Once Nozomi's let go of her, Eli takes in the area. It's secluded, but then the whole school feels that way at this hour. Whatever it is Nozomi has to tell her, it must be important if she had to tell her right after school, and if she needs the space to be able tell her.
Eli is decided to be patient, but when Nozomi seems to be struggling, head bowed and eyes closed, silence hanging between them, she feels it must be big, whatever it is. And then Eli feels a distinct knot of feat form in her throat, as she considers her biggest fear might be coming true.
Nozomi's moving away.
When her parents and left and Nozomi had stayed, Eli had been so excited and happy for her to stay, for them to remain close friends. But there had always been this strange, nagging thought in the back of her mind, what if someday they called for her? Or Nozomi decided she'd rather leave? She'd pushed those thoughts away for the most part, but it's the thought screaming through her mind.
Why else would Nozomi seem this worried?
"Nozomi?" She asks quietly, hands clutching together in front of her. She's listening for the words she think she'll hear, and then--
"What?" But when they're different it takes her a moment to completely process them. She lets out the breath she'd been holding in as a small laugh. "Oh." Relief spreads through her chest and she smiles wide, voice light and happy. "I like you too Nozomi."
no subject
Eli is decided to be patient, but when Nozomi seems to be struggling, head bowed and eyes closed, silence hanging between them, she feels it must be big, whatever it is. And then Eli feels a distinct knot of feat form in her throat, as she considers her biggest fear might be coming true.
Nozomi's moving away.
When her parents and left and Nozomi had stayed, Eli had been so excited and happy for her to stay, for them to remain close friends. But there had always been this strange, nagging thought in the back of her mind, what if someday they called for her? Or Nozomi decided she'd rather leave? She'd pushed those thoughts away for the most part, but it's the thought screaming through her mind.
Why else would Nozomi seem this worried?
"Nozomi?" She asks quietly, hands clutching together in front of her. She's listening for the words she think she'll hear, and then--
"What?" But when they're different it takes her a moment to completely process them. She lets out the breath she'd been holding in as a small laugh. "Oh." Relief spreads through her chest and she smiles wide, voice light and happy. "I like you too Nozomi."