|
|
"I don't think he'll ever like me," Renako said. "Besides, he's three years older than me."
"No, he's two," said Kairiku.
"How did you know?"
"Um, I spied..."
"Who are you talking about?" Chouko asked, coming into the room.
Renako blushed bright scarlet. "Um, nobody..."
"C'mon, Renako, you can't keep it a secret forever," Chouko said, grinning.
"Fine! Remember when we went to the zoo? I met this boy named Xell. He was so... wonderful. I'm dying to know if he likes me. There! So now you know," Renako blurted.
Chouko stared at the usually-quiet girl. "Oh. Okay. I finally know the truth!"
"I'm trying to convince this scaredy-cat that she should go to the zoo," Kairiku said with a wink.
"But then he'd know I like him!" Renako said, blushing again.
"Um... that's a good thing," Chouko said.
"If he likes me back. But what if he doesn't?" Renako looked around, as if trying to find something that would help her.
"We'll make sure he does," Kairiku said.
Renako began to have a bad feeling about this...
"But Koumi, they're so stubborn!" Renako cried. "They are intent on pairing me up with him!"
Well, do you like him? Koumi asked.
"Well... yes," Renako said.
Then you should do everything you can to be with him, her sister advised.
"Yeah... maybe you're right. But they're so pushy!" Renako giggled and hugged Koumi. "Thank you," she said.
You're welcome, Koumi answered.
Renako nearly choked on her soda. There were Kairiku and Chouko, talking to none other than Xell!
"She's really pretty and has a great singing voice," Renako heard Kairiku say. She blushed bright scarlet and tried to hide behind the bush. She was at the zoo, trying to get to Xell before they could. But she was too late.
"Yeah, and she's never had a boyfriend before," Chouko chimed in.
Renako cringed. Oh, great, she thought. I hope they didn't mention my name!
"And who, exactly, are you talking about?" Xell asked, twisting his chain around his fingers.
"Our friend -"
"Hi!" Renako cried, bursting out from the bush and scaring them all. "What're you doing?"
Chouko picked herself up from the floor. "We were just talking to this cute boy," she giggled. Renako blushed.
Renako tried her best to give him a pretty smile, but instead it looked forced. "Hi, Xell," she said shyly.
"Oh hi, Renako," he said casually.
A little too casual, Renako thought, feeling her heart sink.
"Hey, look! Doesn't Renako seem like the girl from our story?" Kairiku asked.
Renako wanted to scream at her. Instead, she asked with forced calm, "What story, Kairiku?"
"Oh, this story about a really pretty, talented girl who seems exactly like you!" Chouko exclaimed.
"I already know," Xell said. "You guys are so obvious."
Renako gasped and looked at Xell. He didn't look shy or like he was in love. He didn't even look at Renako. She glared at Kairiku and Chouko, burst into tears, and ran all the way home.
Xell continued to stare at whatever it was behind Renako.
"Renako," Kairiku said softly, later that day. "We're really sorry."
"It's okay," Renako said, even though it wasn't.
"No, we really are. Why don't you go with us?" Chouko asked.
"Go where?" Renako asked.
"They're opening a new store, but they're really behind in setting everything up. I thought we could volunteer," Kairiku said.
"What kind of store?" Renako asked.
"A flower shop," Chouko answered. "Kairi-chan and I noticed it on our way home. It smelled so beautiful."
Renako brightened a little. She liked flowers, and she liked being kind to others and helping. And maybe Xell would be there! Although, Renako thought, am I sure I can face him? "I'll go," she decided.
When Chikako heard, she immediately ran to the door. "I love flowers," she said, breathing deeply as if she could already smell their sweet fragrance.
"Let's go, then," Kairiku said. Renako, Chikako, and Chouko followed her out the door.
"It's going to be so lovely when it's finished," the store owner, Miss Tira, promised them.
"I'm sure it will be," Renako agreed. Her heart skipped a beat - Xell was there!
"Hi, Renako. Hello, Chouko and Kairiku. And who are you?" he asked Chikako.
"My name is Chikako," she said, giving him a pleasant smile. He smiled back.
"There sure are a lot of people here," Chouko remarked. It seemed like everyone wanted to help. The shop was rather large, bigger than any normal flower shop. Shelves lay on the floor, waiting to be attached to walls. Cans of paint were stacked high on the tile.
"Are you any good at painting?" Miss Tira asked Renako.
"I painted my room once," Renako said.
"Good. Then you can go over there and help Iruka. He's my nephew, so be nice to him!" the shop owner said, smiling.
Renako's face fell, but she quickly plastered a smile over it. I have to work with that dork and Xell is all the way over there! Renako though unhappily. Iruka was a small boy about her age with dark blue hair. Renako couldn't tell what color his eyes were because the light was reflecting off his glasses.
"Hi," he said in a small but cheerful voice.
"Hi," Renako said, trying to sound happy. She knew she didn't. I should have told her I'm terrible at painting! she thought to herself.
"I'm not very good at painting, but I thought it would be fun," Iruka said, as if reading Renako's mind.
Renako nodded, trying not to cry as she saw Xell talking to other girls she didn't know. What'll I do? she wondered.
"I like your necklace," he said.
Renako looked down at her crystal necklace shaped like a butterfly. Koumi had made it for her, using the Force to mold it. "Thank you. My big sister made it for me," Renako said.
Iruka nodded and began to paint the wall a lovely shade of pale blue.
Renako looked down. Xell hadn't said anything else but "hi" to her. She looked toward him again and felt a pang of jealousy.
"Why do you keep looking over there?" Iruka asked. The question was innocent enough, but Renako had a feeling he knew more about her than she thought.
"I know some people over there," Renako said with a casual wave of her hand.
"Oh," Iruka said, nodding. She couldn't tell he didn't believe her.
"Please come back tomorrow," Miss Tira said. "I need all the help I can get."
"Okay!" Chouko said cheerfully, waving.
"Did Xell say anything about me?" Renako asked as soon as they left the flower shop.
"Yeah. He asked if Koumi had pretty eyes like you," Kairiku said.
"Really?" Renako asked, her eyes lighting up with hope.
"Yeah, really. I really think he's interested in you," Chikako said.
Renako bit her lip. Then why didn't he say anything to me at the flower shop today? she wondered. And why was he talking to those other girls? Renako realized she shouldn't be so jealous.
The next day...
"Renako? I have a delivery for you," Yukiko said. She held out a bouquet of assorted flowers.
Renako sniffed and looked up. "They're so beautiful!" she exclaimed, forgetting to be sad or angry at Xell. "Who are they from?"
Yuki frowned as she read the tag. "It says, 'to the most beautiful girl in the galaxy. From your secret admirer.' "
Renako turned crimson as she reached for the flowers. "Let me see." Funny, it doesn't look like Kairiku or Chouko's writing... she thought. Does that mean it's from... him?
"Someone likes you a lot," Yuki said, smiling.
Renako blushed again and held the flowers tight to her chest. "I'm going to go put these in water," she said, hurrying off. I wonder if Xell gave these to me! she thought as she skipped to her room. I knew we were meant for each other!
"That was really nice of you to give Renako those flowers," Kairiku said with a wink.
Xell looked surprised. "What flowers?"
"Oh, you know. The ones sent 'to the most beautiful girl in the galaxy'!" Chouko said, nudging him with her elbow.
"I didn't send any flowers," Xell said.
"Okay, play dumb if you want," Kairiku said. She knew he was lying.
Xell just smiled and walked away.
"That boy is really weird," Chouko remarked.
Renako couldn't wait to go to the flower shop. Xell would most definitely be there, and she knew that he liked her!
Renako looked into the mirror. Her shiny, black hair was done in two braids tied with blue ribbons. She was wearing a pale blue shirt and black pants. Not exactly her favorite colors, but she wanted Xell to know that she owned clothing in other colors than green and yellow.
"Renako! We're going now," Chikako's voice called.
"Coming!" Renako shouted, running to the door. She skidded on the floor.
"You look nice today," Chikako said.
"Thanks," Renako said, looking at the floor.
"Well, are we ready to go?" Chouko asked a little impatiently.
"Yes," Renako said quickly, opening the door.
When the reached the flower shop, there were twice as many volunteers as the previous day. "This is wonderful," Miss Tira was saying.
Renako looked around for Xell. She saw his burgundy- and plum-colored hair from across the shop, and walked up to him.
"Hi, Renako, " he said.
She smiled brightly. "Um... thanks for the flowers," she said.
"You're - you're welcome," he replied, a little surprised.
"What?" Renako asked.
"Um... nothing," Xell said. "I, uh, kinda have to go now," Xell said. He hurried off.
What did I do this time? Renako wondered, exasperated.
"My aunt said you should help me put things on shelves," came a voice.
Renako turned around and saw Iruka, the boy from yesterday. Why do I always have to work with him when I could be working with Xell? she wondered. "Okay," she said, trying to sound cheerful.
Iruka was unusually quiet today. Renako could tell he was an intelligent person; he had that sort of air. But he was also outgoing and a little annoying at times. Renako and Iruka worked silently as they stacked the shelves with plant products. The other girls were doing the fun work, with the actual flowers.
Why am I stuck here doing this with him? Renako wondered.
"Thanks again," Miss Tira said when the day was over. Iruka stood next to her, waving.
"That was fun," Chouko said.
Renako couldn't agree. She only got to say a few things to Xell today! Why was everyone always in the way?
"Renako?"
Renako looked up to see Miyuki. She was holding a package. "Yes?" she asked.
"This came for you," Miyuki said. "It says it's from -"
"My secret admirer?" Renako asked.
"Yes," Miyuki said, a little surprised. "You're pretty popular lately."
Renako opened the package. Inside were chocolates of all kinds. "For the sweetest girl in the galaxy," said a note inside. The stationary was blue with a dolphin at the bottom. "That's so sweet of him!" Renako exclaimed.
"You know who sent it to you?" Miyuki asked.
"I'm sure it's Xell. It has to be," Renako said dreamily, clutching the package tightly.
"Is that the boy you like?" Miyuki asked.
"Uh-huh," Renako replied.
"You're very lucky, then," Miyuki said with a smile.
The next day, at the flowers shop...
"I can't believe it's almost done!" Chouko said, looking around. The shop was almost finished.
"Xell," Renako said, walking up to him.
He smiled uneasily. "Yes?"
"Thank you so much for the candy," she said, wanting to kiss him but instead giving him a hug.
"Um... Renako? I have something to tell you," he said.
"What?" she asked nervously. Oh no. He doesn't like me anymore! He -
"I... I didn't give you that stuff," Xell said.
Renako's face fell. "You... didn't? Then who did?"
"I did," said a voice. It was Iruka.
Renako stared at the dark-haired boy. "You're the one who sent me all the gifts?"
"Yes," he said. His usual outgoing nature had disappeared. He looked at the ground, a blush appearing on his pale cheeks.
"Well... thank you," Renako said, still stunned. Why couldn't Xell be her secret admirer? Why did it have to be Iruka?
"I'm sorry I let you think it was me," Xell said, shuffling his feet.
You tricked me! Renako thought. Instead she gave him a weak smile and said, "It's okay. I should have known you'd never like me." She turned sharply and ran out of the flower shop.
Renako sat in her room, staring at the walls. They were green with yellow musical notes on them. They weren't perfect, but she had painted them herself and was proud of that fact.
She thought of what happened at the flower shop and cringed. She couldn't show her face tomorrow at the grand opening, that was for sure. She was sure Xell would never like her now. And Iruka!
"Iruka..." Renako whispered softly. She was always too busy with Xell to even notice him. She didn't even know what color his eyes were.
I've made a terrible mistake, Renako realized. Iruka was so sweet to me, and I just blew him off like that because Xell was a little bit cuter!
She got up and grabbed Iruka's flowers. "It really was sweet of him to give these to me," she murmured to herself. "I'll just have to give him something, too."
"Renako?" Chikako asked the next day. "Are you sure you want to go?"
"I'm sure," Renako said. She straightened her white skirt and held up a package. "I need to deliver this to someone."
"It smells so beautiful!" Kairiku exclaimed when they reached the flower shop.
"Look at those roses!" Chouko added.
Renako held her package tightly as she walked up to Iruka. For the first time, she noticed his eyes behind his glasses. They were dark blue-grey.
"Hi, Renako," he said, sounding embarrassed.
"Here," Renako said, handing him the package. "It's for you."
"Thank you," Iruka said politely, opening the blue-green box. Inside were two tickets.
"We can go together," Renako explained. "To make up for the awful way I treated you. I'm so sorry," she said.
They were tickets to one of the fanciest restaurants on Coruscant. It was so popular you needed tickets to get in. "These are already paid for, too. So we can have anything we want," Renako said.
"You didn't have to do it because you felt sorry for me," Iruka said.
"No, I did it because I think you're sweet," Renako said. She suddenly realized that everyone in the flower shop was watching, including Xell.
"Renako, I have something to tell you too," Xell said. "I don't feel that way about you, I'm sorry. I think should just be friends."
"I think that's a great idea," Renako said.
"This restaurant is really wonderful," Iruka said, looking around in awe.
Renako smiled. It was so funny how everyone looked at them - it wasn't every day ten-year-olds went on dates in posh, fancy restaurants like this one. "I know," she said. "I'm glad my friends could do it."
They turned to see Kairiku, Chouko, Chikako, and Koumi sitting at the next table. Chouko gave a "victory" sign and smiled.
"That is so adorable," Chikako said.
Yes, their first date, Koumi added.
"I knew it would work out for the best," Kairiku said.
Renako smiled at Iruka and couldn't help noticing how cute he looked all dressed up like that. Maybe I'll find romance where I least expected it!
