(Flashback – 3 years ago)
"Misaki, you freak! I never want to speak to you again!" she yelled as she ran away from me, the sunset casting a shadow over her. I thought she was done yelling.
But that wasn't enough for her, she needed a final blow. "I- hope you burn in hell!" she screamed as she ran down the street. My ex-girlfriend, the girl that I had spent many a day playing video games with, swimming with, was now filled with so much hate, and all because I came out to her.
I never thought words could sting so much. I didn't know how to react, and my knees just gave out. I sat on the ground sobbing for what seemed like hours. I'm… not a bad person… I just wanted to tell the truth.
But it wasn't the truth. I had told her that I thought I was bi. But that was also a lie. Well, a half lie. It suddenly occurred to me that I never found her sexually attractive. Or any girls for that matter. It was at this moment that I realized. I like men. I'm gay.
Silently, I walked away from the spot on the street I never wanted to see again...ever.
(End Flashback)
July 31st
"And that's why I think I need a break from this place." I told my best friend Hiroyuki Nishimura. I was talking about the city life. I was so done with it, the terrible people in it, and the memories that it brings back. We were currently in his apartment, overlooking the city.
He was the only person I felt comfortable talking with, since he's gay, just like me. He, however, actually has a boyfriend, one he only recently (last year, in fact) made, back in the place he grew up. Minasoto.. or something... All I knew was that his name is Torahiko, and that he is in the same grade as us.
"I just…don't want to be around preppy girls for a while. Is that too much to ask?" I asked him, awaiting a response.
Hiroyuki is always easy to read, and I could tell he was thinking very long and hard about something.
"Hello? Earth to Hiro!" I yelled at him.
Suddenly his eyes burst open with an idea. "I know! Why don't you take a vacation in my hometown! Waterfront Village is sure to please your gay—ah rural pleasures!" he tells me. I caught that little slip-up. But what did he mean?
Wow, he looks excited. Does his hometown really give him all those feelings? He looks like he is remembering the best days of his life. That is where Torahiko lives. I guess that makes sense. He always told me about his escapades with his boyfriend.
But, wow, that sounds amazing, blue seas, blue skies and green all around. But…
"Who will I stay with? I asked him. I didn't want to bother anybody.
He smiled at me. "Don't worry, Misaki! I have a bunch of friends there that will be more than happy to accommodate you!" his expression turned grim. "But if you lay one finger on Torahiko, consider yourself my mortal enemy."
I felt the tension in the room rise, but in a rival-like way. He wasn't threatening me, it was more like he was letting me know my place.
I already figured this, although I wasn't planning on finding "long lost love" or anything on this trip. This was merely a get away vacation from the city life. I especially wanted to check out the college in town. "I may even end up living in Waterfront!" I thought.
Hiroyuki wasn't done. "However, I'm sure there will be plenty of guys who will find you attractive!" he said to me, smiling wide. I blushed awkwardly.
"Oh really? What kind of guys are these?" I asked him, not thinking. Wait a minute, that's not what... oh never mind.
He winked, saying: "Oh don't worry, you will find out soon enough."
With that statement, we rushed back to my apartment to get packed. I glanced out the window and saw the park where my ex girlfriend told me to burn in hell. I felt a sense of rejuvenation. I was finally going to get away.
"Hey Grandma! Grandpa! I'm home!" I yelled as I entered my house and removed my shoes. Hiroyuki did the same. I just remembered. Hiro has relatives in Waterfront, but I don't. My grandparents were also super protective of me. Was I going to be able to get permission to go?
"Oh hello Misaki, oh and hello to you as well Hiroyuki. Your grandfather is out right now." my grandma said as we walked in, with a slight bow. Hiroyuki left us alone for a minute by running off to the bathroom.
Ok, how was I going to explain this? I quickly came up with a plan.
"So, uh, I was looking for colleges and there's a great one in Waterfront so I was thinking of perhaps visiting and, I mean, who knows, maybe even end up staying there!" I hurriedly stated with my eyes closed, hoping not to get shot down, like usual.
… No response. I open my eyes for a minute.
All I see are tears coming down her face. Dammit, I didn't mean to make her cry!
I tell her, "Grandma, I..I didn't mean…"
Regaining her composure, she looks me straight in the eye. "No, I knew this day would come." she said. "But I've got to let you go. College will be your next big adventure, and as much as I want to come with you... I hope… that you find what you are truly looking for." she said to me.
Wow, she is so wise. I really admire my grandmother, taking care of me even after my parents abandoned me.
I smiled at her and nodded, silently saying that I will. I promise. I gave her a hug. "Now, you better get packing young man!" she said, wiping her eyes on her sleeve.
I nodded and hurriedly ran to my room. Hiroyuki was there, and he had already started packing everything for me. In such a short time? Wow. "Oh Hiro! Thank you! You didn't need to do all this for me!" I tell him with a bow.
He shook his head. "You just don't get it, I'm your best friend, and I'm supposed to help with your packing!" he smiled. I shared in the smile. He's right, and I'm very grateful for it. We finished packing up together.
All we have to do now is get a train ticket and I'll be on my way to Waterfront!
After a slightly tearful goodbye to my grandma and grandpa, Hiroyuki and I took off towards the station. Even running at full speed, with my stuffed bags no less, we only managed to get there just in time to buy a ticket and for me to get on the train. The sun was starting to set.
Well I knew this time would come and I already had prepared what I was going to say.
"Hiroyuki, I really appreciate..." I started to say, but I was cut off.
"Make sure you…write every now and then." he said to me, his head down. I looked at him quizzically, even though he couldn't see it.
"Look, it's not guaranteed that I'll be staying…" I said quickly, but the speed at which I said it gave me away. It was pretty much a known fact that it was the perfect college for me. Oh... that's why my grandma was so upset. And the acceptance period for Waterfront University lasted for almost 3 more weeks. I would have plenty of time to register.
He looked up at me with sad eyes. "It was hard for me to leave Waterfront on my vacation. But I had to come home. My parents needed me. You have the opportunity to stay for college. Once you go, I have this strange... feeling that you won't come back." I tried to say something, but nothing came out.
I couldn't give him an answer, because I knew all of this must be true for Hiroyuki to be acting this way. He would know, I suppose.
"I'll write..." I said, starting to choke up. I got this tight feeling in my chest. Hiroyuki had been my best friend for all of high school, getting through tough classes together, hanging out, all of these memories came flooding back to me and caught me off guard.
I would say I'm a pretty emotional person, so it took all of my strength to hold in my tears. I better end this quickly.
"See you Hiro!" I said as the train drove up. He walked up to me, gave me a hug and said, "Goodbye old friend, have fun!" He said it with as much happiness as was possible. Which only drove the dagger deeper into my heart.
He turned and ran, and I prayed that for both of our sakes, he didn't turn back.
I took a deep breath and regained my composure. I didn't want everyone to see me crying. I wiped my eyes, boarded the train, sat down in my seat and the train started.
I leaned my head up against the window, as the train station was whisked away by the wind and as I happened to look out the window, I got one last fleeting image of my friend, who stopped to wave goodbye to the train, and me. Even though the image lasted only a second, I would treasure it forever. I almost knew he was crying.
Out of sight out of mind right? Wrong. I felt the tears creep up on me again. No. I...could keep them under control.
Sighing, I thought about my adventure starting. Hopefully it would get more cheerful from here.
Hiro-san told me it was only an hour and a half ride to Waterfront, so I figured I'd be there before nightfall.
However, this was not the case. About half way there, the train stopped and an announcement came over the intercom. An automated woman's voice said "We are sorry, but we seem to be having some difficulties. We wont resume the trip until morning, please make yourself comfortable, have a good night's rest, and again, we are sorry."
After being fed by the train's attendants, I figured I might as well get some sleep, and soon I found myself drifting on to dream land. I only prayed that I didn't have any sad dreams about my old friend, or my grandparents.
