I sit on my futon gently strumming my guitar and humming along to a tune in Makoto's room. I hear a knock on the door and I mute my strings.
"Come in," I say and the door opens and Makoto steps in.
"You sound pretty good," he says and sits next to me on the futon.
"Thanks, I've been playing for a while now. Any requests?" I ask.
"Let me think, how about Divisionary by Ages for Ages," he requests and I smile.
"I love that song, hold on," I say and I get my fingers on the strings. I play through the song and I softly hum to get my timing right.
"You sound better than the actual artist," he compliments.
"Thanks Mako, so what else do you do on Friday nights?" I ask setting my guitar next to the futon.
"Well the rest of the family went to go see a kids movie, dad's at work still, how about we go grab some food," he suggests.
"Sounds good to me," I say and I hop up, "Let me just change into something nicer."
"Alright, I'll be waiting in the living room," he smiles and then leaves.
I tug on a pair of jeans and slip into a grey long sleeve shirt. I then button up my navy blue pea coat, wrap a grey scarf around my neck, and I tug on an old pair leather boats. I tie my hair up in a topknot and I grab my cheap leather bag on the way out.
"Hey, I'm ready," I say and Makoto stands up and looks at me.
"You look, wow," he says and I blush deep red.
"It's pretty cold out so I dressed in the warmest stuff I've got," I comment and he smiles.
"Well come on," he says and we step out of the house.
"So where are we going to eat," I say while gazing out towards the sunset.
"Well you've never had sushi before, so I thought tonight would be a good night, and a kudos for being able to survive a week here at Iwatobi," he smiles and I laugh.
"It's actually been pretty okay," I say still thinking about the phone call I received.
"Just okay, hmm I guess we'll have to change that attitude," he announces.
"No, you don't have to do anything, you've been the only person to remind me of home. Your whole family has been great to me and I love the guys on the swim team," I say and I bundle up more, "Man it's cold tonight."
"Yeah, we're almost there, so hold on a little more," he says and he grabs a hold of my hand and tugs me along, "Here we are."
Makoto opens the door to a dimly lighted restaurant and we take our seats at the bar with the chefs behind a glass case filled with fish and other food.
"This is called the sushi bar, here's the menu," Makoto offers and I look at it with a confused look.
"I can't read it," I say and he blushes.
"Sorry, I completely forgot, I think I know what you'll like," he says.
"All right, you order for me, I entrust my dinner in your hands," I say and the waitress comes by and Makoto orders for us.
"I ordered you a green tea, ya know since it's pretty cold out," he says.
And pours soy sauce in a little bowl.
"Thanks," I smile and I do the same thing as him.
We sit there making small talk and then our food is set in front of us by one of the chefs at the sushi bar.
"Okay so this roll is the California Roll, I thought it'd be fitting for you. And here is the Spicy Tuna Roll, I hope you can handle spice," he says and reconsiders the order.
"No it's fine, I can handle the heat," I say and I pick-up a pair of the wooden sticks and try to figure them out and I can hear Makoto snickering next to me.
"Let me show you how to use them. You put this finger here and this one there," he instructs and rests his hand over mine to show me how to use it. We both then notice our close proximity and we both pull away blushing like two tomatoes.
"Thanks," I say and I pick up the California Roll and dip it into the soy sauce and then pop it into my mouth.
"How do you like it?" Makoto asks and also pops a roll in his mouth.
"Mmm, so good," I say and I reach for another, "It tastes just like home and it's way better then that Fresh & Easy crap."
"Good," Makoto laughs and also continues to eat, "You have to try this Spicy Tuna Roll."
"Okay," I reach forward and I grab one and eat it. The spice burns my tongue but it's rich in flavor and it tastes better then the roll before.
"How does it taste?"
"Better then the California Roll," I say with a slightly full mouth as I eat another one.
The rest of dinner is mainly spent in silence and we ordered another Spicy Tuna Roll, an order of steamed soybeans, and miso soup. I pat my stomach and a smile creeps onto my face due to a happy and fed Darcy and after five minutes of arguing Makoto pays the check.
"Thanks again for dinner," I say for the billionth time.
"Darcy if you say thank you one more time, I may send you back to California. I had fun going out and eating good food with you tonight," he says and we walk along the beach both holding our shoes up.
"I think it got colder," I comment and I rub my arms up and down.
"Here," Makoto says and takes off his coat and drapes it over me.
"No, you'll be cold, I'm not going to take your coat away," I say and I place it back on him.
"You know, most girls would eat that stuff up," he smiles.
"I'm not most girls," I reply.
"No you're not, and I like that," he says and I blush. We then walk back to the house and we pet Makoto's cat friend near the front door, then my heart nearly drops when I can feel my phone buzzing in my pants.
"You head in, I need to take this," I tell Makoto and he goes inside the house and I pick up my phone.
"I know where you are Darcy," he seethes on the other side of the phone.
"How," I say trying to sound strong.
"It's not that hard to track your cell phone, so are you and that Japanese fucking," he says and I cringe at his words.
"No, how do you know who he is Jack?" I ask.
"I do my research, I'm coming for you Darcy. Be ready to come home earlier from your little trip. It may not be next week, but I'm coming," he says and begins to laugh.
"I'll have you arrested like before," I threaten.
"And look where that got you, I was able to pay bail you stupid bitch," he laughs.
"I have a restraining order," I say feeling defeated.
"What are you going to do? Throw it at me. I'll see you soon Darcy," He says and hangs up. I stand there clutching my phone trying not to cry, I then begin to dial my social worker.
"Darcy?" she answers.
"Sue, he's back," I say and she immediately knows whom I'm taking about.
"How do you know?"
"He called me, he's coming for me here in Japan," I say and I can feel the tears coming now.
"I'll put out a report okay, I'll keep you updated," she reassures.
"He knows where I am, he knows everything," I say beginning to hyperventilate.
"Just stay calm, he won't be going anywhere," she tries to calm me down, "Where are you right now?"
"Outside of the Tachibana's."
"Go inside, get warm, I heard it's been cold over there. We'll get him okay," she says.
"Okay, thank you Sue," I say and then hang up and I shove my phone back into my pocket. I take deep breaths and wipe my eyes before I enter the house, but when I do I hit Makoto who was trying to make an escape.
"Did you hear me talking on the phone?" I ask holding back tears and trying to sound normal.
"The last time you talked on your phone you became depleted. I just wanted to make sure everything is okay," he says and reaches out to touch my shoulder.
"Everything is fine, I'm going to bed," I say and dodge his hand, "Goodnight."
I leave Makoto standing there and I go into the bedroom and shut the door behind me. I rip off my clothes and change into a pair of pajamas. I crawl in bed and tug the covers over my body trying to think of something else, but I then grab my headphones and blare music in my ears till I'm able to sleep.
"So baby, how was your day," he asks and entwines his fingers with mine, I can smell the alcohol in his breath.
"You've been drinking again," I say.
"So, Darcy I want you," he says and I can feel him move his hand to the hem of my shirt.
"No, I've told you before," I pull away, but he's quick and grabs my wrist.
"Don't fight it, I'll win this battle," Jack threatens.
"No Jack, get away," I plead as he slams me back onto to the bed.
"Shut up," he yells and slaps me in the face.
"Why are you doing this?" I ask feeling the pain sting my cheek.
"Because I want to," he says and begins to slide my shorts down my legs.
"No stop! Please help! Someone!" I yell and scream but he then puts his hand over mine.
"No one can hear you," he says and I begin to feel tears flowing out of my eyes.
He also then slides my underwear off and still holds my mouth closed. I struggle under him, but he climbs on top of me trapping me under his weight. I then bite his hand and yell at the top of my lungs.
"Help!" I scream.
Two hands awake me and I instinctively push them away and crawl up in a ball.
"Darcy, it's okay it's me. You yelled in your sleep and you were jolting around," he says holding up his arms. I touch my forehead and I just feel myself unhinge in front of Makoto and I begin to cry.
"I'm sorry I woke you up," I apologize while crying.
"Hey, hey, it's no bother," he says and sits down on my futon, "Did you have a nightmare?"
I nod my head not being able to form words.
"Come here," he says and opens his arms and I don't refuse to be engulfed by them, "Do you want to talk about it?"
I shake my head, but I do say one thing, "It wasn't a nightmare, I was reliving the past."
We then sit there and I sob into his chest as he slowly tries to calm me down by rubbing my back and running his hand through my hair.
"You wanna go somewhere?" Makoto asks and I look towards the clock.
"It's two in the morning, where are we going to go?" I say finally calming down.
"How about a swim," he offers and I smile.
"Sounds good to me," I say and I get up and so does Makoto.
I head out to the bathroom and I change into my two-piece and I throw a tank top on and a pair of shorts. I tie my hair up in tight bun and I walk out of the bathroom and Makoto waits at the front door.
"Here's a towel," he tosses a large beach towel at me and I tuck it into my knap sack.
"Thanks," I say and we both slip on our flip flops and leave the house in the cold air, "It's freezing."
"It'll be colder in the water," he comments and we walk towards the beach and I can feel my body aching for the ocean.
I fling my shoes off and I run towards the shoreline trying to forget about the nightmare. I slip out of my clothes and I run into the water accepting the shock of the cold hitting my legs, my waist, my chest and then my face. My worries slowly flow away, but I can't fully relax myself. I look up to the shore and I see Makoto standing there just watching me.
"Are you coming in?" I yell to him.
"Yeah," he says unsure of himself and takes off his shirt and pants revealing his green stripped jammers. He slowly walks in and I swim towards him until I can stand.
"Hey, are you okay," I ask when he is only knee deep in the water.
"Just a little cold," he says, but doesn't take another step.
"It'll get colder if you stay in one spot," I say and I stand next to him, "You wanna tell me what's really going on."
"Ever since I was a kid I've been afraid of the water, I mean we did open water training a year ago, but I just can't," he admits.
"Well then we should get out," I say and I begin to get out.
"Wait, no, don't get out, I can't ruin your time," he says and grabs ahold of my hand.
"It's fine, I think it's time I talked about the nightmare," I say and I get out and wrap the towel around me and I sit in the sand and Makoto does the same.
"You don't have to," he says looking out to the ocean.
"Yeah, I know, but I think I need to get it out," I say, "Remember when I told you the reason why I'm here."
"To focus on your swimming," he says.
"That's not the only reason, I needed to escape. That phone call you over heard, he had called me," I say, "I was in an abusive relationship, if I reported anything he would kill me. Then one day, we were at his house and he of course was drunk. Then he pulled down my pants and my underwear and climbed on top of me while he had his hand over my mouth. I had said no so many times and then while his hand covered my mouth I bit it and tasted his blood. I yelled and I screamed, he began to unbutton his pants, but the front door to his home busted open and one of the neighbors had heard us. They had hit him on the head before he could react and he was then arrested."
"I don't know what to say," Makoto admits still looking straight ahead.
"There's nothing to say, it's in the past, but now he's found me. He paid bail and got out of jail, he said he's going to come for me here," I reveal and I can feel the tears coming again, "He knows of your family and you, I just don't want anyone to get hurt."
"Darcy, I won't let anything happen to you, not on my watch," he says and places his arm around my shoulders.
"I'm not worried about me I'm worried about the people around me. He is not a sane person; he will do anything to get me. I told my social worker and she said she will put in a report about him, I just hope they do something before he gets on a plane," I say and I rest my head on my knees.
"Nothing will happen to you," he reassures again and I cry.
"How can you be so sure," I ask.
"Because, I just know," he says and gets up, "Come on, we are both going to get a cold out here. Let's go home and make some tea."
"Okay," I say and I get up, but my legs fail me and I fall back to the ground.
"I gotcha," he says and slips one arm under the back of my knees and another behind my back and carried me back to the house. As I rest my head against him, I can only hear his heart beat and I think of how broken I must look. For the past week I've been strong as if nothing could break me, but just one rock can shatter a window.
Makoto sets me down in front of his house and we both go inside and I go to his room, while Makoto went into the kitchen. I pull on an oversized shirt and a pair of underwear, not really caring who sees. I walk into the living room and sit on the couch and bundle up in a blanket.
"Here's your tea," he says and I look him up and down.
"Go change Makoto, you'll get sick if you stay in that thing," I comment and take slow sips of the burning tea.
"I'm fine, I want to know how you're doing?" he says and stands before me.
"I'm doing the best I can, just go get changed. You standing here with those jammers on make me uncomfortable," I say and he smiles and then leaves upstairs to change.
He comes back down in a pair of sweatpants and I can't hold back my blush when I look over his body, and thank the Lord he didn't catch me. Why must he be so kind? We still barely know each other. He's a great friend, but even I must admit there's something there whenever I see him, like my stomach does a small flip. He plops himself next to me and I offer the other side of the blanket to him.
"Thanks," he says and snuggles under it, "Busy night, huh?"
"Yeah," I say and an airy laugh follows, "Sorry I have to bring you into my problems."
"You don't have to apologize for things you have no control over. Come here, you're shaking," he says and offers his left arm.
"I'm not cold," I say.
"I know," he says and I then scoot closer to him where he throws his arm over me. It's funny how familiar his arms feel when they're around me. I can feel the muscles on his abdomen and his whole body radiates heat making me feel instantly warmer, "You sure you're not cold, because you're freezing."
"Thank you, for everything," I say quietly.
"Thank you for making my life more interesting," he says and gives me a little squeeze.
"Why are you so nice to me? I mean we still barely know each other," I mention.
"I just feel the need that I have to protect you," he admits after a long pause.
"I can protect myself. You should worry about yourself more," I say and I can feel his chest move from laughing.
"I guess it's just my personality," he says and we then just sit there in silence and I can feel my eyelids grow heavier and heavier.
"You can go to sleep, I'll be right here," he says and I look up to him.
"Okay," I say and my body finally relaxes in Makoto's arms and I slowly fall asleep hoping no nightmares will plague my mind