Different Kind of Beautiful

Chapter 5

As I jumped at her sudden exclamation, the way Rinko fell over laughing could only mean one thing. I had clearly fallen for her joke as I didn't see any sign of Oikawa or Iwaizumi. I should have known better, considering I had been people watching almost the entire time. 

She laid in the grass, her bright hair spread around her head in a messy halo that only made her bright red face more noticable as she continued to laugh, arms clutching her stomach. 

"I really don't like you sometimes," I grumbled, unable to stop a smile from growing on my face as well. It was hard not to when she laughed. It was a melodic sound which is a weird way to describe a laugh, but that's the only word I could think of. She didn't laugh very often, normally too caught up in her own various plans that she kept locked up in her mind. 

She couldn't stop laughing to respond. I sighed, and stood up to start heading back into the school. 

"I'm glad that you're amused but classes are starting," I simply said. There was still no response. 

I knew she would get over it soon enough to get to class, but I wasn't going to wait around. I left her behind as I started to wind through the halls, lightly brushing up against students as they walked the opposite way, my slender form able to move around easier than the pairs slowly pushing their way through. Once again whispers started up as I walked, people noticing my dark hair and glasses, but there seemed to be more eyes on me than there had been before. 

"Is that her?"

"I dunno, I think she has that last name..."

"What class is she in anyways? I don't recall seeing her."

I bit down on my cheek, forcing myself to keep going. Suddenly hearing my last name be passed around was startling, and I didn't like it. I felt like I was going to be sick as the crowds seemed to be getting more dense the closer I got to my classroom. I straightened my back and swallowed, forcing myself to take a deep breath. 

If I was going to do this it would be on my terms. 

I knew that I couldn't last another day like this, not to mention the rest of the day. It was going to be a very long week. I could feel a pain behind my eyes slowly start to grow, nothing too bad at the moment but later it would feel much worse. I kept breathing slowly, forcing myself to calm down. 

What I would give to have a book blocking my face from sight...

I was glad to see Matsukawa in the classroom, though he seemed confused as I approached. 

"I can't take this anymore. Feel free to let Trashykawa know that if he wants to talk I'll be waiting after you guys are done with practice. Or wait until after if you think it will distract him too much."

He raised an eyebrow, a small smile on his face. "Any reason why the sudden change? Not that I'm complaining."

"My name is getting around and no one has stopped staring," I blandly stated, wanting nothing more than to leave. "He's been begging Rinko for information, and she must have slipped up recently. Torture him with my identity for all I care, I just want it to stop."

I sucked in a breath as I realized how worked up I was getting. 

"Sorry, I just don't like how big this has gotten."

He nodded. "No worries. I'll let him know sometime today."

"Do you know the trees in the back of the campus near the storage sheds? Just tell him to head back there."

That was one less thing I had to worry about I supposed, as long as I could get through everything else that could possibly happen today. 

Sure enough, when classes got out, I decided to stay in the classroom a bit longer. Despite only talking to Matsukawa, someone in my class had overheard and it was spreading like a wildfire. There was still a bit of confusion as not many people knew who I was but my name was popular. 

I couldn't help but feel a bit twitchy as I walked through the halls, everyone wondering aloud if I was her but never bothering to ask me themselves. Anyone I made eye contact with looked away, which felt wrong because I was normally the one to do that. I was the one who chose to blend in and not be bothered.

That choice had been taken from me I supposed, and this time it was everyone else who chose to stand back and watch. 

I just wished they could have been quieter about it. 

I wandered around to the back of the campus, away from the main gates and away from the majority of people. I could still hear their voices echoing in my head as I pulled my glasses off and closed my eyes. Sure enough, my head was pounding and I wanted nothing more than to leave. But I had told Matsukawa that I would be waiting for the brunette so I needed to stay. 

Deciding that I had plenty of time to waste, I made my way back to the very back of the campus towards the trees that I had mentioned to Matuskawa. I didn't go back here very often because I didn't want too many people back there discovering it. I knew that there had to have been someone else that knew about the little space tucked behind the trees and sheds as the grass was never very tall, but I had never seen anyone else back there. 

Putting my bag up against the wall, I pulled my glasses from my face and laid down on the slight hill. It was a pretty big space, room enough for a larger group of students to comfortably sit, but at the moment I was just me. 

I laid in the grass, eyes closed and listening as the campus grew silent. It was peaceful and not quite cold enough to be uncomfortable. The pain in my head started to fade slightly, but I wasn't expecting much. 

Back here I felt relaxed and it was nice. 

I could faintly see the campus grow more shaded as the afternoon went on, and I wondered exactly how long volleyball practices normally took. I knew it was long enough for any fangirls to head home since they couldn't sit in, but I hoped that it wouldn't be too late. 

What if he doesn't come? 

I sat up as the though ran through my head. What if he decided that he didn't want to bother now that it wasn't much of a game anymore? Maybe he would be too exhausted and would rather just head home. 

I quickly stood up and grabbed my things. Maybe I could see if they were still in practice and just wait outside the gym. 

As soon as I pushed out from behind the trees and back towards the gyms, I found myself falling back. Blinking, I looked up at the brunette I had been waiting for as he grabbed my arm to stop me from falling. 

"Ah, sorry, are you o-" he cut himself off, now blinking rapidly at me. 

"Thank you," I blurted, trying to find my footing as he let go of my arm. "I uh, think it's time we talked."

He just nodded, giving a small sheepish grin. I had to stop myself from pausing as we walked towards the gates. It was a smile I hadn't seen and one that I hadn't heard described. He seemed just as nervous as I felt, both of us unsure as to where to start after everything that had gone down. 

"I'd like to apologize."

"I'm sorry-"

His eyes locked into mine as we spoke over each other. 

Oh.