Starting with a Loss

Lunch passed with a bit more pestering from Hoshi, though she gave up soon enough. I got zero response from Ryuu. The school day ended, and I never saw the check mark appear next to my message.

Is he ignoring me again? But, for, like, real this time? Should I try calling him?

"Haru, did you get an addiction to your phone today?" Akira plucked my phone from my hands. "Your eyes have to glued to it ever since lunch." He continued as he glanced at the screen. "Ah."

"Shut up." I grumbled and snatched my phone back. "I'm just..."

"Worried?" Akira finished for me. I nodded. Akira sighed as he wrapped his arm around me and guided me out of school. "I think you're way too paranoid. I mean, understandablely so, but I don't think you need to exhaust yourself concerning Mr. Dragon. I'm pretty sure you're way past the point of him ever being able to hate—no, dislike you even just a tiny bit."