Chapter 9: Making a Buddy
As I sat next to Mei and said my opening line, waiting for her response. I start munching on my lunch, then with furrowed brows and that irritated look she said "Hello, I am Mei. I do like to read and be knowledgeable. So, what do you want?"
Ooh this girl has sass, I chuckled a bit then told her "What? Is it so bad that I wanted to talk to my classmate with similar interests? Don't worry I think we'll get along."
Mei: "Hm, I guess, but you are cutting down my time on my reading. We only have a 30 minute break and I would like to read." She started eating again and looked towards her book.
Ein: "I see, I just can't help it you know? I saw you pull that physics book and just though that I might be able to talk with you because I really like to read too." I then waited for her to take the bait.
Mei slowly looked toward me with a glint in her eyes but still a little bit suspicious. "Then what do YOU read hmm?"
Shrugging I said "Science too, but mainly about biology. Hey, how about, You recommend me some physics books and I'll give you some ideas about biology ones?" Thinking a bit while doing the thinking pose.
Mei: "Well, how about you look for this book I'm reading right now, it talks about the basics about physics and then slowly increases in difficulty."
Ein: "So it's like a physics for dummies, something like that? Then ramps up to deeper topics?"I eye it a bit with interest.
Mei: "It's not for dummies! It's the basics, BA SICS." She said with a little more force in her calm voice.
"Hahaha it's just a joke Mei-chan, forgive me ok." He said with a teasing tone. I'll try to look for that particular book in our library, we have a pretty large library dedicated to science you know? I'll bring some of the ones I read to class tomorrow how about that?"
Mei looked at me with exasperation "Mei-chan!? Don't call me that, hmph. But a library you say?" She silently ponders for a moment "How extensive is your library?" With slight interest in her voice.
Hook, line, and sinker. "Hm, it's huge ya know, like a shelf is probably as high as the ceiling here. So maybe 4 to 5 meters tall?" Recalling the huge bookshelves at home. "So how about it Mei-chan, you interested?" I grinned.
"Hmph." She rolled her eyes. "Bring a few tomorrow and I'll look for some in my home too." She told me but with a bit of excitement.
Hehe you're just a kid still after all, getting all excited. "Sure, friends?" I gave my hand to shake on it.
Slowly but surely Mei shook hands, tempted by the new books she can get and excited about getting a friend that can understand her. "Un, friends." She shyly says with a quiet voice.
Hoho, so she's quite introverted huh. Well, at least she will have a friend in me now, I can already tell that this girl would be bullied in middle school being called nerd. Alone in a corner and reading nothing but books.
"Umu, my books won't disappoint Mei-chan, let's eat then. Recess won't last forever after all." They then ate quietly, with the kids in the back as white noise.
As the class resumed, I just lazily waited for it to end. Then as the final bell rung, I went to Mei and asked her "Wanna go home together Mei-chan, after all, that's what friends do." I laughed.
Mei blushing a bit, surely embarrassed, nod her head and then we walked to the school gates. While waiting for my parents I asked her a few questions.
"Mei-chan, will your parents pick you up?"
Mei: "Yes, they will. How about you Ein?"
Ein: "Me too, they'll come, my house is quite a bit far from here after all. Nee, Mei-chan what's your goal? Why do you read difficult books instead of playing and just relaxing?"
Silently thinking for a minute Mei then said "I don't know, I think it's because I don't really see myself playing around like other kids. And at home, mom and dad are always at work so I found a hobby in books. I just like them I guess." She said with a somber tone
"I see. Then Mei-chan, why don't you ask your parents if you can go to our house, you are alone anyway after you guys go back home. Then we will go through our library." I said with a smile. She is quite lonely huh, might as well make my friend smarter as well. I can see her potential, she is just a 5 year old after all, but already reading physics books. We'll probably be top notch researchers if this goes on.
Stunned for a bit she then silently says "I'll try to talk to my parents while we go home. Thank you Ein." She looks at the ground.
Damn I might make a kid cry. "Don't worry about it Mei-chan, I'm your friend now after all. We should do fun things together yeah?" I snorted.
As we conversed I saw a man and a woman come near to us.
Man: "Mei, let's go dad still has work."
Woman: "Come on sweetie."
Mei: "Yes mom, dad. I'll just say goodbye to my friend here."
The woman looks at me and then smiles "Why hello there young man. Thank you for keeping Mei company, what's your name honey?"
Ein: "I'm Einheri ma'am, no worries Mei-chan is my friend after all." I smile back.
Man: "Thanks as well Einheri, now we will be going. Say goodbye to your friend Mei."
"Bye Ein, remember your promise earlier okay?"
I nod "Yeah Mei-chan don't worry. Goodbye as well ma'am, sir. Take care on the way home." I waved as they started to walk. Now then, time to grind and give Mei some books.
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POV switcheroo
Mei: I never thought that I would make a friend today, I guess this day wasn't a total waste after all and I'd have someone to talk to as well. I thought with a slight smile.
Woman: "Oh, did you enjoy your 1st day Mei? You made a pretty cute friend too fufufu."
Mei blushed a bit. "Yeah mom, I think we'll get along. By the way mom, Ein invited me to go to his house, Can I go?"
Woman: "Why not? Honey, Mei can go right?"
Man: "Yeah sure, just tell us his address and mom will pick you up after work, she finishes about 6 so you can go."
Mei gave a bright smile "Un. I'll ask him tomorrow."
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