Chapter Five

After a heavy scolding from Ms. Mifune about swearing in her classroom and 22 faces staring at me and laughing, I lay my head on my desk in complete and utter embarrassment.

That was definitely one of the most humiliating moments of my entire existence...

My eyes peer up from my spot, my head hidden behind my backpack. The clouds are feathery and swift, and a thin, straight line runs among them from the back of an airplane.

I feel stupid.

My face is still hot from the mortifying experience. I feel like everyone is still looking at me, even though they've most likely already forgotten about it and moved on to the latest gossip. Someone lightly taps on my shoulder, and I shift a little.

"What?" I groan, assuming it's Gon.

"Sorry."

The voice does not belong to my Gon, but a little snob who I'd much rather punch in the face.

"Go away," I mutter, covering my whole head with my arms. My backpack falls off of my desk and slams on the floor, and I cringe at the noise.

"...Just so you know, they don't actually die. I just wanted to see your reaction. I didn't think you'd freak out so much. So, sorry."

Killua's footsteps trail off, and I tighten my little cocoon.

Sorry? Ugh. He's an idiot.

I peek out from my cave and spot him, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed. His head is down.

He looks stupid.

He glances up for a moment, at me, and I bury my head again.

He's stupid.

A few minutes pass, and the bell loudly rings. I slowly sit up and stand and grab my things, with Gon waiting for me. Killua joins us, averting my eyes, and I meander behind them, my bag slung over my shoulder.

Two and a half hours later, the sound of the lunch bell fills my ears. I struggle through the sea of people and make my way to the library to meet with Kurapika.

The one thing I have to look forward to of the day. Too bad it never lasts long.

I stumble in through the doorway, and the librarian kindly looks at me before returning to her diligent typing. I look at the table where we always sit, and see that it's empty.

Why isn't he here? He's always here before me.

I set my bag down and sit in the wooden chair. The air is cold and still in here, and I yank my jacket out. Seconds later I spot Leorio approaching me.

"Yo. Kurapika wanted me to give you this," he says. He hands me a neatly folded piece of paper.

"I've got places to be. Later!" he grins, and waves before quickly heading out. I open up the note.

"Kou, I won't be at lunch today as I have a very important... meeting to attend. I'll see you tomorrow. - Kurapika x"

My index finger lightly rubs the scratched out word between 'important' and 'meeting'. I sigh, and put my head down again.

I guess I could read, but... I don't know, it's not that fun without Kurapika.

I take out the novel Kurapika gave me earlier and flip through the pages. A strong musk rises from it; the nice old book smell I love. The pages are surprisingly extremely thin and delicate, and there is obvious wear and tear. I take note of the water stain on the last few pages.

I tuck loose strands of hair behind my ears and turn to the first page. My eyes scan through a few sentences, not processing any of it, and my brain shuts off.

Eh... I'll save it for when Kurapika's here. I can't focus at all.

I shove the book back into my bag and zip it shut. The clock on the pillar by me continuously ticks, and it feels like it gets louder each time. I smooth out the folds in Kurapika's note and study his handwriting.

So tiny. It's tinier than mine. It's pretty.

I stare at the symbols of his name. That part looks rushed and squished, yet still pretty. I unzip my bag, stick two fingers in between random pages of the book, and slip the note in to preserve it.

...Is that creepy? Nah...

I fiddle with my pencil. There's still forty minutes of lunch left.

Perhaps I could go find Gon?

I gather my things and stand.

Ugh, stupid Snow White will be there. But I guess it's better than sitting here alone...

I head out of the library and make my way through the halls. Cliques are spread around everywhere, and I try not to make eye contact with anyone. I pass former friends and familiar faces, but none of them notice me at all. As I hurry up the stairs to the roof, my shoes tap loudly on the linoleum. I push the door open and already hear the two laughing.

"Ah, Kou!" Gon calls out upon seeing me. I smile and walk over to him. Killua watches me.

"I thought—"

"Don't you stay in the library for lunch? What are you doing here?"

I look into Killua's eyes. His hands are on his hips, and he's slightly bent forward.

"Kurapika wasn't there. So I came here. For Gon, of course," I say, rolling my eyes. Killua glares at me.

"Well, Gon and I were in the middle of something, so—"

"I don't care, idiot."

...Where did that come from!?

"Hey, hey, how about we all just eat a snack..." Gon nervously interrupts, waving his hands at the two of us. I let out a heavy sigh.

"No, no, fine. Sorry for coming, then. It just sucks being alone," I mutter, turning around and walking away.

Gon is my best friend. Mine! Right?

My eyes tear up.

But why does it feel like he's so far from that right now? We live together. We do everything. Why is it that whenever Killua is around I feel so out of place?

"Hey. Kou."

I stop at the sound of my name.

"I'm sorry, alright? Can we just be cool or something? All this arguing is getting boring. It's lame."

I whip around and see Killua walking towards me with his hands in his pockets. He pulls one out and outstretches it to me.

"Shake on it?" he asks, with a very slight but noticeable smile.

W-What?

"...Uh..."

"...Or not."

"No, just... I haven't had time to think at all. What is this? Don't you hate me or something?"

"Why would I hate you? You had me convinced you were the one who had a problem."

"I thought you had a problem with me, because I called you Snow White!"

"No?"

"You called me a moron!"

"Did I?" he snickers, scratching the back of his head. I roll my eyes in annoyance.

"Yes, on, like, the first day of school, and from then on I've just tried to keep my distance from you, since I was sure you didn't like me," I explain. He plucks a loose strand of his bright white hair from his jacket.

"Nah, I don't really care anymore. I only had a problem because it seemed like you had a problem."

"Well, then I guess we're the same."

He offers his hand again.

"Truce, then?" he asks. I look at his pale hand. It looks so bony and fragile, and delicate to the touch, like the pages of my book. Reluctantly I join hands.

It's so... soft. Strange.

"Yay!" Gon cheers in the background. He runs up to us, and pats Killua's back. I quickly change the subject, not wanting to discuss any more.

"G-Gon, do you know what we're having for dinner tonight?"

He shakes his head, "Uh uh. Mito-san said it was a surprise."

"She knows I hate surprises..."

He chuckles, and I join him.

"Can we eat now?" Killua interrupts, back to his pissed-off tone. I follow the two back to where their things are and place my bag next to theirs, and pull my lunch out. Killua's munching on a chocolate bar and Gon's taking a bite of Mito-san's dumplings.

I'm relieved. I'm relieved.

I smile to myself and dig in.

Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed!