3 a.m. in the morning, Jin and I was entangled together. Staring into his eyes, my heart felt light. Jin was all I could think about, practically talk about, he was a big part of my life now. He lifted his hand up in front of his face, following his action I lifted my hand and interlaced my fingers with his. His breath came out choppy, a good reason since we've made love three times in two hours' time.
"Ling Xiaoyu, do you promise to stay with me..Forever?" his smile was nervous.
"I promise." I smiled. He drew near me, our lips meeting and tongues dancing, only the way that lovers know. Jin drew away from me.
"Xiao, I don't want to marry Lily, she is not my love. I know who I love and you're the girl I love. Ever since I met you, I've loved you…I was told to not date anyone else besides Lily for the sake of my father's business." He swallowed. "Let's run away together Xiao, I will find a job, even if it's something temporary, we can even leave Japan to get away and be together."
Leave Japan. Run away together. I couldn't contain my excitement, my grin grew. Apparently I reassured Jin as his smile brightened.
"I can't wait for our life together." I said with glee.
"Ok, we need to plan a day to leave and pack essential belongings. Then we will plan a way to leave, and wherever we end up, I will take you as my wife."
"Wife." I asked in a squeaky voice.
"Yes. What do you think?"
"I like it. I want to be with you forever." I grabbed the back of his head and kissed him full force.
….
4 a.m. in the morning Leo had arranged a group to avenge for Miharu. The group consisted of Leo, Steve, and Julia.
"I can't believe what they did to Miharu." Julia cried softly.
"Why did they do it?" Steve asked with his back to a tree, smoking a cigarette.
"I…I don't know." Leo hung her head down. Inhaling on his cigarette, Steve glanced over at Leo.
"Hey, I'll help you, it's about time someone does something to Ms. Lily and her posy."
"I agree." Julia stood next to Leo, hanging an arm around her.
"Thanks guys. I appreciate it."
"When we doing this." Steve walked over to the two girls.
"Tomorrow, Lily plays tennis at the local court on the outskirts of town."
"Time?" Steve asked putting out his cigarette.
"3:30 is when she arrives."
"Sounds good to me." Julia replied ending their conversation. The three teenagers left for their homes.
….
Arriving home, I avoided my parents and headed straight for my room, plugging my phone into the charger I laid down on my bed. Jin still on my mind, I fell into a restless sleep.
"Xiao.. Xiao." A woman's voice kept saying my name.
"Huh?" grumbling awake I turned to face the woman. "Mom."
"Xiao, Miharu is in the hospital." My heart dropped. A feeling of weakness flooded through my whole body.
Hospital, how bad was that fight?"
"Miharu's mother called earlier, she asked for you." Glancing up at my mother, her expression was sad. "Go to your friend." She said and exited my room.
I have never run quicker in my life before now. Miharu's face stayed in my mind, I forced myself to hurry to her side. My only friend since grade school, the one who stood up to Lily in my place; it should be me in the hospital, not Miharu. Arriving on the same block, where Miharu was hospitalized; I stopped to calm my breathing. After a minute I began my run again; up the steps, and to the desk. After asking where her room was, I took the stairs to the second floor. Tears rolled down my face as my mind wandered over how bad shape she might be in.
"Room 206." I repeated over to myself before glancing to my right and spotting her room. Slowly I pushed her door open. Upon seeing her, I busted out in tears, taking a loud gasp I sauntered to her bedside.
"M..mih..Miharu." I cried in disbelief. Her eyes were blackened and a huge gash above her right eyebrow was busted open. Her cheeks were bruised blue and cuts sprayed all over her fragile face. A gash on her neck was still bleeding.
" ." Miharu barely whispered.
"Miharu…I' sorry. " I reached for her bruised hand, and once upon doing so she winced in pain. " I should be in your position, not you." My voice came out as choppy and my vision became blurry with all the tears filling my eyes.
"No, Xiao.." she took a couple of breaths. "You beat Lily; someway, somehow. Don't let my defense for you…be in vain." She pulled her hand away from mine. Glancing up at her I watch her delicate smile fade into a frown. "I had a dream Xiao, about you and Jin." She stopped and took a couple of more breaths. "You should forget about him…Find someone else Xiao, for your and Jin's sake. Please." Her plea made her cough.
"What all is wrong Miharu. What did the doctor say?" I put my hand on hers.
"I have two broken ribs, two black eyes, and cuts and bruises everywhere. My body is so sore. Lily only hit me once, it was her..two…..friends that…" she gasped for breath, soon she couldn't get another breath. Her eyes widened, as fear struck her face. Her hands waved around weakly.
"Nurse….Nurse." I screamed loudly, as Miharu's stats dropped and the warning signal sounded. "Nurse!" I kept screaming loudly and finally footsteps fled the halls, entering the room. A nurse pushed me backwards as the room was filled with various medical personal. I watched from the back, everyone ignoring me, allowing me to watch as they tried many times to revive Miharu.
The minutes passed when finally they stopped. Miharu couldn't revive, she was far too gone; I heard one say. The head nurse lifted the sheet and covered Miharu's face; turning off the monitor they began to unhook her from the wires.
The nurses left the room until only I stood there with my deceased friend. Scared at the event that just took place, I stood frozen. My breaths were unsteady and a sudden chill filled the room.
"Miharu." I whispered taking a few steady steps towards her bed. "Miharu. Wake up, I promise; I won't let anything bad happen to Jin and me, if you will only wake up." By now my tears once again rolled down my cheeks and to the floor. I reached her side and uncovering her, my fears were truly realized. My only friend Miharu Hirano was dead.
…..
Two days passed, I had attended Miharu's funeral, and now lay in bed. Sadness soaked up my days, and so did curiosity.
What was her dream? This thought plagued my mind since she mentioned it. Grabbing my cellphone I checked my old messages to Miharu, viewing the last one made me cry even though my tear ducts were swelled and I no longer had tears.
Can't wait to see you at lunch, and talk about why you were late. Lol
Throwing my phone on the floor I covered my head and rolled onto my back.
…
Various dreams flowed through, but one particular one I could remember.
In unfamiliar woods, I lie on my back. Pain circulating all over my body, somebody runs from the scene and within an hour's time my love Jin arrives. He falls onto the ground beside me, holding my hands in his he kisses them and holds them to his face. Then with a tear filled kiss, he cut his wrist; his body falling beside me. Blood spilling on the ground.
A scream escaped my lips as I shot up sitting in bed. A cold sweat bead formed on my forehead. Hopping out of bed I ran to my phone and upon picking it up I dialed Miharu's home phone number.
"Hello."
"Hello, Mrs. Hirano. I was wondering if I could visit. Ok thank you." I hung up and dressed myself. Walking out the door; a feeling of dread centered around me.