Kira walked back into the classroom holding two drinks. She walked over and placed one on my desk.
I looked at it.
"…I told you I didn't want anything."
"I know," she replied.
"…Then why did you still get it?"
For a moment, she didn't answer.
"Just take it."
I stared at the drink before letting out a small sigh.
"…Thanks."
Kira sat down beside me. For a while, neither of us spoke.
Then she broke the silence.
"…I saw Mia walking out. She looked upset. What were you two talking about?"
"…Nothing."
There was a brief silence before Kira looked down at her drink.
"Liar."
I turned toward her.
"…What?"
For just a second, she froze, as if she hadn't meant to say it out loud.
"…Huh?"
I frowned.
"You just called me a liar."
She blinked before smiling.
"I didn't say anything."
"…You did."
Kira tilted her head, still smiling.
"Did I?"
Something about that smile didn't feel right. It felt forced, like she was pretending nothing had happened.
I narrowed my eyes.
"…You're weird."
She laughed softly.
"Maybe."
She took another sip of her drink, acting as though everything was normal again.
But it didn't feel normal.
Not anymore.
"…Whatever."
Soon, students began returning from lunch, and the classroom slowly filled with noise again.
Even so…
That moment stayed in the back of my mind.
And Kira's smile…
Felt different.
I looked around as students suddenly began standing up.
"…Why is everyone leaving?"
Kira smiled.
"It's P.E., silly."
"…Oh."
She laughed.
"Come on."
The class made their way downstairs and out toward the field, talking among themselves. I followed behind, still feeling distracted.
A few minutes later, everyone had gathered outside. Most of the boys were already standing on one side of the field.
I adjusted my shirt without paying much attention until a few voices nearby caught my attention.
"Yo…"
"Wow…"
I looked up.
The girls were walking onto the field.
At first, I didn't think much of it.
Then I saw Mia.
She walked with the others, her hair moving gently in the breeze.
Without thinking, I watched her a little longer than I should have.
Realizing it, I quickly looked away.
"…What am I doing?"
"Cody."
I turned around.
Kira was standing in front of me.
"…Yeah?"
She looked at me for a moment before doing a small spin.
"How do I look?"
I blinked.
"…You look fine."
She paused.
"…Just fine?"
I shrugged.
"…Yeah."
For a brief moment, neither of us spoke.
Then she looked away.
"…I see."
I didn't think much of it.
But something about her voice sounded different.
A loud whistle cut through the chatter.
"Alright, everyone!" the teacher called as the students gathered around.
"Girls, you'll be working on passing drills over there. Stay with your groups."
The girls nodded and headed across the field.
For a brief moment, my eyes followed them.
Mia never looked back.
"…Of course," I muttered.
"Boys, you're with me. We're starting with laps."
A chorus of groans came from the group.
I froze.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
I hate running…
End of Chapter 13