Miyu's Wish by Casey Bryce

together?” he asked as we came to a stop. He suddenly looked very excited.
    “No, well, maybe…we’ll talk about that later,” I scowled. “Clarence, you can’t be blurting out stuff about time travel and such things in front of people.”
    “Why not?” he asked. “If it’s of genuine interest to you, why should they care?”
    “Because they’ll think I’m weird!” I said, stomping my foot. “Even you laughed at me.”
    He glanced at his feet, now looking very ashamed. “I know,” he said. “I’m sorry about that.”
    I watched him for a moment and sighed.
    “Look, it’s alright,” I finally said, patting him on the back. “I’m sorry I’ve been ignoring you in class. I’ve just been going through a lot lately. We’ll see each other on Monday.”
    I turned to walk away, but he grabbed my arm and reeled me back.
    “Clarence! Wha—what are you doing?”
    “Sorry,” he said sheepishly, immediately dropping my arm like a rock. “But don’t you want to hear what I found out?”
    I glanced toward Marlene and Tamara, seated somewhere behind a crowd of people. “It’ll have to wait until Monday. I really need to get—”
    “Miyu?”
    I blinked—recognizing the voice—and spun around to behold Thad walking up to me, looking really swanky in his blue jeans and corduroy jacket. A beautiful smile immediately wrapped itself across my face.
    He stopped before me, nudging Clarence subtly out of the way. “It’s good to finally catch you outside of school.” He glanced me up and down. “You look great.”
    “Oh, this?” I said, clasping my hands behind my back and looking downward. “I’m glad you think so.” I gazed back up at him. “You’re looking pretty sharp yourself.”
    He grinned, his teeth sparkling. “You know, I was thinking about catching a movie. Would you like to join me?”
    “She can’t,” came Clarence’s flat answer as he stepped beside me. I had forgotten he was there. “We’re currently in the middle of an important discussion, so if you would please excuse us.”
    I felt my jaw slacken. “Clarence, we will talk about
it
later! OK?”
What was he doing?
    “Doesn’t sound like she’s interested,” Thad replied. “And I’m sure she has better things to do on a Saturday than hang out with the likes of you, anyway.”
    They regarded each other coldly, with Thad’s grin twisting into a sort of sneer. He took a step forward and clenched his right fist, but Clarence held his ground.
    “OK, that’s enough,” I demanded. “Thad, you leave Clarence alone! And Clarence, we can finish our talk on
Monday
. Understand?”
    They both looked at me with dumbfounded expressions.
    Thad spoke first. “Miyu, are you serious? Why are you sticking up for this goof ? He could stand to be taught a lesson or two.”
    “He’s…he’s still a friend,” I stammered.
    “Thad? Thad, it is you! What a pleasant surprise!”
    We all turned to see Kimberly walking over, everything moving and swaying in tempo with her movements. My heart thundered so hard, I feared it would explode.
    “Thad, honey,” she beckoned, looking both hurt and disappointed. “I need someone to accompany me to Zellifare’s. It’s a new restaurant they’ve opened here recently, but I can’t go alone. Will you join me?”
    “Um,” he answered, looking back at me. “You see, I…”
    Kimberly seemed mystified by his behavior, but then noticed me standing just a few feet away. An electric current shot between us as she stared at me; I sensed her every emotion, from surprise to fear to jealousy, all in a second’s time.
    “Are you two on a date?” she asked shortly.
    I was too dumbfounded to answer, but the question seemed to be directed at Thad.
    “No, not exactly, but…”
    “Then you can accompany me to the restaurant,” she insisted, looking at him intensely. She then glanced at me, a dagger’s glint in her eyes. “I’m sure Miyu won’t mind.”
    I could only stare back, my mouth partly