1 Friends

"Saya!" Hearing her best friend's voice, saya slowed her brisk pace and looked back to see Juna running after her followed closely by their other friends Rin and Boa.

"Why do you always walk so fast?!" Juna asked trying to catch her breath.

"She's got a point, Saya. It's not a race." Rin complained also breathing hard.

"I thought you weren't coming this way because you guys were staying at Boa's" Saya asked looking at Boa who seemed to be the only one not out of breath.

My mom had to take a night shift. Boa signed. Boa used to be bullied heavily in her old school and was really shy when she started at Kousai High. She had no way of knowing there were others in school who also signed. Juna's older brother was also deaf as well as Rin's mom. Saya had become friends with Juna in preschool and had learned sign from her. It was their own little club now.

"We decided to stay at my place instead." Juna finally caught her breathe. "Guess we should've told you but with everything happening..." Juna's voice trailed off. Saya's father had just gotten laid off and they weren't doing well with their bills these days.

"Juna!" Rin looked worried but to be honest, Saya knew Juna didn't mean anything. They'd been friends so long, she knew Juna said what she thought no matter who it hurt.

We should go. I don't want to be late to Mr. Skano's class. Boa walked up next to Saya and they started walking.

"Hey! No fair! You both walk faster than us!" Rin yelled hurrying after them.

They walked into class to sit in their usual seats. Because of the assigned seats, Rin and Boa sat on the right, but seperate. Juna and Saya had always been seated near each other considering their last names were only one letter apart.

"Hey, Juna. You going to buy Fusionheart tomorrow?" Kinta asked sitting next to his crush. A lot of guys liked Juna and honestly, Saya knew why. She was kind and gentle with a natural beauty like aura. She was also kinda frail which gave most guys a damsel in distress appeal.

"I'm not sure. My VL needs an update and fusionheart is kind of expensive... " Juna shyly looked away.

"How about I get it for you and you pay me back later?" Kinta asked just as the teacher walked in.

"Time to settle down. Continue your conversations after class." Mr. Skano started signing as he spoke and they took notes.

Class was over sooner than expected for Saya. She was sure she had zoned out on half of the lecture yet her notes were detailed. She didn't even remember writing this much.

"So what you say, Juna?" Kinta asked standing next to Juna's desk.

"Huh?" Juna looked up at the boy in confusion. Saya truely felt for him. Juna did this with every guy. She hardly even listened to guys most days.

"Fusionheart?" Kinta asked again.

"Oh. I may get it." Juna locked arms with Saya as they left the classroom.

"That was almost rude, Juna." Saya said as they caught up with Rin and Boa.

"What did she do now?" Rin asked switching out shoes at her shoe locker.

"She ignored Kinta." Saya switched her shoes out as well.

Not the first time. Boa signed.

"It's not rude. I was truthful. I'm not some cheap girl to sell a date for a video game." Juna took the lead as they headed home.

Are you getting fusionheart? Boa asked seeming excited. Saya sensed everyone's sudden silence and realised the problem quickly.

"You should get the game, Juna. I'm going to get my copy soon. I've saved up. If you guys get it first, you can help me when I'm new." Saya said in a cheerful tone.

"She's right, Juna!" Rin excitedly jumped up and down. "There's even an animal race! The most diverse yet!"

They even have bear, wolf and lizard! Boa cheered on.

"Okay! You sure, Saya?" Juna asked looking at Saya practically begging.

"Of course! Just promise you'll help me when It's my turn." Saya smiled. "If you head to the Gamer's Nest today, you can preorder and pick it up at midnight. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until noon tomorrow. Luckily, we don't have school tomorrow, so..."

"Let's do it!" Rin excitedly started running, though not very far before she was out of breathe.

"I'll catch you guys later. I have an errand to run." Saya left her friends smiling and in a hurry.