Lunch Break

"I'm being haunted by the spirits of the leaky ceiling." (Jason)

"What?" (Rick)

"While we were at the class, drops of water kept falling on my head. But whenever I look up I couldn't find where that god damn waterfalls?!" (Jason)

"..." (Rick)

Rick couldn't find a word to utter. Seeing Jason telling weird things with a serious face is probably shocking for him.

Right now we are sitting in the cafeteria. The morning lessons are over and we are having our lunch break. We sit at the table right next to the door of the cafeteria after getting our meals. At our table, I, Jason, Rick, Matt, Mason, and Lucas. We are friends from back in middle school. Not all of us are at the best friends level but still we are all on good terms.

Rick Ortiz. When we were in middle school he was in the next classroom. He is a good guy but I never have talked much with him while we were in middle school. I don't know much about him except for him being shy towards girls. He is rather short at the height of 1.65 m. He has wavy brown hair and brown eyes.

Lucas Hult. Lucas was fast but lazy. He was the second-fastest person in our class now. If we don't count me who is able to enhance his speed. He was also a good thinker. Likes to solve riddles and puzzles ordinary people wouldn't even know how to solve. But because of his laziness, he would usually sleep or sit still and observe others. His height is 1.76 m. He has short blonde hair and brown eyes.

Mason Avenoff. He is rather bulky and slow. He is was my classmate back in middle school too. Unlike his appearance which could intimate others easily, he is the kindest of us. He is just a few cm taller than Lucas. He has black hair and black eyes.

Matt Pharmen. He loves to talk and gossip. He was a classmate of Rick back in middle school. He is the most outgoing member of our circle. He has the exactly same height as Lucas. He has brown curly hair and green eyes.

"I don't know. It just sounds like you were half asleep in the class." (Lucas)

"I would never! Even I would listen to the class properly!" (Jason)

"Yeah yeah. You definitely were listening. Just, your eyes were focused on that girl." (Matt)

"That girl? Who is she?" (Oscar)

"You didn't notice? Its Hope. The cute girl." (Matt)

"Ah! I see. It makes sense." (Oscar)

It does make sense. He is constantly talking about her. Whenever she is around he acts weird and blushes... He has a crush on her, doesn't he? It might be nice for him. He at least got over Leah. I should support him in this crush of his.

A mischievous smile appeared on Rick's face. He was sitting right opposite me. I turned my head to look at where he was looking. A table behind me was the girl's table. And guess what, Hope was among the girls who were sitting there. I turn back and our eyes met with Rick. I smiled back at him. I understand what kind of mischievousness he wants to do. And I'm fully supporting him.

"Hey, Jason." (Oscar)

"Yeah?" (Jason)

"Say, why are you so coward?" (Oscar)

"Huh?" (Jason)

"Oscar is right, you know. You weren't like this back in middle school." (Rick)

"Eh?! You too, Rick!? I'm not a coward! I have never been a coward!" (Jason)

"Then prove it." (Oscar)

"Fine. Just tell me what I have to do! I'll have you know that I fear nothing!" (Jason)

I smiled with clear amusement. He fell for such a simple bait. Rick pointed the table behind me to Jason. Since Jason was sitting next to me he didn't see Hope and the girls. And when he saw them he froze.

"How about asking a girl out? It certainly requires courage." (Rick)

"It certainly does. But he can just ask any girl over there. If it's like this, I don't think it would be that hard, right?" (Lucas)

"Yeah, Lucas is right. Let's raise the bar a little." (Matt)

"Then, how about Hope?" (Oscar)

"Yeah, it's a good idea. Jason should ask Hope out." (Rick)

Jason blushed and fell silent for a while. It's really easy to see how embarrassed he is. Well, maybe it's not because of embarrassment, not that I care that much. His face is almost as red as his hair. Meanwhile, Mason asked me with a whisper.

"Aren't you guys pushing him too much?"

"Nah. He needs a strong push to act. This is for him."

And just as I said, Jason stood up and walked over to the girl's table. I didn't hear it well but after Jason said something all of the girls cheered Hope. And after Hope said something Jason smiled with clear joy.

"The mission is completed." (Rick)

"Turns out you were right." (Mason)

"Of course. I know him the best. He is my best friend after all." (Oscar)