And she did... giggle, and give the "I'm so embarrassed" routine.
But then she caught herself and, more contained, asked:

quote:

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"Your music. On your iPod, you were listening to it yesterday, what do you listen to?"

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"Mainly english stuff. Folk specifically. Sometimes rock. I was listening to Patrick Wolf the other day. Do you know him?"

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"Folk?"
I had often come across people who didnt like Folk, but rarely across someone who didnt know the genre, and never someone who so blatantly declared. I didnt mind though. Maybe I could convert someone to the genre.
"Its more calm than most music. Mostly based around guitars. The lyrics are mostly important as well. The most famous folk singer is Bob Dylan. Maybe you've heard of him."

"What about you, what do you listen to?"

It was then that it occurred to me that her question might have referred specifically to Patrick Wolf. I was about to correct myself but decided not too. I hadnt been rude or disdaining in my answer so it was only a matter of a simple misunderstanding.

Still looking up I said, "No, I meant up there. What's it like?"

Okay. It was a joke. I get it.
A little sudden from someone who
a) is always silent
b) I've only talked to for a minute.
Still... what do I do?
Get offended? Why shouldn't I? Im taller than most people, but by no means a giant. There were 1 or 2 people in class taller than me.
But.. get offended over such a small thing? No sir, not my style.
The only way to react was to go along and, if possible, think of a good comeback.

"Nice and high up. I have a good view over the classroom when Im this high up."

I averted my eyes from hers and looked at the top of her head and then back at her.

"High enough to see the flies mating in your hair."

Oh my word! Oh no! I offended him!

I went bright red and wished the ground would open.

"Uh... gomen nasai... I'm really so... gomen..."

I stared at my desk.

baka!

And she took it the wrong way. Should have known. The stutterin "im so sorry" routine came back.
She didnt realise I wasn't only joking either.

"Oh.. no, its okay."

"And about the flies... I wasn't joking, two flies seem to be caught in your hair."

I leaned over a little, and continued:

"Want me to take them out from my... superior standpoint?"

I wondered how she would react to that. I suddenly felt the urge to push the conversation a little further. She was so terminally shy and easily embarrassed that it was almost fun to see her reactions.
Before I went on, however, I waited for her answer.

I kept my eyes on her as I walked passed her and sat down. It was fine until I sat down, until I pulled out my books and straightened in my seat to find her turned around and looking at me...talking to me.

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“Ohayo gozaimasu, Nagashima-san. How did you get on with the Japanese or geography homework last night?”

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"And about the flies... I wasn't joking, two flies seem to be caught in your hair. Want me to take them out from my... superior standpoint?"

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"Eh? The homework...yeah, it was fine. What about you?"

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“I wasn’t trying to be rude, even though it must have come out sounding that way I didn’t mean it I was just trying to start a conversation, perhaps people should get to know each other before trying out the jokes and things, hm? and my name’s Natsuba, Ameashi Natsuba pleased to meet you.”

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“Morimoto Takeo by the way.”

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“Takeo-kun! Ah, is it alright if I call you Takeo-kun?”

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We both sat there looking out the window which was kind of… nice. Uncomplicated. Without looking at him I said,

“Arigato it was nice talking and next time you’ll have to tell me about this Pat-o-riko Wolfo although my English isn’t good so I might not understand much.”

Her bus arrived. Several students piled off. Doors hissed closed and it pulled away. No Takako.

I checked my watch, the five minute bell would ring soon. Maybe she got the early bus? Maybe she’s in already? Glancing once more up the road hoping for I didn’t know what – an anime style Takako running along with a slice of toast in her mouth or something – I crossed the road and went into school.

No, she wasn’t in yet. I knew that the instant I went in the gate. She was there, waiting, as patient as a faithful dog. I nodded a silent "Ohayo" to her, stowed my gear and went upstairs. Already the numbers of students milling about was thinning, most were in homerooms already. Feeling less good than I had earlier I went into class. Mostly full and people were standing about chatting.

I smiled at Kazuo-san near the door “Ohayo,” I said as I went by. Seisaku-san who I’d briefly nodded to last week, was with two girls so I gave a casual “Hi.” to him and to Fushida-san and Nagashima-san who I knew only by name, smiling at them both and nodding.

I reached my desk and dumped my bag. The desk beside mine near the window was empty. A couple of desks behind me, the New Guy, Morimoto-san was gazing out the window. I didn’t interrupt him. I sat for a moment.

The thing is, apart from one person, you’ve not really made any friends yet, have you? Well there’s that guy but until he plays by the rules I’m not interested. You’ve chatted here and there to a few people, perhaps it’s time to make an effort. There’s certainly one important person you and Takako need to make friends with…

I glanced round. Yup, there he is at back of class.

I lent against a pole on the bus and flipped open my phone and smiled at the screen. Then, I pushed some buttons and found myself viewing some text messages. Quickly, I replied to them, just before the bus pulled up to the school stop. Hopping off, I looked around and finding no familiar faces, made my way to school.

At the gates, I noticed her and giving a silent greeting, kept walking. Wonder why Aoi-chi isn't here yet...I hope she's not late again.

Upon reaching the classroom, I stepped through the door and my eyes unconsciously went to the back of the class but before they'd quite gotten there, they landed on Megumi-chan. I said hi to Kazuo-san and noticed Icchan sleeping on his desk but then turned my thoughts back to Megumi-chan. Another sad face? Worried and wondering what happened to the giggling girl I had known yesterday, I walked up to her and plopped down in the empty desk to her right.

"Morning," I said, "How's it going, Megumi-chan? Is everything all right? You don't seem like your usual happy self..."

Post last edited by fenkashi on 10.24.2007, 01:44 PM.

I’d been sat there hoping for ages that Hibiki would come and say something but it seemed like he really didn’t like me and had no intention of filling in the big hole I felt was growing between us.

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"Morning, How's it going, Megumi-chan? Is everything all right? You don't seem like your usual happy self..."

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“Hai, I finished it all. I was thinking…If you wanted to borrow my notes, here. Feel free.”

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Post last edited by hikari on 10.25.2007, 07:01 PM.

She jumped at the sound of my voice and looked over at me. A flicker of disappointment shadowed her face and then was gone. Was that my imagination or does she not want to talk to me? But then she was up and stumbling and next thing I knew, she was crying into my chest.

Eh?! Looking down at her, I tried to hold her up right and look at her face but that fell through. She was holding on too tightly for me to shift her and crying. I looked around the classroom. I couldn't find Fubi-san...Who else...Hibiki-san! But then I thought better of that. Something told me he wasn't the type that was amazing at dealing with tears. I found his face and thought that maybe our eyes met for a second but then Megumi-chan had let out a fresh batch of tears and I looked down at her again, thinking, Now what was that look on his face?

So with little choice, I took her by the hand and led her to the washroom. There were a couple people there but they scurried out when they saw us and in a few seconds it was just the two of us there. At first, I just held her and let her cry her heart out, murmuring comforting things into her ears. But once she was done, I held at arms length and looked at her slightly red face, which I wiped with some kleenex. Then smiling at her, I gave her a big, long hug.

After I pulled away, I gave her a warm smile and said, "Now, tell me what's wrong and maybe I can help?"

I pulled myself together to at least look towards her. I immediately wished I hadn't. She was crying. A lot. Noticeably.

Then just as I looked up, Tanaka glanced towards me. I looked away instantly. Damn... she must know it's my fault...

They walked out, and I kicked my bag. What is wrong with me? How do I manage to do these things?

Maybe you just can't help yourself.