I tried to ignore my feelings for him, but I JUST CAN'T FREAKIN' HELP BUT FALL.


START

We were in first grade when I first met Natsume. He was my classmate and my cousin Koko's best bud, so that explains why I always see him even during family occasions.

I remember how fascinated I was by the color of his eyes—RED. He even got annoyed by my continuous asking about it—questions like why did his parents allowed him to wear contacts at such a young age (I really thought they were contacts), how does it feel wearing it, things like that.

I don't have any special feeling for him back then. To me, he's just a jerk who loves laughing at my misfortunes, together with my cousin Koko, of course, and their other friends named Kitsuneme and Mochu.


FOURTH GRADE

Our class had a trip. It was at one of the beaches outside the city. I was very excited to the point that my bestfriend Sumire almost shoot me with his younger brother's toy gun when I called her at 2AM just to tell her how excited I was and that I couldn't sleep (she shot me with it once, and I tell you—it's not an ordinary toy. If it was, it wasn't supposed to create a red, aching bump on my forehead, right? )

The result—I was asleep during the whole trip.

When I woke up, I saw Koko, Natsume, Mochu, and Kitsuneme laughing like idiots on their seat at the bus while looking at something on Koko's phone.

I didn't mind them though, what's important is that I had my energy back! ;)


I was playing with a beach ball when the ball went into the ocean. I ran as I tried to get the ball but the waves carried the ball further.

I was swimming and swimming, trying to get the ball but I suddenly felt something. I'm having cramps!

I tried to relax myself but the waves were getting bigger and bigger. I looked around and saw Sumire under the umbrella, reading a magazine. Koko was playing with his PSP a few steps away from Sumire.

"Help!" I tried to scream, silently praying that Koko, Sumire, or even one of our classmates would hear me.

I can feel water filling my lungs. I wanna cry.

I tried to shout again, shout for help, but nobody can hear me.

And I'm sinking..

Just when I was about to give up, I felt a strong pair of arms pull me up.

It was Natsume.