Chapter 10
317 Words
10
Instead of going to the library, I decided to use the rest of the remaining hour to see Ryoko in between her classes. I arrived back at the dorm and found a sniffling Ryoko hiding under a blanket
I hurried towards her, my heart beating in my throat. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
She brushed her tears away. “Nothing.”
“I can tell something’s up.”
“It’s not important.”
“So there is something?”
“Yes, it’s just… The new Lunar Year starts next week. It’s tradition for us to start it by lifting red candles to the moon and celebrate with special noodles. We’ve been doing it in my family for as long as I can remember. Under normal circumstances, I’d have gone home for it but now…”
I pressed a kiss on her temple. “That sucks.”
“It does… If we don’t wish the moon and the Moon Dragons good luck, it’ll be a bad year.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
Ryoko chuckled humourlessly. “No, there isn’t. It’s fine, I’ll get over it.”
“Okay.” I tightened my embrace, hoping it was consoling her in some way. “Look on the bright side. Things can’t get much worse than they already are?”
“Hah.” She pulled away, her eyes averted. “A small condolence.”
“Bad joke,” I admitted. “Are you sure there’s nothing I can do?”
“No.” She reached across the bed for her blazer and swung it over her shoulder.
“Where are you going?”
“I’ve got class.”
“Class?” I caught her wrist. “Hey, Ryoko. Talk to me.”
“I’m fine, I promise.” She shook me away, still refusing to make eye contact. She blinked a tear away, pressed a hasty kiss on my head, and hurried through the room. “I’ll see you later.”
“Okay? We’ll talk about it—” The door slammed shut. “More…”
Or not.
I looked at the dust bunny sleeping under the table. “What do you think?”
Pickles ignored me.
“Alright then, keep your secrets.” I stretched out on Ryoko’s bed, yawning and checking my watch. “Well… I guess I could do with a nap.”
- Writer
