Jeannie pov.
He looks under his bangs before coming up to me and introducing himself.
-Hi! I’m Watanabe. What’s your name?
I answer hesitantly.
-Jeannie
…
Daisuke pov.
I asked her name and she answers with such a small voice. Oh God! why do I have to be paired with her. This project is going to be harder than I thought.
…
Jeannie pov.
The stress is eating me up alive. I can’t bear it anymore. He proceeds to ask me questions about the project and, me being myself, I answered them with short sentences with not more than a few words.
Once the class was finished, Watanabe comes up to me to ask me something I suppose.
-Hey! We’ll have to do this project outside of school hours.Therefore, we’ll have to meet up. So, when are you free?
I tried to answer with more confidence but failed miserably.
-Hmmm..well i’m free after school.
He looks at his phone, I’m guessing to look for when he’s free. He then looks up at me and gives me an answer.
-I’m also available after school. Meet me at the café close to the school.
I nod and Watanabe walks away.
…
Daisuke pov.
I’ve been waiting for her for 30 minutes now. She’s probably lost since she’s new here. After a couple minutes, I saw her small figure walk through the door and she comes sit in front of me. I greet her with a hi and she does the same with her small voice. I start talking about the project.
-What kind of song do you want to write?
I wasn’t expecting much of an answer but to my suprise. She answered with more confidence than usual.
-I would love to write a song about the hardships that a young adult experiences in his road to success.
I’m surprised she’s actually really great at Japanese. To be honest, I really liked her idea.
-That’s a good idea!
…
Jeannie pov.
We finished the song in the café after a few hours. He isn’t that bad but I should be careful. He insisted on walking me to the dormitories. We are currently walking to them, It’s really awkward I don’t know what to say or how to act.
Daisuke pov.
I insisted to walk her to the dormitories. She must think I’m creepy, but I found myself actually enjoying her company and I didn’t want her to walk alone as late as it was. The setting sun made the atmosphere warm. Despite the wonderful weather for an April day, tension filled the air. Jeannie seems uncomfortable, so I strike up a conversation spontaneously.
-Uhm..I was wondering where you’re from?
Ugh, that sounded so lame. Good job me. Hanging out with anxious and jumpy people also made me nervous.
She takes her gaze off the ground to look at me.
-Ah yeah. I’m from California.
-Your American accent is not as pronounced as others I’ve encountered in the past. You must have trained hard.
What I said is so stupid. That’s how you learn to be fluent in a language.
-Ignore what I said, you surely practiced hard. But why did you choose a college outside your country? I’m just curious.
...
Jeannie pov.
I’ve never been honest with myself about this subject. I guess I’m just bored of the same old things that were in my neighbourhood. Everyone felt bad for me because of what my mother did, I’m tired of all that phony empathy. Everything was suffocating me, I felt sick as soon as I waked up. But I won’t tell him that I just can’t.
- I guess I just wanted a change of scenery.
He looks at me confused. I think he was expecting something more heartfelt. I can see he didn’t know how to respond because he frowned a little bit.
-Ah cool. Well, we’re here. So, goodnight.
I went inside and went to my dorm. Dara was waiting for me.
…
Daisuke pov.
Ugh. Did I do something wrong? She seemed a bit shocked when I asked her about her motives to come here, in Tokyo. What am I thinking of course I did something incorrect, I always do. I have to go work since it’s the only time I have nothing related to school. I hope nobody from college comes at my job. I would be so embarrassed even if what I do is nothing to be ashamed of. I just dislike students recognizing me and knowing where I work.
…
Jeannie pov.
Knowing Dara, she was going to ask me how it went with Watanabe. I really was not feeling it, he kind of touched on an emotional topic for me. But Dara, as herself, did ask. But I just brushed off her questions.
-You know you can’t always avoid responding when my question doesn’t content you. It makes me feel like we are strangers.
What she said was true but it still hurt. She’s been my best friend for years. Dara needs to understand I have problems. I’m sure she does somewhat perceive it, but I know that she’s not the type to hide her emotions and doesn’t like when I bottle up mine.
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