Ineffable

47 | PUNCH YOU ON SCHNOZZLE

Noah smiles in a crooked way and says, "Do I need to answer that?"

"Iris!" Keisuke's voice gets me back to reality. "Raymond is walking towards you. Talk to him." He gives me a wink, before leaving me alone.

"But who—?"

Someone clears their throat behind me, making me turn.

"Um, hello," The grey-eyed guy says, smiling at me. He is not that tall but tall enough—am I even making sense, now?

"Oh, um... hi," I say back which comes out as a question.

He smiles more, looking at me. "Ray Chase, captain of The Arrowhead."

"Oh. Okay," I reply, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Usually, people say their name after one introduces to them," Raymond tells me.

"Usually, not always," I point out.

He hums, nodding. "True enough." Then, he tilts his head, asking, "Do I have to work more for your name?"

"No need. I just won't tell you, my name."

"Stubborn, I like it." He smiles. "Very well, Miss... Stubborn."

"Real original," I huff out.

"I am known for my originality."

"I can see that." I look over at his group and then, at him.

He laughs. "Yeah, actually, our school's name is really long. So, we made a name ourselves."

"Arrowhead?"

"The Arrowhead."

I straighten up, myself. "Oh-kay, Raymond—"

"Ray."

"—Why are you talking to me?"

"I am just making friendships." He leans forward a bit and I lean away as he whispers, "Actually, a lot here at staring at our team like we are the last slice of pizza they will ever get. It is making me a bit uncomfortable."

I don't comment on the pizza reference since I made a donut one, just moments ago. I ask, "So, talking to me is not uncomfortable?"

"No," he tells me without hesitation. "I have a knack for knowing people and something about you pulls me towards you as the sunflower gets attracted towards light."

"Pause there, Romeo. I am not looking for any—"

"Calm there, Stubborn." Raymond holds his hands up. "I am a gentleman and I don't rush into things but I must say I like you. I don't know if it is just platonic... or not." He lowers his hands, saying, "I just want to be friends."

"I appreciate that, I really do but I am sorry, I can't say the same."

"It is okay. We both just met each other...in a competition." He pauses, looking at me. "Which team are you from?"

I smile, knowingly. "You will know sooner or later, I think."

"That's it? That's your answer?" He gapes at me, putting a hand upon his heart. "I don't like vague answers."

"Then, get used to it," I say to him, moving away from him.

Just as I am about to exit, Raymond calls me out, "Does that mean we will meet again?"

"Depends on the scoreboard, I think," I reply to him, exiting the backstage.

***