Chapter 8: So... A Date?

Sleep. Sleep is just lovely. Wonderful. The comfort. The peace. The warmth. I scooch in close to my warm blanket, rolling into it more, just trying to sook up as much of this as I can before the Bokuto wake up call comes. I didn't even set my alarm last night. What's the point. My team doesn't practice on weekends and Bokuto's coach gave the team the weekend off. Well, besides the three who showed up late yesterday.

They've probably run 6 miles by now and I'm still toasty in bed. I begin to wonder what time it actually was. I haven't slept past 7 since I met Bokuto. But I can feel myself waking up. Naturally. I fought my lifting eyelids, forcing them closed as I moved closer to the warmth.

As I am waking, I realize this warmth is not a bundle of blanket as I thought it was. It was solid, yet soft. The scent of it was familiar, yet, not my own. Peppermint? My bed doesn't know the scent of peppermint, beside the breath of my freshly brushed teeth in the evenings. This isn't that. It's fresh and warm, and ... moving.

I finally lift my lids, seeing a white a shirt, that I'm not wearing. I have on an old blue t-shirt. And I see my brown legs over black cargo pants, and white socked feet that are way longer than mine.

I yelp as I sit up, scooching as close to the wall as I could to get away from the body that has found its way into my bed.

I looked at the body, long, stretched down my bed. I looked up to its face. And the thumping in my heart shifted from fear to anger.

"Oh good, you're up." Bokuto said calmly, "I was just looking at some blocking techniques you should try."

"Why are you in my room?" I asked, still pushed to the wall.

"Mrs. Ito let me in." I saw his shoulders move in a shrug as he lay there, with one arm behind his head, the other holding his phone above his face.

"Why are you in my bed?"

"No where else to sit?"

I looked around my room. He was right, there really wasn't anywhere to sit. Aunt Bri told me to call her when I was ready to go shopping. Get things for my new room and for school. I should probably take that shopping trip tomorrow.

This still solves nothing.

"Well why didn't you sit on the floor? Why were you laying there? Why didn't you just wake me up?"

He sat up now, putting his phone down and looked at me. "I wanted to let you sleep. It's not like you were drooling on my chest or anything embarrassing. It's not a big deal. By the way," He smiled, "I'm guessing you're a cuddler."

I threw my head back letting the puff on the top of my head hit the wall behind me. My heart was just starting to slow. This guy is going to be the death of me.

I looked back at him. Looking clean and fresh in black cargo pants with a clean white tank that exposed every muscle in his arms.

"You don't look like you're ready for a run." I said, trying not to stare at his arms.

"Not running today. Just wanted to hang out with you, that's all." He got up from the bed saying, "I'll tell Mrs. Ito you're up, she was waiting to start breakfast." He left the room closing the door behind him.

I might have to tell Mrs. Ito to stop letting him into my room when I'm sleeping. I looked around my room, looking at the bareness of it. Just my bed, covered with an old throw blanket, my nightstand and a dresser. That's all. No curtains, no posters, no desk, no chair, no rug. A lot different from my room at home that's probably been taken over by my younger brother. And a lot lot different than my room at my aunt Bri's house. She hired a home designer to interview me to get a vibe for what I liked, then designed my room, all before I even got on the plane to head to Japan.

I went over to my closet, where my regular clothes are. And just thinking about putting together something other than just a random t-shirt and random pair of shorts, it's tiring me. But of course, Aunt Bri the fashion empress would be disappointed in me if I left the house looking like a complete fool. So... let's go for a dress. A whole outfit in one piece, easy.

I grabbed a black and white tie-dye t-shirt dress. Honestly my favorite type of dress, so comfy and easy to move in. I grabbed some undergarments and left my room to shower. Actively ignoring Bokuto sitting at the table. He doesn't get to see me smile and wave to him after he so casually crawled into my bed, freaking me out.

I showered quickly, dressed, brushed my teeth and looked in the mirror. My hair could use a bit of a touching up. It stays in an afro like state, pulled into a high puff on the top of my head. The hair is so dense that I can't even hold it all in a ponytail holder. So instead, I tie a shoelace around my hair to gather it all into the puff it typically stays in. Today, the puff seems to be frizzy. Too frizzy for a day of not working out. So I reached up and untied the shoelace, though my hair still stayed up as though the shoelace was still holding it there. Ugh, the magic of black hair.

I took my pick, fluffing it out more so it can leave it's puff state. Great now a full afro. Which is a bit much for me right now, so I took a white hair scarf of mine, and tied it like a headband to push my hair back. This I can work with.

I leave the bathroom, heading straight for the table. I sat beside Bokuto, who sat there pouting. Probably because I ignored him.

"Good morning Mrs. Ito," I said cheerfully, as if the trader didn't let Bokuto into my room in the first place. I have no allies here I see.

"Good morning," she said, as she stacked pancakes onto a plate.

She turned, smiling with the stack of pancakes and placed it on the table between me and Bokuto. Her eyes looked up at me and she smiled, "Oh dear, you look lovely today." She smiled deeply before turning back to grab plates and forks for Bokuto and I.

"Thank you," I smiled.

It is nice to get a complement every now and again. Between school uniforms, and practicing, it's not like I wear normal clothes too often.

I saw the pouting eyes of Bokuto shift my way, I pretended not to notice as I looked at the sweet smelling pancakes. But he can be a little hard to ignore. His eyes went wide, then narrow as he looked me up and down. "You do look nice," he finally said.

"Thanks y-" I started to say before he shouted,

"Hey, we match!"

"How cute," Mrs. Ito said, handing us our plates.

I stuck my fork into the top pancake, wanting to get to the hottest one before Bokuto did. But she seemed to still be looking at me.

"You two have a date planned out today?" Mrs. Ito laughed.

"No," I said quickly.

But Bokuto chuckled a little as he moved a few pancakes onto his plate, "I don't know. We could."

"Could what?" I asked, trying to sound cool and not panicked. How is he consistently chill about these things, but loses his chill over little stuff.

Messes up in volleyball, almost dies. People call me his girlfriend, doesn't even blink.

He shrugged, passing me the syrup, "Call it a date. Or just hanging out, doesn't matter to me, I was just hoping to spend today with you."

When I didn't take the syrup from his hand, he chuckled, pouring some onto my pancakes before covering his own. "Since we didn't have practice today, thought I'd show you around our neighborhood some. Let you get to know the place a bit more. Akaashi's coming over tomorrow, and he doesn't really like to do stuff, so, thought we could do it today."

"Oh that's a wonderful idea Bokuto," Mrs. Ito said, "I'm sure Zara will love it. Now I'll leave you two to your breakfast."

She took a plate of pancakes to Mr. Ito who sat in front of the TV as usual, this time with his TV tray open. Mrs. Ito placed the plate down on the table, and went to the door, announcing that she was going to go talk to Bokuto's mother for a while.

We waved bye to her and Bokuto began eating, so I did too. "So, where are we going?" I asked him.

A smile came to his face as he said, "First to farmers market. Show you where the regular grocery store is. Then some of the fun stuff."

"What's fun stuff?"

"Don't worry about that now. Just eat up so we can go."

And so I did.

Bokuto helped me wash the dishes and clean the table after we finished eating. He went to the door to put his shoes on and I hurried back to my room to grab some white socks, and my low top black and white chucks. I also grabbed my black mini backpack that I use instead of a purse, and shoved my wallet inside. Some fresh fruit from the market would be nice. Besides, if I see my aunt Bri tomorrow, she's going to restock me on money. If I ask her to or not. So might as well spend some of the money she gave me last time.

I hurried back out to the door and slipped on my shoes. Bokuto was already outside waiting for me. He looked down at my shoes and smiled, "Still matching." He was wearing the same style of chucks as me.

I rolled my eyes with a grunt, "All I wear is chucks." I walked out ahead, automatically turning left, heading for the school.

"Wrong way," he chuckled, standing at the edge of the Ito property, "going right today."

"I've never gone right before," I said walking past him again. This time to the right.

"And that is why I'm showing you around," he caught up to me in two steps, swooping low to grab my left hand that was dangling at my side.

Naturally my arm tensed up, ready to pull myself free of his touch. But he lifted the hand, rubbing his fingers across the middle and ring fingers. The ones that were bent by the block yesterday

"How's your fingers today?"

I let myself relax with my hand in his as I said, "back to normal."

"Good," was all he said. He interlaced his fingers with mine, still holding my hand as we walked on.

This is a little long to be a finger examination. But I don't pull away. Why don't I pull away? I don't know.

Maybe it's the way his long fingers curl around my hand, holding it to fit so perfectly to his. Maybe it's the comforting warmth of the hold. Maybe, it's just the feeling of such easy that he brings. This doesn't really matter, nothing really matters, it's just a thing that's happening and that's it.

"Hey Bokuto," I say cautiously.

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Why didn't you say anything when your friend Kuroo called me your girlfriend?"

He smiled a bit, tugging my hand to pull me across the street with him, "Well it's not like it's an insult. If he would have said something bad about you. Believe me I would have said something, but saying you're my girlfriend is not the end of the world."

"But it's not true."

"You're a girl right?" He asked, looking serious as if this were an actual question. As if I'm not on the girls volleyball ball team and stolling beside him hand in hand in a dress.

Then again, my aunts friend made it all the way through high school with mostly everyone thinking she was a boy.

"Yeah, I'm a girl."

"And you're my friend?"

I smiled a bit now, "I think so." I've often kept to myself and tried to stay in the background as much as possible. Being black in Japan doesn't make that easy, but I was pretty well ignored at Ouran and I can't say that I hated it.

I never thought that I would ever be friends with someone like Bokuto. Someone who so confidently inserts themselves into people's lives. Befriending me seemed like an obvious choice to him. One that he doesn't seem to be backing out of.

"So then you are my girl-friend." He said, proudly, "See, everything's fine."

"Bokuto, I don't think he meant it like that." I said but it didn't matter to him.

His footsteps quickened, pulling me along with him as we approached a corner. "We're here," he announced as we turned the corner to see... just about everything.

All I saw was people and colors, everywhere at first glance. It was the smells that came wiping in with the wind. Sweet and spicy scents flooded my senses, seeing my eyes to wander through the mix of crowded colors searching for sources.

People behind stalls moved quickly as the people on the street strolled aimlessly. Everyone playing different games but all on the same court.

Bokuto's hand tightened around mine as he pulled me into the sea of color, "Come on. I'll show you the best people to get the good stuff from."

The good stuff turned out to be fruits, vegetables and fish. At each still Bokuto broke down the nutritional value of everything he touched explaining why I should eat more of it. So I bought a little of everything he said. Well besides the fish. Rather not be walking around with that in my bag all day.

Even though I shoved most the stuff into Bokuto's bag. It's bigger than mine and his shoulders are way stronger than mine. He got this.

I snacked on a few things here and there but Bokuto warned me to save room for lunch.

He walked me to the grocery store next, being sure to point out landmarks so I can find my way here on my own.

"Then again," he said, "If you ever have to go anywhere just call me and I'll gladly walk you."

"I can't tell if you're being kind or protective." I laugh, but fully serious.

He shrugged, "My mom and Mrs. Ito told me to look out for you. So, I'll do my best. Don't want you getting mugged or anything out here on your own. This isn't exactly Ouran's campus."

"You do understand that I grew up, not rich, right?"

"Sure you did, Baby Bird," he chuckled leading me away from the grocery store.

I rolled my eyes, realizing this is only going to get worse once school actually starts. The rich girl from Ouran. Great! Gezz aunt Bri, way to set me up for a trap. First black from brokness at Ouran, to black and rich here.

Though I was the one who asked to come to Japan with her for high school. I thought it would be fun. I guess I have one more year to try and make it fun.

Bokuto pulled me around another corner saying, "This is the street with all the fun stuff."

As we walked he pointed out an arcade, movie theater, and different shops with all kinds of goodies and snacks.

I stopped in one of the shops to get some cookies to snack on as we walked. My hand was finally free from Bokuto, but my pack of cookies weren't. He reached over into the pack grabbing one every time he finished his last. Just helping himself without asking.

This is Bokuto. I'm sort of happy he's purely himself from the start. I don't think he's ever even bothered pretending. It seems to be a game he's not interested in playing.

"These are good," he muttered with a month full of cookie crumbs "But I think it's time for lunch."

"What for lunch?" I asked, reaching for another cookie, but he took the bag of cookies from me. He shoved it into his bag, then placed his hand out. This time letting me decide if I want to take it.

I paused for a moment. Watching his hand, out stretched with such confidence. Even if this is my choice, he seems so sure that I'll make it. And who am I to disappoint.

So I took his hand, letting him wrap his long fingers around mine as our hands intertwined. He smiled, now the hit of nervousness showed. Perhaps he wasn't as confident as he seemed. Perhaps he does pretend. Maybe he did worry that I wouldn't take his hand. But since I did. He smiled, and I want to know what's going on in his head. Why does this matter so much?

But before I could ask, he began pulling me away in a run. To our next location it is. And it smelt delicious! It was an army of food stands, each one smelling better than the last. But Bokuto kept pulling me down the street. To a small stand, with an even smaller old man behind it. Despite how small he was though, I don't then I've ever seen a smile as big as his.

"Bokuto!" He grinned, "The usual, yes yes?"

"Make it two," Bokuto smiled, pulling me up to the stand.

"Two specials for Bokuto and the pretty girlfriend." He grinned, dropping a pile of noodles on a hot grill top.

Bokuto started reaching into his pocket, pulling out his wallet. Removing his hand from mine, letting the summer breeze fill the space that he once filled.

I missed it. Missed his touch. Why?

I let my bag strap slip from my shoulder to reach inside it saying, "I got it."

"Nope," he said, quickly whipping money out, putting it into the hand of the grinning little man. "You might be rich but a gentleman's still supports to pay for the first date."

"Oh so you were serious on this date thing," I chuckled.

"Guess so. I'd like to be the first person from the school to take you out. You're new and cute. Boys are gonna be all over you once the year starts."

If I wasn't so brown I'd blush. I pushed my bag strap back up saying, "I think you're over estimating my likeability."

"I think you're under estimating your likeability." He laughed taking the two cardboard in his hand, "Come on."

I followed, moving behind him as he turned a corner into a park. Just like our runs, I was a step behind him as he walked to a bench along a stream.

He sat down. Patting the spot beside him for me to sit. And so I did. How could I say no. He has my food.

He handed me my cardboard box of noodles and a pair of chopsticks. I pulled one knee up on the bench, turning towards him.

"You know, guys don't typically like me," I said, opening the warm box of noodles.

"Those were those Ouran brats Baby Bird. But of rich kids and arranged marriages. We're a little more free around here. Not to mention, we have better taste."

I shook my head, chuckling, "We'll see about that."

I dug my chopsticks in, lifting the whole box to my mouth, slurping the warm noodles in. Eyes widening as it my taste buds erupted. Closing my eyes, I took in another slurp, hearing Bokuto laugh, "Told you I got good taste."

"Shut it," I said, enjoying my noodles.

Enjoying my time with the boy next door. What a cliche. So much more of a cliche if I actually fall. He takes his interest so casually, as if there were no other choice than to be interested in me. As if it were just a part of his life. Like, running and volleyball. He has to do it. And in his mind, other people must love the things he loves just as much as he does. It's not true. But in his mind, he's never wrong.

Such a cliche. I know this. Yet, everytime he sets the bait, I take it. I feel such need to be in his space. The same way he feels the need to be in mine. I want this. But he doesn't need to know. His ego is already big enough.