Chapter 004: Colors (3)

Black's POV

Just as Crimson said, it looked like people were talking about us as we walked to the cafeteria. It's like they're not even trying to be discreet about it. I don't know anything about Crimson, but his reputation probably isn't anything good if people are talking about me like this as soon as I'm seen with him. I really have to thank him later. 

After we finished buying food, we didn't stay in the cafeteria. Instead, he led me towards the top floor. The door to the rooftop was locked, so we just sat down in front of it. 

"You sure you're good with just bread?" Crimson asked as he started eating.

"I'm fine with this." I replied. "Instead-" I trailed off as I stared at the large amount of food he bought. "-nevermind."

"What department are you in? I forgot to ask earlier."

"Ah, I'm from the arts department."

"Is that why you were drawing earlier? Did you already have to pass something?"

"That's not it. The skethpad I was using earlier was for my personal works."

He whistled. "That's neat. I'm from the music department, but I'm guessing you could figure that out on your own."

"I never really thought about it. Then what's with that notebook earlier?"

"Notebook?" He thought to himself for a bit. "Oh! That's where I write my songs."

"You write songs? That's amazing."

He smirked. "Not as amazing as being able to draw."

Somehow, the fear I felt from just being around him slowly disappeared. He wasn't scary as I initially thought. In fact, he's just normal. If that were the case, then why did it look like people were so cautious of him? 

I want to ask, but I feel like if I do, I'm gonna cross a line that I shouldn't cross. What we have right now is comfortable enough. I shouldn't try to get any closer than this.

After we finished eating, Crimson stretched his arms and leaned back on the wall. "You should head back to your class." He said as he yawned. "It won't be good for a transfer student to cut classes the whole day."

"What about you?" I asked. 

"I'm gonna sleep, so just go."

It didn't seem like I could convince him to go back to his class too, so I headed back by myself. I grabbed my stuff in the light music club's room and went back to my class. 

I put my earbuds on and went inside. 

I felt suffocated already. I wish I just stayed with Crimson.

The rest of the day went on as usual, and because I let my guard down too much, I forgot about one major problem. 

"What are you doing here again?" I asked as I was just about to leave our class. 

"To get you." That girl, Lilac, replied as she smiled. "I won't let you go today, Black. You have to come with me to that cafe."

"Denied." I passed her, but she grabbed my hand.

"I told you I'm not gonna let you go!"

"And I said I don't wanna go with you! You're so persistent!"

"I wouldn't be so persistent if you just agreed to come with me!"

I stopped struglling, then looked at her. "If I come with you this once, promise me you'll leave me alone."

"Deal."

And that's the story of how I regrettably ended up going with her to the cafe. I skimmed through the menu as she happily hummed and took pictures of the interior. 

"Do you already have an order?" She asked as she placed her phone on the table and lookrd through the menu too. "Oh, do you wanna share a cake slice?"

"Don't you think you're being a little too chummy with me?" I replied.

"Jeez, would it kill you to be a little friendly? I'm trying my best to lighten the atmophere here. It's such a cute place and you're just being a party pooper."

I would probably think the cafe is cute too, but if everything's monotone, it just looks boring. The only colors I could see were the ones around Lilac, and they weren't even the exact colors because of the purple tint. If only I could enjoy myself too. 

"Whatever." I said as I closed the menu. "I'm getting a dark chocolate frappe."

"And what about the cake? You really don't wanna share one?"

"No."

"Fine. I'll just eat one next time with my friends."

"You can just order, you know."

"I can't eat it all. That's why I asked if you wanted to share."

I clicked my tongue and looked away. "Get the vanilla cake." I begrudgingly said. 

Her eyes lit up as she smiled. "Yay!" She exclaimed. "Thanks so much, Black!"

"Just, shut up, please."

The whole time we were at the cafe, Lilac just kept on talking. I never made the effort to start any new topics, so she did it all by herself. It's hard to say that I didn't fully enjoy it. Somehow, listening to her talk was entertaining. 

When we finished, she was about to pay, but I offered to pay instead. Even if the only reason we came here was so that she could treat me for giving her wallet back to her, I felt kinda guilty for making it hard for her to get me here in the first place. 

Obviously, she refused, and she still ended up paying, but before we parted ways, I sneaked some money in her bag's pocket. Hopefully, she figures out that it's from me.  

I finally got home, and immediately, I threw myself onto my bed.

It's only the second day, and so much had already happened. I'm not drained, but I'm just not used to it. I can't remember the last time I was able to spend time with anybody other than Aunt Autumn. It's a little refreshing. 

I feel so dumb feeling like this after I made that whole declaration about not wanting to get close to anyone. They could lose their colors any minute, and I don't know what I would do if that happened after I got attached to them.  

"Black, I'm home!" I could hear Aunt Autumn exclaim downstairs. 

I stood up and went downstairs. "Would you like a drink, Aunt Autunn?" I asked as I went to the kitchen. 

"If you could make me a cup of coffee, that would be great." She replied as she took a seat. "How's school?"

"Nothing new."

She sighed, then smiled. "Well, as long as you still want to continue going there."

I want to ask her for advice, but I doubt she'll even know what to say. I'm not saying she wouldn't help, but I just feel like she isn't the right person to ask about stuff like this. If there's anybody I should ask, it should be that mysterious grandmother of mine. 

I'm positive she knows something, but it's a little hard to tell Aunt Autumn that I want to meet her. If only she'd contact us first, then I can use that as an excuse.

I placed Aunt Autumn's coffee down. "I'll run the hot water for you." I said. 

"Thanks, Black." She replied.

After setting everything up for Aunt Autumn, she went inside the bathroom and I started cooking dinner. 

This is the quiet life I'm used to, and tomorrow, everything will be normal again.