Hope Fades OneShots

Aspen Akiyama

The first day of school had arrived and before you knew it you were standing in the halls of your high school, looking around for your first class. You rushed about the school looking for your classroom and finally found it. Right as you were about to walk in, you noticed a short blue-haired kid staring at the door. They were looking very intensely at the room numbers next to the door, trying analyze them or something. They turn to you surprised and move aside so you can enter.

"I'm sorry! I was standing in the way, wasn't I?" The light blue haired kid turns away and starts to walk off, but they spin around a few times, looking lost. You reach out a helpful hand, literally, and touch their shoulder. They flinch, almost like they've been hit there before. For a moment they seem frozen, not moving at all. Then the kid whips back around, acting totally different. "Don't touch me! I'm gonna punch you, ya ass!" You release their shoulder and back away.

"Oh jeez I'm sorry!" You say with your hands up in the air next to your face. The kid shakes their head and then looks back up at you with a sigh. 

"Can you help me get to class?" 

"You're not gonna punch me in the face?"

"What? No." They scratch behind their head for a brief moment and whisper something, but it's so muffled under the noise of the people walking past you totally miss it. 

"Huh?" You say, wanting to know what they said. The kid repeats a little louder but still far too quiet for you to hear them. "Just say it louder!" You grumble, and so the kid shouts,

"I HAVE MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES!" 

Everyone in the hall seems shocked at the screaming for a few seconds. The shock is momentary though and everyone keeps moving moments later. You nod at the kid. "What's your name?" You ask them politely, giving them a wide smile. 

They seem reluctant to respond at first, but then let out another heavy sigh and say, "Aspen Akiyama. My mom just moved us here. I mean I know it's the first day of school but most people knew each other before and it's just-" They stop speaking, realizing they've run on talking too long. Aspen clears their throat and asks, "What's your name then?" 

You pucker your lips are giggle a little, saying, "Why should I tell you?" Aspen gives you a weak punch to the shoulder and you let out a soft ouch. Aspen chuckles and you do too. "Fine, fine, I'll tell you. It's a little silly so don't laugh at my name." You whisper your name into Aspen's ear and they nod. After you step back a little Aspen starts laughing. "Hey I said don't laugh!" You snap at them angrily.

"I'm not laughing at your name! Well I am, but you just have such an adorable name and it made me giggle!" They smile at you. You can't stay mad at Aspen, their face is too adorable. "Alright! Walk me to class!" You nod and begin to walk down the halls. Aspen stays close to you, right beside you like a loyal dog. They sure are clingy! We just met. It's kind of sweet though. Soon enough though, you arrive at the room Aspen is supposed to be in. Before Aspen enters they wave goodbye and say, "See you around! Haha." Then they turn and go into the room. You stand there for a moment almost starstruck. You feel your heart pounding, as you've never met someone so interesting. 

Ding!

The first late bell rings! You panic and run back down the hall, busting into your classroom. Everyone stares as you've entered extremely late and look like you ran a mile. Once you get settled though, the class feels like it goes by in a second. You hope Aspen will be at your lunch, wanting to get to know them more. When taking the class notes you realize you've written Aspen in some of the blanks, which you quickly erase. Get out of my head Aspen Akiyama!

Lunchtime had arrived before you knew it. You rushed out of class and down to the cafeteria. You only had enough money for a couple juice boxes, but bought two since you were extra thirsty from sitting in that hot classroom without any fans or air conditioner. You also didn't like sitting in the regular dining area so you took your lunch and walked down the hall. Leaning up against the locker and then sliding down so that you were sitting against it, you popped a straw into one of the juice boxes and began to sip. As you drank your midday snack you noticed someone slowly walking down the hall, tears pouring from their eyes. You usually didn't intervene with upset pupils but you recognized them. "Aspen?" You called out. They looked up to see you and then looked down, running off down the hallway. "Wait up!" You yelled, picking up your lunch and following. 

"Leave me alone, please!" They shouted back, running towards one of the exits, and flinging the door open, running into the courtyard. You trailed behind, much slower because you didn't want to drop the drinks. 

"Aspen please slow down! We can talk." You slow your pace so it's less like a chase scene. Aspen finally stops under a tree, sitting down. Carefully and quietly, you walk towards them. They shoo you away with their hand, head in between their knees. 

"Please. Go away. This is my quiet spot." 

"Aspen I-"

"Please.." They sounded almost silent and helpless. You sat down next to Aspen and carefully wrap your arms around them and pulled them in close. A hug. You could tell they were hurting and needed support. Aspen shivers but doesn't say anything.

"I am sorry for this, so sorry. I can't stand to see you sit here and cry though." You whisper into their ear, head against theirs. "You can tell me what's hurting you, Aspen. I know we've known each other for less than a day but I've never met such a funny and happy person. Everyone at this school is boring but you.. are different. You're cool."

Aspen looked up at you, locking eyes. "Thank you." They sniffled and you wiped their cheeks dry with your sleeve. "I-I was so nervous on my first day. You were the o-only person to comfort me. Everyone has been giving me weird looks all day, and I know when I get home.." They stopped speaking, almost like they'd said too much. That's when you realized. 

"Oh Aspen, your mother she-" They nodded and broke out crying again and hugged you tightly. "I'm sorry hun." You said quietly as Aspen cried into your arms. You made sure to hold them tight. "I'll protect you from now on Aspen. Remember that." Aspen pulled away from your arms and smiled at you. 

"You.. will?" You gently touch their jawline, holding their face. 

"Yes, now let's get you cleaned up." You say, standing up with Aspen and handing them a juice box and pulling Aspen up from the dirty ground. They quickly kiss your cheek and then turn away and giggle. You blush and laugh a little. You then grab each others empty hand and hold hands, drinking juice boxes in the other hands, and walk towards the school together.