His Good Luck Charm

Montreal

Saturday had arrived  and so had March. March break was just around the corner too, which everyone was excited about. But today was the day Mayu had to volunteer to bring a class of third years to Montreal. 

Lin was driving him to the school that early morning. It had been an awkward week because Mayu had become more reserved than usual. Everyone knew something happened between him and Leo but neither of the boys gave out anything. They avoided each other at school and, luckily for them, the students were starting to lose interest in them.

"So you have everything?" Lin asked Mayu.

"Its only one day" Mayu grumbled. In fact, it was a full day: the art museum, the Imax and swimming at a public pool.

"Are you sure everything is alright with you and Leo?" Lin asked again as she pulled into the school parking lot. Mayu groaned.

"Yes, why?"

"Because it looks like he's also going to the outing"

Mayu choked and looked out the window. Fair enough, Leo was standing beside the yellow school bus looking cheerful, as always. He was surrounded by almost twenty, ten year olds and two adults.

"shit" Mayu swore. Lin gave him a side glance and smiled. She parked in front of the bus and waved a hand.

"Have fun" Lin said happily which earned her a glare. Mayu shook his head and stepped out of the car with his bag. He watched Lin drive away and only turned until the car was no longer visible. With a sigh, he turned around and made his way to the group. He ignored Leo who was watching him intently. There was one teacher and another student waiting for him.

"Hi, im Max" The teenager said beside him. "You probably dont know me since I graduated last year but I'm here with my little brother."

"Nice to meet you" Mayu said as he shook his hand

"Alright kids, listen up" Ryan said aloud. "Everyone get in the bus, we are about to leave in five minutes. Mayu, Leo could you come here please?"

The boys made their way to their teacher who was standing beside a little girl. The girl looked extremely shy. Her chin was tucked in and her hands were clasped behind her back. The pink hat covered her blonde hair and ears to keep her warm and matched her pink coat perfectly.

"This is Maggie. She is hard of hearing, so please be sensitive with her. Her parents insisted she learn to work with others her own age. Mayu, I know you have little experience with sign language. Would you mind helping her through the day?"

"I'll keep her close to me, sir" Mayu smiled as Leo bent down so he could see the shy girl better.

"Hello, my name is Leo" he signed and already the girl's eyes sparked with interest. "If you want, you can stay with me and I'll be your translator. Cool?"

Ryan the teacher looked impress but Mayu, who already knew Leo could sign. It had been a week since Leo was able to speak freely with Mayu and he admittedly missed it. Even though their exchanges were mostly greetings, both boys were capable of long and intellectual conversations. 

Maggie smiled and nodded her head towards Leo. She knew how to speak but it felt good to sign to someone without difficulty. Mayu offered Maggie his hand, which she took willingly. Leo stood up again and made his way inside the bus with Mayu and Maggie close behind him.

Mayu made sure he sat in the seat directly behind Leo. Maggie sat restlessly beside him. Before sitting down, Leo leaned on the bench before him and removed Mayu's earphone from one of his ear. Mayu looked up startled.

"We are going to need to speak to each other during this trip" Leo said quietly. Mayu sighed.

"I know" he said. He placed his earphone back into his ear. Being surrounded by almost two dozen of nine year olds made Leo a little agitated. Leo was not a fan of children.