Author's Note: A bit of Sora and Akane interaction. This part is probably going to be the one I struggle over the most. I have point A and point B down, but I need to write the stuff in the middle. I've already written out a bunch of the later scenes, but I'm working on the transition which isn't going well, but I should get there soon.

I think part of the reason I'm having so much trouble is because it's hard for me to write in my version of Sora's perspective and staying constant. I'll figure it out soon though. First, I need to figure out my Sora.

Akane

"Okay, Akane, come on, you can do this. Just walk in there and say, 'Good morning, Najika! I'm sorry I had to leave so soon yesterday, I saw you and Daich kissing and I- ugh, that's not going to work." I sighed as I sank against the wall outside the classroom.

Half the first period was already over, and I was still, standing outside the door, wondering what to do, how to greet Najika and Daichi. Worst of all, I sat right in between the both of them, which made me wonder if irony liked playing tricks of me. Of course Kishida had to be in between Kazami and Kitazawa. Of course.

"I'm such a coward." I said, bring my legs in and burying my face into my knees.

"You're not a coward, Akane. You've just had some… complicated things happen to you." A voice said softly. I looked up to see Sora, holding a file of papers, kneeling down to talk to me. "Don't feel like going to class?"

I shook my head and he sat down next to me.

"Well, maybe that's something you need to do every once in a while." He replied quietly. "Do you want to talk? Or just sit here? Unless you wanted to be alone…"

"No, please, stay." I said quickly and he nodded, with a hint of a smile on his face. "You know, it's weird. I'm not even mad at Najika for making Daichi fall in love with her. I'm not even mad at Daichi. It's just… I don't know. I can't really feel anything- But I still don't know how to face either."

There was a thick silence between us, which made me anxious and nervous at the same time.

"Let's talk about something else. How are you and your parents- err, you, your father and your step-mother getting along?"

As soon as I said it, I regretted it. Family was always a touchy subject for us. It had always been an unwritten code that none of mentioned the 'f' word between the three of us. I didn't poke into their business after their mother died, and they gave me the same courtesy.

"Sorry, Sora, I-"

"No, it's okay. Everything's the same. Just like it used to be. What about you and your mom?"

"Same. Nothing's changed. At least, not there. It's like… it's like we're strangers, living in the same house. We don't really see much of each other, but that's okay. It's exactly the same. So, why isn't mister perfect student council president in class and joining his mopey little childhood playmate who's sulking outside her classroom?"

"I'm not in class because my dad asked me to take something to him." He gestured to the file in his hand. "And sometimes, I need a little mopeyness to bring me back to reality. Besides, I'd be a bad friend if I didn't do something."

It was cheesy, but it was also Sora, so I took that as it was. And it did make me feel better.

And friend. The word was so foreign to me. I always figured our 'friendship' was out of childhood ties more than anything.

"I'm glad you're my friend." I said quietly, barely loud enough to hear. He nodded, and got up.

"I should get going. But Akane? You don't have to do anything you're not ready for. If you don't want to confront Najika and Daichi about anything yet, don't. Take it at your own pace."

"Right. You too, Sora."

"And tell your teacher I called you out, so you don't get into any trouble."

I nodded and he smiled back before heading around the corner.

"Thank you, Sora." I said to no one as I stood up and fixed my ponytail before walking inside the classroom.

"Sorry, sensei, the student council president called me out. I can get a note from him later if you want it." I said, bowing. I had walked in at a good time- I could see that the lesson was already on the board and every one was working on the homework.

"No, that's all right, Kishida-san. Just take your seat." He nodded.

I turned around and I saw Najika and Daichi purposely avoiding each other's eyes. It wasn't like an argument avoidance though. It almost felt like they were a new couple on their first date. I felt myself smile despite myself and plopped myself at my desk.

"Good morning, Najika. Good morning, Daichi."