Two Weeks Later

Nicholas

“Are you going to go to Homecoming, Nicholi?” Maki turns toward me.

It’s Sunday afternoon, and Maki and I are lying on the hard concrete ground of the basketball court. We’re taking a break after finishing a 1v1 match.

I’ve been dividing my time between my different friend groups very cautiously. Trying not to piss Harua off too much by hanging out with Maki.

Harua hasn’t said anything about it, but I can tell when he’s a little madder than usual with his passive aggressiveness.

I shiver internally at the memory of the last time we were together.

“Did you have fun hanging out with Maki and his moron**,** sports-playing, sweaty friends?”

I just stare at him, afraid to say anything. I glance at Taki, whose eyes have gone wide—his cheeks are big and round. He’s trying so hard not to burst out laughing. Afraid to be the next target of Harua’s wrath.

Did you laugh at all his stupid jokes? Was it just so much fun? He says in the most sarcastic tone I’ve ever heard come out of anyone's mouth.

“Get in already, you idiots,” he says, whipping open his car door after school on Friday. “We’re going shopping.

He pushes his sunglasses up his nose. Taki and I hastily jump into the car.

“I’m in desperate need of some retail therapy.”

We then spend the next four hours being dragged around from store to store by a very testy Harua.

“What exactly is Homecoming?”

He looks at me like he can’t believe what he’s hearing.

“It’s literally a week-long celebration. A high school staple. You’re a senior, so this will be your last chance to partake in it.”