‘That’ Side Character Chapter 19: Nice Companions

He sprung back with surprise and you screamed again then slapped your hands over your mouth and face.

“I’m sorry!” you screeched into your palm, “I didn’t think that. Umm… what? Sorry. No, I…”

“Are you in pain?” he asked, “I should take you home.”

“No, I’m in love… I MEAN, I’M FINE,” you blabbered.

“Are you sure?” he asked, titling his head at you.

“Yep. Uh ha, 100% actually. I’m gonna go now, ok? I’ll see you later,” and with that you quickly jumped up, and then hobble/jumped off to the door and kept going.

Kenma watched with confusion, then quickly looked at the bench, floor, and bag before back at the door again then started running.

“Kenma!” Kuroo called after him.

“My PSP!” he cried, dashing out the door.

You were halfway across the oval when he finally caught up to you.

“Why are you chasing me. Go back. I’m fine,” you said, trying to shoo him away.

“My PSP. You still have my PSP,” he panted.

“Huh? Oh…” You looked down at it in your hand, “here.”

He took it from you and held it to his chest then turned to go back to the gym.

“Umm, hey!” you called, “why do you always look at me?” you then asked, still trying to figure out your feelings.

“When?” he asked, looking back at you.

“When you’re playing volleyball,” you said.

“Oh. I’m looking at my PSP in your hands. To make sure it’s ok,” he replied.

“Oh? So you’re not looking at me?” you asked.

He shook his head.

“No. Why would I be looking at you?” he asked. 

Your heart sank a little. Had you been thinking that maybe he liked you a little too?

“Oh… no reason,” you replied before turning to the fence.

He eyed you, then turned away with his PSP in his hand and walked slowly back to the gym while you placed your hands on top of the fallen fence and then swung your right leg (with boot) over it and hiked yourself up, half falling over the other side and doing a half handstand as you let your boot slide down the fence.

Just as you had finished climbing over that part of the fence, it collapsed.

“Oops,” you said as you sat there on the ground, “oh well it was bound to happen I guess.”

And so you shrugged and got up, then dusted yourself off and hobbled home.

“What if I don’t actually have a crush on Kenma. What if this is the feeling you get when you have a best friend?” you asked yourself, “he makes me feel happy when I’m around him and he’s supported me and been there for me… maybe that’s it. I’ve never had that kind of friend before… so it’s possible that that’s the reason?”

You were happy with that conclusion, for now, until you could figure yourself out a little more… but the best friend feeling did seem to fit the picture the best- given the circumstances.

Kenma didn’t play as well after you had left. His mind seemed to be elsewhere… and it wasn’t on his game.

“I hope she’s ok. Her HP was drained,” he thought as he imagined himself in combat gear, fighting off a giant dragon to keep you safe. 

………………………

That night you were aimlessly scrolling through pictures of the ‘worlds ugliest birds’ when you got a message from Kenma.

“Are you ok?” he asked.

“Yeah, why?” you replied.

“You just acted strange today.”

Your heart leapt into your throat and your whole body tingled.

“Umm… the medication,” you sent.

“Oh. Do you have enough. Do you need me to get more for you?” he asked.

“That aside, I’m surprised you would actually leave your room to get medicine for me,” you sent back.

“Health potions are important,” he replied and you smiled at your phone.

“He’s just a lovable idiot,” you thought.

Just then you got another message, but this time it was from Lolita, the front desk lady at the animal shelter.

“Hey honey bun, are you ok? You didn’t show for work yesterday?” she sent.

Back onto that rollercoaster, your heart got, and shot to dizzying heights before plummeting into your shoes.

“Oh no!” You screamed internally, “I completely forgot about work! So much happened!”

You switched from messaging Kenma to messaging Lolita and quickly texted her back.

“I am so sorry!” you sent honestly, “so much happened in the last day or so and I hurt my leg but I can come in tomorrow?”

Your heart stayed chillin’ in your shoes as you waited for a reply from her- not even sending another message to Kenma while you sweated it out.

She replied back quickly and you braced for the explosion about being immature and shirking your duties and other things like how you were an embarrassment, but instead of any of that, she replied with a line of hearts and then another message.

“Honey bear, I do hope you’re ok? Please don’t worry. You just rest and I will cover your duties. Kenma the cat missed you yesterday, he is hoping your leg feels better soon.”

You teared up as you read it.

“I think… I think my world is slowly changing? I have nice people around me now.”

You thought about Lolita and Kenma. 

They really were appreciated by you.

“What can I do to thank them?” you thought, dropping your phone to your lap and looking up at the ceiling to drain the tears from your eyes.

“I know! I’ll buy Lolita flowers… and Kenma… ummm…” 

You frowned and stared back down at you phone.

“What do I get Kenma?!”

……………………………….

The next day you were on a mission to get gifts for the people you appreciated the most.

Lolita’s was easy, there was a flower shop near the corner store that sold ice creams and you hobbled your way there before school and waited until the store opened.

“You’re early!” the lady said with a smile as she unlocked the door and flicked the sign from closer to open.

“Yes! I need flowers for a really nice person with glasses,” you said brightly.

“Umm… well… I don’t really know how to help… with that type of explanation, but maybe if you have a look around you might find the perfect bunch?” she offered.

“Ok, thank you,” you said, stepping in and dragging your bung leg around with you.

Nothing really stood out for you in the flower section but at the back of the shop they sold ornaments and you stopped there and stared at the wall of brightly coloured items.

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‘That’ Side Character Chapter 20: Off with the Fairies >>>