Fragments of Us

The air at the college gate was a chaotic storm of emotions. Excitement smelled like fizzing champagne, while anxiety smelled like burnt sugar. A distant homesickness carried the sharp scent of bitter garlic. My name is Sora. I'm just your average girl, about to start my college years. But I have a little secret: I can sniff people's emotions. I remember telling my parents about it in elementary school, anxious about what will they feel about me. First came the shock, then they smiled. My father told me it was a trait our ancestors had long ago, a defense mechanism to protect themselves from bad people. Coming from a Yakuza lineage, I think they must have really needed this power. It turns out I'm the only one in the family to have inherited it after so many years. Sigh. I know some of you might think a special gift like this is cool, but it's not. It has some serious downsides. If I sniff a strong emotion, I end up reacting to it without even realizing it. Once, when I was walking down the hall at school, I caught the scent of someone's urge to laugh. To me, it smelled like bright, sweet oranges. Before I knew it, I was laughing so loud that everyone stared. It was so embarrassing. I ran to the bathroom and locked myself inside for hours. Emotions are a minefield, especially when someone laughs. Since I can literally smell them on people, I'm terrified to make real friends. What if I get close to someone only to find out they don't actually like me? What if I react to their strong emotions at the wrong time? These questions make me so anxious that I've spent most of my life alone. But this time will be different. Standing at the college gate—the one I worked so hard to get into. The bustling campus gives me hope as a genuine smile spreads across my face. "Sora! You can do it!" I cheered, throwing a confident sky punch. Suddenly, someone shoved me forward, and I stumbled, almost tripping. I whipped my head around to see the perpetrator: that brat Kian. He was tall, with undercut brown hair, honey-colored eyes, and a piercing in his left ear. I've known him since childhood. "Kian!" I barked, shrugging him off me. He just ruffled my hair. "Did you cut your hair? Short hair suits you," He said with a big, cheeky smile, as annoying as ever. I shuffle my hair in place. Kian is the only one besides my parents who knows about my power. "Stay away, you smell like s**t!" I said, a total lie. He actually smelled of rich earth and soothing ginger. Kian pouted, a big show of it. "Come on, for once, be nice to me. After all, I'm the only one who puts up with you." My jaw tightened, and my fist clenched as I said cockily, "You know my ancestors were right about it, I really do need this power to protect myself from the likes of people like you!" Kian clutched his heart. "Ouch, that hurt, Sora!" I roll my eyes. "You're such a drama queen." Kian winks at me. "I know you're just jealous of my shining personality! Be grateful I am being kind enough to accompany you." "Thank you for your unwanted kindness, Mister Kian! Now kindly buzz off!" I started pushing him away. This was my chance to shine, and Kian being here was a guaranteed buzzkill. In his light, my own always seems to dim. He was a heartthrob in high school, and it looks like he's already a hit in college, too. The dreamy eyes girls were giving him and the jealous looks I was getting proved it. How was I supposed to make friends like this? Once I got to class, I tossed my bag aside and let out a huge sigh. Escorting Kian to his class was a mission in itself; he kept bringing unwanted attention towards us. When I was removing my water bottle from the bag to drink, I spotted a small, petite girl with glasses sitting alone a few seats in front of me. My heart fluttered with hope—a possible friendship. I quietly crept over to her. "H-hi" I stuttered, my voice trembling. Making friends could be this hard? I thought to myself. She looked at me, and I instantly caught the scent of bitter garlic—a wave of annoyance. Without her saying a word, I heard her thoughts as if she'd shouted them: Why are you here? I want to be alone! Please leave! Feeling a chill, I apologised and walked back to my original seat, only to find it was taken. The weight of disappointment grew heavy on my shoulders as they slumped down. "Hey, you can sit here with me if you want?" A sweet, childlike voice came from behind me. I turned and saw her. A beauty, with light brown hair tied into a bun and green eyes that seemed to glow. The boys around us were practically drooling over her. I took a seat beside her. She smelled of delicate roses and sweet honey. Her presence was so calm and collected that I felt completely relaxed next to her. She looked at me and smiled. "My name is Adira. What's yours?" "Sora," I said, my voice still a little shaky. "T-thanks for helping me, I don't know what I would have d-done otherwise." I rub the back of my head nervously. Why are conversations so easy with Kian but so hard with others? "Oh! No problem at all. I understand how it must have felt, Sora." Her smile was so warm my heart skipped a beat. She was truly the epitome of beauty. I felt a sudden urge to protect her at all costs. She questioned, "So what are you majoring in?" "Interior design, I've always loved decorative and antique items. It is basically my dream," I spoke about it with enthusiasm. She says joyfully, "Oh! Nice. I am pursing architecture, maybe we can work on some project together in the future." My eyes gleamed with joy. "Sure!" "Everyone! Quiet!" A new voice boomed. "I'm your professor, Sheldon. I will be teaching you history of designing. Now let's get started with some basics." He kept talking while writing on the board. Now, I wouldn't call myself a genius, but I do well in my exams. I'm aiming for a scholarship this time, so I have to work harder. Making it big does take efforts after all. The bell for the break rang, and I stretched, sighing in relief. The first day was already a lot to take in. Professors sheldon packed his stuff and left. He wasn't much of an entertainer. Serious would fit him more. "Sora?" Adira asked. "Would you like to join us for lunch?" She said pointing at two girls behind her. Gia and ruth is what their names were. Adira introduced them as her old school friends. I could already tell Adira was popular and smart, why would I miss a chance to make a friend like her? "Yes, of course!" I said, packing my things. On our way to the cafeteria, we passed the football field, where a big ruckus had gathered a crowd. I got a glimpse of a guy with long blond hair and blue eyes sitting on a bench, looking unbothered but irritated, playing with something. I didn't know what it was; that tiny thing was not visible in my view. I couldn't quite smell him well as he was farther away. He seemed really scary, so I figured it was best to keep my distance. We hurried past, not wanting to get caught in their feud. Adira said, "It's so sad this stuff still goes on even living in modern times," and I smelled irritation from her—rotten apple, burnt garlic, acidic orange. It was not Adira's emotions alone, I sniffed on too many of them, making my head spin. I told Adira I needed to use the restroom quickly and rushed off. I splashed some cold water on my face. It definitely helped me calm down. I just don't understand what people get from showing power over the weak. It's some kind of sick ego boost, and I'm so tired of it. Walking back to the cafeteria, I saw the guy from before walked in front of me. Tulips and ashes—a smell so chaotic I could not understand the emotions he felt. He reminded me of my great grand-uncle, a fearsome man whose name could make people's legs go wobbly. "Excuse me," I heard from behind, a deep voice. I stilled in my place, my body shivering all over. Why? Why would he stop me? Did I know him? Did I do something? He walked up to me and then I saw as he stretched his hand out. "I think this is yours?" A keychain lay in his hand of Gojo Satoru, which was obviously mine. I felt so embarrassed; I must have dropped it on the way. My hands trembled as I reached for it. "T-thanks," I said and looked up. His eyes were as deep as an ocean. I smelled a hint of burnt sugar on him and then it faded away as he walked past me. As I reached the cafeteria, I joined Adira and her friends at the table. One of them with black hair tied into a pony, ruth, if I remember. She cracked some joke about the cafeteria food and we bursted out laughing about it, sweet orange smell around us. This was the calm and peace I wanted—a small group of friends to enjoy my time with and build real bonds.