[F] You Shouldn't Run in the Hallways (Kiku)

[goldfiiish]

Matthew honestly couldn’t care less about his class at the moment. Usually he was the student who took notes and hung on every word that came out of his professor’s mouth. Today, he just felt like sleeping.

The previous night he hadn’t been able to get any sleep because of a report that was due the next day. He managed to finish it, even with all his other studying to do, but he couldn't manage to get to sleep after that. His eye lids just refused to stay open. They drooped slowly for a moment, but he snapped back to attention. Matthew attempted to fight the sleepiness of the day, but eventually he just gave in. He let his head fall into his folded arms on the table, passing out almost instantly.

Matthew woke up about two hours later. He lifted his head and rubbed the sleep his eyes. Matthew still felt tired and didn't want to move anywhere. He just wanted to keep sleeping. Yawning, he glanced over at the clock... That woke him up. He had about three minutes to get to his class that takes him 10 minutes to get to. He stuffed his things into his bag before rushing out of the room.

Matthew raced by a few people in the hallway, but didn’t pay too much attention to where he was going. All that was on his mind was getting to his class quickly. This was class he had finished the report for, which counted for an big portion of his grade, and now he would be late. That was just unacceptable. Matthew sped up momentarily before hitting something he didn’t notice at first. Matthew tumbled backwards, glasses sent flying off his face.

[Kiku Honda]

So far, the day had been going well for Kiku. The young student woke up on time, as usual. He was quite satisfied how breakfast turned out and made it to school in no rush. Earlier, when the small man's teacher was handing out the results of their tests, he was thrilled to see the '96' marked in red on his paper.

He had some business talking to a teacher in the faculty office he needed to take care of. After spending a good thirty minutes in the quiet room taking care of certain issues Kiku exited the office with a deep sigh. As he was opening the door, however, he felt something smack against the wooden frame. Kiku's eyes widened as he heard a thud coming from behind the door. He looked to see what had happened and found a blond student sprawled out on the floor. His face tinged with red from the impact.

"A-Ah!" the black-haired student managed before running to the blond, kneeling next to him. "A-Are you okay? I am so very sorry!" he said, worried how hard the poor guy hit the door. Kiku suddenly noticed a pair of glasses lying not too far from them. They certainly must be his. Kiku shifted across the floor with his knees and grabbed the spectacles. The glass didn't seem broken or scratched but they were certainly bent.

Kiku propped the blond up. "H-Hello? Are you okay?" he repeated.

[goldfiiish]

After smacking into that door, Matthew fell to the floor rather harshly and was left a bit disoriented. His face throbbed and for some reason there was a person speaking to him. Barely seeing anything clearly just made the whole situation more confusing for him.

"Um, I'm fine. Sorry." Matthew mumbled and squinted at the person. He couldn't make out much due to his farsightedness, so all he could see was a pale blob with a blob of black on his head. It could be a hat, or hair, but it didn't particularly mean much to Matthew at that moment. He needed to get to class. A tiny thought came to mind that the teacher wouldn't notice if he missed it.

Matthew dismissed the thought quickly, it was an important class to him so it shouldn't matter whether or not they wanted him there. "M-my glasses..." He muttered and started feeling around the floor looking for them.

[Kiku Honda]

Kiku examined the blond carefully. There was a small cut on his face due to the impact of his glasses on his skin. It was possible his nose was bruised. In any case, this man needed to go to the clinic for now. Kiku sighed inwardly. It seemed like he'd developed a bad habit of becoming indebted to people by injuring them.

"N-No, do not apologize. It was entirely my fault. I-I have to get you to the nurse's office. You are most certainly not okay." he said in response. Kiku noticed the blond started fumbling around the floor. "Ah, I have your glasses in my hand. I suggest you don't put them on yet. They will irritate the wounds on your face. I shall keep them for now." Kiku said, carefully pocketing the blond's glasses.

"Can you stand? Please, allow me to bring you to the clinic immediately. I don't think you have many options, without your glasses."

[goldfiiish]

"No... No, I'm..." Matthew started. His shoulders slumped. It had never been a strong suit of his to oppose someone. So he gave in. "Okay." Matthew sighed inwardly. Getting to his class now was probably an unrealistic idea if this person needed to take him to the nurse's office.

Matthew used the wall to help himself get up up from the ground. He rubbed his eyes and winced when he bumped his nose. "I-I, um, need my glasses, actually." Matthew could see absolutely nothing at that moment, even if it hurt to put his glasses on, there was no way he could walk around the school like this. He would probably bump into another door. "I can't see anything without them." He explained quietly. "Oh, but, um, it's okay if you don't think I should..." His voice quieted down with each word as he became unsure of what to say.

[Kiku Honda]

The black-haired student gave a worried smile. "Thank you for understanding." he said as the blond got up from the ground. Eyeing him, Kiku noticed his school ID. He was the same year as him. Kiku was taken aback for a moment. He had never seen this person before. It was strange. He thought he knew everyone in his year. Perhaps this person was a new student who transferred late.

He shook his head at the thought. Now wasn't the time to be thinking about such trivial things. There was a person in need of medical assistance right in front of him. And he, himself, was the reason the blond needed medical assistance. Kiku bit his lower lip, cursing himself.

Kiku blinked. The blond seemed very... reserved. But he made a valid point. "A-Ah. I see your point but it would be best if you avoid wearing your glasses for now. It's possible whatever dirt on your glasses could infect your wound," Kiku hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I will just have to guide you step by step to the nurse's office for now." he said. Kiku put his arm around the blond and took the blond's arm and wrapped it around his own neck.

"This way, our steps will be in sync all the way. I'll give you a warning when there's a door or a similar obstacle in front of us." Kiku said, waiting to see if the blond would object in anyway. "...My name is Kiku Honda, by the way. I am sorry, again, for putting you into such a predicament." he said a bit dejectedly.

[goldfiiish]

He couldn't have his glasses? Matthew felt naked without them. Now he was blind and would have to feel his way down the hallway... Matthew's mind didn't have to much time to miss his glasses when a completely shocking thing happened. This complete stranger had just put his arm around Matthew and put Matthew's arm on his shoulders.This day was just so... weird. People have hit Matthew with just about everything, but no one's ever actually stopped to make sure he was okay... Now this person wanted to help make sure he got to the nurse's office?

Physical contact wasn't something Matthew was used to. He hadn't had anyone in his life since he was ten, so he's barely so much as shaken someone's hand or had a conversation with someone in the past nine years. And now all of a sudden this person is right there? He just didn't know how to process it. So he kept a straight face and bared with it. It was awkward and uncomfortable to walk like that, but he kept his mouth shut because he didn't want to cause this person anymore trouble.

Suddenly, his helper introduced himself. Kiku Honda... Oh, he knew that name very well. They had shared probably three or four classes, and currently are in the same biology class. "It's fine, it's not really your fault. I-I really shouldn't have been running, sorry." Matthew mumbled and slouched. He was ruining this persons day. "Oh, um, I'm Matthew Williams, by the way..." Not that he thought it meant much, he just didn't know how this was supposed to go.

[Kiku Honda]

Seeing as how the blond didn't object to the idea, Kiku started walking slowly. Step by step, leading the blind student across the hall. Kiku noticed he seemed to be sulking a bit. Well, he had every right to. He'd have to miss class, waste time in the nurse's office and have this complete stranger inside his personal space. Who wouldn't be sulking, at least a bit?

Hearing the blond apologize brought a soft smile to Kiku's face, even though the poor guy couldn't even see it. "Let us just agree we are both at fault. I'm sure after this I'll be careful when I open doors and you'll walk a bit slower next time." he chuckled. "Trashcan to your right." he said, guiding the blond to the left, avoiding the trashcan. "Matthew." he acknowledged. ...He wasn't sure if he knew this person or at least heard his name during class. Did he? He couldn't remember. Oh well.

Kiku thought Matthew was very very shy. He knew he was shy but compared to him, he made Kiku look like a social butterfly. But he was polite. Or rather, he didn't voice his own opinions much. He was like Kiku in that sense, but to a more extreme level. The black-haired student suddenly realized. Matthew might be not okay with this but just won't say it. This made him worried.

[goldfiiish]

Matthew glanced down at Kiku. It had been probably more than a few years since someone had called him Matthew. If someone needed to talk to him, they would called him something like 'Mr. Williams'. Hearing just his first name said by someone else felt funny.

Matthew hadn't met someone as nice as Kiku in quite a while. It was weird, because all he did was run into a door, but his fellow student was concerned. Even when someone ran him over with a bike, the person didn't even stop to wonder what they had hit. Matthew decided then that Kiku must have been very friendly person. He probably had lots of friends and was wasting his time helping Matthew. He frowned. He didn't want to waste anyone's time...

"Y-you don't need to help me... I'm sure you, um, have things to do..." Matthew mumbled and drooped his head. "I don't want to bother you..." He quieted down slowly.

[Kiku Honda]

Kiku gave a light smile. "I want to help you, Matthew. I was mostly responsible for your situation and I want to help remedy it." he said silently appreciating the offer. It gave Kiku the impression the blond was quite polite. Either way, however, Kiku wanted to help him from the bottom of his overly soft heart.

And while it was certainly true there were some important things he needed to be doing, right now Matthew took priority. It was Kiku's responsibility and, besides, the other matters weren't that important. Matthew wasn't really bothering Kiku in that sense. After thinking about what to say for a second Kiku's lips parted for a response. "I have nothing of particular importance that needs attending to right now. And you're not really bothering me, Matthew."

"Ah, here we are." he said as he saw the sign poking out from the wall. He took his arm of Matthew and let Matthew's arm off his. He put his hand on the silver doorknob and turned it, letting a gust of cold air-conditioned air breathe out of the room. "Excuse me, Miss? I have someone in need of treatment." he called out as he entered the room, gently pulling on Matthew's shirt as a gesture for him to step in.

[goldfiiish]

Matthew swallowed. He felt like Kiku was lying. It just didn't seem right. He obviously had better things to do, Matthew wasn't going to die if he didn't get help. They were in a school, so of course there were classes to get to and such. There was really no reason he should still be there. Matthew just didn't get why he felt bad. It wasn't exactly the norm for someone to care about him.

When Matthew was released from the other's grip, he breathed a quick sigh of relief. He didn't want to be rude, but the height difference mixed in with fact that there was another human touching him was very awkward for him and he felt glad that it was over. He felt a slight pull on his shirt and followed Kiku into the familiar air conditioned room. He spent some time in here helping the nurse and listening to her stories. She was hard of hearing and a bit senile, so sometimes she remembered Matthew and other times she asked what his name was three times an hour. He found her a very nice old lady, but very strong willed and ended up taking breaks when she didn't feel like staying there.

"Mrs. Smith is probably on a lunch break... Um, she does that a lot. It's fine though, I, uh, know this place pretty well..." Matthew nodded slowly and sat down on the patient bed. "W-well, what do you need? I can't, um, see myself..."

[Kiku Honda]

The blond was certainly right about no one being here. As he called out few more times the echoes came back without a response. Kiku sighed inwardly. This was the nurse's office. If she was to be gone she should at least leave someone capable of treating anyone who is in need. Kiku subtly tilted his head in confusion. Matthew knew this place pretty well?

The room itself seemed pretty glum. Kiku, himself, had never really been here before. He'd never met the nurse in that regard. The shelves were lined with different medicines and bottles of solutions. The desk was filled with different paperwork that needed to be done. Kiku gave it a blank stare. Should the nurse really be taking a lunch break? It's three in the afternoon.

"W-What do I need?" he repeated in inquiry. Did Matthew expect Kiku to treat him? Kiku knew some first-aid but... Well, it is Kiku's fault. So it may as well be him. This way his debt will be completely repaid. Swallowing hard, Kiku looked around the room. "A-Ah... Disinfectant, a few cotton balls and medical tape should be sufficient, Matthew." he said.

[goldfiiish]

Matthew paused and opened his mouth slightly. Kiku didn't sound very sure... What was there to be unsure about? It was just a simple clean-up. Maybe he shouldn't let this guy near his face...

Starting to picture the room in his head, Matthew told him where things were located. "Disinfectant is... is in the cabinet next to the door... one shelf up." He squinted his eyes trying to remember. "Um, cotton balls should be right next to them, uh, or around in that area... Medical tape, uh, and gauze are... right on the third shelf up in the far left cabinet." He nodded, that sounded to him.

Matthew waited patiently, rocking side to side on the little table. People usually struck up conversation in situations like this, so Matthew decided to try it out since he had never done it before. "S-so, um, today's weather is nice..." He mumbled with a glance out the window. It was actually raining pretty hard and didn't look like it was stopping anytime soon. "... Oh..." He breathed out and looked down at his knees. Maybe he should just stop trying.

[Kiku Honda]

...Cabinet next to the door. Kiku turned to the door and walked near the cabinet. 'One shelf up.' he repeated internally. He located the disinfectant and set it on the table near Matthew. 'Next to them...' he went back to the cabinet but there weren't any cotton balls there. Trying the around-that-area area he checked the shelf below it. There, tucked way into the corner, were a pack of unopened cotton balls. Kiku reached into the shelf and got them, knocking over a bottle as he pulled out his hand.

He quickly set the bottle upright and listened intently for Matthew's next set of directions. 'Medical tape.' he repeated silently as he followed the blond's words and found it right where it should be. He went over to Matthew, still sitting on the patient's table, and set all the supplies on the little table next to them.

As he ripped open the pack of cotton balls and opened the bottle of disinfectant Matthew started some light conversation. Kiku blinked and tilted his head lightly. He looked outside to see the small storm that had been raging on the island since the day began. Not hearing Matthew's breath of an 'Oh' he responded curiously.

"You certainly have an interesting idea for nice weather, Matthew. Do you enjoy the rain more than sunny days?" he asked innocently as he soaked the cotton ball lightly with disinfectant.

[goldfiiish]

Matthew fiddled with his fingers absentmindedly, wondering why he bothered to open his mouth. He really didn't like this kind of weather. The tapping noise the rain made set him on edge and when there was thunder he usually just hid under blankets. "W-well... um, when the storm is over, it... it makes the outside have a clean sort of feeling. Kind of like everything's been, uh, washed, I guess..." Matthew mumbled, violet eyes glancing around the room. He didn't know where to look, so he just settled with everywhere.

As the disinfectant came into contact with his cut, he winced slightly at the stinging feeling. It burned a bit, but Matthew continued sitting quietly on the table as his cut was cleaned. He didn't really know what to say. It seemed like Kiku was a very nice person, so he didn't want to say something wrong and upset him. He probably wouldn't unless he tried to be rude, but it was still a fear that yelled at him in the back of his mind that no one could really enjoy speaking with him. Keeping his mouth shut was a good option, but he just didn't feel like doing that after so many years of staying quiet and not speaking. He just missed speaking with people as any normal human being should.

So he took a deep breath and spoke up again. "Have you finished your assignments for biology class?" He tried to make it come out clearly, but it left his mouth like a whisper.

[Kiku Honda]

The black-haired student nodded as he cleaned the wound. "It's certainly a unique way of viewing a storm. I do enjoy the smell of rain and you raise a good point with the idea that everything seems washed." he said smiling and nodding to himself, agreeing with the idea. It made Kiku appreciate the rain a bit more. Still, storms like these tended to do more bad than good.

The pitter-patter of the rain eased Kiku's tension as he worked on cleaning the blond's cut. As expected, Matthew flinched as soon as the cotton came in contact with the wound. But, Kiku was happy he endured it as he completely cleaned the cut.

Kiku could barely hear the question by the end of it but he caught on and responded. "Ah. I have, actually. I always make it a point to finish all assignments the day before, unless I can't help it. I'm afraid I don't like cramming." he replied honestly. Though, he'd probably missed biology by now. On the bright side, he could double check all his answers before the next day.

Once the smaller student deemed it was enough, he ripped off a new smaller piece of cotton, put it against the cut and put the medical tape over it. Kiku nodded in satisfaction. That should do it. "I believe that should be sufficient, Matthew. You should be able to wear your glasses now." he said, relieved, as he handed Matthew's glasses back to him.

[goldfiiish]

Matthew nodded slowly, he wished he'd done that for biology class. He probably wouldn't have messed up Kiku's day if he had bothered finishing his report. It wasn't as if he didn't have the time, he just forgot about it. That was probably the thing that bothered him most. "I guess it doesn't really matter now though." Matthew tried to let out a light laugh, but it ended up being a groan. He had made them miss biology, what was Matthew thinking?

As Kiku's finger's stuck the medical tape down on his face, Matthew breathed a quick sigh of relief, rustling the curl in front of his face. Finally, he was able to get his glasses back. "Thank you very much." He smiled lightly and glanced up at Kiku, now able to see his face for the first time. Short black hair, cutting off right before his light brown eyes. He had a small build and probably didn't break 5'5".

"I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time." Matthew frowned. "I should just go now... You can probably still make it if you hurry." Matthew stood up from the bed. He decided to skip class for the first time in his life. The teacher wouldn't notice and he was too late. He wouldn't learn anything new anyway, he memorized the textbook from cover to cover already. Hopefully the professor's dull lecture wouldn't contain anything of importance.

[Kiku Honda]

The smaller man smiled, content with his work. As he started putting back the supplies in their proper places the blond spoke up again, followed by some strange mixture of a groan and a chuckle. Kiku didn't think much of it.

To be honest, he was actually happy. Despite his reputation as one of the smart ones he didn't particularly enjoy studying. But he had to work hard for the future he was aiming for. Besides, he had also managed to make an acquaintance today.

Well worth missing one biology class, in his opinion. Kiku had a soft smile on his face, happy Matthew could finally see with his glasses back on. He said a quick "Your welcome." as Matthew sized him up, finally being able to. And, as the blond apologized, Kiku gave him a low bow. "Please, do not worry about my time so much, Matthew. While I do not mean I enjoyed causing you pain, I enjoyed the break from my daily routine. And to make your acquaintance in the process." he added with a smile, raising his head.

Kiku thought for a while, thinking what he should do now. There wouldn't be much point in going to biology by now. He'd have to give a lengthy explanation as to where he had been and lose some favor with the teacher as well. Yes, perhaps it'd be best to just, well, go home, explain to his mother as ambiguously as possible. He gave a small nod, approving his decision, before responding to the blond.

"I don't think I would accomplish much by going to biology at this point. If you're going home, I'd be happy to go as far as I can with you until we separate paths." the smaller man suggested, smiling at Matthew.

[goldfiiish]

Enjoying being around Matthew? No sir, that was a lie. No one could like Mathew, it just didn't make any sense. No one's liked him since he was a little kid and he's been a nuisance on everyone ever since he started growing up. Why would anyone enjoy being bothered?

"Walk home... with me?" Matthew repeated it so it could be heard again. He stared blankly at Kiku. "Okay." He mumbled with a small nod.

(Sorry it's so short. D:)

[Kiku Honda]

(( lol. Dasokay. ))

Kiku couldn't help but look a bit confused at the blond's response. While he was genuinely happy Matthew agreed to walk home with him, that long pause and blank stare that was directed to him made him wonder. The smaller student thought Matthew was a nice and kind person. Could it be that he didn't have any friends? He should stay off the subject for now.

Shaking his head lightly to clear the thought, Matthew's approval registered in his brain. "Shall we go on, then?" Kiku said, collecting the small satchel he had with him this whole time.

As the two left the clinic and stepped out into the hall once more, Kiku's eyes set onto the gloomy sky, still raining. The Grey clouds were still looming over the island and the downpour showed no signs of stopping anytime soon. It suddenly hit the black haired student. He didn't have his umbrella. He came to school with it... but he left it in the classroom.

Kiku frowned and sighed internally. There was no getting it back today. With no other option, the smaller student turned to Matthew. "Ah, Matthew, I'm afraid I don't have an umbrella with me today." he said, a bit embarrassed by his carelessness.