Meeting The Unexpected

What a morning.

To hear I had nothing of my dad to keep me company put me in such a bad mood all day. That evening I was on the bed twiddling the black box in my hands examining it and not sure whether to open or leave it be… I wanted to let it be because it maybe the only thing I had of him. Or maybe I was afraid of receiving any more bad news? I sat up to the edge of the bed pondering on what to do…

I finally gave in and deciding to see what was in it...

I opened the box…

In it was a letter, addressed to me, from dad.

It read:

"H. By the time you read this, you've just turned sixteen. How I wish I was there to see you become the man you are. I was never good with words, but I want you to know I always loved you and I always will. By this time you've probably been told you have nothing to your name which you know it's besides the truth. Be that the case I want you to let go. Do not pursue it because it may not fair you well. My mind was battered. What did he mean by that?. "That is why I left you this necklace with a pair of my favourite cuffs as ornaments so you will remember me by. May it bring you good luck. Signed with love, dad."

I know dad. He wouldn't just write to just tell me to quit. I flipped paper and found something written behind it. "You know where to find them" written in a language only both of us were familiar with, characters from languages.

Classic pops.

When I was a kid, dad had me memorize a select few of languages, just their alphabets, ranging from Greek, Arabic to even African. I wasn't sure why but now I guess it paid off.

A safe deposit box is not as safe as you think. Pretty sure he had a feeling that they might have gone through it. And right there my lips stretched up for a smile.

After reading I placed the paper beside me and turned the box over onto my right pouring its contents in.

I set the box to my side and slowly wrap the necklace around my neck and tucked it into my shirt.

There was a knock on the door.

"Open up H-kun. It's Chika"

I grabbed the box and the letter then stuffed them into my bag.

"Go away."

The door swung open.

Chika Nemoto-san, Eighteen year old second year student, smart and beautiful. Almost every guy in school wanted their hands on her, even some of the gay boys. Emphasis on almost.

"What up dork?"

"Hey, would you quit calling me that!?"

"Not a fat chance. You weren't in class today, what gives?" She sits beside me on the bed.

No matter how rude I was she kept on coming around, and boy was she a handful.

"Nothing that should concern you. Get out."

"Hate to disappoint you but anything that happens to you is my concern"

See nothing.

"…."

"Well whatever. Are you done with your assignment yet? Give it so I could copy."

Crap, with what happened today I totally forgot about it. First time I ever forgot to finish my assignments. First time I forgot anything.

"No, I haven't… Besides why don't you do it yourself? Don't tell me you were out partying or on some crazy shopping spree."

Smart but lazy.

"What? You kidding right? Deadline's tomorrow… Why should I bother doing it if I could copy from a dork like you"

She caught me in an headlock.

She's strong for girl with such delicate features.

I was pinned to the side of her breast, unable to breath and the knuckles of her hand hardly pressing to my head.

Hey all those out there hearing this and saying 'bet you had fun rubbing one on her' I nearly choked for God's sake.

"Cut that out" I forced myself out of her grip.

"Tell you what, if you let me copy I'll let you hold my hand—" She's being all flirty. "Or perhaps you want the kiss you were always looking?" She's getting awfully close. "Yuki said you've never done that before".

Damn that Yuki, I told him in confidence.

"I'll pass, you can have the answers for all I care."

Saying that alone must have offended her because aside from being shocked, I saw a bit of sad in her, for being neglected.

"… Chicken…"

"Like I care what you call me."

On a serious note my head feels likes its going to explode from just imagining what she said.

Maybe she was right, maybe I was a chicken. But deep down I was hoping for something else, someone else.

"H-kun, you're stupid…" she whispered under her breath, but I'm pretty sure that's what she said. I swear I heard her.

Keeping my composure I stood, grabbed my bag and made it to the door.

"I'm heading for the public library, have the guys know if you don't mind."

"… sure." She spoke softly.

"Thanks"

Reaching the door about grabbing the door handle I felt something fall on my back.

"Hey H-kun…?

"What's going on? What's with that all of a sudden?"

"…I've been meaning to ask you… Is there someone?"

The inevitable was upon me.

"No… I don't think so."

"Then why?" She takes a step back. Hands clasped together, fingers interlocked.

I knew form the start, I mean who couldn't. She'd been dropping hints like crazy a year straight, clinging onto me and having fits of jealousy so how could I ignore that.

"You're not dumb to not have caught on with the hints I was dropping."

This is…

But I didn't think she'd straight up and confront me.

"I…"

I had to face it sooner or later.

"Am I not beautiful enough?" She broke into tears. You are. "Am I not attractive enough?" She closed the distance again.Yes you are.

"You are…" I formed a caring smile on my face "I think you are the most beautiful person I know. You smart, a bit on the lazy side" I chuckled "But you're kind, friendly, you helped through a lot and for that I am grateful. I like you…"

"But…" As if she knew what was on my mind.

My smile faded replaced with a dull expression.

"But that's as far as I can go"

Just by looking into her eyes I could tell she was shattered. Tears poured like a waterfall.

"Why? Why does it have to be so? Why? I have loved you ever since we met. You're cool, collected and despite how you behaved you cared for those around you. So why? Why can't I be more to you?" As she spoke about me she managed to sneak in a genuinely heartfelt smile that almost melted my heart away.

"..." I just didn't know what to say. I couldn't tell her that I was in love with someone that must have been a dream, now could I?

"Please say something."

"… I… I think I'm already in love with someone else."

She was stunned.

"But you said—?"

"Yes" I interjected "She doesn't know?

"But—"

I wrapped my hand around her, pressing her tightly to myself, my right hand at the back of her head.

"I'm really sorry… but I just can't. Believe me when I say that I would have fallen for you instantly if it was a different case, I wouldn't hesitate. But, I don't want you to be my second choice. You're too good for that." I said from the bottom of my heart.

I didn't know if I'd ever see the girl from my past. Sometimes I wondered if she was nothing but a dream. It was difficult to hold on to that belief that she may be real since it was from the memories of my childhood. But if by a slim chance she was, then… but if not I'd gladly accept been alone holding on to her image for the rest of my life.

I let go of her turning to the door and stepping out. I lean my head to the door.

What have I done? She probably would never want to talk to me again… Honestly, you're one of the few people I do care about… I'm really sorry Chika-san but I can't have anything with you or anyone beside her.

From behind the door I heard a thud probably from her falling to her knees and the faint sounds of her sobbing.