At the mixer

Sumiko’s face was shining with excitement.

She was way energetic in class then she ever was. She even answered in class a few times and made notes.

After briefly explaining everything to her friends she hurried off to the school gates. Umi was however in a sour mood as she passed by him. What could his brother be scheming? True it was his birthday but why such sudden interest in Sumiko? It just seemed kind of off.

Ten minutes went by, Takeru wasn’t in sight. Sumiko feared that she was pranked. She noticed a cloud of dust approaching her. A tall red haired guy was running after a brunette. “I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!” he screamed. The brunette was carrying a package of some sort. Takeru tapped on her shoulder. “Don’t worry they’re usually like this. The red head is Sousuke and the brunette is Etsuo.”

“W-Why are they fighting? Also they shouldn’t run. They might trip-” as soon she finished, they indeed tripped.

Takeru dragged Sumiko as both the guy argued behind. They took a train and reached a part of city Sumiko didn’t know well.

Going out with friends, or going anywhere by herself was not safe. She didn’t even go to the stores alone. Only going to school was an exception. She couldn’t even have a part time job.

Lost in her thoughts, the minute she sprung back to reality, they were in a different place altogether. A sudden sense of panic rose in her chest. What the hell was she thinking?

She was in a complete strange place with strangers. She didn’t know her way back home. She could book a cab, a voice in her mind spoke. Yeah, that meant she had to go alone in a cab. That wasn’t safe. Well, neither is going home with any stranger, the voice countered. She was in a dilemma. In her excitement, she had readily agreed to the mixer. She didn’t think much of the consequences. How could her mom agree just like that?

Her heart thumped loudly against her chest, a wave of nausea washed over her face. Takeru led the group to a room he had booked. She followed him mindlessly. She couldn’t lose him at all. They entered a room, where two people were already sitting. A girl with lots of piercings, biting her nails and the guy next to her wearing a face mask. Her first thought? Delinquents. Her second thought? They were Natsuki and Ichirou. She sat next to Takeru and looked around. The best thing was to shut up and observe.

She kept on staring at the guy with a mask. “Stop it! You’re creepy.” He spoke. She turned and looked at Natsuki who scowled at her. Where should she keep her eyes? Everyone ordered some snacks and drinks but she couldn’t speak at all, she didn’t know how to order. Tears welled up in her eyes as she played with the hem of her skirt. She just wanted to go home. Or be stabbed first, she thought. It was embarrassing.

Sousuke who was sitting to her right awkwardly put an arm around her shoulder to comfort her while others chose their favourite songs.

They started a quiet conversation about school, which changed to their likes and dislikes, their interests, career choices and what not. She eased a little. Sousuke seemed like a nice person. But then again, she couldn’t trust him that easily. She looked around and saw Etsuo shaking his head to the beat, Ichirou sleeping contently and Natsuki singing while throwing irritated looks at him. Takeru was nowhere in sight. She panicked and clutched her arms. “Where is Takeru?!” she asked, her voice quavering. “I’m here, don’t worry…!” he replied as he entered the room. “Where were you? I-I could’ve come with you…I-”

“I hardly think you’d like to accompany me to the restroom, sweetheart?”

She mentally stabbed herself the third time. She was too awkward to speak. Etsuo laughed, “You’re really funny, Hikari”

“Um, my name is Sumiko.” He waved casually, “Ah never mind me. I’m quite the crack head of our gang.” She shrugged, “I can see it quite well.”

She picked the iced lemonade from the table and sipped. Everyone around looked at her quizzically. Etsuo spoke up, “Sumiko, that was, Sousuke’s glass.” She stabbed herself the fourth time mentally and asked, “So?”

“It’s an indirect kiss, you know” he smiled pitifully. “Yeah, so what? Does it matter if Sou and I share a kiss?” she stabbed again after comprehending her choice of words. Sousuke was a blushing mess on the right. The only way out of this was to play along with this mess. “Sou is really cute, who wouldn’t want to kiss him?” another stab. “You all just make a big deal out of nothing.” She finished the rest of the lemonade. Etsuo laughed. Takeru smiled and Natsuki just shook her head. Sousuke was hiding his face with his long red bangs.

Fortunately the day ended with nothing else embarrassing. However she felt uncomfortable now, talking to Sousuke. Clearly, he didn’t want to talk either. The group separated at the train station. Dutifully, Takeru dropped Sumiko at school at 6:58pm. He wanted to escort her home but she refused. She hurried home.

The first thing she did was punch the wall of her room. The second thing she did was howl in pain. The third thing was to cry and the fourth was to scream in the pillow. After doing that in order, she went to change her uniform. The clothes were strewn all over the floor, but with a room big as hers, it didn’t look cluttered. She was too tired. She never had walked this much and faced embarrassment like that. She went to her favourite place to clear her mind- the swimming pool.

But unfortunately, the water was freezing considering the January cold. But she didn’t care anymore. She jumped in with all her clothes and after a minute or so her body went numb. She didn’t feel so cold anymore.

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