Chapter Two

It was surreal, at first. The whole situation seemed too fictional for the both of them to believe. Neither of them moved nor spoke a word; afraid that if there was some kind of disruption it would kill them on the spot.

2D's mind raced. He guessed his brain was playing a mean trick on him. He never dreamt what it would be like if he ever saw her again for two reasons. One: he thought she was dead. As much as it killed him, he had come to terms that she had died on that island as it was shot to rubble. It took him three years to convince himself that she was gone. His hopes wore thin and eventually they vanished. Two: he knew if he would dream about it, it would only cause him more pain. Yes, he would constantly think of her; even so he would never think about seeing her again. It would hurt too much.

The air became heavy with tension, so thick it could be cut with a knife. It felt like a lifetime spent just staring at each other.

Noodle was deafened by the sound of her heart pounding against her rib cage. He was seated on his bed with his body facing the window and his head turned to her. He was almost the same 2D she'd remembered so long ago. His hair was a bit longer, his skin was tanner, and his eyes a little more tired; nonetheless, he was the same. He stared at her with a soft face, his lips parted slightly.

2D moved warily on the bed as though the wrong move might ruin the current dream he convinced himself he was having and faced the cat masked girl. It had to be a dream after all.

"N-Noodle," he whispered, the name feeling foreign on his tongue.

The guitarist's legs moved of their own accord and dashed their way across floor. Her arms tangled themselves around 2D's chest eliminating any distance between them as his arms wrapped themselves around her shoulders. He buried his face in her hair. It smelt flowery and sweet. He held on to her as tight as she held onto him. It was all so surreal.

"N-Noodle," he asked again, "Noodle awe ya really 'ere?"

She nodded faintly, her head still hidden in his chest, the same butterscotch scent enrapturing her.

Emotion swelled in 2D's chest. His brows creased together and he cracked a smile. Relief swept over him as her hair matted to his damp face. Reluctantly, she pulled away settling next to him on the bed.

"'Ow on earth are ya alive?" 2D's brain boggled. He held aplenty of questions he wanted to ask but he didn't really care how she was there as long as she was.

"I never died," she squeaked. Her hand squeezed in behind her mask and face to wipe away the wetness.

"I cawn see that now," 2D grinning a toothless grin, "'ey, why you wearin' tha' mask for?"

Noodle sniffed and pulled her hand down. She'd almost forgotten about the damn thing. "D-Do you like it," she asked. She touched the same side of the mask just as she did with Russel.

2D shrugged, "I 'spose I do, but I rathu see your face." He grinned again feeling slightly bashful.

"No, I-I like it on." She felt like she was having a case of Déjà Vu. In this case, it was harder to lie considering the circumstances.

"Isn't it warm under there," 2D cocked his head to the side.

"I am fine."

"Noodle," 2D began half smiling, raising his hand to the mask. His fingers touched the surface and she jerked back jumping to her feet. 2D flinched at her sudden reaction.

"Do not…" she mumbled.

"Noodle… Wot's… Wot's wrong?" 2D's arm was still stretched out.

She placed both hands on the mask, "Nothing."

"Did I 'urt you?" 2D stood easing his way close to her, his concern increasing.

"No."

"Then wot's the matta?"

"Nothing," Noodle repeated.

2D was more confused than normal. He managed to spoiled the once delightful moment the two had shared, and he didn't even know how. "Noodle, I—"

"2D, Gomennasai," Noodle said in a rush and bowed her head some. She hurried out of his room and into the lift. The dazed singer hastened after her.

"Wait," he pleaded. The lift doors closed before he could get in another word.

Noodle crumpled at the back of the lift. Her head swirled and her throat closed. She acted like a child and hurt her best friends. She was exhausted and hungry and upset. All she felt like doing right then was sleeping.

2D eyes fixated on the lift doors half expecting them to open with Noodle standing behind them. He stood there for a good ten minutes until he realized that the doors were not going to be opening any time soon. He lugged himself back to his bed plopping himself down still engrossed on the doors. All he wanted to do was see her face. What had he done wrong? 2D rubbed his forehead in aggravation and groaned. He couldn't catch a break could he? Reaching for his small orange bottle, the singer popped the container open and dry swallowed two capsules, then collapsed atop the covers. He stared at the ceiling, the smell of sweet flowers lingering on his nose.