Yes! It's Friday. The best day of the week… it's been two days since I had apologized to Shuichi, and I haven't really seen him since. Which was fine by me. I've been trying to swim a lot more lately because it's good for you, and honestly I still love it. It's been pretty nerve wracking though ever since Yusuke was in the area… I hadn't seen him since Tuesday, but now I was always on alert. School today went by very fast, and sadly there was a sub for math class. Because Mr. Mayes had to go to the hospital with his sister… she was having her first baby, and needed him there. I always thought it was super cute how he always talked about him and his sister. They seemed really close, and after meeting her several times I started to care about her like Mr. Mayes did. She's really a cool person, and I hope the best for her labor and delivery.

The sub made class pretty easy though, so that was the only plus of Mr. Mayes being gone. It was nice to actually be able to understand the lecture. Yesterday Jason and I studied for a pretty long time, and I was surprised to say that he stayed to watch a movie with me afterwards. He almost pissed himself because we watched a horror flick, but I had a great time regardless. And he said he wasn't going to be able to sleep, but he enjoyed the movie. It was nice to actually start enjoying people again…

After math I picked up my things and walked outside to say goodbye to Mika. She had to get home because she was grounded. She apparently went out on a date with a college guy and didn't tell her parents until she got home at one in the morning. I thought it was hilarious but she was pretty pissed. I was annoyed though, because now I had no one to walk me home… Not like I expect people to escort me… it was just really nice when they did, because walking home alone from school was not a very fun experience.

"Maybe Jason can walk you home?"

"Yeah, I'll go ask him I guess." I was still annoyed that I had to ask people for help.

"I bet he will." She smiled. "But I gotta go, text me when you get home. OK?"

"Yeah yeah." I waved as she walked off. Then I began walking back inside of school. Before I went to talk to Jason I stopped by my locker to put my books away. And once I turned to walk to the science lab I was startled when I saw Yusuke walking up the hallway. Shit. Why is he here again? I feel like he's bored, so he's now coming to my school to terrorize the people here. I frowned and stepped closer to my locker, hoping he wouldn't notice me. Who am I kidding, pretty much everyone had gone home already, but the few people that were in the hallway were pretty much running away by now. He looked around the hallway, then looked to me. He did a second take and then I saw recognition in his eyes. Fuck. Shit! I wish I could just run away right now! I turned quickly to face my locker again and began to open it up.

"Hey." I heard him say from behind me.

I turned around slowly and looked up to him. I felt anxious and my body wouldn't respond quickly.

"Yeah?" I sounded timid. And that made me wanna throw up.

"Do you know where I can find Shuichi? You know, the redheaded beauty queen?"

I almost laughed at that, and totally would have if I weren't so nervous.

"Uh. I think so. Why?"

He frowned, and I felt panic. "Because I need to talk to him. That's why!"

He didn't sound too happy, and then I held my hands up. "He's in the science lab!"

"Where is that?" He asked rudely. "Can you take me to it?"

"I guess…" I was annoyed now. I didn't want anything to do with Yusuke's, yet some how he kept creeping into my life! Why did all the bullies gravitate to me? I started to walk to the science lab and he followed along side me. And now that I was looking for it, his limp was much more obvious. He seemed to be trying really hard to walk without one… he must be in pain.

"Why are you limping?" What the fuck? Why couldn't I keep my thoughts to myself? Sometimes I wondered what was wrong with me.

He looked up to me with an annoyed, yet surprised expression. "What's it to you?"

I just rolled my eyes and shrugged. "Just curious."

"Oh. Well, I just got in a fight is all."

How was I not surprised? I could have answered that for myself, because it's obvious that's all he does.

"I thought you were the strongest of them all?" And now I was mocking him… Great. I'm probably gonna die.

But to my surprise I just heard him chuckle. My head snapped over to look at him, and he was looking back at me with a creepy smirk.

"I am." He pointed. "The guy who injured me is dead now." He still had a smirk, but he didn't laugh again. That sounded pretty serious… I frowned and my walk slowed. I guess the rumors were true, he does kill people! I looked away from him, now feeling more afraid than ever as we arrived to the science lab. I was glad when he didn't acknowledging me again once we arrived. He just walked straight in without saying a word. Then I was startled again by his loud voice.

"There you are girly boy! I need to talk to you!" I heard him yell.

"Holy shit…" I whispered as I peaked my head into the lab. He was walking up to Shuichi, and Shuichi sat frozen. His face looking confused… I wonder if our prince is being bullied? Seems like everyone is these days…

I decided not to stick around; assuming that Yusuke'd be done soon. I thought it'd be best to walk home alone when most of the people from school were gone. So I guess I would wait them out by swimming. I walked to the pool and got in. After about an hour and a half I finished my workout, and was now getting out. To my surprise there was Kiba up on the bleachers, texting. He looked up to me when I got out of the pool, and I frowned at him—not stopping to talk.

"Hey! Amber! Wait up." He said as he jumped off the bleachers and ran towards me.

"You aren't supposed to run in the pool area." I snapped.

He frowned as he caught up to me. "So you gonna ignore me now?"

I grit my teeth. "I don't tend to hang out with people who beat up my friends."

He flinched. "But I told you, I can't stop."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, because you don't want to."

"Amber!" He yelled as he stepped directly in front of me. "Hear my words! I can't stop, even if I wanted to!" He looked me straight in the eyes.

I stared at him like he was crazy. Then it dawned on me… 'even if he wanted to'? Was someone forcing him? No way! That's ridiculous. My mind wondered in the stupidest places.

"Someone making you fuck with him?" I asked sarcastically.

His eyes widened and he was still looking me straight in the eye. He barely moved his head up and down once, and then glanced around the pool area nervously.

"Bull shit." I crossed my arms.

He shrugged and looked upset. "Like I said. I can't stop."

Maybe he was telling the truth. "Who's making you do that?"

"I can't say, Amber."

"Why not!? People shouldn't be making you fuck with other people."

"Well, life sucks sometimes. I'm a tiny freshman, and I wanna survive my first year of high school… so, yeah."

I frowned and felt sick to my stomach. Maybe it was Yusuke… he was hanging around a lot, and was even bullying Shuichi! Makes sense… if he was like trying to take over the school or something.

"Well, I'm sorry that's happening to you… I know what it's like to be bullied." I wanted to relate to him, even though I was horrified to say too much.

He stared at me with understanding in his eyes, and then frowned. He was pitying me even while he was in his own bad predicament.

"Well, let's go get some ice cream then! There's a shop right around the corner from here." He smiled, trying to cheer this situation up.

"Ok. I just have to go shower and change, then I'll be back."

"Alright, hurry up! I need ice cream!" He laughed.

I rushed towards the locker room and laughed as well. "Whatever! I'll hurry!"

The locker rooms were empty like always and I hurried as fast as possible to get showered, dry my hair and change. I broke record time and then ran back out into the pool area. He was just sitting on the bleachers waiting for me patiently. Honestly I was kind of surprised he was still there—but happy as well.

"Sorry. I went as fast as I could."

"It's ok. I get that girls take forever." He grinned.

"Whatever. Let's go you punk." I said as we quickly walked out of school and about a block away from school there was a little building that said ice cream on it. What a strange place for an ice cream shop.

"Weird. I've never noticed this before."

"Me either! A buddy of mine took me took it just the other day, and I loved it."

We walked inside and a cute little girl was standing behind the counter. She smiled as he walked up to her.

"Welcome! How may I help you?"

"Um, can I get a scoop of chocolate? And then she'll have a…" Kiba glanced at me quickly.

"Oh, uh. I want vanilla."

He smirked at me then mouthed the word 'ew' while he cringed. I rolled my eyes at him, and he looked back to the girl.

"She'll have a scoop of vanilla."

"Okay!" She said while she scooped out both of our flavors. Then put them each in a tiny cup with a spoon and set them on the counter for us. I took my wallet out and Kiba grabbed it quickly. It startled me and I pulled it away.

"Holy shit! What?"

"I'm paying! Jeez. Chill woman." He chuckled.

"I can pay for my own."

"But I want to pay for yours."

I froze. What was he doing? I guess he'd trying to apologize? Or something else… Who knows.

"Fine." I crossed my arms.

"Such a baby…" He said quietly as he paid the cute girl. She smiled at us and thanked us while we walked outside to eat.

I sat down and he handed me the vanilla.

"Thanks." I took a small bite and it was pretty good. "Mmm!"

He smiled. "Good huh? This place rocks."

"Yeah."

We ate our ice cream and I actually ended up having a pretty good time. Besides the delicious ice cream we talked a lot, and Kiba made me laugh a whole bunch. I gotta hand it to the kid, he's pretty funny. Then once we finished we stood up and he threw my cup away for me.

"Well. I guess I'll see ya around then." Kiba smiled.

I waved as I walked off. "Yeah, see ya! Thanks for the ice cream!"

He waved back as he walked off the opposite direction. It was refreshing to finally have a nice time with people. I sighed and smiled to myself as I began to walk.

Then I froze. "Shit." Just now remembering that I left my freaking swimsuit at school! Dammit! I have to go back to that stupid place now? I was ok because Kiba walked me out before… but now I have to go back inside to get the stupid thing… I grumbled and then slowly walked back to the school. Walking inside of it while it was so empty was weird… It was kind of nice, but I also didn't like it too much because I felt so alone. I walked down the hallway to the pool area and it just seemed so much longer without any people in it. I was feeling paranoid now as I made sure to check around every corner and look over my shoulder every few minutes. Then finally arriving to the pool I walked up to the bleachers and saw my suit just where I had left it. Good. Thankfully no one had stolen it. I picked it up and squeezed the remaining water out of it then looked around before walking out. I walked back down the empty hallway and when I was near the science lab I noticed the door was still opened. Hmm, maybe Jason was still in there.

I walked quietly over to the door, just in case people I didn't want to deal with were in there. Then I peaked inside. All the desk were empty and no one was around… weird. This door was supposed to be locked once it was done being used. I only knew that because I stay late at school with Mr. Mayes a lot, and he always gets mad when the seniors or janitors don't lock up once their done. My eyes scanned around the room a few more times and then stopped. Oh, there was one more person inside here. I just didn't notice him because he was sleeping. I stayed even more still than I was seconds ago as I watched Shuichi from across the room. It looked like he was just hunched over on his desk sleeping; because all I could see was his red hair and hands. Hopefully Yusuke didn't stab him to death or something and I just couldn't tell from all the way over here. I frowned and bit my lip. Was he actually ok? I hoped he was just sleeping… and not like, dying slowly or something. It's not like I cared about him or anything, I just didn't want to get in trouble for not reporting a dead body or something like that…

I sighed quietly and rolled my eyes as I stepped slowly into the classroom. I didn't go any farther than the first desk because if he was sleeping, I didn't want him to see me. I could see him a little better now, and from here it looked like he was breathing. Good. I sighed again feeling relieved… then began mocking myself inside my head. Why was I so paranoid? Horrible things don't happen all the time—I just needed to be more positive. Then I turned to walk out of the room.

"I can't do it…"

I froze. Was he awake!? My heartbeat went up as I turned around quickly. He hadn't moved, but that was definitely him talking. Shuichi talks in his sleep? I felt myself tense, not because I was afraid, but because I was trying to hold back a laugh. It just seemed so nerdy for a guy like him to mumble awkward things in his sleep. I let my shoulders move while I held my mouth and silently chuckled. Wonder if he was going to say anything else? I waited for a second.

"Please…" He mumbled again.

I watched in anticipation; still not moving an inch.

His breathing began to quicken, and I my smiling mouth started to frown.

"No!" He barked out. And I twitched. What the hell!?

Then all of the sudden he sat up quicker than ever, and looked around in a panic. His green eyes were huge with fear as he quickly ran from his desk. He yelled out in what sounded like desperation as he slammed into the wall next to him. It made an extremely loud boom and then he fell to the ground. My eyes were wide with shock because that all had just happened so fucking fast! How the hell was he moving so fast? And was that a hole in the wall from his knee? HOLY SHIT! I should not be here right now! But I was frozen, and didn't know what to do. This was beyond awkward… I was almost invading his privacy… I shouldn't have been watching him in the first place!

Was he OK?

He was just sitting on the floor now, still breathing pretty hard. He calmly looked up at the wall and just stared at the hole he'd made. Then I saw blood dripping from his chin and I gulped. He must have slammed his lip hard enough to break it open again… man that was bleeding a lot. He put his hand up to his lip and barely held it as it began to drip onto his shirt. He just sat there and stared at the wall. It was now dripping on his hand and down his arm while he did nothing about it! What the hell just happened? What was wrong with him? Was he OK? Maybe he's scared… I knew I was! I wondered why he had gotten so startled and my mind immediately went to Yusuke. He was here earlier today… maybe he had threatened Shuichi, and now he was scared for his life? I mean he most likely couldn't defend himself… so he was probably just had horrified now as I feel all the time. Poor guy.

I gulped then decided to either make myself known, or run away as fast as possible and pretend this never happened. Hopefully if I ran he wouldn't see me, and not know I was watching him… if I don't run I'd have to be nice to him, which might be hard… because one, I was afraid of him right now. Would if he was just crazy? Two I still didn't have the fondest feelings towards the flower, and three… I wouldn't know what to say… 'Hey, saw you slam yourself into that wall. Nice.'? No way. I'm running. So I took in a deep breath and ran out of the room as fast as I was able. I didn't care to look back to see if he saw me, because I just wanted to go home. I couldn't handle any more weirdos. I ran and ran until I was home… and once I got there I collapsed into my bed and stared at the ceiling. It took me a while to fall asleep because I stayed awake trying to figure out that redheaded prince. I also was coming to the realization that Yusuke was probably taking over the student body at our school, and was most likely going to be around again. So I just needed to ready myself for the abuse. Because it's going to happen eventually… either Jordan or Yusuke will do something to me. I know it.