Is This The End?

Seriously I didn't want to think about it again with just a week remaining, Ami thought, selecting the black coffee at the vending machine automatically. A black coffee was strong; it gave her a sensation that made her feel a bit more alive than normal. Her friends had been bugging her about next term, but next term she'd no longer be here. The happiest period of her life was drawing to an anticlimactic close.

I've changed a bit thanks to Ryuji. I am able to be more honest with others now at least and more confident in myself.

She glanced at the gap and wondered for a second about Minori's haunting story but dismissed it quickly. She was no longer a kid. Choked on soy sauce! I fell for that too easily. That girl always seemed to be able to find a way to get under her skin, unlike any before. With Taiga it was fun but rather like going through the motions because she was so straightforward. Minori always said and did unexpected things that left her off balance. It didn't help that she was pretty attractive, which was a distraction in itself, with beautiful eyes, strong arms and a well proportioned body.

Ami had known for some time that she was bi, although the only guy she'd ever fallen for had been the effeminate Ryuji. She'd experienced so much lusting attention that it was no surprise guys generally turned her off. On the other hand, maybe from that, she had increasingly found herself drawn to girls without knowing how to act on those feelings. If such a rumour got out it would destroy her, right? Particularly if she was turned down.

But Minori dislikes me right? Well perhaps not as they had patched things up, but she was Taiga's friend first and foremost and probably only saw her as 'Professor Amin' - some station for advice.

Wait footsteps. Only Minori and Ryuji knew of this spot and the footsteps definitely sounded like the former. I wonder why?

Minori appeared with a one handed greeting and grinning. It seemed a little forced but her tone was genuinely happy.

"Yo Amin."

"Yo Minori. I suspected it was you."

Minori relaxed. I did chew her out last time, but I bet she still doesn't realise I had feelings for Ryuji as well. Such a musclehead when it comes to love.

"Hmm," Minori stroked her chin, "and just as expected you went for the black coffee. Elementary my Dear Watson."

Huh? Another of her games…

"And?"

Minori glanced up seriously. Now she gets to the point…

"You're planning to leave at the end of this term aren't you Amin?"

What! Only she and Ryuji have properly realised...They can sometimes see so clearly! Why does it hurt so much to hear her say it like that? Ami glanced away from Minori's intense stare, unable to bear the pressure. What does she expect me to do? It's not easy for me either.

"Mmm," she managed before adding dismissively, "So? Why should I stay now we're all splitting apart? It seems like a good time to move on." I bet she says something like we're all friends or everyone wants you to stay. How boring…

Indeed she does start to say that but stops. Why? What else is she going to say?

She starts to talk about ghosts. She remembered the last time she did clearly; when she cut her off because she understood and it hurt to understand. If Minori finally got what she was telling her she didn't need to hear the rest. It was painful enough already.

This time though she got the metaphor and yet she did not. As Minori reached the end she was left wondering if she had just confessed to her in a roundabout way? Surely not! That's impossible. Not her? It's got to be a game, a joke. I'm not sure how I should treat this.

She took a large gulp of her coffee to try and stop the world from spinning too much. As the coffee burnt down her throat she reached a decision. She needed to know for sure. Minori has a habit of dressing her feelings up in stories to protect herself. If she can tell me clearly what she wants I'll make a decision then. She needs to learn to be more direct and honest with herself. If not, if not…but why am I hoping so much for something?

"Too long," She said as she got up and started to walk away, "If you're going to tell me why I should stay say it in one line or less and I may reconsider."

It's deliberately curt. I want a reaction. I want her to reach me. As each step takes me further from her, why do I want her to call out to me so badly? Why am I placing so much hope in a girl like her?