January 27th 1998
Monday 11:30AM
The second period has just ended, it's time for recess, a time normal people use for socialising with friends, but me? No, I just sit on an empty bench in the courtyard with my cassette player and sketch book. Some people do try and engage with me but my uninterestedness usually causes them to give up. The national guard is still mobilised, still patrolling and still harassing the average citizen. I've been feeling uneasy…ever since receiving that text from the upperclassman… Yuri Hanabishi, why did she ask around for my number, actually better yet who gave her my number? I sit there puzzled drinking my Herr Peätter, I'm brought out of this state by someone sitting next to me to my right. I look up to see one of my few 'Friends', Juro Kaneki. "How's it hanging Quinny me boyo'" Juro says energetically and in an annoying fake Irish accent. "You know me Juro, fine as always, what about you?" I say whilst reciprocating his high-five. "I'm good, I'm good just wondering if there was any homework due for 5th period Psychology," he says slouching back staring up into the sky. "I don't think so I wasn't in on Friday," I say shrugging my shoulders and fidgeting with my can of Herr Peätter. "Shit, well at least you have an excuse, so weird thing some upperclassman asked me if I had your number, she was pretty cute, I didn't know you were such a player!" He says that last part whilst laughing. "That explains the message I got on Saturday," I resist the urge to face palm in embarrassment. "I bumped into her in the canteen, then she sat with me afterwards I didn't realise I made such an impression," I say as I slouch back with Juro. "Soooooo….did you reply?," he turns to me with an eyebrow raised. "No… I didn't really know what to say," I say looking back at him. "So let me break this down; you meet a cute older girl, you obviously spike her interest enough to ask around for your number, then finally you ghost the poor woman." He says inquisitively, shooting me a confused look. "Basically," I say dryly. "B..B..B..BASICALLY!, Quinn you are a grade A idiot!," he exclaimed in an annoyed and flustered manner, his face turning from shock to it being covered by both of his palms. I rummage through my bag and find a chocolate bar and break off half and offer it to him "Chocolate cannot save you from my disappointment Mr Andrei-MacCoráth, but I'm still taking it," he removes his palms from his face and takes the half. We sit there till our break period is over. Biology period 3 goes by rather quickly as does Physiology period 4. I walk to the canteen, as I do I spot Mai with her friends. My heart feels like it momentarily stopped beating. If just being in her presence is enough to paralyse me, how am I meant to tell her how I feel? When I reach the canteen I make my way to the vending machines to get something for lunch. After getting something I find and sit at my usual table, whilst eating I load a new cassette into my player. I sit there in my own world. I hear the faint sound of someone trying to talk to me, I take off my headphones to see Yuri to my left "Fancy seeing you here Quinn," she says whilst softly laughing and putting a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Hi Yuri, sorry for not responding to your message. I've been quite busy," I say nervously, fidgeting with my sleeves. "Aw it's okay. I hope that you're okay with me getting your number from your friend, you weren't in on Friday," she says, getting closer and resting her hand on my shoulder "Mind if I sit? my friends are helping out at their clubs," she says whilst giving me a gentle smile. "Of course I don't mind at all," my voice shakes a little when I respond to her. She pulls up a chair across from me, after she retrieves her lunch, a neatly packed bento filled with delicious smelling food. "You want some?" She says offering a piece of meat on her fork, I immediately go bright red "I…I…I'm fine t..t…thank you,"I stutter out and look away. "Come on, just a tiny bite?" She waves the fork playfully, the aroma is killing me. I lean in and take a bite of the pork or what I think is pork is stringy and seasoned to perfection. Realising what I just did I look away, "It's good," I say whilst looking at the ground. Her smile is so warm, she's genuinely happy that I indulged her request. "I think I still have that sketch from Thursday, it's on my dressing table at home," she says following a small bite of food. "I hope you like it, it was only a quick one I just hope its alright enough," I say quietly whilst opening my can of Herr Peätter. "Aw you're too humble, it's a cute little sketch you managed to get loads of detail into it," she says as she moves her hand close to my free one resting on the table, I'm caught in a trap I can't move without seeming rude to both Yuri and others as well. I pretend not to notice, but my hand begins to race faster and until, it finally happens her hand is now on top of mine its cold but not uncomfortable, I briefly look up from the table to meet her eyes and I can't describe fully what I see in her eyes, her head is slightly tilted and her eyes looking longingly. Without a second's notice she quickly retracts her hand like a whip "Im so so sorry, I got a little caught in the moments, plus my friends always say I'm very touchy," her face goes red with flush. "No, no it's okay I don't mind at all," I say, unable to make eye contact. We sit there in awkward silence, the tension sliceable with a blade. "Quinn?" her voice has lost its confidence. "Yeah, Yuri?" I reply. "Would you maybe like to walk with me to the train station?" She asks me whilst looking in my eyes. Im stunned by the question, why at a time like this?. "I don't mind, meet me outside the school gates, I'll see you later" I say whilst gathering my stuff in preparation for the bell ringing. Before heading to class I step into the bathroom in order to take my 'medicine'. I take a seat in my Psychology class and shortly after Juro sits in the empty one next to me, five minutes later Mai walks in with her group of friends again and we briefly make eye contact. The class itself drags on, none of it appealing to me every so often I steal a glance at Mai who is paying full attention. Juro has to nudge me when I make it too obvious that I'm not giving my 100% attention to the teacher, probably saving me from detention. A knock is heard at the classroom door, "Enter" says Mr Knight sternly. "Sorry to bother you Mr Knight, but Quinn Andrei-MacCoráth left his cassette player and headphones," embarrassment sets in due to not only what I did but also who it is bringing my stuff "Ahh Miss Hanabishi, I taught you last year how are you finding the content in your final year?" Mr Knight's facial expression changes from one of indifference to one of slight happiness "Quite tough but very interesting Sir," Yuri replies confidently. "Go on Quinn, quick quick don't expect Yuri to hand your misplaced items to you," he snaps at me. I get up shaking slightly, I hear Juro and my other classmates giggle quietly, Yuri is giving me a reassuring smile, "Thank you Hanabishi-Sama," I say whilst taking my things, I also give a small bow, "Return to your seat MacCoráth," Mr Knight snaps. Yuri leaves as I slump down into my chair embarrassed. "Look she's still keen Quinny Boy," Juro says as he slaps me on the back. "Don't act like I didn't see you two lovebirds speaking at lunch as well," he says. I hear more quiet laughter from my classmates. As class is finishing, I gather my things and say goodbye to Juro. I find Yuri leant up against the wall outside of the main gates to the school, "You ready Quinn?" Her voice is playful and attentive.