Chapter 25

Jake: Mako?

Mako: Hm? Oh right, sorry. I spaced out for a bit.

Jake: Spaced out?

Mako: I was just remembering something from a long time ago. Time is a funny thing you know. Just a couple years ago I was much more different that I was.

Jake: I guess you could say that.

Mako: Yeah, three years ago I arrived here with so much naive ideals. But in the end, I'm happy that I did. That's not something that I could openly say. Happy? Joy? Gratefulness? I don't know. It's all so fucking vauge to me hahahaha. But when I look back, I am happy.

Jake: You look a lot cuter when you smile like that.

That was the first time that a boy had actually complimented me, yet my body didn't react or anything. More like, I was just more surprised it happened that my head didn't process it normally. Even if I did process it normally, I'm sure I wouldn't have any words for the moment. All I know is that my ears turned red. Glad to know that my hair would cover them always.

Mako: Is that so?

Jake: At least react a bit more to that… You're making it super awkward just for me.

Mako: Guess I'm just a bit more mature than you hahaha.

Jake: You really are something special though. Even if I'm fighting my awkwardness, I just wanted to say that. It doesn't even feel like I'm in the same age group as you.

Mako: Despite that… I still ride this fucking bike! ARGH! I just want to fucking chuck this out of the fucking bridge! This pisses me off so much!

The night continued to pour on with magic as we kept trying to help me understand what balance was. All Jake could do was laugh that I actually had a flaw, well of course I would. A perfect protagonist would be boring as hell. I have things that I'm not proud of too, I just don't want to show them. Jake is definitely someone that I envy too at some point. Being able to open up so easily isn't something that I think I would ever do. Time, trust, and boundaries are too much of a deterrent for me.

Kicking off the ground, I pedaled with all my might! I needed to get speed! I couldn't be scared because Jake would be there to catch me if the bike fell. Before I knew it, my bike started to move forward on its own. Pushing me forward with great momentum that I would never be able to do without wheels built in my legs! The wind pressing against my face as I leaned forward, it was like freedom. That feeling of freedom was suffocating, almost like I could fly to somewhere else.

Before I even realized it, Jake wasn't even holding the bike anymore. I was moving on my own! I couldn't help let out a big grin. I finally did it! I successfully learned how to do it! Faster, that's what my brain kept telling me. Faster, faster, and faster! More speed, no fear! I pedaled faster towards Jake. His face started to get scared as he realized I was aiming right at him. But with precision, I drifted to stop right in front of his face.

Mako: Thanks!

Jake: Huh? WHAT THE HELL! Don't do that! What th-

Before he could say anything else, I kissed him on the cheek. He needed a bit of calming down and that was the only thing I knew. But I did think that I needed to thank him. He taught me a skill, that itself is invaluable. His face was in complete shock! Eyes wide open, I spat on the ground because I didn't like kissing a random surface. Too much germs.

Mako: That certainly ruined the mood I guess.

Jake: I… Uh… What… Huh…

Mako: Hahahaha!

I quickly took my stuff from the benches, then sat back on the bike. Stuck my tongue out at a still starstruck Jake, then left. My heart was racing like crazy but it felt nice. I didn't think that I would do that. My heart just told me it was the thing to do in that situation. Guess I can be a bit feminine sometimes.

Though, I knew in my head this didn't mean anything. That was more like a friendly thank you than anything. I hope Jake didn't misunderstand that. Even then I'll be sure to tell him that it was just my way of a thank you. All I could do was pedal faster and faster.

As I finally reached my apartment building, I collapsed my bike then returned upstairs. Entering the apartment, everyone was by the living room watching something. They all greeted me a good evening, then continued to go inside my room. Everything was quiet with smiles on their faces which made me feel right at home. I needed to take a quick smoke from what just happened.

The festival was going to be tomorrow so I needed to make sure I wore something with festive patterns. Maybe a blouse with a sett pattern like those on a kilt but something more dynamic. I lit up a stick then continued to browse my clothes. Before I could even lay some out, someone knocked on the door. Guess I didn't have time to rest just yet. The door opened revealing Josh. His face was a bit embarrassed as it always was whenever he came to my room.

Mako: Josh? What is it? Your parents are still around. Unless…

Josh: No, it's not that! I'm not ready for that yet. There's just something else I wanted to ask you.

Mako: What is it?

Josh: This is a bit awkward to ask but can I have some advice about something?

Mako: I mean, you always ask for advice from me anyway. What's the difference between then and now?

Josh: It's about… Girls…

Mako: Oh…

I set up a small coffee table for us to sit down on. He positioned himself across from me while I took out my laptop to do some light editing for Brendon. Eh, the air was a bit stuffier than usual so I took off my hoodie then opened up the window. Though this served to discomfort Josh. What was his problem? This room can get a bit hot?

But thinking about it, shouldn't he be asking his dad about this kind of thing? Or maybe even his mom because I'm sure they would have way better advice than me. I hate the girls in our school. Then again, I dislike a lot of people in our school. Just thinking about it made my blood boil a bit. Those stuck up people not even thinking an ounce of what the hell they want to do. Looking back on my laptop's screen. This reminded me of a scene in Brendan's novel. Maybe I could get some proper insight to help edit the novel better.

Mako: So what is it that you need to know about girls? But just know that I don't know a damn thing about the other girls in our school.

Josh: It's alright! The girl I really like isn't one of the popular ones. She's also a bit different so I'm sure someone like you can relate.

Mako: What's that supposed to fucking mean?

Josh: No! I didn't mean to disrespect you or anything! I just said that you have some ideas on what it's like to be different.

Mako: You pass this time. So what's she like? I don't really want to be invested in your love life so don't even tell me her name.

Josh: That certainly makes it easier for me. Well, she's quite the dork sometimes.

Mako: Dork…

Josh: She also loves to write just like me but she's a bit on the higher ends of literature. I'm sure she knows a lot more about writing than me. However, she isn't shy about it.

Mako: Very literate...

Josh: And the best part is that she's helpful to everyone. She's incredibly kind and warm to her peers. Without even realizing it, I already fell in love with her outline.

Mako: That's quite romantic. Well if you think she's the one then shouldn't you just be friends first?

Josh: Friends… That's a bit hard. Sometimes I think she doesn't even know I exist. Though I am in her circle of friends. She just doesn't talk to me too often.

Mako: Then do it! Talk to her more! How could you even fall in love with a person if you haven't even been friends with them.

Josh: But… I'm not sure what to talk about.

Mako: You're a lot dumber than you look. Well that's what talking is all about. Getting to know the other person duh!

Josh: Should I talk about myself?

Mako: What? No! Geez, you're more hopeless than I thought.

Josh: That's why I'm asking you for advice…

Mako: That is true but you sure are infuriating me. When you talk to people, it doesn't have to be always about you. You just have to discuss things that both of you can agree on. It's as simple as that. If you talk about yourself too much then you're going to turn her off because you'll end up arrogant. Talk too much about her and she might think of you as a creep. Just find that common ground. If she likes writing, then talk about writing with her. You're a writer yourself! So try to talk about all that fantasy junk that you like with her.

Josh: That makes sense… Thanks again for telling me these things. It's a bit hard to gauge what I should know or not. You're always going to be a fantastic teacher, Mako.

Mako: Hehehe, of course! I'm the main character after all. You should definitely take her to the Falling Leaf Festival too. Maybe snag yourself a good moment or two.

Josh: I wish I could but I don't know if she's going or not.

Mako: Then you should try to invite her.

Josh: No… I'm far too shy to ask her directly.

Mako: Is she someone in your class or something? I could talk to her or something.

Josh: What!? You're going out of your way to do that for me!?

Mako: Why not? I'm always happy to help out people like you.

Josh: Eh… That's alright. I think I'll try again next year. It's already too late for it anyway. If she goes tomorrow then that would be great.

Mako: Your loss then. Anyway that should be all the free advice I can give. Come back some other time!

Josh: What!? I have to pay next time?

Mako: That was a joke. Get the fuck out of here already. Unless you're some kind of perve that watches me undress.

Josh: Bye!

Just like that, he leaves. Geez, kids nowadays are so intertwined with what the media thinks is romance. Just go out and experience it yourself already.