Sara was a naturally curious girl. She found comfort in figuring out how things work, or trying new experiences, exploring stuff she was unfamiliar with. It began to seem that someone she was really curious about was Anzu Kinashi. Her unique style and the way she presented herself intrigued Sara. She was shy, but also outgoing. Confident, but anxious. She was like a perfect balance of traits. Tulips represent perfection and love, so Sara hoped that Anzu would like them.
The ginger girl was Student Council President of their school, whereas Anzu was in the theater club. Today was the day of their Heathers production, and Anzu was playing Heather Macmara. Sara walked to the auditorium with a skip in her step, and a small smile on her face – maybe she could use this as an opportunity to ask Anzu out. She quickly shook out of her thoughts. ‘In my dreams…’ she thought to herself. Anzu was unique and beautiful, she didn't deserve someone as plain as Sara.
She entered and took a seat near the front row, but not quite, and right next to Kugie and Ryoko. The both of them were holding hands and giving each other kisses on the cheek. Ranmaru and Joe were also in the play, Ranmaru as J.D and Joe as Martha. Sara wanted to audition for Veronica, but she didn't want to outshine Anzu’s amazing acting. She promised to join next year. “Get a room, the both of you.” Sara muttered, and Kugie laughed. “Don't worry, Sara, I'm sure Anzu will ask you out soon!” Ryoko said in a sing-song voice, before Sara slapped her lightly in her hand.
“Quiet! She might hear you…” The ginger whispered, as Kugie rolled her eyes, setting her head down on Ryoko’s shoulder. “Oh, yeah, I'm sure Anzu will hear you all the way from backstage—” Kugie was cut off by the dimming of the lights in the auditorium. It had begun, and Sara couldn't help but grin brightly. Every time the clown girl appeared on stage, Sara had flushed. She looked at the girl closely. She didn't even sway back and forth nervously at all, as if she were born to act. Not a single loss for words. Her singing parts were small yet memorable, and yet Sara couldn't help but yearn for more of her magnificent voice.
Anzu’s yellow costume stood out, the way it was supposed to, and Sara couldn't help but admire how good she looked in it. Anzu felt so far, and out of her reach. The president gripped onto the bouquet’s stems tighter, feeling nervous. It wasn't like she was confessing her strange love and admiration for the girl, why was she so flustered? By the time the show ended, Sara’s applause boomed over all the others in the room. It was as if the loudest songbird of the forest was singing. After Anzu exited the stage, she ran up and hugged Sara.
The ginger wished she could put the blame for the blush on her face onto something like the heat of the large room, hopefully Anzu doesn't notice. The rest of the teens in their friend group glance at each other and back away as if to give the both of them space in their own world. “Sara! Was I good? Did I break character?” The shorter girl asked, pulling away to stare at Sara but still holding onto her, and the taller scanned her mind for words. “You? Break character? You did a terrific job, Anzu. I'm proud of you.”
Anzu’s cheeks changed into a shade of light pink, and she looked away, backing up a little bit. “Thank you, thank you!” The clown bowed as if to hide the blush creeping onto her face. “Oh! I almost forgot… Here are some tulips! I would have gotten roses, but I liked the meaning of these ones.” Sara said, revealing the bouquet she had been carrying all this time. If Anzu’s blush had begun to settle, it had definitely returned now. “Ehehe! Thank you, you're so sweet!” She replied, and Sara hid her face in her hands like Ranmaru would whenever Joe complimented him.
After a moment, Sara looked back at Anzu. Her eyes were like beautiful sunset skies she could look into for hours and never feel bored. A sea of pink waves with many different seashells to find and depths to explore. Her eyeshadow was gold, as to compliment her costume, and her eyeliner was absolutely stunning. The blush on her face was perfect – not too little, not too much. The highlighter gave it brightness, but it could not compare to the brightness of her smile. Her teeth shined in the auditorium lights, and it matched up perfectly with her glossy lips.
Sara longed to fill in the space between, but she snapped back into reality. “I, uh, I kinda wish you could have been Veronica.” Anzu told the taller girl, averting her eyes. “Hm? Why is that?” Sara questioned. She couldn't help but ask a question to understand what was circling through Anzu’s head. Did she want to spend time with her? Or, perhaps, she thought Sara had potential as that character. “I want to hold you in the bathroom scene, because I feel like I wouldn't have to act.” Anzu replied, and Sara could feel the blood rush up to her cheeks. God damnit, what was she doing? Was she flirting or was this just friendly?
“Gahhh!! I'm sorry, I totally suck at this. I've never dated someone before- I mean, what? Not date! I just wanted to ask if you maybe wanted to get Starbucks together sometime? I would understand if not, though, you're so popular and cool and pretty and I totally do not deserve you!” The clown girl rambled on and on with her frantic attempt to ask Sara out. Perhaps, to figure Anzu out, Sara had to think about her own feelings more. She had never seen too much in common between her and the shorter girl, but they seemed to mirror each other in this exact moment, so how different could they be?
Sara wanted to keep her totally flustered true self under a calm and composed mask. Hesitantly, she placed a little kiss on Anzu’s forehead. “Ofcourse I will. I look forward to it. This Saturday, 11:00am?” She asked, and Anzu nodded excitedly. “Okay!! I'm gonna talk to the others… see ya!” Anzu exclaimed, running off but stopping midway. Sara tilted her head like a confused puppy. Anzu ran back and stood on the tips of her toes to give Sara a kiss on the cheek before heading back to where Kugie and Ryoko were.
Sara felt that same cheek with her hand, and stood in awe for a moment. She could not wait to tell Shin about this.