Running On Empty

Chapter 26~Jaylin~

Sota plopped down beside me easily and crossed his long legs. I saw the wind blowing through his hair and his eyes avoiding my eyes. He sipped a juice box, letting the sound of his slurping fill the silence.

"Thank you for your help, Sota-sempi." I smiled to myself at the thought of my first guy friend. Maybe if he actually liked me, we could form a great friendship.

"You're welcome. I hope that I didn't annoy you. I speak a fair amount of English since my mom is from America. I get most of my looks form my father though, so I look Japanese even though I'm part American as well. Don't worry about speaking Japanese in front of me." He smiles at me warmly, "I just thought you looked lonely."

"How did you know?" I rotated my crutches in the air and watched the sakura pedals blow up in the air."

"I think everyone could tell. You never smile or talk to anyone from our class. So, I thought of being the first person to talk to you. It turned out quite well, don't you agree?" He laughs, covering his eyes. "I honestly thought you wouldn't speak to me because I'm strange."

I should be saying that to you.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sota came to my house right after school. He refused on going home on his own and told me since we were finally talking, he wanted to know more about me. What was it that he wanted to learn? He was jumping around all over the place. He never walked in a straight line and questioned me a lot. In addition to his questioning, he also shared his background story. Geez, this person was crazy talkative. I hadn't heard the sound of another person's voice beside Madeline and Garrett in a while. He reminded me a certain girl.

I really miss you.

Even though I had only known this guy for about three hours or so, he talked to me as if we were childhood friends. Sota talked with his mouth full, so food was spilling out of his mouth. He is just like a kid. I chuckled to myself at my new friend. I hope that I don't have to spend my days alone any longer.

By the time we came to the front door of my house, Madeline and Garrett were already there waiting for me. Madeline has the eyesight of a hawk, so she stopped waving early and Garrett looked at me nervously. Madeline watched Sota walked beside me with a suspicious look on her face. As always, she was concerned about new people being around me.

"Young Master, we have started to prepare supper for you." Garrett bows to me respectfully.

Not this again. I motioned for him to lift his head up. There was no need for him to be so formal to me.

Sota stands stiffly beside me, reaching out to shake Madeline's hand. Instead Madeline gives him a cold glare. Sota decides to put his hand down and nudges my elbow.

"Did I do something to make her upset at me?"

I smiled slightly, remembering the way Madeline had first talked to Silya. "No, Madeline is actually a lot softer than she looks. She's not used to seeing me with other people."

"Young Master, please make your way inside. I have something I want to discuss with him." Madeline's eyes sharpen on Sota as Garrett guides me inside of the house. I didn't turn around to look at them. I could feel the nervousness that my new friend must have felt now.

I made my way upstairs to my room after smelling the rice that was in the rice cooker. Garrett came up with me, following silently behind. I like his reserved attitude. It's one of the best qualities he has. Sometimes, I wonder why he couldn't have been my father instead. He has spent more time with me than even my own father did. He walked ahead of me setting down new sheets for my bed. There was a strange look on his face. Concern was very rare, but it was always honest. As soon as we were alone, Garrett closes the door and then suddenly pulls me in for a hug, smiling.