• “Miki, are you okay?” Shiori knocked on my door. I opened it for her slowly, looking like I had just woken up.
    “Whoa sister, you look sick! Are you alright?” She asked.
    “Well thanks for your compliment. I don’t feel well enough to go to school. If Kei comes by, tell him I’m staying home sick.” I said as I quickly headed for the bathroom.
    “Do you need me to stay home too and take care of you?” Shiori asked when I closed the bathroom door in her face.
    “NO!” I almost shouted after flushing the toilet.
    “Fine, I’ll be going then. You have my work number; call me if you need anything.” Shiori said before she left the house. I rushed to the window and saw her talking to Kei. He nodded and went on his way to school. This was good, my plan to stay home sick worked. I thought as I rushed to the bathroom to rid my face of fake make-up effects. I had to look sick, so that I wouldn’t be followed when I leave this place today. Last night, I made the decision that I would go to Eru’s side…because I wanted to make things right once and for all. I looked at myself once in the mirror, and found that…I didn’t know who I was anymore. Finding myself was what I was trying to do when I came here. But all I did was act fake and try to make everything seem like I lived a simple happy life! I became someone I didn’t even recognize, I lied the first time that I wasn’t attracted to Kei. When in all honesty, I had somehow fallen for him. If I couldn’t erase the past…then I might as well finish it. I thought, as I was already making my way through the abandoned old park. I didn’t even look back to the place I was leaving.

    [Kei]
    “Hey Kei, what’s up? Where’s Miki?” Jiro asked as I passed him in the halls.
    “Her sister said she wasn’t feeling well today, so she’s at home sick.” I said with my hands in my pockets and my book bag slug over my shoulder.
    “Whoa that sucks. It seems Aya’s out too. By the way, have you told Miki yet?” He asked.
    “No…not yet. I don’t want to tell her while Eru’s still lurking about.”
    “Well…I know we’ve been best friends, but you’re really different lately. You changed ever since what happened to that girl you loved so much. You should be careful with Miki; you don’t want the same heartache to happen to you again.”
    “Everything with Miki is fine…I just don’t know if I can tell her…”
    “Don’t tell me you’re…”
    “Shut up!” I said before he could say anymore. The bell rang off its hinges.
    “Later.” Jiro left as I walked into the classroom.
    “Well it seems we have students missing today. Let’s see…” The teacher took roll. I noticed that along with Aya and Miki, that Takeru guy was also missing. It seems weird, but maybe I’m just reading too much into that. Miki would get frustrated if I was to get involved with that. I’m still wondering on what she wanted to tell me yesterday. I knew she had something on her mind…but I just don’t know what she was thinking back then.
    “Remember what I said before…”
    Eru really pisses me off! Why in hell would he say something like that to Miki? Have they been meeting up or something? If they are, I really want to know what the deal is. I sigh and start to rub my temples.

    After school was let out, I walked to the corner store with Jiro. He said he wanted to get something for Aya to feel better. I rolled my eyes and felt irritated, but when I thought about Miki too…I felt a ping of confusion.
    “Look at this!” Jiro brought over a stuffed animal. I lifted my eyebrow.
    “What? She loves this stuff.” Jiro shrugged and hugged the bear. I turned away slowly and pretended that I didn’t know him.
    “Hey! When you’re in love, you’ll know what I’m going through!” Jiro explained all too loudly.
    “Sure, whatever you say man.” I laughed and walked out of the store. I didn’t quite know what it was that I was feeling. I thought after I was already at home on the couch.
    “We now bring you, Serious Love…” The TV said before I could change the channel. I wanted to change it, but suddenly I was curious to see this re-run.
    “Shou, I love you…but I can’t be with you anymore! My feelings…are for Shigeru…”
    “How can you say that Kyoko? I know you two had a thing for each other once…but I’m the one that belongs with you! I’m the one that you chose that night!”
    “How could that be? You have never said you loved me even once! How can I be with a man who only fools around, and takes nothing seriously?!”
    “I know I haven’t done as much as Shigeru…but I’m willing to try. I’ve never tried this hard with a woman before…and it scares me. The last time I gave this much effort to a girl…it ended with heartache and pain! I’ve just been…”     Before it could continue, I shut it off. This was the show that Miki loved so much…and it feels like I’ve been seen through already. I put my head towards the floor and put my hands on my head to breathe better. Suddenly my phone rang.
    “Hello?” I answered on the second ring.
    “Kei, is Miki with you right now?” It was Shiori.
    “No, why is something wrong?” I asked.
    “Well…she’s not here. And I tried calling her cell…but she won’t answer. I’m getting worried because it’s so late, and usually I would have gotten notice by now.” I let the phone hang, as I clutched my fists. ERU…….