(ii) I figured I won't break the habit. So I'd post here before I update JG on my ff account.
Part VI - ? (surname unknown) Tenten's POV
The city on a chilly Tuesday morning was grey. The sky overhead was heavy and dense with grey, and the thick fluffy snow that patch the ground and line sidewalks was grey from exhaust fumes and soles of boots. The smirk I wore was decidedly bitter as I thought that the surrounding matches with my mood.
Heavily bundled, I stomped about the city aimlessly. I had not had any decent sleep lately -the house ran out of sleeping pills for my insomnia and I could not be bothered to get more till Friday's doctor appointment. Because actions has consequences, and actio et reactio, headaches are becoming a norm for me. Coupled with the fact that my mum is unable to stop yakking, I don't make a happy person. My head is filled with an unrelenting stream of unvoiced retorts and the occasional spasm of pain.
This might be the reason for 'having my heads in the clouds'.
. . .
"Damn it!" I bit out, swearing for my crappy morning as I bumped into a stranger. I mumbled an apology, head still downcast and prepared to run like a bat out of hell. My eyes feel leaky and I never never cry. Well, not anymore."Tenten?" The stranger called out and pulled my wrist in a death-grip. It took me a moment to orientate myself before I recognised the voice and touch.
. . .
"I'm surprised. You actually skip class, Neji." I said while warming up my numb hands. My voice showed a hint of admonishment and surprise. Let it be said that Neji is a true genius of the Hyūga.He looked across the table and dryly commented, "You should worry more about yourself." My only response was a huff in indignation.
"So? Why are you out here, stomping around with a black cloud on your head?" Neji questions with a smooth and blank face. As usual, his tone and expression contradicts each other.
"It's nothing at all." I lied smoothly, complete with a fake smile of assurance as I averted my gaze back to the warm chocolate.
. . .
"So...why are you playing truant?" I asked reluctantly. While Neji may appreciate the silence, I'm more of a live-of-a-party sort of person. The only time the phrase 'Silence is golden' is after a full-out party. I sipped the now lukewarm chocolate and watched the toddlers' activities on the playground from the park bench.For a moment, my partner looked thoughtful -as if contemplating his truancy as some hidden mystery of the universe. "Whatever I've learnt at St. Leaves was already taught to me at home." Of course, he just had to spoil it with his arrogance. I sighed and drawled out, "You just managed to insult the entire St. Leaves population, you know."
. . .
"Let me take you home," he said and I had agreed. Already missing the winter wonderland landscape already. . . .
I was never the type of girl who hangs back. Not like über-shy Hinata. I was also not the type of girl who comes on too strongly. Not like Sakura or Ino with their possessive attitude. I like to think that I am in-between. But still, I'm not."The girls and I took a quiz," I voiced out, shattering the silence, "For fun, of course." The only indication I received that showed his attention was a slight incline of his head, as if allowing me to continue. "The result I got was 'extremes'."
"So you're like a...plastic band." Neji said simply.
"Oh God, can't you make a better analogy?" I choked out, mock agony densely laced in my tone.
A smirk plastered on his face showed that Neji is willing to play along, "Then you're welcome to hit me."
I grinned and took his hand but paused when I saw the rough callouses on his skin -I guessed from martial arts training. Neji noticed my sudden silence and murmured, "Kiss it better?"
My sudden peal of laughter rang through Cadillac SRX. "Drop me off at the drugstore first." I smiled when I calmed down.
. . .
I glance at his profile and a passing thought: We could have been lovers crossed my mind. Then I thought of cause and consequence and the thought will always be brushed aside, replaced by ones that says 'Duty above all'.Standing outside the drugstore, I silently whispered words that I've heard from a romantic once: "The ones that never happen are the best".
TBC
~Ms O c t o b e r
No comments:
Post a Comment