Chapter 14: Graduation

"WE DID IT!"

Keiko repeatedly punched the air in front of her, laughing oh so very loudly. Nagihiko twirled his blue Graduation cap, "No, really?" She then resorted to punching his arm 'accidently' as hard as she could. "Shut up and be excited!"

I stared at the paper in my hands, trembling and jumping. "It's really…real. Gosh, it's real!"

Clear, June skies hung high above our heads. Chatter and whoops echoed throughout campus and teachers wandered around to congratulate. Parents and friends laughed and hugged and cheered. My own parents were currently in very loud conversation with Lulu.

"I have to wait another year." Sayomi complained, pouting. SP giggled, flailing her arms. "Me, too!" It was an attempt to cheer her up, but I was pretty sure it only deepened the depression lines around our friend. I smiled amusedly, "Ne, it's not that bad."

Yaya held up a box of pocky, "Kairi and Yaya have to wait two years!" Tadase raised an eyebrow, slowly eating a finger sandwich. "Of all the topics to discuss, you chose this?"

Ikuto wrapped his arms around my waist, nuzzling my head with his chin. "Speaking of ignoring Tadase-"

"Nii-chan!"

"-why don't we do something more interesting than talking and getting fat?"

Yaya dropped her pocky box.

Lonny giggled while Sierra downed another glass of punch. She slammed the cup down, "Eh? Talking whilst getting fat is very entertaining. It just so happens to be my favorite pastime." Cross sat crossed legged nearby, sorting through a bag of M&M's with Karie.

Lina held her diploma like a sword. "Ye shall suffer moi's wrath!" I sweat dropped, "Mmhmm…"

Amazing, amazing. Oh, god, I'm so breathless. Captivating, I'm lost in your eyes.

XXX

"Onee-chan!"

Ami smiled widely, spreading her fingers across my ever-growing stomach. She giggled. "So, I'm gonna be an auntie?" I nodded, amused with her sudden appearance. "Yup. Excited?"

She giggled again, stepping back and turning to my father. "Daddy, can I be a mommy, too? That would be so awe-"

"NOOO! MYLITTLESWAN!"

XXX

Click. Click.

I'm walking through the school courtyard. Somebody's following me but I don't want to look back.

Click. Click.

I'm getting really worried. They haven't said anything and it's been quite the long walk.

Click. Click.

"Who-?"

"It's just me." Ikuto stops walking with a distracted smile. This leads me to think he's hiding something.

XXX

"Amu?" Cross waves her hands in front of my face. We're in the library, trying to find where SP had run off to. I blink, brought back from my thoughts. "Oh, sorry. I spaced out."

"I can see that." She steps back, though a worried glint has entered her eyes. I smile reassuringly and continue walking.

XXX

Click. Click.

I'm being followed again. This time, I'm in the parking lot. My follower doesn't say anything as I reach the family van. I unlock it and dig around for Ami's phone. She had forgotten it and requested I go and fetch it for her.

Click. Clock.

The person stops walking and waits until I have the phone in my hand. Locking the door, I have the phone clutched tightly to my chest as I turn around. "Who-?"

"Don't worry, it's just me again."

I'm getting really suspicious.

XXX

You got it, you got it. It's some kind of magic. You're leaving me breathless.

A song is playing in the background as I walk with Lonny. We're looking for SP again and haven't had all that much luck so far. That girl sure knew how to hide.

Lonny ducks behind a bush then peeks through the leaves to shake her head. "When she said she would go and play hide-and-seek, she meant it." I laughed, but it came out as a sort of sigh.

At this, Lonny raises an eyebrow but says nothing.

XXX

Click. Click.

What is this? The third time? Who's following me this time?

Click. Click.

The cafeteria is flooded with people, but I can still distinguish that these footsteps are stalking me through all the noise. It's quite unnerving the way they blend into my own.

Click. Click.

I try losing them in the crowd to no avail. They're very persistent. They must know what they're doing. Maybe they've done it before. This stalking.

Click. Click.

"What-?"

"Sorry, it's just me." Ikuto smiled apologetically. I can tell it's forced by the crease in his forehead.

XXX

"You!"

Sierra crossed her arms. With a scowl, she began scolding SP. "Where have you been? We've been looking for you forever!" SP giggled. "Sorry. I was playing Hide-and-Seek with Tsukiyomi."

I want to scream that he's been following me. It's not possible he was playing with her. What are they up to?

XXX

Click. Click.

I don't waste any time. With a grunt, I spin on my heel. "WHY ARE YOU FOLLOWING-…" I get quite the surprise. My mom stares at me with wide eyes, shocked at my outburst.

"I just wanted the car keys back."

XXX

I'm getting paranoid.

Keys?

Ultimate embarrassment for me.

To have shouted at my mom.

Oh, where did Ikuto go anyways?

XXX

Keep pulling and pushing me down. When I know in my heart it's not you.

That song is on in the background again. This time I'm walking with Lina to the auditorium. They're giving out some awards or something and all graduates were to help out.

I'm not really looking forward to it. But it's not all that terrible. Really.

If only I knew where Ikuto was. Then I'd be able to focus on the task at hand.

XXX

Click. Click.

I wasn't sure who it would be this time. I didn't want to yell again to avoid a repeat of my earlier scare. Ah, I'm such a paranoid person.

Click. Click.

They might not even be following me.

Click. Click.

Slowly, slowly, I turn around. "Who is it?" I whisper in a small voice. I'm not sure if they'll even be able to hear me.

"Just me."

Ikuto gives me that fake smile.

Suspicious is slowly pooling around my feet. A layer of worry joining it.

TBC…

Yuuki: You have no idea how long this took…I kept getting writer's block…and I feel really bad about missing two updates…Not proofread, btw…Anyways, there you go. Reviews please?