Cheerleader

Every day was the same for Dazai. She would go to band in the morning, go to her classes, eat lunch alone, go to her next classes, and then go home. It was a never-ending cycle, or so she thought. Dazai had been sitting in her usual lunch spot, when someone sat down next to her. The person she least expected to see was right there, Doppo Kunikida, the student body president. There were very few times when anyone approached Dazai, and this was the first time some one as popular as Kunikida had even looked in her direction, much less sit down next to her. "Hello?" Dazai croaked out.

"You're Dazai right?" the taller blonde asked with a friendly smile plastered on her face.

"Yes, I am." the brunette responded nervously, fidgeting with the bandages wrapped around her wrist.

Kunikida sighed in relief. "I always worry that I approach the wrong person." she laughed. Dazai's heart skipped a beat at the sound. It sounded wonderful. Very few people had laughed when talking to Dazai, but many have laughed at her. This was a nice change. "As the student body president it is my job to talk to, well, the students, my peers." When Dazai didn't respond, the other girl continued, "I have this lunch period to spend with you, but you can talk to me whenever. However, I do have a fairly tight schedule, and I don't like anything messing that up. Having so much authority is a fairly hard job as a student, so I make sure to keep track of everything in my notebook. Going against this schedule is a big problem in my world."

"That... sounds like a hassle." Dazai responded without thinking. Listening to Kunikida spout so many words to her was like being in a class that you weren't interested in. The other girl's voice was nice, but it almost sounded like she was lecturing Dazai, and Dazai wasn't sure if that was exactly something she wanted.

At Dazai's words Kunikida's face twisted into a less friendly expression. Dazai's face twisted in disgust. Kunikida was going to lecture her on how being organized was important. She knew it. When Kunikida started talking, it was exactly what the loner expected. As she half-listened, Dazai rested her head on her arm, taking in Kunikida's voice but not so much her words. For someone who sure liked to lecture people, she had a nice voice. It reminded Dazai of a porcupine. It could be prickly, but also nice and soft. She was sure that if Kunikida said some kinder words to her then Dazai would like her voice even more. It took Dazai a moment to realize exactly what she was thinking. She had never analyzed a person like that before. Sure, she watched people while sitting alone at lunch, but never had she fully analyzed something like that.

Finally, Kunikida had finished talking. Dazai lifted up her head and responded to Kunikida's rant, "I guess it makes sense now." She knew exactly what to say to make someone like her more, but it didn't often work. Dazai wasn't even paying attention to a word Kunikida said, but the blonde seemed pleased with Dazai's response, so she cracked a smile at the student body president.

"You should tell me about yourself." Kunikida said. "I'm curious about you."

Dazai stayed silent for a moment, but then responded, "Well, my full name is Osamu Dazai. I'm in the school band and I don't have many hobbies besides reading. I wear bandages because the uniforms make me uncomfortable." Everyone seemed to be curious about the bandages she wore around her neck and arms, so whenever someone would ask she gave them a straight answer. dazai learned that people don't like witty responses to those type of questions.

Kunikida gave her a slow nod, taking in the information, and Dazai assumed she was putting that into a folder in her mind. Based on Kunikida's appearance and what Dazai knew about her, she assumed that's how her mind works. A file system.

"What type of books do you read?" Kunikida asked, pushing her glasses up on her nose.

"Just... books." Dazai responded, fidgeting with the bandages on her wrist again. She couldn't tell the student body president that she read books on the best methods of suicide. Dazai wanted to maintain as much of a good image as she could, especially to the one girl who everyone knew. She was sure that they looked out of place sitting together. A dignified and rich student body president next to a loser band kid. Dazai was sure that they were sticking out. In fact, she could feel the stares burning into the back of her skull, which is why she refused to look up. 

"Well, you sure are fairly interesting, Dazai." Kunikida commented kindly. She sounded like she really meant it, which confused Dazai. Despite her confusion, Dazai didn't question it, instead she gave the blonde a smile in response. She had to admit that it was nice to talk to someone who seemed actually interested in learning about you. Even though Dazai knew that Kunikida was forcing herself to talk to her, Kunikida didn't seem like it at all. She had that charm about her, despite lecturing Dazai for however long that was, which was why she made an excellent student body president as just a second year. 

Snapping Dazai out of her thoughts, Kunikida said, "Classes are about to start up again, so I'll see you later, Dazai." The blonde then got up and walked off.

"Bye..." Dazai trailed off as the other girl walked away. She sighed and got up as well. Now she just had to suffer through the rest of the school day. How fun.

Home. That's where Dazai always wanted to return to as soon as classes ended or before they even started, but today she had a different goal. Throughout her last classes of the day she couldn't stop thinking about Kunikida, and she came to the conclusion she grew feelings for her. This was not uncommon for Dazai. Whenever someone was even slightly nice to her, she developed feelings, but never for a girl, so it was a hit weird. However, that wouldn't stop her from wanting to talk to Kunikida more. She had even requested for Dazai to talk to her again, even though her schedule was quite busy. This would not stop Dazai though. Nothing would... or so she thought.

The brunette stumbled onto the football field. The cool breeze grazed against her bare legs. She despised skirts, but it was summer so she had to deal with it. Looking around, Dazai finally saw her. However, when she saw who Kunikida was with, her heart dropped. The second most popular girl in school, Chuuya Nakahara. Over time Dazai had grown to hate Nakahara for her popularity, looks, and personality, but it seemed like Kunikida saw her differently. The two seemed oddly close, so Dazai kept her distance. Walking along the outskirts of the grassy field, she kept her eye on the two girls. Every hope she had for talking to Kunikida vanished when the two got closer. They kissed. Kissed. At least Dazai got confirmation that Kunikida liked girls... right? 

Jealousy grew in Dazai as she walked out into the school's parking lot. Home. She needed to get home, like every other day that was her objective. Except this time her heart was crushed. WIthin one day Dazai fell in love and then got her heart shattered. 

Home, that was where Dazai was now. On her walk she conspired. She wanted to be like Nakahara. She was sure that was how Kunikida would grow to like her just as much. Dazai threw her bag onto her bed and moved in front of her mirror. Sure, she didn't look a thing like Nakahara. She had long, wavy ginger hair that complimented her skin perfectly. Dazai had shaggy dark brown hair that washed her out. Nakahara had freckles and heterochromia, blue and brown eyes. Dazai looked deathly pale and dark brown eyes, that looked like voids. Even their builds were different. Sure, they were both skinny, but Nakahara at least had some muscle on her bones. Dazai, however, looked like a twig. Maybe Kunikida liked Chuuya because she was shorter and prettier, since the ginger had a shitty personality, or maybe she was different with Kunikida. Honestly, Dazai didn't even want to think about it, but she couldn't help it.

The brunette glanced back into the mirror and slowly unwrapped the bandages on her arms. Scars. That was what she truly hid. Technically, she didn't lie when she said she didn't feel comfortable in the uniform, since she didn't. However, she didn't say why. The reason was the scars that coated each of her arms. They were paler than the rest of her milky white skin and stood out immensely. Dazai hated how she looked with them, but maybe Kunikida wouldn't... As soon as that thought popped into her mind, she shook it out. Every time Dazai thought about being with Kunikida in that way, her jealousy for Chuuya rose. Why couldn't she be a cheerleader like her? Why couldn't she be as popular as Nakahara? What did she have that Dazai didn't, besides the looks. Dazai ran a hand through her messy hair and sighed. She had everything that Dazai didn't, and everyone knew that. That is why Dazai and Nakahara were so drastically different.