The day always started out gloomy, the morning dew still clinging onto what it could, and the grey clouds hovering over the city. Walking to school was constantly a drag, it was cold and drowsy outside. At least walking to school with Joe and Sara was nice. Joe would crack jokes and poke at Sara a lot, Sara would laugh and push him away. It was oddly warming in the freezing morning.
Ranmaru loved walking with these two, he could always feel himself smiling. While the other two were more sociable, Ranmaru was more quiet and anti-social. He wasn't really good at talking so he didn't.
This morning the city was busier than usual. Cities were always busy, but today it feels like everyone was up and moving. The group of 3 decided to take a side path to avoid more of the mass of people.
Joe was currently poking at Sara's sides while teasing her and Sara was giggling and telling him to stop. Something inside Ranmaru flared at this sight, but he ignored it. Suddenly Sara darted over to Ranmaru and patched herself onto his arm, looking at Joe.
"Ran wouldn't treat me this way" her face scrunched up before turning and leaning her cheek onto his arm. She only a little shorter than him, but she was slouching slightly so her cheek rested on his shoulder. He looked down at her, glanced up at Joe, then turned his head away. He could feel unusual warmth bursting in his cheeks. Joe had started to pout dramatically and Sara was smiling.
They walked like this, in silence, for a little while. Once the school building was in view Sara dropped her arms and walked more in between the two boys. Joe had spotted Ryoko standing at the gate and turned towards the two.
"Hey, imma go, I promised Ryoko I'd help her study for her test before school." He plastered a wide grin on his face, Sara just rolled her eyes.
"Uh huh, 'study' you are literally failing your classes Joe.." she laughed to herself, she knew Joe really like Ryoko so of course he'd do anything with her. Joe's face dropped into that dramatic pout again and he lighting punched her arm, in a playful way.
"Really! I am gonna help her study!" Soon enough his goofy smile was back on his face, Sara rolled her eyes again and waved him off. He made a little 'YES!' gesture then ran off to Ryoko. Ranmaru just watched this whole interaction go down, without saying a word.
Now it was just him and Sara, not that he was complaining at all. Well, actually quite the opposite, he liked hanging out with Sara. Yeah he liked hanging out with Joe too, but Sara was different. He didn't know exactly why, he couldn't put his finger on it.
The dirt crunches under their feet as they kept walking towards the gates of their school. They had left early so they had time to do whatever. He was getting lost in his own thoughts when he felt a tug at his blazer sleeve.
"Wanna sit by the gate?" Walking slightly ahead of him, she didn't really have to look up at his face. He nodded and she pulled him over to a nice spot by the inside of the gate.
They both sat down and got comfortable before a thick slightly awkward silence struck them. They just sat there looking around at the scenery. Ranmaru wanted to strike up a conversation, he didn't really know how to though. He wanted to talk to her, maybe get to know her more, but every time he tried to think of something to say, he'd get in his own way. Everything he would think of to say, he would always lose confidence, sometimes he thought he'd come of too clingy or too annoying or even too forward. He didn't wanna make anyone uncomfortable or make them not like him. It was especially hard with Sara because he really liked having her as a friend and he really didn't want to lose her. He always took time to answer because he wanted to choose his words carefully as to not be offensive or scare her.
