I stood in the school courtyard staring at the brick wall, the side of my school. It was just getting dark, being 7:00pm. What was I doing here at this hour? I should be at home, getting ready for bed maybe. I was eleven years old, not quite old enough to be out by myself this late.
My parents? They weren't there. They never really were.
I heard a bang, metal on metal. Glancing to my left, I spotted Amaya, who was standing on the metal bar by the playground, where we tied up our bikes. Only one bike was tied up there now, and that was Amaya's, most likely. Her brown hair was tied up in a long ponytail, and she wore a black tee-shirt and jeans. Black is her favorite color.
"Hi, Amaya-san," I mumbled. Amaya smiled at me, but it was a dark smile.
"Hey, Tsukiko," Amaya greeted. I noticed the lack of honorific, but didn't think much of it. Amaya is never polite. She says it doesn't matter. "I don't care what people think of me," she once said. That would describe her perfectly.
I guess I'm the kind of person who wakes up, gets dressed, goes to school, does homework, and goes to bed, without ever going somewhere fun or looking towards the future. It's the same thing for me every day. Amaya isn't that kind of person. At all.
From behind her back, Amaya pulled out a spray can. Green. Oh no. Amaya hopped off the bar, with great elegance, and landed in front of me. She thrust the spray can in my face. "Now's your time to do something bold," she said.
My eyes widened. "No, I'm not going to do that," I responded instantly. "That's graffiti."
"Don't worry," said Amaya. "I do it all the time, and I've never been caught."
I wasn't convinced. "It's getting late. I'm going home."
"You can't do that. I called you here for a reason," Amaya told me.
"What are you trying to say, Amaya-san?" I asked tentatively. "Why?"
"You need to do something cool for once," Amaya said. She lowered the spray can, and moved her left hand to her hip.
I blankly stared at her. What did she mean? Amaya pulled out a camera, a bulky one, meant for recording. She turned it on, and pointed it at me. "Tsukiko," she said. "Tsukiko is a boring, plain person, who is weak and can't defend herself. She is scared of everything and everyone. She's probably gonna be beaten up someday. That's how pathetic she is. She needs to get a life, badly."
Not sure how to respond to that, I turned and started to walk away, across the faded grey asphalt. "Hey!" Amaya's voice yelled. I heard a rattle behind me, and an empty, dented soda can hit my ankle. I turned around, and saw Amaya holding up another can of soda, a new, full one, that was sealed. She popped it open, and I heard the popping of little soda bubbles. She held it out to me. "Soda pop?"
I shyly walked over and took the can, then hesitantly sat down on the bar. I slowly took a sip. Then Amaya took the soda from me. "Hey!" I whined, upset. "I was drinking that."
Amaya stood up on the bar. I didn't understand how she could do that. She had amazing balance. She could be a gymnast. I don't think she'd want to be one though. She'd probably be a cop, actually. Amaya held the can up, high as she could reach. "If you want it," she snickered, a mischievous grin on her face, "reach for it."
Slowly I stood up on the bar, wobbling. I reached for the can, but Amaya swung her hand and knocked me off. I fell down in the mud. My school uniform was completely ruined. Amaya laughed. I glared at her. What was so funny? Amaya stopped laughing and smiled at me. She took a sip of my soda. "Life is good," she said. "Especially on a night like this." She gazed up at the sky. I looked, too. I was instantly mesmerized at what I saw.
At my house, you can never see any stars. Too many lights. But the school was surrounded by woods on most of the perimeter. I forgot about my clothes and stared at the starry sky. Wait... what time was it? I looked at my watch. I should really be getting home now. I don't want to worry Choyo.
"Amaya-chan, I really need to go now," I pleaded, my hands together.
Amaya sighed. "Fine," she said. "I'll let you go." I was shocked. Amaya never let her victims go without making them do something bad.
"Really?" I gaped. "Oh, thank you so much, Amaya-san!"
Amaya looked away. "Don't mention it. Ever. It's not like I like you or something. Just. Go."
I peered at Amaya's face. I was surprised to see it turning red. Was she embarrassed? Was I embarrassing her? I guess Amaya wasn't used to being thanked.
I decided it'd be best I didn't stick around too long. Amaya might get angry. So I said, "Well, I'll see you tomorrow," and scampered off.
---
When I got home from the school, I slipped my shoes off in the doorway. I was about to walk upstairs to my room, but was stopped by Choyo. Uh-oh. "Why were you out so late, Tsukiko-chan?" she queried.
No use in lying. "I was meeting up with Amaya-san," I said.
Choyo raised an eyebrow. "The bully? What did she want from you? I'll beat her up for you if you want, Tsukiko-chan."
"No, no!" I quickly said. "Violence is wrong! And one of you could get hurt!"
Choyo gave me a look. "I wasn't serious," she explained. Oh. "I'm just worried. You shouldn't be hanging around people like her. Amaya-san is nothing but trouble. What would Mom have thought?"
I frowned at mention of Mom. "She'd be worried about me, too, just like you, Onee-chan," I realized aloud.
"Exactly my point," Choyo said. "Play safe and stay away from her, okay, Tsukiko-chan?"
I stared sadly at the ground. "I'm sorry," I whispered.
Choyo's expression softened. "You're a good girl," she said. "If Mom saw you now, she'd be proud." Choyo was quiet for a little while, letting that sink in. "Goodnight now."
"Goodnight."
---
The next morning, I cheerfully rode my skateboard to school. When I arrived, I quickly spotted Amaya talking to her friends, Chikako and Etsu. Avoid her, I told myself. It was no good. "Hey, Tsukiko!" Amaya called out, waving her hand back and forth. "Get over here!"
I stepped off my skateboard and picked it up, then ran over to Amaya. "Hi," I said, in my usual meek tone.
"We had fun last night, didn't we, Tsukiko?" Amaya said to me. Fun? You pushed me down in the mud!
"What did you guys do?" Etsu asked Amaya.
Amaya smiled at Etsu. "We hung out late at school together."
"What'd you guys do?" asked Chikako. She was looking at me when she asked the question, but afterwards looked at Amaya and smiled.
"Um..." I began. "We... talked... and drank soda..." There. That wasn't a lie.
Chikako raised an eyebrow. "Really? Is that all?" She looked at Amaya, who shrugged. Chikako looked annoyed. "Boring."
Amaya turned towards me. "Well, see you later, Tsukiko." I gave a weak nod. My legs felt like jello. Amaya walked away, and her friends followed her. I breathed a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, I was glomped from behind. It was Isamu, my best friend. "Hi, Isamu," I said, smiling.
"Good morning!" Isamu exclaimed, cheerful and hyper as always. "Were you just talking to Amaya-san?"
"Yeah," I answered. "We hung out last night." Oops. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that.
Isamu stared at me with wide eyes. "Hung out? Is she gonna replace me?"
"Of course not, Isamu-chan!" I said quickly. "There will always be a place in my heart for you."
Isamu stopped panicking and smiled. "Whew, that's a relief!" she said. "I was worried I was going to have to find a new best friend! And you know how bad I am with social skills!"
I gave a crooked smile. "Yeah..." Isamu scared away everyone she talked to, actually. It was because she was so hyper. She kind of made everyone who saw her feel... overwhelmed. You have to get to know her.
"So, what'd you guys do?"
I jumped a little. I guess I got kinda spaced out. "Well..." I started slowly. "We-"
"Oh, did you guys go to the park?" Isamu interrupted.
"No," I said simply. "We went to the school."
Isamu looked confused. "School? That's boring," she told me. I shrugged. "Well, see you in class, Tsukiko-chan." Isamu walked away from me.
I got to the classroom and plopped my backpack on my seat. Onahi-sensei stood in the front of the room, waiting for the class to quiet down so he could begin the lesson.
During the beginning of second period, my stomach felt funny. I left the classroom and walked down the hall towards the restroom. But once I got there, my stomach felt fine. Confused, I was about to walk back to class, but then looked towards the library.
"It wouldn't hurt to look at a few books while I'm here," I said aloud. I walked into the library, and quickly found myself deeply into a tragic story. I didn't notice the person standing behind me until they coughed. I looked up. "Amaya-san!" I said. Oh no! I talked to her again!
"Hi," Amaya said monotonously. "You cutting class?"
I blushed, looking back down at my book. "Of course not!"
"It's okay," Amaya responded. "So am I." I bet she cuts class a lot! "I've read that book before."
"Oh?" I said, surprised. Amaya didn't seem like the reading type.
"Yeah," Amaya replied. She knelt down next to me. "It's very interesting."
"Do you read a lot of books, Amaya-san?" I asked.
"Not really," Amaya responded. "Usually only manga."
I could believe that. "I think I'm going to get back to class now," I told her.
"Okay," Amaya said. "Bye."
I nodded silently and left the library.
In the hallway, I had a silent breakdown.
What was I doing? I'm not supposed to be talking to her! If Choyo finds out, she'll be really angry! And I'm cutting class? Where oh where is my sanity?
I walked back to class... slowly.
---
That day after school, I walked over to the bike rack where I had left my skateboard. I put one foot on it and was about to ride off when I heard someone whistle. Looking up, I saw Amaya on a motorcycle. She waved me over. I walked over, shaking with nervousness.
"You... you have a motorcycle?" I said. "You need a license to drive that, right?"
"Technically, yes," Amaya replied. "But whatever. Do you want a ride home?"
I shook my head. "No... I... I'm not even supposed to be talking to you... if Onee-chan found out..."
"Why aren't you allowed to talk to me?" There was no emotion at all in Amaya's voice.
"Well... Onee-chan says you're trouble..." I mumbled.
"Do you think I'm trouble?" asked Amaya.
"Well... kinda... but... I really like you..." I said. Wait, what had I just said? Was that really true? It was. It felt... real. "I want to hang out with you, but I don't think it's a very good idea... I could be caught with you and get in trouble."
Amaya looked away. "I don't have many friends," she said simply.
"What about Chikako and Etsu?" I asked.
"They were never really there."
Understanding, I walked closer to her, then said, "Okay. I'll ride home with you."
Eyes widening with delight, Amaya handed me a helmet. "Okay, let's go!" She patted behind her. I sat there.
"I've never ridden a motorcycle before," I admitted. "Um... where do I hold onto?"
"Wrap your arms around my back," Amaya told me. I did. And we were off. It felt like we were blasting off to the moon. Everything was whizzing by in a blur of color. Frightened, I buried my face in the back of Amaya's jacket.
The ride was over quickly. Once I felt the motion stop, I looked up at Amaya. She laughed. I guess I still looked scared. I slowly stepped off, and pulled my helmet off of my head. I hugged it to my chest. We were in front of my house.
I smiled at Amaya. "Thanks for the ride home, Amaya-chan."
Amaya looked away. Her face was turning red again. Thanks-you's must really make her uncomfortable. "Um... no problem," Amaya slowly pronounced. "Tsukiko-chan."
I smiled even bigger.
---
For the next week, Amaya and I were secret friends. One day I was at my locker when Amaya approached me. "Meet me after school, at school," she said. I nodded.
And that evening I rode my skateboard to school. I stopped in the parking lot upon seeing Amaya spray painting the side of the school. It was red this time. She signed her name in huge characters. She smiled when she saw me. "You," she said.
"Yeah?" I responded, confused.
Amaya held out a can of spray paint. "You try."
I shook my head.
Amaya stared at me. Then, the unthinkable happened. She slapped me.
I fell down, coincidentally in the mud again. I wanted to cry, but for some reason it wasn't working. But I heard someone else crying. It was Amaya.
I had never seen Amaya cry before. She was so tough. She didn't cry easily. But here she was, on her knees, in front of me, sobbing. "I'm really sorry," she cried. "My temper really gets the best of me. I feel terrible."
I slowly sat up, my the side of my face stinging. I wrapped my arms around her. We sat like that for who knows how long. "I wish I didn't have to keep our friendship a secret," I said.
"Me too," Amaya agreed. Amaya's face was turning a little red. I was worried.
"Amaya-chan?" I said. "If I'm embarrassing you, I won't hug you, if that's what you want."
Amaya stared at me. "No!" she said. "This is really nice. I'm not used to getting hugs from anybody. Please keep hugging me."
"Okay."
It was quite a while before Amaya stood up. I said to her then, "I don't mind keeping you a secret, if that's what it takes."
"Thank you so much," Amaya thanked. "Um... do you want soda?"
"Sure," I said. Amaya handed me one, seemingly out of nowhere. I popped it open, listening to the fizz. Amaya grabbed one as well, then sat down directly beside me.
"Let's have a toast," Amaya suggested, with a goofy smile. I giggled, and lightly tapped my can against hers.
I read the graffiti Amaya had written on the wall. A friend is a treasure that lasts forever. I smiled at Amaya, a questioning smile. Amaya blushed. "It's... kind of like a gift... to you..."
I grinned at Amaya, then stood up. Amaya gave me an odd look as I walked over to the can of spray paint. "I hope this is permanent," I said.
Amaya's eyes widened as I picked it up.
You know you love someone when they help you be the person that you want to be.