A Normal Teenage Girl

Ren couldn't figure out what had changed, but something with Sota was different. 

A little over one week ago, he had returned to class out of the blue. His demeanor on that first class seemed a bit uneasy, and he left that day as if he was on a mission. Since then, though, he had been in attendance nearly every day. 

Part of her was uneasy about what had changed - part of her was ecstatic to have her Senpai back. 

"Alright, everyone!" Sensei called out as the end of class approached. "The final tournament for this season is the weekend after next. As such, next week's classes are going to be low-key and focus more on recovery. That way, everyone can go into the tournament at their best!"

Sensei dismissed the class shortly after that, and everyone dispersed. Ren thought about the upcoming tournament as she packed up her bag - both excited and nervous. Things had been stable over the last few months, and it wasn't as if her family was going to be in attendance this time. Still, she didn't want to push her luck by performing badly.

"Hey, Queen!"

Ren turned to see Riku approaching - a playful pep in his step. Only a few paces behind him, Sota also approached. 

"Hey!" she greeted, standing with her bag as she finished her previous thought. "What's up?"

"Everyone's favorite Senpai has something to chat with us about!"

"Oh?"

She turned to face Sota, who had just closed the distance. She noticed he seemed a bit fidgety, but his expression was composed. 

"Yes," he declared. "I figured it'd be easiest to chat to you both at the same time and see if you were available at some point over the next week?"

"Don't think I have anything particularly spicy going on," Riku admitted, turning to Ren for an answer.

"Summer vacation just started, so I'll have to check. Is it for another private lesson?"

"That too...but I was thinking we could spend time together as a celebration of how hard you've both been working for this tournament. Nothing fancy, just maybe grab some food and visit an arcade."

He broke eye contact soon after, his nerves getting the better of him. Ren didn't notice this fact, however. Her mind had almost immediately taken off into uncharted territory at his proposition. 

"Us hanging out - like friends? Doing friend things?"

They both looked at her with a bit of confusion, but her excitement was bubbling up too quick for her to notice. Coming to class had been a dream come true, but this? Getting to hang out with others like a normal teenage girl? She felt like she had died and gone to heaven. 

"Yes, I'll check my schedule right away and let you both know!"

***

She didn't even remember packing up or the car ride back home. Her mind was on one thing once she walked through the front door of the house. 

After a quick peek, she realized her grandfather had passed out on the couch after working through a 6-pack. Her grandmother would be asleep, and she could see the bright lights of video games peeking from underneath her younger sister's door. It was normally her job to deal with that, but she didn't care in this moment. 

She quietly made her way to the family calendar and looked through the upcoming week. Her heart was beating out of her chest as she scanned the pages. She prayed she'd find something she could use in her favor...

There it is!

This coming Saturday and Sunday, her mother had it marked that she'd be gone all weekend for 'girl time'. That meant she would be out galivanting with men and wouldn't return home until Monday. Disgusting, but exactly what she hoped for. 

She made her way to the bedroom, grabbed her phone, and opened up a group chat.

[Ren]: Hey! I just checked the schedule. How does Saturday sound?

[Riku]: Sort of short notice...but that works! Only because it's you, though <3

[Sota]: Sounds good. Saturday it is. 

Ren put her phone down after the short exchange, brimming with excitement. She hopped out of bed and began speed-running the chores she had set aside for this evening. The more she got done, the better an argument she could make in the morning.

***

"Grandpa, do you have a second to chat?"

"...Sure, what's up?"

They sat together at the table, coffees in hand. He would be heading out to work in a few minutes, and this was the only time she was going to see him where he wasn't inebriated. 

"I was wondering if I could spend the day hanging out with some friends this weekend..."

"Ask your mother..."

"She's out this weekend," Ren interjected, expecting that response. "So, I'm confirming with you."

Her grandfather put down his coffee and made eye contact with her. She tried her best just to drink her coffee normally as he analyzed her facial expression. It didn't take him long to find something to probe at.

"Is it a boy?"

"No! Well, yeah...but not like that! We're going out as a group of three!"

She stated it like it was supposed to help, but her grandfather's expression didn't get any better. Once she realized what he was thinking, she quickly backpedaled again.

"One of them is Riku, who isn't even into women!" she justified. "The other one has been best friends with him since they were kids..."

"Sounds like you should let them go on their date, then."

"That's horrible, Grandpa!"

"The only thing horrible here is your acting," he declared. "You're asking me to get around your mother. If she finds out, then I'm the one that gets thrown under the bus. Why would I say yes?"

Ren tried to conjure a response, but the clock chimed from the living room. 

"That's my cue," he said, standing from his seat. "Time to head to work..."

Things were falling apart fast. She tried to find the right words - something she could say or do that would appeal to him. But in the thirty seconds before he headed out the door, there was nothing...

All that came were tears. 

"Please, I'm begging you, Grandpa! I've never been asked to hang out with friends before. You're the only one who will let me..."

Her grandfather watched her, his expression stoic. Then, something flashed across his eyes after a second or two. 

"These boys..." he asked, his voice suddenly quieter. "Is it the two that I met at the restaurant a few months back?"

The question caught Ren by surprise, but it was a reasonable conclusion. She collected herself for a moment and dried her tears. 

"Yes...it is."

She figured that wouldn't help her case, but it couldn't get worse than the 'no' she'd already gotten. She looked to his expression, and was surprised to find it had shifted. He had broken eye contact and appeared more sad and remorseful than he had been before. 

"Do what you want," he conceded a moment later. "Don't run to me when things blow up in your face, though..."

The clock chimed again. Her grandfather seemed to linger on the moment, as if contemplating whether he was making the right choice. After a couple more seconds, however, he exhaled and accepted it for what it was.

"I'm leaving..."

With that, he turned and headed for the door outside. Ren stood motionless - her emotions to chaotic to determine what she should do next. Jump for joy? Continue crying? 

In the end, she simply stood there and watched as her grandfather made his way to his car. 

Thank you, Grandpa... I'm going to make the most of this.