Pink, Ch. 2

There are only moments between the sound of the gunfire and the sound of applause. But I don't clap. I don't know who won, and neither does anyone else. It was too close. I contemplate going down to greet them. But what would I say? My anxiety is too strong to be around her, and so I stay where I am and stare at the two girls as they wait for the verdict.

One of the staff members approaches Emily and says something. Emily looks overjoyed. Star looks a little disappointed, but quickly changes face to congratulate Emily with a friendly handshake. There's a short break for the girls while the next set of sprinters go to try and beat the times set by Em and Star. Nobody even comes close. When I think about it, Star has an advantage over the other girls because of her tall stature. She's close to a head taller than me...So my head would fit perfectly und– Wait, what am I thinking?!

The longer I watch her, the more that uneasy feeling grows in my chest. She's talking with Em. And though Em is being as energetic and spunky as always, Star doesn't seem to care. She keeps that immaculate smile on her lips that makes her always appear calm and composed, yet still as friendly and open as a close friend. Em suddenly points in my direction, and Star's eyes begin to follow. I immediately look away. My cheeks begin to burn, and my gaze drifts downward.

~*~*~

The races' end is marked when Em crossed the finish line for the 2.5km marathon. I'm glad that I don't have to watch the racers go in circles any longer. I suppose I should be more excited, but I knew Em was going to win. First, because she trains for running nearly every day, regardless of the weather, and also because Star - the only one who has ever come close to Em in running ability - wasn't part of the marathons; Star only participated in the 100m and 200m dashes. Immediately after receiving her medal, Em runs to the base of the stands where I am waiting.

"Woooooooooooo!" cheers Em. "I did it, Nee!"

"I knew you would," I reply. "And I wish you wouldn't call me that."

"Aww, come on! Don't be so uptight. Be happy that your best friend just ran a marathon and walked away a champion!" Em makes a hero pose to emphasize 'champion'; a pose that would suit a statue of a Greek olympian.

"I am proud of you. I just have no idea how you still have any energy after that."

Em gives me a difficult expression, and I can't help but giggle.

"Anyway! I'm hungry. We need to go get some food. I'll get Yuki to pay for us."

"Em, that's j–"


"If you don't mind, I could treat the two of you." comes a third voice...But it certainly isn't Yuki.

"Oh, hey again!" Em waves at the tall figure. "You don't need to treat us, but I certainly wouldn't want to be rude and decline a gift, especially after such a magnificent victory." I turn to look at the figure next to me, who I already know to be Star. My insides begin to quake and my voice is gone before I can speak.

"Certainly," Star giggles. "And what, oh great champion of the races, do you desire for your victory feast?"

"Hmmm..." Em pauses for a moment, with a pensive expression far too serious for such a simple decision. When she finally reaches a decision, she raises her fist high in the air and exclaims: "Pancakes!!!"

There's a brief silence. Pancakes? Really, Em? Star, after looking rather dumbfounded for a moment, gives a soft giggle.

"To each their own, I suppose. Pancakes in the late afternoon it is.~" Star's voice is gentle. The melody that is her words are soothing to my ears, yet also rock me to my core.

"That all right with you, Nee?" asks Em. I nod reflexively.

"Nee, hm? That's an interesting nickname."

"T-that's not r-rea–"

"I agree! I made it myself. Aren't you glad our new friend likes your nickname, Nee?"

"B-But my name isn't–"

"Oh, Nee, you're just so happy you can't put it into words!" Em wraps her arm around my neck gleefully. "Now, we're off to get pancakes!"

Today is going to be a long day...

~*~*~

Something is bothering me. Star and I met just yesterday, yet she hasn't given any indication that she remembers me. Was I that unremarkable? That's all I can think while I steal passing glances at Star from across the table.

We're sitting in an all-day breakfast restaurant. Em has eaten enough pancakes to feed a small island nation. I was too nervous to order anything with Star around, and I think Em noticed that, since she ordered for me. I've never had an omelette at eight in the evening. Just as I finish it, the bill arrives. My first thought is that I'm a really slow eater. My next thought doesn't stay in my mind.

"Fifty dollars?!" I say.

"Eh?" Em looks at the thin paper, then gains a slightly awkward expression. "Eh...heh...I guess I overdid it a little." For some reason, I feel really angry at Em for eating so much. I'm about to reach for my purse to retrieve some money, but I stop when I see the required cash fall upon the bill.

"Not to worry, Emily. I promised I'd treat you, and I expected you'd be hungry after such an impressive run," says Star.

"Well, thank 'ya!" says Emily.

"You're quite welcome," says Star as she stands up. "Shall we be off, then?"

Em and I nod, then stand to follow Star. We walk out of the restaurant and into the street, where Star turns to us.

"Where do the both of you live?"

"I live in dormitory 4," says Em.

"D..d-dorm 7," I say.

"Oh, that's lovely news," says Star as she fishes about in her black purse. She pulls out a small slip of paper and glances at it briefly. "Yep, dorm 7."

"Oh, that's a transfer note, isn't it?" asks Em. Star nods. So that means...

"I'm moving into dorm 7 tomorrow.~"

"We'll be sure to help, right, Nee?" Em wraps her arm around my neck again.

"Y...Y-yeah...."

~*~*~

Emily separates from the two of us at a crossroad. Star and I walk in silence for quite some time. I doubt the silence feels as awkward to her as it does to me. Regardless, I'm thankful when she breaks it.

"You know..." she begins, and I turn my head to look at her as we walk; she keeps her eyes forward. "It's good to see you again, Nina. I think it was very kind what you did for that young girl." I blush.

"I...It wasn't much..."

She's talking about when I met her. We were picking strawberries for a duty prompt, which is a task given to us as students to give back to the community, as well as to help pay for the costs of being a student. While picking strawberries, after I had filled my basket, I noticed a small girl who was having difficulties. Naturally, I decided it best to give her my basket so she could turn it in and go home to rest; she looked rather weak and pale, as well. After I took the girl's basket, and began filling another essentially empty basket, I met Star. We spent the rest of that day picking strawberries together...And I guess that's when that feeling started to work its way into my heart.

"I think it was very sweet," Star smiled warmly, while still not looking my way. "I...I feel that you and I wouldn't have met if that didn't happen. If you just left after you finished, and ignored that little girl...We wouldn't have had such a lovely day picking strawberries together."

So she does remember...We get to dorm 7 before our conversation can go any further.

"You didn't have to walk me to my dorm, S-Star.."

"It was my pleasure," Star smiles again. It doesn't matter how many times I see it, it always makes my heart flutter to see such a pure expression. "But I do have business here, too. I won't be staying in my dorm tonight, as my belongings are already packed and are being sent here. So, tonight, I will be sleeping in this dorm's guest room. But, I need to go see the dorm manager quickly, so I must say goodbye here. Good night, Nina.~" Star giggles lightly and pushes aside the door to walk in after wishing me a good night.

"G-good...night..." I whisper as she disappears into the dorm. I stand outside in disbelief for a few moments, even after the door clicks shut. I don't think I'll be getting any sleep...Because, well...

The guest room is the one right next to mine.