"She's acting really weird..." I muttered, eyes drifting toward the sky as my chin rested on my knuckles.
Beside me, sat Anathasia, who was still buried in the literary book I'd bought her before Christmas.
"You really like that book, huh?" I said, reaching over to pat her head.
"More or less," she closed the book with a soft thud before turning to me.
"I wanna go on a date."
"A date?"
"A date." she repeated, nodding once, dead serious.
I froze momentarily.
A date? What do people do in dates again? No, do I even have money to spend on a date? What's a date again?
Just as I started to drift off in thought, the gentle tap of a delicate hand brought me back almost immediately.
"You're spacing out again," she muttered, her fingers drifting gently across my cheek.
"Do you..." she trailed off, her eyes glistening, looking at me all puppy-eyed that made me feel a tinge of guilt. "not want to?"
"Don't give me that," I snapped, placing a light, playful chop on top of her head. "You always do this when you want something. That's manipulative behavior y'know?"
Closing my other eye, I glanced at her before pulling her close.
"Dolt, you know I can't win against you."
Her request was sudden,vbut not exactly unwelcome.
Except, I had zero experience with dating - not when my world revolved around academics up until last year.
I slowly lifted my head, staring upwards as I prayed inwardly to whichever gods would guide me through this new experience I was about to go through.
My thoughts drifted off, already picturing myself failing miserably while trying to act natural during our date. Or... whatever it's called.
I thought going on a date was strictly for people in relationships... but I guess not?
Was what crossed my mind while Anathasia seemed to make herself comfortable in my embrace, despite us sitting together on the bench outside the main campus building, the breeze carrying a faint laughter from nearby students.
I swear, she trusted me too much to not do anything to her... not that it crossed my mind, but still, it's unsafe.
"You're warm..." she muttered, snuggling closer to me for some reason.
"...Do you not care about what people might think?"
"No, why should I?"
I sighed, dragging a hand down my face. "You really should."
Considering her... unusual origins… though 'unusual' feels like an understatement. So I already know she'd be weird. Just... not like this.
She still acted borderline shameless at times, and I couldn't exactly tell her off. She never listens or pretends to while letting it go straight through the other ear.
Honestly, she's absolutely unpredictable, being with her feels like dealing with a storm.
One moment she's overdramatic, pouting and being completely unreasonable. Then the next second, she acts like a needy cat asking for her owner's attention.
Some cosmic being she was...
"I know you're thinking of something rude y'know?" she suddenly spoke up, cutting me off from my thoughts and went back to patting her head.
"You're imagining it."
"You're like an open book, don't bother lying."
"Whatever are you talking about?"
I smiled wryly, tilting my head slightly, feigning innocence like she always did when she did something wrong.
"Right, then I'm not paying half for our date."
"You suggested it though?" I retorted, glancing at her as she made herself comfortable by turning my lap into her pillow.
"I did, but you're the man, isn't that how it usually works?"
"That was before, society keeps advancing y'know?"
She paused momentarily, I could hear the gears turning inside her head.
"I don't care, you pay."
"..." I went silent, sighing. There was no point arguing once she decided on something. And to make it worse, she was acting like this.
Well, that happened.
The day passed and we went through the same rhythm we always had after spending time together.
Thursday.
One of the few days when we didn't have any classes along with Saturday and Sunday. And so we agreed to have our date during that day.
It wasn't as if I was complaining or anything but...
"It's quiet." I mumbled, watching Anathasia feed some random ducks at the park, a piece of bread in her hand.
This kind of quiet wasn't unwelcome, not at all. I value peace, after all. I just don't get what I was expecting... Or why I felt a little underwhelmed.
I stood, walked over, then took a small piece of her bread.
"You do know that bread is bad for ducks, right?" I muttered, looking at the ducks gathered in front, pecking at the pieces of bread on the ground.
I didn't realize at first, but when I glanced her way, she looked surprised, like she genuinely didn't know.
"...You didn't know?" I added. Of course she didn't...
She just nodded in response, then gave me the rest of the bread for some reason.
Feeling wasteful for throwing the last bit of bread away, I decided to just finish it myself. Before I could take a bite, someone tugged at my sleeve.
"Can we go somewhere else?"
I paused, then popped the rest of the bread into my mouth in one bite, which made her freeze in utter befuddlement.
"Should I be impressed or concerned..." she murmured, staring at me as I swallowed.
"Wanna go to that café you like? The one with your favorite pastries." I suggested, resisting the urge to pat her head while she thought about my suggestion.
She might be a handful at times, but she's absolutely endearing without trying. It's like she was made just to be cute, especially when she's not trying.
Of course, I know she's more than she lets on - five months together is enough to tell.
"Alright, let's do that." she said, cutting me off from my thoughts.
She started to walking, then paused a few steps ahead and she looked over her shoulder.
Her hair cascaded behind her, the wind flowing gently with the sun's light seemingly being reflected by each individual strand, making her look simply ethereal. Otherworldly even.
"You coming or not? I'll leave you behind." she spoke up, turning towards me as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
I didn't even realize how long I stared at her, nor the look I had, but after getting cut off from my thoughts, I managed to get myself together as I walked up next to her.
"Guess I'll be paying, huh..." I sighed, my arms drooping on my sides.
"That was the plan, so we'll stick with it."
"You just don't like spending your own."
"That I don't."
"Aren't you ashamed? Admitting to that..."
"Ashamed of what? You told me to make use of everything I had." she argued. How dare she use my words against me like this...
"This is not what I meant..."
"Same thing," she said, shrugging as she walked ahead again.
Too tired to argue, I just followed closely behind her as we made our way downtown.
After what felt like an hour of walking under clear blue skies, high-rises on both sides, cars occasionally passing by, we finally reached the café.
Just looking at it from outside made me feel like I'd be blowing a hole straight through my pockets. All dark wood, plush seating, warm lights, and timeless decor.
The kind where people from the countryside wouldn't even consider entering or merely going for the experience.
I was like that at first, until Anathasia nagged me into going a few times, enough for me to get used to their prices.
Luckily, I managed to budget my monthly allowance just enough to visit the place a few times without having to worry about expenses. Still, I really need to learn how to say no to her someday.
The door made a gentle ding as we went inside. Sure enough, it was empty. Well, considering it was a weekday, that wasn't really surprising. At least this way, I didn't have to worry about prying eyes either.
"I'm assuming the usual then?" I said, walking up beside her as she checked the menu.
"I'll have black coffee."
"Eh?"
"What?" she raised an eyebrow, closing the menu with a soft thud before handing it to me.
"Nothing, I'm just... surprised you didn't order something sweet this time." I said, checking the menu before placing my order.
"Just trying something new." she shrugged, then went first to sit.
"...Makes sense." I placed the menu back on the counter and followed to sit across from her.
I watched as she stared out the glass, her gaze strangely distant, deep in thought.
Up until now, I never really paid much attention to her appearance. She'd become someone I saw everyday, considering we literally live together.
Now that I look at her closer, she really does exude that "otherworldly" aura that hinted who she truly was.
Clear white hair that seemed to shimmer when light bounced off it. Soft and delicate skin that needed no help from beauty products. Eyes like red rubies that seemed to pierce straight through your soul when she looked at you.
And when I really stopped to look at her... it almost felt like she glowed. Just faintly, but there.
"What?" she glanced at me, catching myself staring at her for too long.
"Nothing, I just felt a little lost looking at you."
"Hoh, are you enamored perhaps?"
"Don't flatter yourself." I scoffed.
There she goes again, suddenly being all proud while that signature smirk formed in her lips.
Still, I guess that's part of what makes her endearing.