I wrote something again.
"No, it's okay, it's alright, we don't have to go around with the rest of the group, I'll stay with you until you're feeling better and you're ready." Shiori sat down on the bench next to you, smiling cheerfully as she put her hand on top of yours. Today was a sunny day and you were at an amusement park with a group of friends. You had gathered near the entrance before purchasing your tickets and were given free reign over what you would do with your time there. Your friends, excitable and impatient, not noticing the air of melancholy that washed over you chattered eagerly about where they wanted to go first. Or maybe they did notice, but it was such a nice day that you would dampen the vibe, you didn't blame them, this wasn't their fault. After all, they didn't know what tortured your mind, nor did they need to.
But she was different. Shiori Novella, your classmate. To describe the relationship the two of you had in the past as turbulent would be an understatement, but maybe you were the only one who thought of it that way, no, you knew as much. What Shiori thought of you, had thought of you, was somewhat troubling. But you knew that again, that was your own personal problem. There was no need to drag her into it. However, you also knew that no matter how much you would protest, would refuse her accompaniment, Shiori would insist on remaining by your side. Because she was sensitive to the atmosphere of doom and gloom that surrounded you. Because she wanted you to be happy. But what did being happy mean? You were at the self described "Happiest place on Earth". All you felt was misery, like you didn't belong here, like you'd rather be at home.
"Anon, listen, what we spoke about the other da-" Shiori began to speak to you in an oddly serious tone, but you had expected this. Raising your other hand to block her, you projected your voice over hers. "Shiori, I told you, I don't want to hear it. Not yet anyway, I don't know how I should feel about it yet, so please, not today." You tried to compose yourself, your voice firm, but felt as if toward the end you had lost a bit of that composure. Shiori's hand that had pinned yours to the bench space between you tightened its grip around yours, and she let out a long exasperated sigh. You seized the opportunity to speak again, to push her away from you. To try fight the inevitable. Maybe you also wanted to hear her reassurance, so you spoke. "You don't have to stay with me either, today is important for you too, go, have fun. I'll be fine by myself."
After an uncomfortably long silence passed, Shiori cleared her throat and addressed you. "Anon, look at me." she commanded, her voice chillingly cold, a rarity for Shiori. You did as she asked almost immediately, her face unreadable. It didn't seem like she was angry, but it didn't look like she was happy either. Her eyes pierced through you, almost as if she was able to read your very soul. She scrutinized you for an agonizingly long moment, before she, smiled? It was a mischievous smirk, and then she opened her mouth, took in a large, deep breath and simply said, "No." You were dumbfounded. You had almost expected something more emotionally charged, but it was a flat refusal. "Imma stay with you." Shiori said, smiling again.
And that's exactly what she did. The two of you sitting side by side on the bench, almost wasting your time, your opportunity to experience any of the excitement and fever your friends were currently experiencing, no doubt. But, you didn't feel unhappy. Far from it. Shiori wasted no time in launching into talking to you about a range of things, from bits of her past experiences at middle school, to her family, to anime boys she was crushing on, she rambled on and on. It distracted you from your troubled, her voice, though passionate and fired up, was a much needed panacea for your woes. Before long, time was up. You had spent all day chatting away. Of course Shiori had done most of the chatting, and when her voice grew hoarse you took it upon yourself to purchase the two of you a drink from a nearby stall, but you never left the area to seek out a rollercoaster or any other ride.
"-Oh," Shiori said, interrupting her current tangent. "It seems they've returned." Looking around you saw the figures of your friends in the distance. You had all agreed to meet back here at the specified time. Shiori let go of your hand, the one she had mad sure to hold for most of the day, the cool air brushing over where she had her palm feeling cold, leaving a sense of loneliness. "Hey, Anon." Shiori whispered to you in a hushed voice only you could hear. "Since we didn't get to ride anything, maybe we should come here again. As a group of course, or perhaps.." Her voice trailed off, but you knew what she was suggesting, so you nodded in agreement. "Then it's settled," Shiori continued. "But this time, it'll be our secret."
