If Only (Book 1)

part 9

Tzuyu had, up until last night, gone a month without using, and even then it was only occasional. So, why did she feel the need to practically stab a syringe into her arm the second she and Sana left their new job? "That was....really easy. Is it usually that easy?" Sana was genuinely confused. She was a lot more innocent than anyone would think. Tzuyu found it endearing. Over the course of three weeks, she had come to find out many surprising facts about the girl who was so bitter and angry when they first met. Other than enjoying to read, Sana loved nature: flowers, animals. Her eyes lit up every time she talked about an art piece. She would spend hours watching the most random YouTube videos. To the point where she didn't meet up with Tzuyu on the roof sometimes. She didn't mind though. She was just glad to know that if Sana didn't show up somewhere, it wasn't for a bad reason. She was at home. "It's not, unless they're really desperate." Sana stops dead in her tracks, with a bewildered look on her face. "Are you ok?" Tzuyu furrows her eyebrows. She's a bit worried, but Sana remains the same. "Who the fuck is gonna buy ice cream in October?" Tzuyu is speechless. In Taiwan people ate ice cream year round, but the weather here was about 40 degrees cooler. "We're stupid. We're so stupid." They look at each other and burst into laughter. Holding onto their stomach, or grabbing their knees. Pedestrians that passed by only stared. Who wouldn't? One was covered from head to to toe in winter clothing, while the other wore a simple sweater, and they were both dying of laughter in the middle of the side walk. The fit continued off and on for five minutes. It would die down, but then Tzuyu and Sana would find each other and the spontaneous sounds and movements would continue. They could've stayed that way forever, and if it weren't for tires screeching on the street, they would have. They make eye contact once again, but instead of cracking up, they race toward the bus. Tzuyu being just a little faster. "What're we gonna do? That place can't get much business this time around." Sana says as they find empty seats, which is not hard considering there are only four other people on the bus. One being a familiar face to Tzuyu, "Jennie?"

The classmate is surprised, "Tzuyu!"

"Hey!" Tzuyu moves over to sit next to Jennie. "Where are you going?"

"I live on this side of town, what about you?"

"Oh, I just came for a job."

"Really? Where?"

"Graham's." Tzuyu's replies and Jennie laughs, "In October?"

"Yeah. We didn't really think about that."

"We?" Jennie asks, and Tzuyu points at Sana who has her nose stuck in another book. Tzuyu didn't even realize she had brought one. "Who's that?"

"My friend, Sana."

Jennie nods, as if approving their friendship, and shifts back toward Tzuyu.

"You know, there's one good thing about you working at Graham's." She smirks.

"What?"

"They'll be seeing a lot more of me there."

This went on until the bus reached Jennie's stop. She bid goodbye to Tzuyu, who returned to Sana once her friend left. "You guys are cute."

"What?"

"You like her, don't you?"

"No! We're just friends. Plus, I don't think she's into me like that. Or girls for that matter."

Sana raises an eyebrow. "You're oblivious. She was totally flirting with you! It was pretty gross."

Tzuyu has never dated anyone. Yeah, she's had crushes but was always too shy to talk to anyone. "You think?" Sana nods, but what did she know? She was as inexperienced as Tzuyu.

"So, I was thinking. We spend too much time on the roof. Maybe we should do something else. You know? To celebrate our new jobs."

"Like what?"

"Anything other than sitting on top of buildings."

"Well, I don't know anything about this town. So, you'll have to pick."

"I know it's not winter yet," Sana smiles, "but why don't we go ice skating?"

"I've never been ice skating."

"Me neither, but I've always wanted to try it."

Tzuyu is skeptical, but the look of excitement on Sana's face is almost childlike. She rarely saw the girl like this, and there was no way she'd pass up an opportunity to see her fall flat on her ass.

Ice skating and public transportation for students was free, so without it Tzuyu and Sana would have died of boredom by now. Neither had a car. They didn't even know how to drive.

The two novices step off the bus. "Should we take some lessons first?" Tzuyu ask once they retrieve their skates. Sana ponders, then smiles, grabbing Tzuyu's hand and dragging her to the rink. "Ready?" She asks. Tzuyu shakes her head and protest, but Sana pushes her onto the ice. "Holy shit, Sana! I'm gonna fall!" Tzuyu stumbles, trying to regain her balance. "Oh god! I'm falling. Sanaaaaaaaa!" She frantically turns around to search for her friend who is still at the entrance, but before she can react her face meets the frozen water. Sana's eyes widen, she runs onto the arena. Her arms fly about as she attempts to keep her balance. She was so desperate to help Tzuyu that she didn't think, and ended up on the ice as well. Tzuyu's scraped face lands on Sana, who is sitting with a frown.

She got her wish.

Their eyes meet and they burst into laughter for the the second time that day. For a while, they stay in those positions, too scared of repeating the past. No one even offers them help. They just skate around them, giving them annoyed looks. "Is your face ok?" Sana asks from across the skating rink. "Not really. How's your ass?" Tzuyu shouts, as she watches Sana stagger to her feet. She extends her arms as she slowly moves toward the wall, trying not to fall again. The 15 feet to Tzuyu, might as well have been 100 because it took Sana about ten minutes to reach her. "I'm here to save you from death!" She jokes as she holds a hand out for Tzuyu to grasp. Tzuyu chokes on her laughter, grabbing Sana's hand and pulling herself up. Their eyes meet once again. Tzuyu's heart begins to pound, as the intensity continues. "Th-thanks." She stutters, accompanied by an awkward chuckle. Sana's attention shifts to Tzuyu's forehead as she caresses the wounds, and the pounding in her chest returns. They've never been this close. "That's pretty bad." Sana says, her voice full of concern and regret. Tzuyu brushes it off, "it's fine."

"Are you sure? Does it-"

"Ouch!" Tzuyu winces as Sana pokes at the scratches, "hurt?" She finishes with laughter. "Well yeah, you're digging into it!"

"Should we just go home? This was a stupid idea." Sana's face falls, and Tzuyu's heart wants to explode at the disappointment that sweeps the girl's face. "No, no!" She objects, "we just need to get the hang of it. Don't be so negative." She takes Sana's hand, pulling her away from the safety of the wall. It takes them a few more falls, but they eventually learn to stay on their feet. Once they got a handle on skating Tzuyu and Sana take turns playing tag. Bumping into others once in a while.

At some point, Tzuyu finds herself leaning against the wall, watching Sana twist and twirl as if she has any idea what to do. The rink is now empty, and she's pretty sure they'll be ask to leave soon. "Tzuyu! What're you doing? Come on!" Sana beckons her over, and Tzuyu smiles as she joins her.

But for now, they couldn't have a single care in the world.