One Love

"Matte Toshirou!"

I ran faster. I tried catching up to him but since I knew he'd outrun me, I stopped. I crouched down with my hands on my knees and panted. After a quick break, I began running again. I was gonna be late home and I'd be scolded, but I couldn't hide my excitement. I was happy, something that doesn't happen too often.

I turned a corner and saw him leaning on his back against a wall, twirling my hair cloth on his right hand's index finger. I walked up to him and reached my hand to my hair cloth. Just as I was about to reach it, he raised his arm high over my head. I pouted and he chuckled at me. He side-stepped to the right away from the wall to prevent me from reaching it. I put my right hand on his chest and jumped for my cloth with my left hand.

"Mou Toshirou! Stop it!"

"Come on Bed-wetter!"

I snarled at him. I leaned against him to have more spring to my jump. I finally felt my fingers touch it and I grabbed it. I didn't realize that I put more force on his chest for my jump. The next thing I know is that I'm falling forwards with my cloth in my hand. Out of fear, I shut my eyes tight and clutched whatever was underneath my hands. I silently tightened my body and prepared for impact.

The impact that I prepared for came earlier than expected. We landed with a 'thud'. I heard a grunt under me and quickly looked at the direction it came from. I saw Toshirou under me with a pained expression on his face. What? My eyes widened when I realized that he'd absorbed both of out bodies' impact. Why didn't he move? I scurried to get off, but I felt his hands grip my wrists.

"Toshirou! Are you okay? Why didn't you move out of the way? What's wrong with you, you idiot?"

"Calm down Bed-wetter."

"Calm down? How can you expect me to calm down? You- ,"

"I'm fine. Stop worrying about me.'

I felt like crying. How could you take it so easily? I got up and helped him. He couldn't rise to his full height from the pain in his back. I stepped away from him and began walking towards the school's exit.

"Hinamori?"

I turned to look at him. His eyes were soft and he looked more worried than pained, I smiled at him and ran to hug him. He hugged me back and led me out. We walked home together, stopping for ice cream on the way. I apologized to him countless times but he just wave them off.

"I'm sorry."

"Enough with the apologizes Momo!"

He pinned me to a tree in a nearby park. His face showed frustration, confusion, and sadness. I felt guilty and so I reached up to touch his right cheek with my left hand. I saw him close his eyes and exhale a sigh of relief. My eyes softened and I smiled. Oh Toshirou. He opened his eyes and his face held happiness and mischievous. He smiled at me before taking my hand in his and leading me home.

"Ne Hinamori?"

"Hmmmm?"

"Are you busy tomorrow?"

"No. Why?"

"Let's go out."

"Huh? Where to?"

"Anywhere. I just want to spend the day with you."

I blushed. What should I say? He wanted to spend the day with me. That was so sweet of him. I smiled just thinking of what we'd do tomorrow. We could go to the park for a picnic, go to a movie, or go to the new amusement park that they built three cities over.

"Hey Hinamori!"

I snapped out of my daydream and answered, "Yes," without thinking.

"You mean it?"

"Yeah."

"Great, I'll pick you up at eight."

"That early? Where're we going?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out. Bye Bed-wetter!"

"Hey! I'm not a bed-wetter!"

He chuckled and turned at the intersection. I grinned. He looked so happy when I said I'd go with him. I'd have to go just to keep him happy. My eyes dropped when I thought of what would be waiting at home. I slowly walked home with today's events fresh in my mind. We'd been assigned "hallway monitors" at the end of the day to make sure no one was still at school and that everything was clean. I remembered our fall, the ice cream, the tree incident, and our outing. I arrived home before I could discuss tomorrow with myself. I walked the two steps into my house and unlocked the door silently. Please let there be no one home. I remembered Toshirou's face one last time and took the remaining steps into my house before locking the door.

"Go upstairs."

I nodded at my sister and went upstairs into my room. This was bad. How would I explain to my family that I wouldn't be home tomorrow? I locked my door and dropped down onto my bed with a heavy sigh. I remembered that I hadn't changed my school uniform. I groaned and got back up to open my closet. I pulled out my pajamas and sneaked into the bathroom on the other side of the house. I heard noises outside the door and I was scared to open the door. I gulped and opened the door to take a peak outside.

My eyes widened when I saw my dad yelling at my mom and her careless attitude nowadays. I took a step out and closed the door. I thought I'd made it upstairs unseen until I heard my screaming louder, at who? At me? I took the risk to turn around and saw my dad making his way towards me. My eyes widened and I hurried into my room. As soon as I was in, I locked the door and hid under my covers. Over the night, I could hear loud knocks and faint screams from downstairs. Why was this my family? Why? I cried thinking about my family before, we weren't like this at all. I fell asleep before I could turn my alarm on.

"Hinamori? Get your butt out here!"

I woke up. I quickly got out of bed and rushed to unlock the door. I saw my sister standing there with amusement on her face. What was she smirking at? I turned around and head to the bathroom for a quick shower. In a way, I had a feeling that she would bring me my clothes. What time is it? I took a short shower, wrapped a towel around myself and opened the door to find her standing there with my clothes draped over her arm. I thanked her and took the clothes, a pair of white denim shorts, a half-sleeved orange T-shirt with the white 'Nike' logo on it, and a black cardigan. I didn't mind the colors. I changed and let my sister inside to do my hair. After a while, I came out and rushed to put my flats on and go outside.

I don't like waiting. -Toshirou

Sorry, I just woke up a few minutes ago. I'm on my way. -Momo

"Oi Hinamori!"

"I'm so sorry Toshirou."

"Iie, it's fine."

"Did you wait long?"

"Not at all. Let's go."

I smiled. I took his hand and we began to walk to the park. I thought of the picnic but was disappointed to find nothing. Instead, he took me to a small clearing near the lake to sit. We sat under a tree and I put my head on his shoulder to rest from our walk.

"Hinamori?"

"What is it Toshirou?"

"I was thinking about us..."

"Us? What's wrong with us?"

"I want to take it a step further than just friends."

"But-,"

"Just listen to me first."

I blushed and looked up at him. I wanted to be with him more than anything, but if my dad found out, all hell would break loose. I stared up at him and nodded for him to continue.

"I was thinking that it'd be easier for me to see you and keep you happy."

"Shiro-chan."

"Please Hinamori. Take the risk, I promise that I'll protect you. I mean it."

"But my-,"

"Please. That's all I ask of you."

I looked at his pleading eyes and couldn't help the guilt that I felt. I wanted him to be happy. I wanted us to be together. That's it. But could I risk the safety of my sister and mother? It'd have to do. He was someone that I actually cared about.

"Alright."