Toro offered to pay for my ramen afterward. I declined.

Not that I wouldn’t enjoy a free bowl of ramen, but I plan on drowning myself in it to calm the pain swelling inside after being rejected.

What happened after the rejection is hazy to me, but Toro said I was frozen still as Manami rushed past us to the school lot. He also mentioned that she muttered, “I’m really sorry.” as she passed by.

In truth, I never planned to be rejected. My incredible charm, decent looks, and preparation should have been enough to pull any girl. But I miscalculated, Manami is not just any girl. I should be the one apologizing for believing so.

Given how it went, I now sit across from Toro in our favorite ramen shop. Three bowls of ramen sit in front of me; I doubt I’ll make it halfway through the second one before I collapse from heart failure. But I have my trusted friend Toro to help finish the rest and carry my lifeless body home afterwards.

“Myo?”

“Yea?” I manage to say as I slurp the noodles.

“You don’t seem too sad, or are you just putting on a strong face?”

“Come on Toro. If this was enough to put me down, then I wouldn’t be the brave Myo.” I lied.

My hidden talent is acting. Or so I like to believe. No matter how difficult things get, or how terrible I feel, I always have a happy face plastered on. I need to. Not for others. This was so that I could look in the mirror and believe everything would get better. It always works.

“Alright, but I’m here if you need to talk.”

‘Thanks, little bro.” Despite my acting skills, I couldn’t fool Toro. Darn his years of experience on my character.

“If I’m being honest, I’m surprised she said no… she looked happy when you first asked.”

“Really?” All I remembered was her look of disgust at the end. But that’s natural, I think. If someone wins a prize at a fair then spills a drink on their favorite shirt later that day, they’ll remember the tragedy instead of their big win.

I’m no different. My brain replays her rejection and face without stopping as I eat my ramen. But, by now, I’ve acclimated.

“Maybe it was just too much of a surprise. Why not give it another go?”

“Hmmm.” I’m not against the idea. As the brave Myo, I’m more than willing to do it. “I don’t know, she might think I’m weird for pestering her. Even if I can’t date her, I’d rather stay in her good graces.”

“Oh, ok.”

I stare at Toro as he finishes his bowl. He picks it up and exaggerates how much is left inside as he gulps the rest down. “I’m here all day, no matter how much you want to avoid it bud.”

Toro sets the empty bowl down. I slide over my third bowl. I have room left but my acclimation convinced me to live another day.

“Thanks.”

“Toro, what happened?” I ask with a demanding tone. I’m quick to anger, and I’m in no mood to be lied to. The two bullies I dealt with were lucky I was rejected after I handled them.

“I missed another important shot in our game. Now we can’t lose another game, or we miss playoffs… it’s my fault.” He mutters at the end.

“So what?”

“So what?”

“Yea, you missed a few shots, so what? Everyone misses shots, but you have to keep playing and do your best to win. Listen Toro, you need to have a short memory in sports. You missed a few important shots, but it only takes one to be a hero.”

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Toro smiles at me. “You talk as if you play sports yourself.”

“Hmph, fighting is a sport you know. Even if I take a good hit, I need to keep my composure and come back stronger.” I say as I push my second bowl towards him. There wasn’t a chance I could even start it.

“Boxing and stuff yea, but I don’t think it applies to street fights.”

“Same thing.” I wave for the checks. “Toro, you’re a great player. Confidence of a fish out of water but you got the talent. So, keep at it. I know you’ll do great.”

Toro nods while making good progress through the third bowl of ramen. Where he stores it all I don’t know, but he has 190 cm of body to work with.

“Will that be all for you two?”

“Yea…” The waitress pulls her mask up as I stare into her glasses. I didn’t mean to stare but there was something about her glasses, long ponytail, and ample body that I couldn’t help but recognize. “Catalina?”

The waitress flinches as I mention the name which confirmed my suspicion.

“Catalina? It is! I didn’t know you worked here.” Toro recognizes her as well. Catalina is the one girl in school he isn’t a nervous wreck around which is surprising to say the least.

Catalina is a girl in our class. Compared to her friends, she’s quiet and easygoing. It’s not farfetched to say she’s the most popular girl in the class or school; she’s pretty and has a body that guys fawn over.

Including myself but I mentally apologize every time I catch myself staring a little too long.

As of late, she’s been spending less time on after school activities and the like. It started after a nasty rumor began to spread about her being an easy girl who slept with a bunch of upperclassmen. I’m not sure if it’s true or not, nor do I care.

Despite the few interactions we’ve had, I think she’s a kind girl. As such, it isn’t surprising she has distanced herself from school as much as she can.

“… Could you guys please keep this a secret, please.” She bows her head as she asks.

“Oh… who are you again?” I respond, I must have confused her with someone else after all.

“It’s nice meeting you miss…”

“Nia is fine.”

“Cool, that’ll be all for us.” I replied. She hands us each a check and I almost sneak Toro mine but decide against it. I can’t force him to pay for saving my life just moments ago. Even if the new dent in my wallet will hurt me for months to come.

After our meal, Toro and I split up at our train station. I take a right, and he heads left for home.

“Myo, thanks again for today.”

I don’t respond, choosing only to give him a thumbs up as I walk away.

In contrast to the usual morning rush, I take my time when heading home. My mom arrives home late most days so I eat whatever leftovers I can find in the fridge. That or make some rice. I may even go wild and try my luck at making steak.

Although, I shouldn’t try my luck today.

Having the house to yourself is something most teenagers wish for. Privacy is nice and you’re able to do whatever you want. But after some time, the majority will want to return to the usual bustle their homes have.

I’m no different.

The only time there’s any noise apart from my own in the house is when my mom arrives or wakes up to make me breakfast despite needing more sleep. I keep quiet as well since she studies in her free time.

Freedom is nice. And I use it to my benefit. Walking around at night through the city, which is a short bike ride away, is fun. The ocean is even closer. I also get to play as many games as I like whenever I want.

But my mom will still give me a good scorn if I don’t keep my grades up. So long as I’m not in danger of failing, she lets me be. “You’re a good kid.” She always says to me. She’s wrong.

Outside the house door, I realized I forgot my key as well; however, my mom’s car is home, so I gave it a few knocks. I hear her tumble as she walks to the door.

“Forget your key?” She asks as she opens the door. She wore a skintight red dress, and her heels were by the door. Not much over 30, she’s a real beauty that makes the dress look better than it’s worth.

Most days she’s gone for her volunteer shift before work, so it’s surprising to see her.

“Leaving now?” I ask as I put my shoes in a cubby.

“About to for the second time; I left some things behind that I need. There’s some left-over chicken in the fridge and you can make some rice if you want.”

“Ok, thanks.”

She grabs a large bag and searches through it only to find an empty makeup bottle first. After finding some she could use, she stuffs them into her purse and rushes for the door.

She puts her heels on in a hurry while rushing out but stops at the door. “Myo, how was school?”

It isn’t strange for her to see me with a few bruises. Of course, she isn’t happy about it. The first few times she was distraught, but after the occurrences hit double digits, she seemed to have come to terms with her son being a delinquent.

For now, we have a silent agreement that I don’t take things too far.

“It was good mom. Be safe at work.”

She gives me a smile before rushing out the door.

With that, the usual state of the house appears. We have little furniture; a couch in the living room but no T.V, and a table in the kitchen. The house used to be livelier years ago, but most of the furniture was sold off since we needed the money at the time.

It’s baron, but nice and comfortable. I’m blessed to live under such conditions. Even if it can be lonely at times, mom and I do our best to make the best of it. I can ask for nothing more and appreciate all she does for me; I hope she knows that.