#countryside house and also jealous of how proud her family is of her sister for going to a fancy tokyo school and tired of everything being

[01tsubomi]

lately i've been totally devouring the skip & loafer manga - it's such incredible character writing i have no choice but to devour it. each individual character is so fleshed out and interesting but the writer has this amazing knack for placing them together in situations that create a lot of intrigue. just like constant interactions where each character's motivations and reactions are really well-thought out. this is pretty late into the series so really deep in the weeds of spoilers/character drama but the whole gang is roadtripping to protag mitsumi's countryside hometown during summer vacation and as you can see in the first panel mika (girlfailure i love her) recently confessed to + was rejected by the main love interest shima and their other guy friend mukai consulted with her through it (though he has not let on to shima that he knows anything), so sitting in the backseat with the two of them sounds like a nightmare. so she suggests that mitsumi takes the seat instead, since she knows mitsumi has a crush on shima and that unlike her own crush mitsumi's is definitely returned in some way, but little does she know that mitsumi and shima actually very recently tried going out to test the waters with dating but shima as a teenager (former child actor also) coming from a dysfunctional family doesn't know anything about relationships, not even how to tell if his own feelings are romantic, so they realized pretty quickly that it wasn't working and agreed to return back to being friends while ignoring the awkwardness left in the room, none of which mitsumi has told anybody. such a tiny passing little interaction but so much driving the way the characters act in it

[neverisalongtime-ja-blog]

Chapter 40: Just ride

Her I am with another chapter! I never going to stop thanking all for all the support and the feedback! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Read chapter 39

-          Josh is out of control! How fucking dare he! – Anastasia was telling Mandy while both were swimming at Anastasia’s house pool.

-          I have to admit that I wasn’t team Richard before but now I totally support him – Mandy answered lying on a float with the shape of a sea shell – Josh is acting like a baby, so immature. He wants to have it all, he wants Lauren and he wants you but he didn’t see Richard coming.

-          You should have seen him begging me not to leave him and to be patient with him, but I’m done – Anastasia said with anger – I honestly didn’t see Richard coming either but everything happens for a reason.

-          He is so sweet – Mandy said.

-          And dreamy – Anastasia said.

-          And fun.

-          And talented.

-          And easy to talk to.

-          And easy to be around.

-          And so handsome.

-          And so perfect – Both friends looked at each other and laughed – This is exactly like when we were sixteen – Anastasia said – It’s so crazy we’re talking about the same guy.

-          I never would have thought Richard Austin would fall for you.

-          He hasn’t fallen for me.

-          An… the way he put his hand around your waist when you were watching the Peppers, and the way you two sang and looked at each other at the show. At Glasto he looked at you with such lovely eyes. He is incredible but, for now, I’m going to abstain from telling you what to do because I told you to let Josh into your heart and that didn’t go well at all. I’m sorry for that.

-          You don’t have to apologize, neither one of us would’ve thought that Josh would do such things. – Mandy nodded at her friend’s words.

-          Have you talked to him? To Richard?

-          He texts me or calls me every day. He is going to be in Los Angeles next week so maybe we’ll go out or something. He actually has a show at the Fonda Theater, we should go!

-          That would be amazing.

Richard was truly amazing to Anastasia, and after all her love-life-craziness in the past years, it was nice for her to have someone solid around. Richard was so sure of himself and so sure of what he wanted. As he told her, he was going to be in Los Angeles for about a week for the Fonda show and some promotion for the new record, so Anastasia thought it would be cool to invite him for dinner at her place. She told him she would “cook” for him, but what she actually meant was she would buy food to make him think she cooked it.

Richard arrived at An’s house wearing a green tee shirt and a jean jacket with the sleeves rolled up and holding a bottle of champagne.

-          You cooking for me is so special that I thought champagne would be perfect – He said at the door with half a smile.

-          It goes perfectly with the seafood I made – Anastasia laughed because she didn’t cook any of it. She was wearing a jean pinafore dress with high-heeled green velvet sandals and her hair tied up in a ponytail.

-          Your house is beautiful – He said looking and the backyard and the skyline of the city.

-          Thank you – Anastasia said looking at his face, he had a Marlon Brandon kind of aura – Come take a seat, the table’s set and the food is ready.

She decided to go with all kind of seafood, crab, oysters, lobster and more. The food was delicious and the conversation with Richard was easy, intelligent and nice as usual. She learned that Richard’s parents were Vegas natives and he was born and raised there too, his dad use to be a doorman at the Flamingo and his mom use to be a waitress at the same hotel and they met there. He also had two older sisters so he grew up in a very feminine environment; he had one niece and two nephews. His son’s name was Elijah and he was nine years old. He met his ex-wife in high school so he hadn’t been with a lot of women during his life, “Maybe two”, he said.

Growing up in Las Vegas was fun because of the culture, he did a lot of crazy stuff as a teenager, of course, but the glamour and the lights and all the big shows always had his attention and he loved that. His band got together because all the members were neighbors and they knew each other since they were kids; that meant they were tight as friends just as Dead Curse was. He wasn’t proud of the beginnings of the band because as they got famous he developed a very arrogant ego and that brought a lot of negativity to the image of The Genius Sex Poets but all of that was in the past now.

Although he played guitar, bass and piano, he wasn’t that much of a music geek. It was a huge part of his life but now family was his priority. The way he talked about his son captivated Anastasia’s mind. He loved to travel and driving in the dessert, because having grown up in Las Vegas apparently being in the dessert was a huge thing to do, “It’s like escaping, leaving all the craziness behind. I go there every time I need to have a minute and breathe”, he told her. Apparently, he did that a lot during his divorce.

-          I really thought I was going to spend my life with her – He said at the table – But she never got used to this kind of life style, of me not being around as I would wanted. She wanted me to quit and have a business or something, but that’s not me, I couldn’t do that. Music has giving me so many great things and I won’t leave it for anything – Anastasia felt the same, she couldn’t see her doing anything else.

After dinner, he opened the bottle he brought and they enjoyed it on the backyard with the stars as a roof and moonshine as illumination. The natural element conspired to create a romantic aura.

-          I really have to say that you look especially beautiful tonight – He said tucking some of her loose hairs around the ponytail behind her left ear.

-          Maybe is it because I cooked you all that food – She lied and laughed.

-          I always have such a great time with you – Richard, tucking more of An’s hairs behind her hear, he was searching for excuses to keep touching her. Anastasia had a pleasant feeling in her stomach and smiled.

-          I really enjoy your company too. You are so easy going and… I don’t know – Anastasia said as Richard started to get close – It’s like we have this… - Richard brought his face really close to Anastasia’s and talked.

-          … Strong connection – He said before kissing her.

It was the most romantic kiss Anastasia have ever received, so different from Josh’s. So delicate, so respectful. He grabbed her firmly by her waist with his left hand and positioned his right hand on the back of her neck while she hugged him on his torso. Their mouths were doing a dance of their own and after almost a minute she broke the kiss to gasp for air. He looked at her straight to her eyes and smiled, she did the same.

-          I have never received a kiss like that before – She said and he smiled wider – So… so…

-          Meaningful – He said a word that wouldn’t pass through An’s mind but was the perfect word to describe it: meaningful – After everything that happened to me last year – He was still close to her face -  I really thought I wouldn’t fall in love ever again but how wrong I was.

Did he just say that he was in love with her? Anastasia’s mind started to work fast. She definitely had feelings for Richard, but Josh was still in her heart. Josh was with Lauren at that precise moment… and then An got it: she deserved, for once, a man that was just for her (like she told Josh before), and Richard was everything she needed at that moment, the Universe was handing her a pair of arms where she could heal and restore her love life.

-          I’m sorry – Richard broke the hug and gave a few steps back because of the lack of response from her – I think I came too straight – He was ashamed - She grabbed his face with both arms and smiled.

-          I like straightforward people – And kissed him again.

Nothing else happened that night; Richard was too much of a gentleman to let it go further and that actually attracted her more to him. Once in bed, ready for sleep she couldn’t stop thinking about what just happened, Richard fucking Austin kissed her, her teenage crush kissed her. She thought that maybe this is how some Josh’s younger fans fantasize with him, she use to fantasize with Richard and now he just told her that he loved her. That smile stayed tattooed on her face until the day of the Richard’s band show.

By then Josh has texted her at least twice per day but she didn’t feel the need to reply. If he wanted to act like a jealous kid he had to do it on his own, she wasn’t going to play around that attitude. He had Lauren and now Richard was part of Anastasia’s life, she was sure it was time to cut the cord with Josh, especially for her mental stability.

Richard was very happy to have her on the show, Mandy and Mark tagged along. Unfortunately, Steph had to stay in London for work, she was also doing a Major in English Literature and conducting an investigation with the Oxford University, Mark couldn’t choose better.

-          Steph and I decided we want a small wedding in the English countryside – Mark said at the bar inside the Fonda while waiting for The Genius Sex Poets to take the stage – Maybe we’ll rent a house there and spend a whole weekend celebrating. What about you? – He asked Mandy.

-          I’m getting married in Malibu, there’s no doubt about it – The pink-haired girl answered with a smile -  I actually found an amazing venue, a mansion at the shore that is very private, perfect for me to get ready there and have the ceremony and the reception at the same place.

-          I’m gonna give you your honeymoon so think where you want to go – Anastasia said and Mandy opened her eyes big.

-          Are you serious? – She said.

-          I’ll pay for everything – Anastasia was laughing because of Mandy’s reaction.

-          I can’t accept that!

-          Shut up! – Anastasia said – Think where you wanna go and I’ll pay and you can’t say no.

-          God gave me the best best friend someone could ask and I don’t really need to tell you but it’s obvious you will be my maid of honor – Even though Anastasia supposed it, hearing Mandy say it brought her a wind whirl of emotions and her eyes got watery.

-          Oh, stop you two, I’m going to cry too! – Mark said and laughed. Anastasia hugged her friend, nodded and tried to wipe the tears without destroying her makeup - I’m pretty sure Stephanie will ask you to be one of her bridesmaids too.

-          I’m going to cry more! – Anastasia said – Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

-          Maybe that will change – Mark said pointing to the stage where Richard was coming out through the lights.

He was amazing on stage, not only he moved with confidence, his voice was to die for, so strong, so trained and so different from Josh’s. Mandy and Anastasia knew all the songs except for the new ones; they were listening to the classics since they were teenagers. Richard found An in the crowd even though she was far from the stage, and he locked eyes with her a couple of times giving her a couple of smiles.

After the last song, An, Mandy and Mark walked backstage. Richard, now with his clothes changed, gave Anastasia a tight hug and a big kiss on the lips which took her by surprise, that display of affection in front of his band mates, but she responded in the same way, kissing him back. Mandy was shocked but the rest of the people in that room didn’t seem to care a bit.

-          That was an amazing show! – Mark said breaking the spell between Richard and Anastasia.

-          The new songs are incredible – Mandy talked.

-          That’s all because of Mark – Richard said with a smile, a pair of dimples formed in his cheeks every time he smiled – He and his damn amazing ear for music made them.

-          Time to boost the producer’s ego – Mark laughed.

-          Let’s head to the bar for drinks – Richard said putting his arm on Anastasia’s back, she felt such comfort in that action.

Richard was very sociable, and although he talked with a bunch of people that night, he kept coming back to Anastasia’s side to share a drink with her or to make sure she had everything she needed. He was certainly giving her all the attention in the world and that made her feel good.

-          Anastasia, marry that guy right now! – Mandy was a bit tipsy – No! Forget it! I already told you I wasn’t going to give you any more advice on love.

-          I think we are ready to leave – Mark said and Anastasia saw Richard talking with some friends in the distance. He looked back at her.

-          I think I’m going to stay a little bit more – Anastasia said to Mark – I’ll call an Uber. Can you safely take Mandy back to her place? – She asked her brother.

-          Like the old days! – Mark answered – Say bye to Richard from us.

-          I will – Anastasia said and waved goodbye as her friend and Mark leave the place.

At that moment, Richard went back to An’s side.

-          What happened to Mandy and Mark? – He asked.

-          Mandy wasn’t feeling well so Mark took her home.

-          And you decided to stay – He smiled again and the dimples appeared again she felt the pleasant tingling in her stomach again.

-          Yeah… - She didn’t know what to answer.

-          Listen, I had a crazy idea – Richard smiled again – I have my motorcycle parked outside, what do you say if we ride to Palm Springs and spend the entire day there tomorrow? – It sounded like an amazing plan.

-          Yes! Sounds amazing! What time do we leave? – She didn’t get the whole idea.

-          Right now!

-          What?! That’s crazy! Richard, Palm Springs is two hours away! – She said but she wasn’t worried at all. She actually wanted to do it – Well, let’s go now, then! – He smiled and kissed her.

 Now, An was wearing his leather jacket and riding his Indian Chief Dark Horse motorcycle through the 10 Route, leaving Los Angeles behind and entering the dessert, that place Richard loved. This was crazy, it was almost two in the morning, it was dark and that gave a special aura to the road, but she didn’t care about it, she felt safe with him. Anastasia had forgotten the last time she rode a motorcycle, probably when she was thirteen.

She was hugging Richard tight and saw him smiling; he stroked her arms from time to time. They arrived to the Palm Springs’ Marriott Hotel at almost four in the morning.

-          Thank God they had rooms available because I didn’t plan any of this – He said laughing and opening the door to the suite with an amazing view to the pool. Everything was so peaceful at that hour.

-          This is crazy. We both had drinks at The Fonda – Anastasia said entering.

-          I only had one drink – He put his arms around her - I told you, coming to the dessert is like escaping, leaving the craziness behind…

They looked at each other; she knew what was going to happen. All the thrill of that night was reaching its peak. She loved that Richard acted that way, so impulsive, so unpredictable; she saw it when he appeared at Glastonbury Festival just to see her and now she was standing in front of her teenage crush naked, ready to give herself to him, not worrying about what happened to both in the past. The connection she had with Richard made her feel like she knew him during her whole life, in a way it was, but this was deep and special and the best of all she was happy.

She woke up feeling Richard’s lips on her neck. He was such a gentleman and treated her like she was a china doll, delicate. Although Richard was younger than Josh, the way he acted and talked and made love to her was so much mature. She was over the moon.

-          I want to spend the day at the pool – Richard said smiling.

-          Do you realize we didn’t pack anything? – She rolled over only to faint at his dimples.

-          We can fix that, one call to front desk and they can bring us bathing suits and everything we need – Yeah, Richard’s band was in a much higher position, he was definitely more famous than her so in the hotel they knew who he was.

He did his thing and the hotel gave then swimming suits from one of the boutiques inside, she had the most relaxing day at the pool and the spa. That night they made their way back to Los Angeles. She was hugging Richard on his motorcycle feeling like a whole new Anastasia. This was solid; she could feel it and the most important thing of all: this time she was calm about the future.

Read chapter 41