highschool obsession AU chapter 2

A new day

It’s a new day for Miko, hopefully this one won’t be filled with tears like the last one. 

They scoot open the door of the classroom with a gentle push. They didn’t get to fully pack their bag this morning. Like usual they’re just barely on time. The bell sounding its final chime. Rushing to their desk at the very back in the corner, where Miko prefers it. They clumsily put down their various books, academic and not. 

The teacher has already started the lecture but as usual being in the back, you can kind of get away with not doing anything in class. Though it does mean that Miko always gets a lot of homework, they prefer this to working in class. Especially if it’s a group project.

Normally they just draw their way through the school days taking a few notes here and there if the subject is interesting. But mainly being off in their own world, it’s way better than the real world anyway.

Suddenly, apparently while they were whisked away in their thoughts, the teacher had said something to make everyone start talking in groups of 2-3. Though, Miko, not paying attention, ended up not being in any group. Oops.

Miko looks around the class for anyone to talk with, though it looks that being alone for the discussion is the only option. Like usual. Not that it bothers them, they’re usually-

Their thoughts are once again cut off, this time by a certain person. A certain person they had talked to yesterday.

“Ari, are you switching groups?” He turns his head towards the teacher, still facing Miko with his body. 

“Yes, I noticed that Miko wasn’t in a group, and being in a group of three I decided it was a good idea, to make sure that everyone was in a group.” Miko subconsciously reaches for the edge of their skirt. “Don’t worry I’ve already talked with my previous group about it” He pulls a free chair from a different table sitting down in front of Miko.

A cold look glazes Aris' face. “I… m sorry about what I said yesterday” What? Instead of Ari being a total jerk about this group discussion, he’s actually- chosen to apologize for what happened yesterday?! “It was uncalled for to shoot down your interest like that, especially since you don’t have many friends.” If any, Miko thinks looking down at their sketchbook. “If you want…  we could. Discuss anime during the break today” Miko perks up at the words. They fumble with their coming response, almost not even saying anything as an answer. “Uh, I would. Thank- I mean. Sorry, th- d, uh yes! I’d love to talk with uh. Yeah- heh”

A small smile tugs at Ari's lips. 

The rest of class goes smoothly, Miko actually gets something done for once.

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The cafeteria is jam-packed, like usual. Though Ari has managed to reserve a table for him and Miko. This is a bad idea, Ari thinks. If he’s actually initiated a friendship with Miko everything could go wrong. But on the other hand, talking to Miko is miles above imagining their conversations. The way Miko smiles, a bright and wide unconcerned smile. Lighting up the whole room, at least to Ari.

Speaking of Miko. There they are, standing nervously with their bag on their back. They have such a cute bag, Ari loves the way they decorate it, with two keychains one plush the other an acrylic of an anime character they really like. Ari also knows there are some pins on the back, though they aren’t visible from this angle. 

Miko spots Ari and lights up a little, a familiar tingly feeling hits Ari's stomach. He lets his lips turn up into a slight smile to not seem too offputting towards Miko.

Miko walks over to the table slowly, looking at their surroundings. Not realizing the fixating stare upon them. They stop right before the table, not putting their bag down on one of the benches.

“I’m sorry, but it’s really loud in here. Could we maybe sit somewhere else?”

Shit, Ari should’ve thought about this, he knows that Miko doesn’t like loud settings. 

“Oh, yeah sure. I’m guessing you don’t like loud settings?” The sentence turned a bit in his head before letting it leave his mouth, making sure to not spoil their interaction. 

Any small slip-up could be devastating.

As they both walk through the halls, no words really get spoken between them. Of course Ari knows that it's because Miko is nervous. The way they automatically grab their skirt is an obvious sign of it. Ari wonders if they ever realize the fact that they’re doing it. He can't help but stare at them. The slight skin exposed between where their socks reach and their slightly pulled up skirt ends. The way their legs move as they walk, one shifting in front of the other. 

Ari catches themself staring, fuck. This is why he sits at the front of the class, so that he doesn’t get distracted. Though of course Miko always sitting at the back makes it infinitely easier. But that doesn’t stop him from still making sure to not sit near the back, to make it harder for him to take sneak peeks at Miko during class. That way Ari won’t get distracted.

He clutches his left hand, feeling the bandaid from yesterday. If only he hadn’t been so ignorant. Though it's not a big deal, besides, why would anyone care enough to question it.

Miko pushes the door to the school yard open. A few benches are scattered around. Ari isn’t usually out here, it’s too open. He prefers the indoors, people are less likely to notice anything you’re doing. But he knows that Miko always sits out here. Like they said; its too noisy in the cafeteria. 

Miko puts their bag lightly on one of the tables. Sitting down, they pull out a sketchbook from their bag as well as their pencil case. It’s a purple one with stars on it. Looks like it's magical girl themed.

Ari sits across from them, “So, you wanted to discuss anime?” Miko perks up. Looks like someone almost forgot they had company, probably for the better.

“Oh, yes! Hah a, I almost forgot- i think i was off in my own world while we were walking” Ari opens his messenger bag. It's nothing interesting, light brown leather with a white polyester mix strap. He pulls out his lunch. A simple sandwich and some water.

“But we don’t actually have to talk about anime- if you don’t want to. Frankly it’s just nice to have someone to talk to in general” The words quickly leave Miko's mouth.

Ari notices that Miko hasn’t taken their lunch out yet.

“We can talk about anything you’d like, I really don’t mind.” He unpacks his sandwich from the see through plastic film.

“Don’t you have any lunch?” A quick remark, enough to start a simple surface conversation.

Miko shifts in their seat, they’ve already picked up their pencil, beginning to draw. They still seem nervous, but at least they’re not reaching for their skirt anymore. If only they would t- he doesn’t allow himself to finish the sentence in his mind but his thoughts are already filled with images. It doesn’t help that Miko is sitting right in front of him. Makes them all the more realistic.

“Noouuuu… I kind of sort of forgot. To… pack. It…”  They fiddle with the eraser on the pen they’re holding. Looks like it's new, or at least hasn’t been chewed on that much. 

Ari smiles “Yeah, I get that.” Give them your lunch, give them your lunch. “You can have mine if you want, I’m honestly not that hungry. It's a cheese and ham sandwich.”

Miko's eyes light up in that certain sort of way, like earlier when Ari apologized.

“Really?” a low growl can be heard from their stomach and a small laugh escapes their lips “Heh, sorry. Guess I was hungrier than I thought” The sandwich gets passed from one person's hands to the other. Their fingers touch. Ari’s stomach quenches sharply. Fuck this is too close, he’s about to break from the pressure if he doesn’t leave. But he can’t do that, it would at best leave a bad impression or at worst make Miko sad.

Miko’s eyes wander to Ari’s left hand lying on the table. He already knows what they’re going to say.

“Is your hand okay?” The quizzical look on Miko’s face is adorable. Miko is always so expressive, it’s one of the many, many reasons he likes Miko, they’re always so easy to read. Though of course its also become easier over time. It’s always a delight when Ari notices a new habit Miko has. 

They lock eyes. Fuck. He’d been staring. Better answer soon. What was it they said?

“Sorry, what?” he wears the smile again. It’s easy to do, it always is.

“Is your hand okay? The question comes again.

“Yes, I just- my cat scratched me yesterday.” He doesn’t have a cat. “It usually doesn’t scratch that hard so it kind of caught me by surprise” Miko takes a bite out of the sandwich while Ari speaks.

A few crumbs fall out as Miko speaks. “You have a cat?!” They excitedly exclaim the question, slightly lifting from their seat.

Shit. he hadn’t thought this through. Fuck. Why does it have to be so difficult to talk to them, it’s so much easier to imagine to.

“Sorry, did I say my cat? I meant my friend's cat.” Phew, almost fucked up. Ari takes a quick sip from their water bottle.

“Squee, I just adoooore cats! They’re so cute! Especially their small paws-” Their hands clasp together squeezing up against their chest. The soft white fabric of the summer uniform slopes nicely over their chest area. He seriously has to stop staring.

“And their ears, I just love the way they look when they’re upset, it's so cute!!-” Their hand reaches for a curl to fiddle with while speaking. How cute. “Though of course also sad cause the cat is upset”

Ari can’t help but smile.

Miko stops in their tracks. “Wait, do you have pictures?” They lean over the table. They’re wearing a small beaded necklace. Purple is their favorite color it seems. 

“Yeah, I think so” 

Ari finds his phone in his pocket. Right where he always has it. Last time he took some pictures of his friend's cat it was only around 1 year old. Which was a while ago. 

It takes a while to find some photos. Miko still leaned over the table proves to be a difficult distraction. Too close. Way, too close. He has to control his breathing to not invoke suspicion. Ari almost misses the cat in his camera roll. It’s nothing special, a grey tabby with normal hair length. Though it’s a little more scrawny in these pictures due to its young age.

He hands the phone over to Miko.

A loud squeal comes from their mouth. Ari is almost taken aback by the reaction. But Miko has proven to really like cats. More than Ari had realized. Gosh Miko’s so cute.

“Ooouhhhh it’s just a small baby!!!” The pure joy from Miko’s voice is infectious. Ari can’t help but smile. 

“Can I look through?” The question is an obvious follower to the interaction.

“Of course”

They swipe a little, always cooing at the next picture.

“How old is it?” “Is it a girl or a boy” “What’s its name?” “Which friend was it that had it?” Millions of questions follow, Ari can barely keep up. Gosh they’re so cute. If only he could just… do. Something. Hold them. Give them love. Make them love him. Make them his. Though, they wouldn’t like that, but the thought is so tempting. It would be so easy.

“I really wish I had a cat. I’ve been practically begging my parents to get one for years!” the bell chimes. Fuck already? The thought about being away from Miko seems worse than death. Though other thoughts also tug at Ari’s mind. One’s he tries not to focus on right now, not here.

They continue their conversation all the way to class. This time Ari can walk next to Miko, looking at their face. Listening to their voice. Watching their face move with each expression. The way they articulate when talking about something they’re passionate about.

Though Ari’s heart tugs to spend more time with Miko. It’s practically torture being away from them, if only a few meters. But it’s probably for the best. He would never be able to pay attention in class if he got any closer to them. 

Though he does end up being distracted the whole lesson. Ari thinks through the whole break over and over again. Miko’s legs when they were both walking towards the yard. Each bite they took from the sandwich he had given them. The way they talked so passionately about cats. And when their arms squished up their chest.

Before he knows it the day is over.

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notes

Hope ya like the chapter! it was a bit difficult 2 write their dialogue but 2 be honest I can't wait 4 the next time they speak! next chapter will be a little more Miko POV focused tho :P