The recess bell—snack time and break between the third and fourth class periods—rang. Like all the other kids, my group and I, made up of Damian, Helen, and Seray, headed out. Seray, however, only follows us to the line, staying near us until it's time to get her snack, then quickly separates from us.
She isolates herself from anyone she could interact with socially. I don't think she even wants friends—maybe she doesn't care about anything around her.
I've been watching her for a few days now—ever since Damian asked me about her. At home, I've tried talking to her. Usually, she either answers me dryly and directly or just ignores me. Well, I'm not an exception; most people who try talking to her get the same kind of response. Except for her mother, Nyana.
Nyana even tries to get her to talk more with other people. Those attempts always fail.
— Hey, Ryo. Grab your tray already. — My brother interrupted my thoughts. — You've been kinda spaced out today.
I picked up a tray with a sandwich, fries, and juice on it and waited for him and Helen to get theirs too.
— I've just been thinking.
— About what? — he asked curiously. — Seray? Is that it?
— Shhh, don't say it so loud. She might hear you.
I looked around to see if she was nearby and spotted her in her usual corner, surrounded by no one. She'd gotten her food before me and had already slipped through the crowd to get there.
— Hahaha! — He laughed a little. — So that was it? I knew it.
— Hmm. — Helen grinned from ear to ear, covered her mouth, and let out a few teasing giggles. — I think you like her.
We walked over to a large empty table and sat down. I positioned myself so I could still watch Seray while they sat across from me.
— Seriously, I think you're both crazy. — I tried to sound casual. — I'm just curious. She's weird. She doesn't talk to anyone. I feel like...
— You like her? — my brother finished during my pause.
— No, of course not. — I replied quickly.
— You're not gonna tell me you don't think she's pretty, are you? — Helen asked playfully. — I think she's adorable.
— Of course she's pretty. I never said otherwise. — I paused to think. — I'm just curious about why she won't hang out with us and keeps ignoring us.
— Ignoring? — Damian said curiously. — She was looking at you just now.
— What? How? — I asked. — Your back's turned to her. How would you know?
— You clearly didn't notice her walking past us to go to the bathroom. — He pointed. — She stared at you the whole way there and all the way back. She even turned her head a little.
I froze when I heard that. Cold sweat ran down my back, and the hairs on my body stood up.
— Really? — I asked doubtfully. — Do you think she knows I've been watching her?
— Maybe. — my brother said.
When I looked at her again, even if only briefly, I clearly saw her crimson eyes staring back at me. The sunlight reflected in them, making them shine, and her expressionless face left me paralyzed.
— I think she knows. — I said without taking my eyes off her. — I'm gonna try talking to her. With those eyes calling me over, I can't just sit here and do nothing.
I stood up, picked up my empty tray, and took it to the return area. Then I looked at Seray again, swallowed nervously, and walked toward her.
I stopped in front of her. She was still staring at me.
I swallowed hard again.
— What do you want from me?
I froze at the sudden question. I could've answered that I wanted nothing and that I didn't even know why I'd spent the last few days watching her.
— I don't know. Sorry.
I simply answered with the first thing that came to mind.
— Why are you apologizing? — she asked, sounding confused, though it was hard to tell because of the way she spoke.
— Why? Well, I've been watching you. Didn't you notice?
— Yes, I noticed. So what?
Her question confused me. I didn't know how to answer. I just let whatever came to mind come out.
— And... you're not mad? — I asked.
— Why would I be? I thought it was our game. — she replied simply.
— And why were you staring at me like that?
— You're kind of dumb and a little slow. — she said without any malice. — Wasn't the game to stare until someone got uncomfortable and asked the other person to stop?
— Oh... — I let slip unintentionally.
— Oh? — she repeated.
— Fine, you win. As a prize, how about coming to practice with me? — I asked, half expecting her to ignore me again.
— Okay. I'll go with you.
— O-okay. Then we'll go tomorrow, so wake up early. — I said, surprised by her answer. — Uhh...
— What? Changed your mind? — she asked in her usual unchanging tone.
— No, no. — I said, waving my hands. — Honestly, I was just testing the waters. I want to be your friend. We've been living together for a while now, and I wanted you to hang out with us. You know...
— I understand. You don't have to force yourself.
— I'm not forcing myself. I just want to get to know you better. — I couldn't quite express what I wanted to say.
— Okay. I'll go.
— Alright. See you tomorrow.
I said goodbye and headed back to my brother and Helen.
Damian
Ryo approached Helen and me after talking with Seray for a while. He walked over slowly.
— So? — Helen asked curiously, laughing. — What did you talk to her about?
— Yeah, so? — I joined in. — Come on, tell your brother. What'd you talk about?
— I didn't know what to say, so I invited her to come to practice with me. — he said shyly.
— What?! — Helen shouted in shock, a reaction I shared.
— Look at that. — I said, laughing. — Then you keep saying you don't like her.
— I panicked, okay? Nobody can blame me. — he said, embarrassed. — I don't even know why I went to talk to her.
— Relax, little lovebird. Every beginning is awkward. — I advised between laughs. — Everything has to start somewhere.
— Exactly, don't worry. — Helen pointed at him, then looked at me. — We'll go with you.
She flashed a beautiful smile, making her look even prettier.
— Fine. — he said unenthusiastically. — At least you'll be there with me.
— You got it. — I tried to encourage him. — We'll have to sit there watching you practice. There's nothing else to do there, right?
— More or less, but don't worry. — he said confidently, pointing at himself with his thumb. — I've got a surprise for you guys there. Trust me. I'm gonna do something cool.
After saying that, he walked off toward the bathroom. I looked at Seray and remembered my mother talking with hers.
— Are you sure this push you gave him is gonna work? — Helen asked. — I know your mom and her mom are worried about Seray. But... isn't this forcing things a bit too much?
— A little, but I feel sorry for her. And Ryo doesn't have many friends either. So I think putting them together could be good in the future. — I said absentmindedly, deep in thought.
— If you say so. — Helen replied worriedly. — So then? What do you think this surprise is?
— I think I have an idea.
— Yeah? And what is it?
— Can't tell you. — I laughed at my girlfriend's curiosity. — If I tell you and I'm right, it'll ruin the fun.
— Aww! Stop being silly. Tell me!
— Sorry, but I can't.
— I think you don't know. — she said angrily. — That's why you don't want to say.
She turned away, crossed her arms, and pouted.
Ryo came back from the bathroom. We talked a little more, with Helen's curiosity getting the better of her as she tried to get something out of him. While she kept trying to convince him to spill the surprise, the bell rang, signaling the end of recess.