As I'm standing here, in the bathroom stall, I bring out Vanitas' pills from my backpack. I twist open the cap and peer inside, What do depression pills even taste like? Do they even cure depression? Hm, I could just find out. But should I really eat these? I mean, they're not mine... I sigh and put the cap back on and shove the capsule back inside my bag, I can't start stealing, I have a bad enough situation to deal with.

I leave the bathroom as the final bell rings and I head out to the buses, When do I give it back? He'll know I stole them if I just come out and say it. Maybe tell him it fell out of his bag during class and I picked it up when I left? Would he believe that? I frown in thought as I walk past the first bus. Someone grabs my arm and I turn around, finding Vanitas there. I blink slowly, trying to figure out if he knows I have his pills.

"Have you seen a little orange bottle with my name on it?" he asks.

So he doesn't know? I shake my head, "Why?"

He frowns, letting go, "No reason. Just bring them to me if you do."

He slouches off and I frown, Why did I lie? I could have just told him I had and give them back. So why did I lie? I turn and see Riku coming up to me so I put on my best fake smile, "Hey, Riku."

He smiles, but it's different some how..

"Hey, Sora, what's up?" he says, falling into step with me as we walk, which must be hard, since he's so much taller than I am.

He must think I'm so slow, Heh..

"Ah, nothing. I don't have homework today, which is awesome." I reply.

He nods, "Yeah, me either. Weird, huh?"

"Yeah," I laugh, "But don't say anything, maybe we'll get no homework again tomorrow."

He laughs, "Always full of wishful thinking, eh, Sora?"

"Of course!" I retort.

We got quiet once we were almost to Riku's house. I try not to notice, but he's always staring at me, but only when he thinks I'm not looking. Why does he keep doing that? Does he know something, no he can't, it's impossible, I'm always so careful! I sigh, to keep myself calm, and we walk past Riku's house.

I frown, "Riku, that was your house back there, are you not paying attention?"

He frowns and grabs my arm, stopping me in my tracks. I turn to him and he says, "I am paying attention. That's the problem, isn't it?"

My eyes widen and I fight to stay calm, Oh, God, he knows! I continue to stare at him and he just looks angry, "Why didn't you tell me, Sora? Why would you hide something like this?"

For this reason, of course I can't tell him that, "I don't know what you're talking about, Riku."

"Don't lie to me, Sora!" he growls, pulling up my sleeve.

I look down at my arm as he does so, showing a multitude of nasty bruises. His grip tightens, "Don't tell me you got these from falling too."

I look up into his eyes, "I did."

He glares at me, "Stop lying! I know, okay?! I know what happens to you when you get home! I followed you last week, Sora, I saw her do it! You're lucky I haven't called the police!"

Then he's quiet, and he says, "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't get that bitch arrested."

"Because I love her." I whisper.

He's still and quiet, processing what I just said. He's angry, and he's trying to understand me. I didn't want anyone to know. Why couldn't he have left me alone like I keep badgering him to do? Then none of this would be happening right now. This is Riku's fault, he shouldn't have followed me. If he had just gone home, none of this would be happening.

"You really need to learn to mind your own business, Riku." I say.

He looks shocked, then he's angry again, "Tell me why, Sora."

"Why what?" I ask.

"Why you won't fight back! Why you won't try to get out! That isn't something you just get used to!" he all but screams at me.

I blink, taking this in, trying to come up with an excuse, and strangely, I can't find one. Why won't I fight back? I know I love her, and that's why I stay, because I don't want to lose her, she's my only family. I still hang on to the hope that she'll return to normal one day. Welcome me home after school with cookies like she used to.

"Tell me why." he repeats.

I look at him again, "Because she's the only family I have left. I love her and I don't want to lose her. Can't you understand this, Riku? At least a little bit? I don't want to lose anyone else."

He stares at me and I pull my arm from him, pulling my sleeve back down, hiding the ugliness on my arm. He's still staring at me and I stare at the ground, I don't want to face him anymore.

"Can I go now?" I mutter.

"I..."

I look up at him expectantly, "Yes..?"

"I want you to stay at my house.. At least for the night. I'll talk to Mom." he replies.

I blink, "You...?" I blink again, "What...?"

He frowns, he hates to repeat himself, I've come to know this about him. But nonetheless, he repeats, "I want you to stay the night. I'll ask Mom, I'm sure she'll say yes. I just.. I don't want you to go home and come back with more bruises, or worse.."

I tilt my head, "Or worse?"

His frown deepens, "I don't want her to kill you, Sora."

I blink rapidly, suddenly lightheaded, "Oh."