A Heart in Amber
A/N: Greetings there again. Welcome to the updated 2nd chapter of A Heart in Amber. Enjoy.
Chapter 2: Befriend Me
Dear Journal,
On my second day of school, I didn't run into much trouble. Just some whispers when I walked passed students…I figure they were talking about what happened. I also haven't seen the mystery boy yet, all I want is to know his name; it bugs the heck out of me not knowing!
Tachi and his friends somewhat left me alone…except for things being thrown at me and letters being left in my homeroom desk saying: "Go suck dick you faggot."; "You don't belong here… go back to your fuck buddies at home." and "Go off yourself, end the suffering for the people who have to look at your pansy ass everyday…"
It got me down sometimes but I didn't let it get to me, I just think to myself that my rescuer will come to my rescue, if they ever assault me like they did on my first day…sometimes I wonder: what if that blonde boy never came to my rescue?
I found out later that the anonymous boy doesn't attend Junior High but High School, which would explain his contrast uniform he had on. Yet, why was he at the middle school?
Junior High
Lunchtime
11H15 AM
I relax under the bulky tree that settles a small distance from the High School; its leaves already falling upon the rich grass. Both schools are neighbors, the only thing separating the two buildings is a bared fence.
I seize my bento I prepared this morning out of my book bag, it had rice, dumplings, two boiled eggs, and two strawberry pockys—I hate cooked vegetables so I just leave those out!.
I eat my rice in a minute, and then move on to my spicy dumplings. As I eat my lunch placidly, a male student approaches me.
The shadow of the young man startles me; for a second, I think it's Tachi. When it casts over me, I heard a man's voice. "Hello there." He says.
I glance up and hood my eyes with my hand to see the stranger. The boy has a guitar resting on his back, long brown hair with black sunglasses resting in it, and a generous smile. Thank god it isn't Tachi.
"Hello." I said wirily. I wonder why this student would come up to me, without even knowing me! Is he just gregarious?
"Mind if I sit here with you?" He kindly asks.
I nod. "Nope, I don't mind!" However, I did mind a little only because I'm still paranoid about the students in this school. Ever since Tachi, this school gave me a bad rep of it. But it's not only the school reps that I'm worrying over, it's my own reputation! Here, I'm only known as the pink haired fag. I sigh deeply.
He takes notice of my distress and asks. "Are you alright?"
I glance once more upon his face. "Heh, yeah I'm okay," I respond, chuckling weird at the end. Maybe too weird for my new acquaintance studied me with an 'I don't believe you' look. I guess I'm not that convincing. Well, that's probably why I never could get into drama or acting. I can do the drama part well enough it was just the acting that was tough.
The long-haired boy attains his guitar and sets it besides him. The unknown student takes a place next to me under the tree. Promptly, I take black chopsticks to snatch another dumpling and inch the delicious food to my mouth. But I held the sticks too hard and the dumpling slips out and lands on the patch of grass next to the boy.
The student snatches the dumpling with his middle and pointer finger, having the food item rest between his fingers before plopping it into his mouth; he smiles at me in a way that a big brother would grin at his little brother. I can't help but grin happily back. My attention is brought back at my food, I attempt another dumpling—thankfully without me dropping it.
The student positions his guitar on his lap and initiates playing, the beautiful sound flows through my ears, the tunes singing to my mind; to my bewilderment he's fantastic at playing the guitar! He's no amateur…no…he's like a star!
I lay my lunch besides me and zip close to him, so close that our shoulders are touching; I admired him. "Wow, yo-you're just amazing!"
He blushes at the compliment—and as he notices our contact. "Uh… thanks." He softly whispers. I giggle at the thought that he blushes easily from a compliment but can go up to complete strangers and say 'how do you do!' without a dot of shyness printed on his ivory cheeks.
I look up at his handsome face with my huge sparkling eyes. I ask. "What's your name?"
"Nakano Hiroshi, but call me Hiro." he scratches his head and drifts his eyes off into the blue skies above us.
"I am Shindou Shuichi!" I offer my hand to shake, except lost my balance and –embarrassingly- fall on him. "Oh no! Did I just do this!" I thought. My face is flushed.
Hiroshi's acoustic guitar falls to his side. I lay across Hiro's stomach as Hiro himself tries to stay upright. He puts his hands on my slim waist to help me up. I feel the tip of his chilly fingers glide over my sides, it gives me goosebumps.
Unexpectedly, a familiar voice sounds. "Lookie here guys!"
I cringe, I don't want to but I glance up. It is what I feared, it was Tachi….
"What a slut! He's at it with another boy!" He laughs and is joined in by his two buddies. One had his long blonde hair bunched up in a slovenly manner and the other had his brown hair comb neatly, accompanied by sunglasses that had been scratched numerous of times. Tachi runs his hand through his black hair that appears to be greasy when shone against the sunlight, "What happened with your other boyfriend?" he asks sarcastically.
I sat up directly with the help of my new friend. At this moment I would like to cry. Being extremely provoked always had me cry angry tears for the person making me furious. I haven't realized it but tears are outlining my eyes and I find myself to be sobbing. My hands cover my eyes to hide the humiliation of my dim-witted emotions.
Between sobs I mutter, "Why can't you just leave me alone?" I compress my body with my arms; "Is it because of my outer shell that you hate me? Tell me!"
"Ma-kun, Ken-Chan… he's crying!" he bursts with laughter, once more joined in with his friends. "Geez grow up you pansy!"
By now a thin line of students watch with interest, there're only a few— but a few can turn to a dozen in no time at all.
He continues to torment me with his words, "Eh, we probably interrupted him giving head to this distorted guitar pervert." I glare at Tachi, offended by the rude manner of words that he chose to talk about Hiroshi. I forget about my intense humiliation and focused on Hiro's. I don't want this jerk wad to damage his rep as well.
I scowl. "Shut your fuckin' mouth Tachi!" I barked. I release myself of my arms and point at Tachi, he promptly flinches. "I slipped and fell, Hiroshi didn't do anything but be a friend. Go! Stay away from us, you fowl sonavabitch— you are a hypocrite yourself, may I remind you, run off with your fuck buds and cry in the corner, in which only the darkness is your friend!"
The few students gasp at my comment, and some even looked terrified that there'll be a fight. Maybe there will be one…only Tachi can make it happen. Though I can never fight back, it's against my nature!
I find myself sitting in a balance state, Tachi's countenance is blank, rather surprised at my comments. He grins peevishly, "Dumbass, you've messed with the wrong person!" he harshly takes my short hair by his hands and forces my head to level with his— tugging at my hair. During the pain, I see at the corner of my eye the blond friend approaching as he pulls his sleeves up above the elbow— I shut my eyes to prepare for a beating. I cry.
Abruptly during my sobs, I hear a thump and I fall to the grassy ground beneath me. Follow by a huge moan and a thud. I open my eyes to inspect what happened and see Hiro standing up with his fists clench and Tachi on the ground holding his stomach. His two friends have run away.
I examine Hiro's face; it is austere just as the young man's had been when he saved me.
"Hiro…" I whisper.
"Don't go near Shuichi again, you bastard." He kicks the side of Tachi's body; Tachi lets out a painful moan. He struggles to get up but eventually stands on his two feet and flees from Hiroshi without uttering a word.
Half of the crowd disperses but the remaining still keep watch at Hiroshi and I. Hiro turns to them and shouts, "It's all over folks! You can go back to lunch." Sighs merge throughout the mouths of students, but they unwillingly leave the scene of the halted fight.
Hiro sits down aside me, "Are you alright Shuichi?" he rests his hand on my hot cheek. I look down. I reply, "Yeah…."
Hiro places his thumb and finger on my chin and holds my head up. We look into each other's eyes, his russet eyes bond with my claret eyes. He moves an inch forward, my lips part.
Rapidly, he lets go of my chin and grins. As he pats my head, he says. "Whadya say, we go back to eating?"
I wipe my eyes of any tears and said with glee, "Okay, Hiro! I'm so grateful to have a new friend like you!"
Hiro scratches my head like a puppy. "Me too Shuichi…"
Dear Journal,
I feel bad that he had to fight my fight, just like he had done… but deep within I know I'm not strong. Yes, I've lost all of my strength fighting him… going to courtrooms day after day, always hearing "The court is in order!" with the banging of the Honor's gabble; and the noisy entrance of the jury and the arguing of the attorneys, their voices— his voice still in my head.
Junior High
The next day
11H30 AM
It's warmer today than it was yesterday and it felt good on my body! Maybe I should ask Hiro to go to the lake with me? Yes, that sounds like a great idea!
As we sit in our new lunch hangout, I take the chance to ask him, "Hiro, I wanted to ask you something."
He gazes away from his guitar, "What is it Shuichi?"
I set my rice bowl aside, "Since it is so warm outside, would you want to go to the lake to swim?"
He stares in a daze ahead; a cloud has sprung from behind the soaring buildings of afar— it is dense with rain, the puffy cloud holds rain within them.
"I think it might rain, Shuichi." he turns his head to me, "Oh, don't look at me like that Shuichi, I really want to, it's just it might rain and it might spoil the fun."
"Alright," I sigh, "Than can I ask you another question?"
He nods.
"I need to know why you defended me when you had just met me." I gaze at the grass strands waving from the gradually growing winds.
Hiro chuckles. "Tachi's a brat, so he needed to be taught a lesson. He shouldn't be harassing endearing boys" realizing his mistake, he expresses. "… uh wait… I didn't mean to say that…" his face changes from an ivory tone to a rosy red.
I giggle. "Oh Hiro, you don't need to be embarrassed!" I punch him kindly in the shoulder. I add, "All my friends tell me I'm very cute!" Well my friends back at my old place….
He relaxes again. The moments became silent as my lunch diminishes and Hiro's guitar sings solos.
Then, in the distance, a girl's voice can be heard, slashing the silence. "Eeee! Oh my gosh, you're that new writer!" Hiro and I observe up ahead with curiosity and watch a girl try to get another student's autograph for herself. I see the student pack his school suitcase and stand up. He was blonde and tall, very tall—and handsome too!
My eyes widen. "Wait… could that be?"
The girl begs "Please, just one autograph… oh please, oh please!"
"Looks like that girl is crazy for that guy," Hiro says and a grin appears on his face. "Just like the others…"
I ask Hiro. "Do you know that student's name?"
He nods. "Yeah sure, he goes by Eiri Yuki," he adds. "Girls go all crazy over him, poor guy."
"Eiri Yuki." I repeat. "Hmmm…." I sweep my head up to stare at the sky above, rain clouds are passing over our heads. A rain drop splashes on my nose.
Junior High
School 10min Break
1H59 PM
I have just taken out my rice cake, when Hiroshi flags a piece of paper in front of my face, I survey it—it's a flyer:
ARE YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS TALENTED? ARE YOU IN A BAND?
Then register for the 5th annual KMS Battle of the Bands contest.
Must apply before Sept 12
Must pass the auditions held on Sept 15-19
Must be at least 2 persons in the band
Must have a band name
Must have a C average
All bands must present their own band name and lyrics, if you violate copyright material your band is immediately disqualified from the contest. The winner will receive a place in KMS's hall of fame, five-hundred dollar certificate to Music Jams Instruments, and an honorable mention in the newspaper for a week.
I am not with it, "Hiro, what's this flyer for?" I take a delicious bite out of my rice cake. I ask with a mouthful. "I mean what does this have to do with me?" bits of pieces of my food land on my desk.
He smirks. "I heard a rumor you sing," my attention is captured. "And I play the guitar, so when you put two and two together…"
"Hiro, you don't mean-" I blush.
He interrupts me with excitement. "Yes, I want to enter ourselves in the Battle of the Bands!"
I choke on my food and cough violently, but am able to swallow it, "Hiro," I began. "It's true that I sing but I don't know if I can sing, ya know what I mean?"
He grins at me. "Knowing you Shuichi, I know you can sing….like a graceful dove."
Hiroshi picks a piece of rice cake off the side of my lip and places it inside his mouth.
My face reddens. "Oh Hiro, it's very nice of you but I'm kind of self conscious of my singing…." I squint down at the classroom floor. "I never sang in front of someone before…."
He chuckles. "We'll see about that!"
I glance up back at him, "Wandya mean?"
"Meet me after school, in front of the entrance, ok?" he adjusts his guitar strap. I nod in agreement to his invite.
He places his hand on my shoulder. "Bye Shuichi," he walks away.
"Bye Hiro." I reply. I make a quick glance out the classroom window; raindrops had begun to fall and splash against the window. Near the end of the break, my boisterous classmates begin to flow through the door; one of them, I regret to say is Tachi Aizawa.
As soon as I am finished eating my rice cake, a woman walks in, her hair is left to flow wherever it liked, her eyes are a dark olive color, her hair flowed freely around and hung gorgeously, and her outfit is attractive but sophisticated—that is Mrs. Seguchi.
"Students settle down and sit in your assigned seats." She says firmly. One thing I don't like about Mrs. Seguchi is the way of her teaching: harsh and brutal.
The other thing I hate about English is that Tachi sits across from me. The class desks are set in rows of five with ten desks each. Tachi and I sit in the end of two rows.
Immediately when this class begins, I want it to end….
Junior High
Front Entrance
5H10
Thankfully, the rain subsided and a patch of blue skies can be spotted amongst the dark, stormy clouds above.
I wait for Hiro as I lean against the wall outside the school, next to the front entrance. It turns five o' ten when Hiro meets up with me.
"Hiro, what's this all about?" I ask him impatiently; I cross my arms.
He smiles. "I want you to come home with me."
I twitch. "Home, with you?" I blush. "Oh…Hiro I'm flattered but shouldn't we just stay friends?"
He hisses. "You know that's not what I mean!"
"Oh, Hiro I'm just yanking ya!" I turn a smile and punch him friendly in the arm. "Well, back to business, what's the reason you want me to come over?"
"You'll see," he says with a devilish look. I gulp. "What does that look mean?" I ask him, he chuckles and nothing more.
"Fine, I'll just call my mom—hold on." I reach into my book bag for my cell phone and dial my home phone number.
A dial tone sounds and someone picks up. "Hello, mom? Yeah it's me…. yeah I'm fine… really mom I am….. may I go over to Hiro's? Hiroshi Nakano, I invited him to dinner, remember? Uh-huh…. so could I go? Sure mom I'll be back by dinner… ok… alright mom…. yeah promise. Okay mom, bye."
I shut my pink and yellow cell phone and rest it in my book bag, "Alright Hiro let's go,"
The Nakano Household
5H30 PM
We arrive at Hiro's house after twenty minutes of slow pace walking; his house is a outsized faded, yellow painted building with different sorts of flowers highlighting its futures, a small fountain rests in the corner of the beautiful wooden porch and a set of glass, pink wind chimes dangle in the air as the wind blows.
"Wow…" I murmur. Hiro's house is gorgeous!
"Yeah, my mom loves to decorate." Is his response to my comment.
Hiroshi and I enter his house; we are greeted by a petite woman. She is the same height as I, about 5'2'' with a pink flower apron on, her hair resembles her sons.
"Hey mom," greets Hiro. "been cookin' much?" he points out the obvious of what his mother had been doing before we arrived.
"Yes, I have," His mom hugs him, and then gazes at me with a gentle surprise expression. "Oh Hiro, who is this? Is she your friend?" she smiles. "Is she your girlfriend?" she teases.
I almost collapse to the ground, "I'm a boy!" I say bluntly.
I notice Hiro is trying so hard not to laugh his guts out, "Yeah, mom, this is Shindou Shuichi." He lays his hand on my shoulder. "He's the one I told you about."
She blushes from embarrassment, "My goodness I'm awfully sorry young man. Would you like to stay for dinner?"
I think to myself. "Geez, do I really look like a girl that much? Okay, so I have pink hair, a slim figure, a cute face, big eyes… sigh…. I shouldn't blame her; sometimes I even think I'm a girl when I look in the mirror!"
"Nah, it's alright." I say. "I have to go home for dinner, next time I will!" I try to sound enthusiastic to her offer. I think it worked because a greater smile appears on her narrow face.
Hiroshi and I travel up to his room, this is the first time I ever been to his house… it's so spacious!
I observe the belongings in his room, a single bed with a guitar stand next to it, a desk with what seems to be trashed with guitar music sheets, an ordinary dresser, a door connecting to a bathroom, a nightstand with a telephone, the walls of his room is painted a crème color as his carpet is a medium blue.
"So, Hiro what's this all about?" I ask.
He replies. "Hold on, okay?"
I nod and Hiro searches through his desk litter with guitar sheets. He opens the second right drawer. "Sorry, I haven't the time to organize my music…." He murmurs as he searches.
Soon I hear. "Aw-ha!" from Hiroshi.
I am anxious to know what he is pulling out. When he turns back to me, I see a black microphone in his hands.
He hands the microphone over to me. "Sing Shuichi…"
I unwillingly grasp the mic.
Junior High
The next day—After school
11H16 AM
"Dammit it's raining!" I shout, Hiro laughs at me.
I turn to him, with one hand on my hip and the other holding my Algebra A textbook over my head. "What's so funny?" I ask.
He adjusts his umbrella. "Oh nothing Shuichi, you're just so funny, that's all." He smiles, in which recoils. "Are you sure you don't want me to walk you home?" "After all I have an umbrella."
"Nah, it's alright. My house is just around the corner!" I reply enthusiastically.
"Alright then" Hiro hesitates. "Hey Shuichi…"
"Yes Hiro," I said.
"Make sure you start workin' on those lyrics ok? They have to be ready by tomorrow so we can enter the Battle of the Bands."
I sigh. "Yeah-yeah I'm half ways through, but Hiro—"
"What is it Shuichi?" he says.
"Do you really think my singing is that good?" I ask.
He grins, showing his white teeth. "Indeed, I do Shuichi," his smile convinces me enough but there is still that small part in my heart that shouts to my mind trying to convince me otherwise…
Again, he hesitates to say something. "Sh…Shuichi…"
"Yeah," I reply.
He bends his head down "Nothing…" is his plain response. I shrug it off.
I say my good-bye to Hiro, and walk my own trail home. At first I walked but then make the decision to rush home, it's so freezing cold!
"Humph, I need to learn to bring a dang umbrella!" I say with frustration.
At some point in my march I distinguish a black Mercedes coming in the direction towards me and I contract blindness by its high beams. I cover my free arm from the lights as the car drives past me–and an unfathomable puddle; my whole body gets drench by mud and water.
I yell furiously. "Damn it!" I stomp my foot to the ground. "Go to hell, you worthless bastard!"
The Mercedes slows down and comes to a stop twenty feet ahead of me; I figure he has stopped for me, so I ran to the car demanding an apology.
I'm near the drivers window, when a young man steps out of the car door. I come to a standstill when I view the godlike figure ahead of me; his countenance is fierce with an emotion I cannot explain.
I became speechless as the man advances a few steps to me; each step is graceful, I swallow hard, it is the young man that had saved me on my first day of school, the young man that I can't get out of my mind and the young man that invades my thoughts.
He walks gracefully, two feet ahead of me; he mutters aggravated. "Get in brat."
The Uesagi Household
4H15
"Here" he leads me to a room. "Go in."
I do as I am told; I stroll inside the spacious room. I survey it: there's a cerulean twin size bed, an auburn dresser, a door which leads into a bathroom, two windows (one above the bed and the other near the dresser), a bookcase filled with bulky books, and a desk with a black laptop on it.
I'm stunned. "Wow, this is a giant room." I hear the door behind me shut. I spin around to face the young man with a towel, one for him and one for me. He slips his shoes off next and places them next to his bedroom door.
I dry my damp hair with the towel given to me as the man strides over to his dresser and pulls out the second drawer. He tugs out a shirt along with a pair of pants and throws it at me. They hit directly into my face but I catch them.
"Thank you," I say with little irritation.
"Put these on, I'm going to change," He unbuttons his shirt and reveals his muscular shoulders and broad chest. "Use the bathroom over here to change, kid." He points out with his thumb. The man throws off his shirt and reveals much more of his skin; his skin looks pale but striking, smooth like an ocean's rock and touchable like gold. Touchable, so touchable—oh, how I want to glide my fingers up and down his bare chest…
I nod and walk to the bathroom as he continues to undress. I grasp the clothing items to my beating chest and attempt not to blush and try to hide my face as I walk pass him.
I lock the door behind me. I unfasten my school top and slide the shirt off, after I seize my pallid tank-top and unzip my school pants. I gaze at myself in the mirror and see that wee traces of my bruise still remains on my shoulders from when Tachi assailed me.
"Why does he hate me so?" I dry my body of water and mud residue—staining the white towel as I did so. I wear the light tan sweatshirt that was two times my size, and perfect fit black shorts. I smell the supple fragrance of the sweatshirt. I pull the sweatshirt to my nose and mark out tiny traces of tobacco and expensive cologne. Is this what he smells like?
He not only looks like a god, but smells like a god.
As I unlock the door, I see the young man looking at a piece of paper. I walk up to him and saw that he was reading my slip of paper…wait a second are those my lyrics?
I hurry to the young man and obtain the piece of paper from the grasp of his hands but the paper rips in half and I look at the part I got:
Starlight glitters through the window of my bedroom, the moon shinning above shines the light able to find my way to you. Could our worlds meet again in the dancing clouds floating in the darkness? Your eyes burn my corneas yet they are a pleasurable sight for them. Could the torture of the mystery surrounding you be assuage? Tell me of your furtive self, resolve the trembles of my mind and dominate me with your handsome beauty…
"Man…." I sigh. There is no use of taking it the other part from him since he probably already read it.
He stares upon me. "You like me right?" he asks out of the blue.
I glance up at him in shock. "W-What? No, that's not it…." My lips began to tremble.
He walks over to me, I stare in his eyes…his beautiful eyes that can steal anyone's soul.
He crinkles the ripped piece of paper to a ball and throws it in the garbage basket. Next he lightly brushes his thumb under my lower lip. "Sorry to disappoint, but I don't date other boys." He backs off, walks to his bed and pulls out a pack of Marlboro 100 cigarettes from beneath the mattress. He walks over to his desk and sits in his computer chair. Finally, he lights it and inhales three times before asking. "Hey kid, open the windows wontcha?"
I watch as the cigarette burns. "Wouldn't rain get into-"
He interrupts. "Just open them." his response is cold.
I flinch at his abrupt response; nevertheless I do as he commands. I unbolt the window above his bed and the one near his dresser. The young man observes me as I do so. I observe his golden eyes and I can tell he doesn't care that I stared.
I situate in front of him; the considerable shirt exposes part of my smooth tan shoulder, my cherry hair undone from its ponytail, and my short length shorts almost showing most of my silky, textured legs.
He blows out a puff of smoke dancing amongst us. "Kid I-"
Three knocks sound off, "Eiri, Eiri are you in there?"A woman opens the door but ceases in her path when she sees me. "Eiri, who is this boy?" she keeps her cool until she eyes the young man smoking. Her expression is utter shock. "Eiri, you're smoking! I told you not to smoke in this house young man—and not to smoke at all." The last part is firm and ruthless; she clenches her hands and rests them on her sides.
It took moments for me to register who this woman is…brown flowing hair, dark pristine eyes, and an outfit worth looking twice at: it's Mrs. Seguchi! Hold on, what is Mrs. Seguchi doing here? Is she this young man's private tutor? Hmmm…or something much more?
He puts his cigarette out in his hidden ashtray he keeps in one of the desk's drawers, and mounts on the floor. He surrounds me with his rigid arms, and tenderly kisses my cheek. I haven't expected this. I open my mouth to yell at him. "What the hell are you doing, pervert!" but he rubs his cheek against mine. "He's my date, isn't that right Shuichi?" he leans his slim lips to my ear and whispers. "Make a sound, I'll kill you."
I make a squeak.
"Eiri, how old is he?" she asks. I know she senses my discomfort.
"That's not important." He replies.
"Eiri send that boy home, we need to talk about something important." She runs her hand through her long, radiant brown hair. "It concerns another school boy."
He chuckles strangely. "Oh you mean that Tachi Aizawa kid?" he embraces me with a tighter hold. "He was going to hurt my little Shuichi."
"Cut the shit Eiri!" she punches the wall with her first and I flinch. "Eiri, you can't be hurting people like that!"
He lets go of his false passionate embrace of me. "You can't tell me what I can or cannot do!" his fist trembles from anger. He walks in front of me.
"I am your sister Eiri!" she shouts, they stand a distance of five feet from each other. "I want to protect you, but I need your help to do it!"
"Fuck you. I don't need a slut's help!"
She shuts her mouth, the word slut seems to had hit her hard; she decreases her voice volume, and whispers. "Eiri, why can't you go back to the way you were, before NewYor-"
Yuki whispers angrily. "Because that Eiri died a long time ago, now there's just this shit you have to deal with."
"Eiri, it wasn't your fault." She tries to persuade him.
Yuki yells. "Don't you dare fuckin' bring that shit up!"
"Eiri, I didn't mean to-"
"Just leave…." He says.
"Fine, we'll talk later," She walks half ways out when she turns around. "And Eiri, that boy can't stay here much longer."
"Whatever. Just go already." He sits back down in his computer chair as the woman left and shuts the door.
"What an over-protective bitch." He says.
"Who is she?" I ask him.
He turns around. "My sister." He replies.
"Oh…" "She's my English teacher." I said pointlessly.
"Kid," he mutters.
"Stop calling me kid, my name is Shindou Shuichi…" I whisper bravely.
His eyebrows slant down. "Shut-up and sit down!" I can see the muscles in his neck and shoulders pop out.
The abrupt words made me take a seat down on the edge of his bed and keep my mouth shut. He gets up and walks toward his dresser, opens the last drawer, remerges through clothing items and pulls out a beer can.
I watch as he opens the beer can and take two extensive sips from it. He looks me up and down, I abruptly stand up.
"T-Thank you." I said. He takes a sip and stares at me unresponsively.
A long silence commences and I look down at my fondling thumbs. "About what?" he finally answers.
I almost laugh insanely. "Don't tell me you can't remember!" he glares at me. "I mean, you saved me from Tachi….he was going to hurt me but you came to my rescue. Remember?"
This time he laughs insanely, "Kid, I don't care a shit about Tachi and your safety." He says coolly.
I stare at him in disbelief. "Are you kiddin'?"
He stops talking and ignores me entirely, staring at me with his eyes— the pupils stationary, it is like he is a statue made of beautiful hand crafted marble. Hurriedly, He grabs one of my hands and tenderly maps out every wrinkle and indent with his slim fingers; I watch calmly as he covers my hand with his and caress my arm. I love the feel of his craze.
Then unexpectedly, he clenches my arm with his fingers and striking pain stalks my arm. I attempt to pull away but he wouldn't let go!
"Ow, stop it. It hurts!" I plea desperately. I saw his expression; his countenance is blank and nothing more. He looks like as if he is drifting away in space. His grip tightens, I yell. "Please, let go!"
His grip lessens and I pull back, in fear of what he is going to do next. The man stares at me mortified… he places his hand over his forehead in shame. "I apologize." he said, barely audible.
I have had it with this boy! He is so mysterious and distant from others…so hard to read his correct body language. First he is tender and loving, next he hurts me. Why, why is he like this? I'm sick and tired of his bullshit! I demand to know his reasoning.
I chaotically blurt out. "Why did you rescue me from that assault? Why do you act cruelly toward others? Why is it that you invite me over? Is it just to drink beer and smoke cigarettes?"
He ambles leisurely towards me; he stops as he is directly in front of me. His hand swifts on the back of my head and grabs my damp hair. He forces my face closer to his; I rest both hands on his arm grasping my hair. I mumble words inaudible to him under my breath.
"Why-"
"You just keep asking questions, dontcha?" he yanks my hair slightly. "He always asked me 'why'."
"I-" I tried to speak.
"Why do you keep asking questions? Why did you get into my car when I am just a complete stranger to you? Why don't you cry for help when I'm hurting you? Answer me!"
"Because I love you…." I blurt out in a soft whisper, those words slip my mouth and I blush in mortification of my confession.
He lets go of my hair suddenly and stares me down with the golden eyes that I seem so much to love. He leans forward and tenderly kisses my lips—I don't know what to do. He's kissing me! What do I do? What should I do?
I decide.
I kiss him back breathlessly. The tender kiss leads to his saliva coated tongue invading my guilty mouth, it feels weird but I let him play around with my tongue. His hands grab around my waist, digging his finger nails into my skin as he did so, and he pushes me down onto the bouncy bed. Our bodies spring back a couple times but settle down on the surface of the double bed.
His body is positioned between my legs, his fingers gently scope them— goosebumps form on my legs and arms.
The mass of his body is heavier than mine and he is able to pin me down easily without much force. His hand glides over my flat stomach, rolls over my sharp hip bones, and advances up my shirt to my chest where he feels around. He immediately breaks contact with our lips, stops his actions and promptly gets off me.
"Leave." He says.
I'm confused. "What? Why?" I sit up on his bed. "Why invite me over to your house, kiss me, then out of nowhere demand me to leave!"
He takes a few sips of his beer. "I got to my senses when I realized you weren't a girl, I had my fun…now leave."
I stare at him in disbelief, tears outlining my eyes. I shout as loud as my vocals would allow me to. "Jerk!"
The Nakano Household
6H30 PM
"Shuichi, what's wrong? You're crying!" Hiro exclaims.
I wipe my nose. "I-I know it's late Hiro, but can I come in?" Hiro observes my wet foreign clothing and my original clothing in my hands. He places his arm around me and leads me within his house and to his room.
"Just place those in the laundry basket—I was just about to do laundry anyways. Let me fetch you some dry clothing."
"A-Alright," shakily, I take the dry clothes Hiro got me. Without caring, I strip naked in front of Hiro. At this point I don't care who is watching, whether it be my mom or his. I just want to get into something dry.
I slip into one of Hiroshi's favorite green tees and stained Levi pants. They smelt like him too… the aroma of his special cologne and guitar polish.
Hiro has me sit down on his bed as he continued to dry my damp hair for me; he gently scrubs the tiny hand towel on my hair like a mother would do. When he is done, he sets the towel on the floor and unexpectedly full-blown embraces me. He strokes my back soothingly with his warming hands of friendship. I grasp onto him for the comfort he is offering.
"Shuichi what's wrong?" Hiroshi asks.
I nudge my head as in 'no'.
"Shu, we're friends and I hate to see my friend at my door soaking wet in the middle of the night crying his little eyes out. Now tell me, what happened?" He clenches me tighter. "Was it Tachi Aizawa?" his blood begins to boil. I lift my head enough for Hiro to see my eyes, I squeak. "No it wasn't…"
I signal Hiro to let me go and take a deep breath. "If I tell you, I don't know how you'll react…"
He softly strokes my cheek with the back of his hand. He whispers. "Shuichi, how do you think I'll react?"
I sniffle. "Poorly…you wouldn't want me as a friend anymore." I think this to myself because I truly have no idea if he would be freaked out about my…hidden side.
"How about I promise you this, if you tell me, I won't stop being your friend. Gotcha?" he winks as he slides his warm hand on my slim neck. I lay my own hand upon his and tighten my fingers around them.
I nod in agreement. "Well, you know that boy…what was it…Yiki Uirie?"
He smiles at my attempt at remembering that young man's name. "Eiri Yuki." he respectfully corrects me.
I blush. "Oh…well um..yes…Yuki saved me from Tachi on my first day of school. The first time I ever saw his eyes, they've trapped me within…within him." I drift off reminiscing about him.
Hiro sat on the bed unresponsive, I don't know if this is a bad or good sign but I continued.
"I realized Hiro, that many days of thinking of him, torturing my mind of his handsome image that I don't like him but love him."
I look up at Hiro to see his facial expression, but his countenance is blank. "It's just if you knew that I was…interested in other boys that—"
All of a sudden, he bolts his hands to my cheeks and compels our lips together. I am horrified at first but gradually welcome the kiss. Hiroshi slides his tongue into my mouth and let him feel around as he pleases. I grab his arms containing my flushed cheeks with my wavering hands, I want it to go on but at the same time wanted it to stop.
I try with all my might to speak but Hiro's strength stops me from saying one syllable. I desire his friendship, but he desires my love. A love that I cannot give someone else because that love is absent from my blameworthy soul…
Chapter Special!
The Daily Life of Tachi Aizawa
I watch that damn queer walk home without his fuck buddy, Hiroshi. I snarl at them furtively. I despise them so much, I yearn for…I yearn to murder them all. I want Shuichi to suffer.
If I can get my hands on his neck and strangle him to the ground…or teach him a lesson by having him tortured—yes, I can burn him with cigarettes as he is forced to fuck complete strangers, ha! And have his picture taken giving another man a blowjob…and show everybody at school, show everybody.
I take off to my house, which was ten minutes away from the school. During my walk, fantasies overcome my mind….hurting Shuichi as I pin his ass to the floor, taking photos of his agony. If I show everyone a grown male fucking Shuichi Shindou in the ass, than everyone will see him as a slut and everyone will hate him. I can even show his parents, make them cry because they're son's a dirty hoe who likes penis.
My fantasies soon came to an end, as I have arrived at my house. I peer in the driveway to see if my dad is home…unfortunately he is.
I trot up the porch stairs and open the front door, the house is buried in darkness. I shut the door quietly, and find the light switch; I flick it but no light turns on, "Dad must've not paid the electricity bill…again." I sigh in frustration. "Fuck, now how am I going to see?" I find my way into the bathroom to find a towel to dry myself off of sweat. I possess a white towel and place it over my face and neck. While drying, I feel an arm wrap around my waist. I turn my head to view my capturer, it's my dad—and he's drunk again.
"F-Father…" I glance away.
He leans his head to my ear and licks it; the strong scent of alcohol is present among his hot breath.
"Taki, you're all sweaty." He said. His hand gropes my crouch, "You better take off your clothes and let daddy cool you off…"
"F-Father please, not again." I beg him. My body trembles out of controllably.
"Taki, I told to you to call me daddy." He fixes his fingers on my face and turns it to face his; he kisses my lips and slides his alcohol drench tongue into my mouth. He feels around my mouth, sucking my tongue, licking my gums and teeth. If I try to resist, I know he would beat me to the ground and break my bones—like last time…
Our mouths depart after three minutes; my father had to catch his breath. "Son, you look so much like your mother, with the exception she had long black hair…" he chuckles.
My eyes widen in horror. God please, not the wig. "Father, please—" I beg.
He returns his hand to my crouch, squeezes its hold until it greatly hurts. "Father, please don't make me put on the wig again…" I beg him.
"Put the wig on for daddy, Taki…it makes me think of being with your mother again." he moans in my ear.
"No…" I whisper.
He grips my hair and forces me through the halls and subsequently to his bedroom, once inside he roughly throws me on his king size bed. My father disappears into his closet then reappears with a black long wig, he throws it to me and I am made to wear it.
"Fath—Daddy I need to do my homework…" I try to make an excuse every time I am made to be his replica wife. My father climbs on the bed with me and towers over me. "Take your clothes off honey."
"Daddy, I-I need to do my homework." I repeat.
He punches me twice on the face but quickly pecks me on the neck with his lips and moves up to my face. "Taki, I told you to call me Takumi as I call you Ami." He strokes my hair. "Now take your clothes off Ami."
"Y-Yes, Takumi," I said. With my trembling hands, I unfastened the buttons on my shirt.
When I unfastened my last button, the doorbell rang. Takumi immediately jumps up off of me and literally runs to the door to answer it.
I hear the door open, a few deep voices exchange words, and I cower. In moments my father along with a tall, powerfully built man returns to the bedroom. The stranger's white shirt's sleeves are rolled past his elbows and his belt is undone.
I glance away but before I witness the stranger slip a ten dollar bill into Takumi's hand. I hold back a powerful tear as I feel the bed bounce a couple times, indicating the stranger is climbing onto the bed. Next, I feel the sensation of hot breath creep down my neck and pleasurable moaning playing in my ear.
The harsh laughter explodes in the air, the laughter belonging to Takumi. "Ha!" he chuckled, "You're such a loose slut Tachi!"
Tears unleash from my swollen eyes as I feel the man's hand pull the wig off and glide his finger tips down my chest and along my pants. "Beautiful body…" he exclaimed."Let me see it!"
And with that said, he tore my pants off, ripping them off in the process, and kissing me intensely on the neck, face, chest, legs, and back before thrusting into me like I am nothing…. because I am nothing—nothing at all.
I close my eyes to hide from the horror of my nightmare that I call my life. My daily life is replete with agonizing pain in which scars, not only on my body but my mind, are left behind to speak a story…a story of agony, sorrow, and a little boy going insane….
When I awake, I notice I am in my bedroom lying in bed wearing my pajamas. I can't move, my suffering prevents me from doing so.
"Father, why did you do it….?"
My cries echo throughout my room, the darkness embracing me. I turn to my side to grab my only true friend: my stuff bear that my mother gave me when I was ten— right before she died. My bear always listens to my problems and comforts my pain…he never hurts me. I hug my friend and fall asleep, whispering. "Goodnight Kyo."
Next in A Heart in Amber:
Though both boys experienced a love shock, Shuichi and Hiroshi enter their band in the annual Battle of the Bands. Shuichi builds up his courage to sing until the young man, he is eager to know, critiques his lyrics...Shuichi then becomes depressed but understands his feelings more, and Hiro realizes that his young friend's crush on the young writer, Yuki Eiri so he encourages Shuichi to tell the stranger about his feelings.
Shuichi learns who the young man really is, but it's what the man does that fascinates Shuichi. After the incident, Shuichi invites Yuki to the band event but rejects the offer. As Shuichi sings, he notices a special audience member amongst them…and you'll never believe what he does next that will change things between the two forever. However, Hiro tries to deny his feelings toward Shuichi by dating a variety of females—not one of them matching equal or greater quality than his friend, he commits the most regretful action towards Yuki that he'll remember for a long time. Meanwhile, Tachi enters his band as well with his two friends Ma-kun and Ken-chan. When the winner of the Battle of the Bands is announced, Tachi will unleash his ultimate wrath.
A/N: I know, I make Taki look like a total jerk, but you have to feel sympathy for him. I know I do! See you in the updated chapter 3 folks! I apologize for the chapter special if it offended you any.