Loving Penpal

“This is delicious!” you exclaimed slurping another mouthful of noodles with shrimp. “Honestly this is the best I ever had! You have to give me the recipe!”

“Rose for heaven’s sake, don’t talk with your mouth full!” Akira reprimanded you while hitting your shoulder lightly.

The Yukimura’s sitting with you laughed at you and you looked sheepishly at Akira. This was so…nostalgic, as if you never left home. As you watched these people around you interacting and enjoying each others company, you couldn’t help feel like you were surrounded by your family, but soon after that thought, a pang of guilt settled itself heavily on your chest. “What am I thinking? I’m not home, this will never be home and I won’t ever go back home!” During your mental beat up of yourself Keiko was quietly looking at you with sorrowful eyes recognizing immediately your change in demeanor. While the older adults were distracted with their talk Keiko slowly placed her hand on top of yours in which you quickly lifted your head and looked at her. Keiko smiled softly at you and patted your hand in comfort. Blushing, you looked down in embarrassment from your moment of self hate.

“I can’t imagine what you’re going through having to leave home but know you have friends that will help you,” she softly whispered to you. You smiled at her but the smile did not reach your eyes, however, tears of joy blurred your vision which you quickly rubbed away with your hand. “Thank you.”

“What was that?” Akira asked you while diverting her attention away from her two best friends.

“Nothing,” you and Keiko said at the same time which had you both giggling behind your hands.

Akira just gave the both of you strange but amused look where as the Yukimura’s were confused but shrugged their shoulders and stood up. “Sorry Akira but we have to close up shop; you can stay though we’ll be but a few minutes.” Hoshi explained but you noticed Akira getting up as well.

“Sorry, but Rose and I should really be going home. She starts school tomorrow and I want her to be well rested.” At her mention of home you got up as well and carried your now empty bowl to the counter.

“Oh you didn’t have to do that dear!” Takihara said but a smile of gratitude none the less.
You just smiled and passed the bowl to Takihara in which he took from you and placed it in the sink behind him. It’s all right Takihara-san I’m more than happy to help after eating that wonderful meal,” you said patting your now extremely full belly. Takihara smiled and leaned on the counter. “Anything for you dear and the next bowl will be on me, okay?” “Thanks!” you exclaimed and turned to head to the door in which Akira was waiting along with Hoshi and Keiko.

That night, when you were settled in bed, nervousness finally decided to creep up on you. New home, new school, new friends, all in all a whole new life. Tears came unwillingly to your eyes and a sniff escaped you. It’s not that you were scared because so far you got used to your new home, school has always been a breeze for you, it’s just the new friends part that you were having problems with. You were always great with people but you weren’t your average 18 year-old. Due to the life you lead you had to grow up a lot quickly than others and so you were proud to say you were a lot more mature than the average young adult, so making friends has always been hard for you. People your age tended to believe you thought yourself better than others which wasn’t the truth, and they never really had the same interests as you.

Surprisingly an image of Keiko came to your mind which immediately had you smiling. “Well I guess I did make one friend here but which school she goes to?” you questioned to yourself. You just shrugged your shoulders and decided to ask Akira tomorrow morning before you left for school.