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Langa bit back a sigh, shifting her weight from one leg to the other.
She and Reki had split off from the group at the beach to get some ice cream. Langa had been looking forward to this little moment of semi-privacy, hoping to pull Reki into some secluded corner and finally graduate past holding hands and hugging. Reki looked so pretty in her sports bikini, her skin tanned, freckles dotting her cheeks and shoulders, toned stomach and thighs from skateboarding on display. Langa could barely keep her hands off.
But two boys had blocked their path, incessantly asking Langa for her number.
Langa didn’t bother keeping the frown off her face, glancing at Reki next to her. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of her, heart aching in her chest.
Reki had distanced herself from them, just a couple steps, but to Langa it seemed like an endless rift. Reki was averting her gaze, rubbing her arm. The frown marring her beautiful face made Langas heart break.
She realized the boys had not acknowledged Rekis existence at all this entire time. And Langa herself hadn’t noticed Rekis discomfort either until now.
Langa squared her shoulders, straightening up. She was just slightly taller than most Japanese boys her age; Reki always thought it was funny how they usually shrunk away when Langa got up to her full height.
“Sorry, I don’t speak japanese”, she straight up lied in english, grabbing Rekis hand and pushing past the two. She gave them a pointed look as she did, lifting her chin, pulling Reki closer to her side. You guys have no taste.
Reki stayed quiet throughout their trip to the ice cream parlor, only speaking up while ordering. Langa purposefully walked slower on their way back, giving Reki time to speak up if she wanted to.
Rekis red hair shone like fire in the summer sun. Her eyes were dulled slightly as she was lost in thought, slight wrinkles around them as she frowned. Strawberry ice cream stuck to her lips, her tongue poking out occasionally to lick at her cone. Some of it dribbled onto her hand and she quickly licked it up.
Langa looked away before she got overheated again.
They were almost back and Reki was still down and still hadn’t said anything. Langa weighed her options, wondering whether she should ask Reki what was wrong or wait longer for Reki to speak up. She frowned, then grabbed Rekis hand again, pulling them both to a stop.
“Reki? Are you okay? You’ve been weird since those boys talked to me”, she asked concerned, looking at Rekis widened eyes.
Reki quickly forced a smile, grinning at Langa. “Oh, yeah, sorry! It’s hot and I’m a little tired, I was just out of it”, she deflected, trying to keep walking. Langa stayed put, keeping a tight grip on Rekis hand.
“Reki”
Reki didn’t look at her.
“Are you jealous?”
Reki whipped around, whole face flushed red, completely bewildered.
“N- no!!”, she shouted, deflating and blushing deeper as she realized people were looking at her. She ripped her hand from Langas grip self-consciously. “It’s not that. ...You get hit on so much, I bet it’s annoying, obviously I wouldn’t be envious”
Envious?
Not jealous?
Of course you’d be upset if your partner got hit on, why would she deny that-
Oh
Oh shit
Reki didn’t think they’re dating.
Langa caught herself quickly. It’d be embarrassing to let Reki know she thought that they’ve been dating for the last month.
“I’m actually a little mad”, Langa muttered, Reki looking back at her in surprise. “Those two didn’t even look at you, they acted like you weren’t even there, and I don’t get how. You’re amazing after all”, ah shit that’s not what she meant to say. Whatever, just stick to it.
Reki laughed sheepishly, looking embarrassed and pained at the same time. Langa hated it. Langa hated seeing Reki in pain.
“Don’t worry about that, I’m used to it. I’ve never gotten hit on or catcalled, and definitely not confessed to. I mean, not that I’m really sad about that, it’s a bad and scary thing to happen and I don’t want it to really happen, ah not the confession thing though of course, I do want to get confessed to kinda, I mean the other stuff- I’m rambling, sorry”
“Reki”, Langa waited until Reki looked at her again, she couldn’t let it stand that no one ever told Reki how amazing and beautiful she was. Even if it was extremely embarrassing to voice this.
“I think you’re cute”
Rekis eyes widened in surprise, shoulders hiking up to her ears. She stuttered nonsensically, averting her eyes, fiddling with her fingers. Her expression softened and Langa just felt herself dig deeper into love.
Reki took a second to calm her heart down, not noticing the flush that spread across Langas cheeks. She hooked her arm around Langas, leaning into her side.
“Geez, you’re embarrassing me! Even though you’re the pretty one!”, Reki was back to her cheerful self, laughing brightly. Langas shoulders dropped in disappointment. She just got gal-pal’d by her crush. Still, she sighed, smiling down at Reki.
“But... thanks”, Reki mumbled, dropping her head on Langas shoulder. Langa nodded, starting to head back to their group again.
She’d get to confess properly to Reki some day... and until then she’d have to make sure to let Reki know how amazing she was.