Just as Alex was about to stammer
out another equally unhelpful
remark, the familiar sound of hurried
footsteps thudded on the stairs,
followed by the sight of his parents,
Eleanor and Noah, appearing quickly
in the doorway. Eleanor, with her blonde hair in a
neat updo, entered Alex's room. Her
voice, though warm and sweet, had a
tone of gentle urgency. "Alex, honey,"
she began, stepping further in. "This
is Yuki, your roommate for the year."
She placed a reassuring arm on his shoulder.
"Your father
and I hope you'll understand."
Alex managed to say "roommate? For a year?" Eleanor responded rather quickly, "She's a cultural exchange student from Japan and she's 17 years old, just try to make her feel at home, okay."
Alex glanced at Yuki and then glanced back at Eleanor. "Why did you never tell me anything?" Eleanor responded Softly, "Oh, Alex, honey, it all
happened so incredibly fast. Truly.
One minute it was a possibility, the
next, a confirmation. We didn't
want to upset your routine until
we absolutely had to." Noah softly added, "There
were..last-minute arrangements
to sort out, son. It wasn't simple." Eleanor continued, a little flustered,
"We barely had time to process it
ourselves before Yuki arrived! We
thought it best to explain everything
once she was here, so you could...see
for yourself."
Alex lets out a heavy sigh. "Don't worry, Mom, I understand. I'm assuming we're sharing my bed. Don't worry, I'll make it work."
Eleanor clapped her hands. "I knew you'd understand. Okay, we'll leave you two to work things out." Without another word, Eleanor walked out, closing the door behind her, Leaving Alex and Yuki in the room. An awkward silence befalls them.
"Hey, um, so when I was unpacking." Her quiet voice seemed to
trail off, her unique eyes slowly
drifting towards the desk, a flicker
of curiosity softening her
introverted demeanour. "I found your novel on the desk." She tilted her head slightly. "Do you like to write?" Her unique eyes met his, and a shy
smile touched her lips Alex's face turns red before quickly looking away. "yeah, I write a little, and I draw too." Yuki quickly chimes in, "Oh cool, like manga?" Her voice comes out more enthusiastic. Alex, who still hasn't looked up from the floor. "yeah it's like manga." his voice barely Audible
"Really cool. Can I see?" She clapped her hands. "Pretty please." Her voice came out a little high pitched. Alex quickly grabbed his novel. Putting it on a nearby shelf out of Yuki's reach. "How about another time okay?" Yuki looked visibly disappointed. "Fine maybe another time." Her voice came out a little softer, but understanding.
Alex finally looked up from the floor, meeting Yuki's gaze. "So, about the bed arrangement." He raked a hand through his already messy black hair, his fingers tangling slightly. "Which side do you prefer?" Yuki's face turned a light shade of red before tapping her chin. "Um... the left side is perfect. It's closest to the wall, so I don't roll off the bed."
He managed a weak chuckle, more a release of tension than genuine humor. "Okay." Alex moved decisively to the head of the bed, grabbing a spare pillow. He held it up, a silent offering, before placing it carefully down the center of the mattress. "This should help."
Alex glanced at the balcony door, the darkening sky becoming evident. Yuki also noticed Alex's attention to the balcony, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "I have an idea. Why don't we go and relax on the balcony? I mean, it would help take our minds off of
this sleeping arrangement for a bit."
Alex pondered Yuki's words. "That's not a bad idea."
Alex moved over to the glass door.
His palm connected with the cold
steel. As he twisted, pushing the
door fully open, a gust of cold breeze
entered the room.
Goosebumps appeared on Alex's arm. Yuki slid off the bed, her bare feet hitting the cold floor as she followed Alex outside. She leaned against the balcony railing. "A really nice view.," she murmured, her gaze soft and distant, her eyes unfocused on the panorama before them, as if seeing something far away. "Reminds me of home."
As Alex was about to add to the situation. His mother's voice echoed through the house, "ALEX YUKI DINNER TIME!"
###
Alex wiped the last dish with deliberate slowness, the worn dishtowel snagging faintly on the ceramic. He placed it down on the counter with a soft clink, then stepped back. He still refused to acknowledge the lingering silence between him and Yuki, a silence that had stretched taut ever since what happened on the balcony.
Then a loud, creaking sound immediately stole Alex's attention. Yuki was already halfway to the kitchen door, hurrying. Alex's hand shot out, not even thinking, and just barely grazed a strand of her long blonde hair as she passed, a silky whisper against his fingertips. She didn't pause. The creaking grew louder, then faded as she disappeared up the stairs.
Alex found Yuki on the balcony. He leaned against the railing right next to Yuki. "Yuki, are you okay?" His voice was soft but laced with concern. Yuki's chest rose before falling rather quickly. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just missing home." She took a shaky breath before continuing. "It's just a lot to take in at once, you know? Being in a new country, experiencing a new culture, and all that." The dim moonlight cast long shadows behind them as a tear rolled down her cheek.
TO BE CONTINUED!!!
The mystery of the uninvited guest
has been revealed, but their journey is
just beginning. Find out what happens
next in Chapter 3, coming soon!