Chapter Text
The sun streamed through the classroom windows. Your hair and face absorbing its rays until the brightness reaches your heavy eyelids.
You sprung awake. You were in chemistry — your least favorite class.
You weren’t terrible at it, but you weren’t number one either. And anything less than first wasn’t good enough.
“God. Get up dude” That annoying voice floods your ears once again. “And is that — drool?”
Kuroo.
A tall, rooster-haired boy in your year — who just so happened to be better at you in everything.
“Does your mouth do anything better than bothering people?” You groan.
“You wanna find out?” Kuroo grins. His ever so taunting grin and his onyx eyes are focused on you even though there’s an entire lesson in front of him.
Not like he needs it anyway — hell, Kuroo could do this in his sleep.
Just as you go to interject, the bell rings and you drag your feet along. Just wanting to go home; but of course, studies come first.
A familiar voice yells your name from across the hall. You lift your head up and see Yaku.
“Yaku, hey.” You smile. Yaku’s a childhood friend — always the one to pull you out of your school induced psychosis. He’s a ball of energy and a breath of fresh air all at once.
“Man, what’d I tell you about studying so much. You’ve got a mean pair of dark circles.” His brows knit together, and although he is seemingly worried, that comment really sets you off.
“That’s rich coming from the guy who’s 5’5.” A grin tugs at your lips, after all, you’ve always teased eachother this way.
In an instant, a closed fist finds your shoulder and a throbbing pain is introduced.
You groan, but a laugh escapes from your lips.
“Alright — alright. I’m going to the library, have to study, catch you later?” You glare over at Yaku once more, his eyes are glossy from laughing at you wincing in pain.
“Yeah, yeah. See you.” He waves while walking away, probably going to bother one of his teammates.
Welp — as long as it’s not you, right?
You push open the library doors and take a seat by your favorite window.
It’s October, when the leaves are an auburn color — when they dance in the wind, when the birds are still chirping.
You appreciate little things like that, you always have been one to notice things.
Maybe not this time — because as you’re watching the dancing leaves and the chirping birds you don’t even notice the newfound company sitting across from you.
“So you never listen, huh?” Your comforting silence was quickly interrupted by Kuroo.
“Only when I find the person who’s speaking important.” You say.
Kuroo shakes his head. That same grin making an appearance. He leans his forearm on the table and props his other arm up to lean his chin on.
He is staring.
“What are you looking at?” You avert his gaze.
“So what? I can’t look at my number one rival?” He teases.
You restore eye contact. “Don’t bother, rooster.”
That gets a laugh out of Kuroo — a real one. The type that makes your sides hurt and causes you to throw your head back.
You smile, feeling somewhat accomplished.
“So, what do you need?” You tuck your hair behind your ear and watch Kuroo adjust his posture.
“Well. Mr. Yoshida told me you had some big ideas for the next project, and told me he thought I’d be a perfect fit as your partner” He leans closer. “Obviously I said yes, because I knew you’d be excited to see me everyday.”
Heat creeps up your neck. And not the type you get when talking to somebody you’re into. The type you get when all you feel is rage.
You scoff. “You’re kidding, right?”
This couldn’t be real.
“Number two and immature? Should’ve known you were so shallow.” Kuroo says smugly.
You frown.
“Damn, you really are mad about this.”
You couldn’t let him get under your skin — you couldn’t show him how angry this made you.
“Nope. Not upset — excited even.” You force a smile.
Kuroo chuckles at your attempt to be nice to him.
He taps his fingers on the table, and beams you one of his flashy smiles that he uses on his fan girls.
“Maybe I should use this rare moment of you being kind to me to ask for your number?” Kuroo asks.
Your cheeks feel hot. You wonder if he can see. Why would he need that?
“Why?” You mutter.
“For the project, of course.” Kuroo thinks for a second, and then his eyes glimmer. “I get it now, you need to get your head out the gutter.” Kuroo says slyly.
“I knew that, idiot.” You look away. “Here, give me your phone.”
You take his phone and put your number into his contacts.
“Great. Meet me in the Chemistry lab after school, let’s hear all about your big ideas.” Kuroo pushes himself off the chair, and flicks you a wink
“See you, Kuroo.” You mumble.
After you watch Kuroo walk out and the library door click behind him; you realize you should get going too.
You pack up all of your things, and start walking home.
The air is cool, and the breeze feels great against your skin.
You walk along the sidewalk, and you keep replaying you and Kuroo’s conversation.
Partners — really?
You couldn’t believe that Mr. Yoshida, your favorite teacher would give you such a hard time.
Sure, Kuroo was undeniably smart. But he was also undeniably insufferable.
You kick a rock as you walk and watch it roll, head down.
Before you even realize it you’re at your front door.
You rummage through your pockets for your house key and fumble the lock a few times before finally stepping inside.
You kick off your shoes and shrug off your jacket before grabbing something quick to eat.
You sink into one of the stools on your kitchen island, opening your phone for what feels like the first time all day.
After scrolling for a bit your phone dings.
An unsaved number.
123-456-7890: helllooooooo my amazing lab partner
Of course.
First it was him interrupting your peace in class, then the library, and now while you’re at home?
You save his number and furiously type something back.
You: don’t text me for anything unrelated to the project
You set your phone down, not expecting a response.
Ding!
“He cannot be for real.” You say aloud.
kuroo: don’t shut me out cutie, wyd?
Was Kuroo seriously texting your phone right now — and was he seriously texting you that?
you: delete my number bro
An immediate response.
kuroo: damn i expected that one to have you whipped
You groan and silence your phone.
Was he always this cringe?
You bury your nose into your textbooks, studying for tomorrow’s English exam on grammar application.
English was fine sure, in some ways no different than Japanese, you couldn’t really explain your feelings in either.
After what felt like ages you pack your bag up and trot to your room. Taking off your makeup and uniform, brushing your teeth and changing into your favorite pajamas.
You practically swan dive into your bed and then you’re out.
You don’t even have a clue what the days to come are going to look like.