our classroom, comparing our notes of the day so far.

Rose was explaining some math equations to Anna, while Charlie and I helped each other with English.

It's almost funny how we have to help each other with the task that should be easiest but even as native speakers, we have to say everything aloud to understand what the Katakana mean. It's close to regular English but still too different to be considered easy.

And even after all this time, I still had trouble understanding some of the things written in Katakana without saying them aloud.

It's somewhat pathetic, really.

"Rose?" Charlie whined as we struggled with reading a question for more than ten minutes. Rose sighed, we had interrupted her mid-sentence. She took a quick glance at my worksheet for what might not even count as a second before muttering out, "Sam's father has a huge collection of vinyl in their basement," I groaned.

It's harder than it looks, I swear.

How can she read those so easily anyway?

"Thanks," Charlie chimed happily, "Now, what's the Japanese word for vinyl?" Charlie looked at me, and I shrugged, fishing out my phone and doing a quick google search, "according to Google, it's just that. 'Binīru'," I replied before writing down the sentence in Japanese.

Just after finishing with the last question, the bell rang again, and we quickly moved our tables apart again and got seated before the teacher entered the class.

I glanced at the clock.

Here we go again.