Sleek shoes pounded the pebbled grounds. Skirts and pants were pulled so tight that they created a distinct line down the centre. Sunlight glinted off shiny, polished shoes and reflected onto the luminous orb standing in front of the yellow bus. The bus was for students who lived too far from their schools or maybe just didn't want to attend any local ones. The shining orb stunned the eyes of the poor middle schoolers as they looked at up the cause; Mr. Mashimoto.

Mr. Mashimoto has been driving the Eden's Garden school bus, as long as I can remember. Each day at 8:45am, he would be waiting at the school bus, with students already lined up to get on. I can recall seeing him since I was in fourth grade when my mom would take me to school. I never went to Eden's Garden, even though it was a popular choice, because we didn't have the money for a private education. 

I walk up to the bus stop, waiting for my bus that should be coming in 5 minutes or so. I watch as the little ones file into the school bus, while simultaneously being assaulted by the sunlight that reflected off Mr. Mashimoto's head. He wasn't this bald last year. Was it stress or old age? It's funny how I know so much about Mr. Mashimoto even when he probably doesn't remember me. I had always thought he was a wizard with his black teeth that has a missing tooth on the side. But ever since that night about 3 years ago, I saw him in a better light.

That's definitely not shinier than his head.

One memorable Friday after school, Hisako, Shino, Lionel, Ruby, and I; the notorious quintuple, had decided it would be a great idea to venture out of school grounds. Our community was safe enough that kids could leave school grounds with no fear of being kidnapped or caught in an accident.

That hazy Friday, we rode our bikes to a popular spot just a short ride from school. Unfortunately, it being Friday meant we hit rush hour traffic and forgot our way to the school or our houses for that matter. Hisako and Ruby were too busy chatting away, Shino had been feeling sick to his stomach, and Lionel, being the easygoing guy he is, didn't care about keeping track of our route. And then there's me, who struggled with directions; I could barely make my way out of my mom's womb on my own without being to be put under a c-section.

I think that says a lot.

That night, as we were wandering around, we ran into Mr. Mashimoto, who was driving the bus to a mechanic shop and was kind enough to let us a ride. The evening was quiet, time seemed to be on a pause and while my friends were snoozing on the leather seats, Hisako and I stayed awake the entire trip until he dropped us off at Shino's mother's house.

The hissing sound of bus 456a breaks my concentration, signaling it's time for my school ride. People are quick to make a Queue, as they either pay by cash or credit. I turn back to see Mr. Mashimoto ushering the last few kids on board. I walk towards him, not minding my ride because I know the metro bus won't go past a parked school bus with kids actively getting on it. 

Should I call him? Would he remember me from that night? It was a long time ago, but maybe he would. I huff to myself at my own stupidity. Of course, he wouldn't remember; he meets new kids enrolling every day. He wouldn't remember some puny kid from 3 years ago. 

I halt in my steps and turn back around.

Yeah? But I should at least try, no?

I smile softly to myself as I remember that cold and damp Friday. That night was very dark, and lights from a thousand stores disoriented me to the point I almost barfed, but the feeling when I saw a familiar face, even though it was Mr. Mashimoto, made me feel...safer.I turn back around.

"Ano..." Mr. Mashimoto is hopping on the bus when he turns around, his shining head instantly blinding me. Ugh, I might need glasses.

"What's up, kid?" I muffle out the sound of chattering kids coming from inside the school bus. Mr. Mashimoto sports a curious yet irritated gaze. Like, he's telling me to piss off, yet at the same time, he waits to listen to me.

"Do you remember—" I am barely done with my sentence when bus 456a passes by the school bus. My eyes widen in shock at the escaping bus. I wouldn't have another ride for at least 45 minutes. What should I do? Should I take Bus 505? It drops me off just 10 minutes away from school...at least according to Shino. I've never gone on any other bus other than that one.

"What's up, kid? I gotta go," Mr. Mashimoto asks again. His foot is another step up the staircase of the bus. His body is shrouded in shadows as he pulls out a bunch of keys and gives them a light jiggle.

"Oh! I wanted to ask if you remembered me. I and four other kids got lost in Nanamito Crossing one late Friday night." I rub the back of my neck at his scrutinizing gaze. His face tells me he's not even trying to remember but simply wants me to be done with it.

"I... I just wanted to thank you for that night. You really saved me and my friends." His gaze still looks void even at my gratitude. "Um... we were this tall; one of us had a bad stomachache, I stayed up late with this girl, Hisako? and um...yeah" I bring my stiff hands to my hip; my confidence is wavering every second as he keeps staring at me but now with a slight lift on his lip.

"I uh...just missed my bus, so I was wondering if you could take me anywhere close to Soaring Heights Highschool. Today'll be my first entrance ceremony" I point at the trail by bus just went by a few seconds ago. I complete my begging with a 45 degrees bow.

"Nah, I'm good" He deadpans. 

I watch him as he speeds off with his yellow bus and I curse him with every god above.

~~~

Sleek, squeaky black shoes that have been polished till they dazzle hit pebbled grounds on their imposed destination.

Clip-clop.

Jet black hair bounces up and down in the sun, absorbing any sunlight reflected on it. A tailored shirt that almost rips as it expands and contrasts rapidly.

Huff huff.

A trouser previously stretched too straight is now rumpled as it leans over galvanized silver gates.

"I made it," I announce with a small hurrah as I pump my fist into the air.

A bell jingles in the distance, taking me back in time to ancient Japan when things were so much easier and there were no such things as 'school.' I walk onto the school grounds, and a familiar environment calls out to me.

"I need water." I walk up to the water fountain, doing my best to avoid any students or teachers. I lean my body over the water fountain shaped like a dragon made of rock as I use my right hand to press the button, letting the water out, and my second hand is used to grip the water fountain, stopping me from falling over. Loud slurps and lapping sounds fill the quiet courtyard, and all I want to hear is the sound of water trickling out the tap, sloshing around in my mouth, flowing down the metallic zinc plate that leads to the drain, and gurgling non-stop.

"BOO!" I shriek as burly hands weigh me down, which makes me instinctively jerk at whoever is behind me.

"Relax, mannn." The deep, dark voice that thinks he's the shit echoes in the quiet courtyard; his calloused hands leave a fine print on my ironed white shirt, and I turn around with an exasperated sigh.

"Shino" I deadpan. 

"Kekeke. Look at you. A pussy as always." His wide chin, which could rival Lord Farquaad's, lets out a wide beam with a set of straight, pointy teeth reflecting themselves in the sun. What's with things and shining? He drags me down by my neck and ruffles my newly cut hair. Déjà vu?

I feel a quiet stare behind me, and the air suddenly goes limp. Strawberry vanilla scents fill my nose, and I suddenly feel my throat closing up. I turn my head around to the only one with such an effect on me. Hisako.

"Hisako?" I come out from Shino's playful grip but not before elbowing him in his stupid bone. Which is any bone of his body.

"Why weren't you there?" Oh right, I promised to be here unlike last year.

"Well, you see..." I am about to start explaining to Hisako.

"What excuses do you have?" Hisako's frown creases her skin just slightly, and my heart crushes.

"Wait, wait... I'm serious. I missed the bus 'coz I met Mr. Mashimoto...although...we didn't have a good conversation." I rub the back of my neck and wince slightly at the strain Shino's sweaty arms have left.

"Sure, sure." She waves off dismissively, but her lips hold an angry pout while she eyes me. Why was she being angry anyway?

"Come on~ Pay up," Shino smirks from beside me as he dubiously rubs his palms together.

At the scoff of Hisako, I can already decipher she's made a bet that she horribly lost. "You made a bet?" I turn to Hisako in shock. Oh, Shino and his gambling hobby have influenced the innocent angel.

"Yeah, wanna know on what?" He wiggles his eyes at me, and I catch Hisako blushing at his words. I feel like I should also be somehow offended by his over-jolly act. "Tell him, Hisako," Shino giggles into his hands.

"Shut up, Shino. You're pushing it." Hisako hands him a couple of yen notes. That's a lot of money. What exactly did they bet on?

With another giggle, Shino almost dances on his tippy toes. "Hisako bet you'd wouldn't be late to the entrance ceremony, but to spice things up I included the bet that you'd be wearing this." Shino pulls my hand up to show my white and black friendship bracelet. "She would win if you only came early, but I would win if you wore the bracelet and missed the ceremony"

Oh my god, Shino!! Why did he make it so obvious in front of Hisako? Since when did he play matchmaker?

I had kept it a secret for as long as i could until i could no longer, and told Shino and Lionel. We made it a bro secret and i made certain no one knew. Not even ruby, our bestfriend was let in on the secret. The girl code had bypasses so we couldn't risk Hisako ever feeling suspicious of one of us which would ultimately make Ruby reveal it. 

I look up at Hisako with a slight thinness to my lips. I didn't want her to know that I loved her. She was everything to me, and I didn't want something so trivial to make her move away from me. I wanted her to always be with me, even if some feelings had to be confined to the darkest place of my heart

My cheeks flush at Hisako's silent gaze. Shit, I've been staring too long.

"Um..." my dry throat crackles slightly; all traces of water have been vaporized.

"I didn't know the bracelet meant much to you." She eyes my hands and then looks up at me. This was the bracelet she bought for me on that chilly Friday night in Nanamito Crossing.

"It does mean something, but I only wore it because it matched the school uniform." Lies. She didn't need to know that Nanamito Crossing was when I saw her in a different light. Brighter than the lights from those thousands of stores combined.

"Oh... okay, but—" Hisako's voice is interrupted by a pungent animal's cry.

"Hisako~" Once again, we hear her voice before she arrives.

"Hisako, Sensei is calling for you." Miki's voice is heard before she's seen. She hugs Hisako by her arm and continues yapping away at the speed of an electric train. Should I be grateful Hisako seems to forget what she was just about to say as she nervously chuckles and nods along to Miki, or should I be angry that Miki has interrupted Hisako's voice? Why does Miki have to be everywhere Hisako goes? Even in all my photos