Chapter Five

'If I smile and don't believe, soon I know I will wake from this dream.' -Evanescence

Friday. I wouldn't know the difference between the days if it weren't for the people around me. Miharu was up and awake faster today than usual; she didn't even make her usual threats. When we arrived at the school and split our separate ways, we still had time to talk with friends before the bell rang. Other students were standing in the halls, talking animatedly and laughing joyfully. Today definitely stands out from the rest.

"Wow, someone's here before the bell. What'd you do, wake up three hours earlier?" Airesth joked as she sat atop my desk.

"No. Miharu was actually wide awake this morning and ready to come to school today. I never realized till this morning, that I wait on her." I replied.

"Er...okay." Airesth bit her lip, her eyes shifting back and forth as if searching for conversation. "Hey! What happened to your arm?" She wrapped her hand around my left arm. There was a bandage wrapped around my elbow in a slightly sloppy manner.

"I fell last night-" I started but was cut off as Airesth's fingers slipped too close to the hurt area. "Ah! Airesth, watch it." I pulled back enough to get her to loosen her grip but she didn't completely let go.

"Sorry!" She slowly pulled my arm within studying distance. "So you fell, huh?" She asked in a disbelieving tone. "What were you doing?"

I sighed. "Trying to close the front gate."

"Did you have an adult look at it?" She continued, turning my arm a bit and leaning forward. I rolled my eyes and fully pulled away from her. "It's just a scratch, it's nothing life-threatening."

"Sure. Oh! Do you think you can come out with me and Haku tonight?"

"Uh..." Well that was out of nowhere. "I-I guess."

Airesth smiled. "Cool! Now, if you'll excuse me; I need to go look for Haku." She jumped off the desk and skipped out the door.

Everyone seems to be in a good mood this morning. No wonder I feel so detached from them. Class eventually started and I paid enough attention to know that I've been out of it all week. I had absolutely no idea what the heck the teacher was talking about. I took down the notes she wanted us to take and felt myself panicking a little.

By the time second period rolled around I wasn't feeling too well.

"Hey, what's the matter with you?" Risu questioned as she stepped up to my desk. I had my head buried in my arms and mumbled a reply.

"Huh?"

I sighed and slowly lifted my head from the comfortable darkness. "I'm not feeling too good."

"D'you need to go to the nurse?" Risu kneeled in front of me with concern in her eyes. I shook my head.

"No. Don't worry about it; I'll be fine." I sat up straighter in my chair. I may be behind in my school work, but I'm not about to make Risu get behind on hers. "I just...need to get some water or something."

"Why don't you, then? You still have about three minutes."

I shook my head. "Nah. I'll just wait till after class."

"But that's lunch."

"...Then I'll get something at lunch."

Risu studied me for a moment before slowly standing back up.

"Oh, yeah. And, I passed your message onto Hatsuharu yesterday." I added in an attempt to get her mind off of me.

Risu gasped and her eyes lit up. She slammed her fist into her palm. "That's right! Where is he?" She turned around and began to scan the class room. "There he is!" And with that she took off from my desk. Good luck, Hatsuharu. I thought with somewhat amusement. The bell rang. Sensei Hirotachi walked through the door. And so began second period.

Two handouts to do in class and an essay to take home over the weekend; it seems that teachers like Friday also. They get to assign as much work as they want. What do they care? We've got two days to do it. The bell rang and as is accustomed for Risu, she was the first one out the door. I packed up my things, stood up and walked out of the classroom.

I heard some boys yelling up ahead and looked up to see three running in my direction. One of them was Momiji, the one Risu had pointed out to me Monday. I moved to the side as he came running past, being chased by the other two. He had such a bright smile on his face that I felt a small smile tug on my lips. Risu was right. He is cute.

"Yo, Kitani. Are you okay?" I snapped my eyes back to where I was walking and saw Kovu staring at me with a curious expression.

"Hey, Kovu." I slightly shook my head. "Yeah I'm fine, why?"

He shrugged and we slowly walked towards the cafeteria together.

"Where's Kaze?" I asked, noticing that she wasn't with him today.

Kovu shrugged again and looked down at me. "I have no idea. She seems to be disappearing lately. You don't know where she is?"

I thought about it for a moment then shook my head. "Sorry, no."

Kovu sighed. "Never mind then."

"Well," I stopped myself, unsure of what I was about to say.

Kovu glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. "What?" He questioned. I scratched the back of my head, trying to search for the words to say. Crap. I lost them. I dropped my hand and sighed.

"Never mind. Nothing."

Kovu stared at me for a moment before deciding to let it drop and looking back forward. We were late getting to the cafeteria and ended up having to wait in the mob of a line for our lunches.

"Okay, ladies and gents, I have a special song to sing for you today." Risu was speaking into a coke bottle when Kovu and I walked up to the sakura tree. Her audience consisted mostly of first years and a few second years.

Kovu and I quietly sat down by Airesth, Haku, and Miharu as Risu cleared her throat.

"Hey, hey, you, you, I don't like your girlfriend. No way, no way. I think you need a new one. Hey, hey, you, you, I could be your girlfriend!"

I cracked a smile.

"Doesn't she have a boyfriend?" Miharu questioned with a dumbfounded expression as she jabbed her thumb in Risu's direction.

"Yes. She's crazy." Airesth said simply.

I shook my head. "She's just having fun, leave her alone."

"Your so fine, I want you mine, you're so delicious. I think about you all the time, you're so addictive. Don't you know what I can do to make you feel alright? Don't pretend I think you know I'm damn precious. And hell yeah, I'm the mother fuckin' princess!"

"Whoa!" Airesth gasped just as Haku dived to cover Miharu's ears. "Watch it, Risu. We have minors here!"

Miharu pushed Haku's hands away and glowered at Airesth. "You're a minor too! Hell, we're all minors."

"Oh. Well...your virgin ears!" After hearing that, Haku attempted to cover Miharu's ears again. "Gah!" Miharu exlaimed as she fell backwards trying to get away from Haku.

"Oh come on, you guys. You know the song, sing with her." I urged.

Airesth and Miharu looked at me with expressions that read, 'yeah right.'

"You can, I'm not." Airesth closed her eyes and went back to her lunch. Miharu scoffed and turned away. "I don't sing."

"You guys know how to party." Kovu commented with a sarcastic grin.

"Just because she's making a total idiot of herself, doesn't mean we have to also." Airesth snapped.

I took in a silent breath and shared a glance with Kovu that said, 'oh shit, she's pissed.'

"What's the matter with you?" Miharu questioned with a quirked eyebrow. She'd noticed her fowl mood also.

"Nothing." She grumbled. Haku pulled her closer and leaned his head close to hers, speaking quietly so the rest of us couldn't hear.

Miharu rolled her eyes and turned back to look at Risu who was getting first years to sing along with her. "Why does she do that?"

I looked over at Risu for a moment and shrugged. "She's just having fun."

I wish I could be that carefree. I nibbled on a piece of food.

Lunch came and went, along with third period. Machi and I weren't able to get much done in third so I made plans for us to meet tomorrow at a nearby coffee shop where my friends and I used to hang out a lot. Fourth period was the same as first. I felt as if I were slowly dying with every word that left the teacher's mouth. What. The. Hell. Are. You. Saying?

By the time the bell rang, I had about four pages, front and back, of notes. My head was so scrambled that I ended up dropping my head into my arms again. It wasn't until a few minutes after everyone left the classroom that the teacher even realized that I was still there.

"Don't you have a home to get to, Miss Hiratai?" They questioned.

I tensed at those words, but slowly lifted my head and sighed. After sliding everything off of the desk and into my bag, I stood and made for the door.

With all this work, how the hell did I have a social life last year? I walked down the hall and caught up with Miharu. In the middle of my mental thoughts of doom, I saw her standing in the doorway to the music room.

"Miharu?" I called out.

She jumped and turned to look at me. "Oh. Hey, Kitani." She quickly stepped away from the doorway and stuck her hands behind her back.

"...What are you doing?"

"Nothing. I was just waiting for you." She stepped forward and kept her gaze averted from the music room. "You seemed to be taking your sweet time. Can we go now?"

I glanced at the music room for a moment then glanced down at Miharu who had her head ducked from me.

"Yeah...sure..."

Miharu nodded then began to walk past me and continue down the hall. I waited a few more moments, staring at the music room doorway, before turning and following.

It wasn't until later that night that I remembered Airesth wanted me to go out with her and Haku. I dropped my pencil and leaned back in my chair. Miharu walked into the bedroom and climbed the ladder to her top bunk.

"Are you working on homework right now?" She questioned.

"Yes." I sighed while dragging my hands across my face.

"Why? It's Friday. Do it tomorrow."

I dropped my hands to my lap and looked up at her. "I can't, I have plans tomorrow."

Miharu scoffed. "Yeah, well you have plans tonight too."

"Huh?"

The bed squeaked as she turned in it to look down at me from over the railing. "Airesth called just now. She wants you to meet her and Haku at that coffee place down the street."

I tensed. "Oh...shit!" I spun in the chair to look out the window then back around to scan the room. "I need clothes." I jumped up from the chair and ran to the closet, searching for the bag with my civilian clothes.

Miharu sat up in her bed and draped her legs over the edge, watching me with bored eyes. "Why do you guys go there if you don't even drink coffee?"

"We don't go there to drink coffee. The place just has cool chairs to sit in; it's quiet; and they have really good cakes." I quickly changed into a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. "You want to come?" I asked as I searched for my cap.

"Nah. Maybe next time. I wanna finish reading my book." She fell back to lie on the bed and reached over to lift the window blinds enough to peek through. "You might want to take a jacket. Looks like it's raining."

I sighed as I searched for my shoes. "Course it is." I grabbed them then started to look for my jacket. Once I found it and Miharu had tossed me my cap, I ran downstairs for the front door.

"My mom comes back around eleven, so you'd be safe coming back by ten-thirty." Miharu informed as she walked me out. "Okay. Thanks." I stepped aside so that Miharu could open the gate. Of course, she didn't have a problem with it at all. "I'll be back at ten-thirty!" I called as I ran down the street through the pouring rain.

The coffee shop really is just down the street. It takes just about five minutes to get to if you're walking. Since I was running, it took about three.

I pushed open the door, causing the small bell at the top to jingle. The place was warm compared to the cold rain and wind outside. The walls were painted a warm golden color that when hit by the ceiling lights, made the place give off a soft glow. There were couches in the center that faced a wooden coffee table. A few people sat in them, some with books or newspapers, others on laptop computers. I spotted Airesth and Haku sitting in a cushioned booth by the wide window that looked out onto the sidewalk and street. So, they could've seen me coming already. I almost didn't want to go up to them. They looked so cozy together. Both were wearing sweater pullovers and were cuddled together in the corner of the booth. Airesth had her hair down around her shoulders and Haku couldn't get enough of it as they played together.

I sighed and made my way over to the two. "Hey you guys." I greeted as I slid into the booth.

The two looked up with smiles on their faces. "Hey, Kitani." "Hi."

"So what's going on?" I asked, slipping off my jacket and leaving my cap on.

"Nothing really. We were thinking that you forgot so decided to call. Did you forget?" Airesth questioned.

"Er. Yes?"

Airesth shook her head but just leaned back on Haku. "You can go order some hot chocolate or something. You look kind of cold." She said, referring to the semi empty counter. I shook my head. "No that's okay. I don't have any money on me anyway."

Haku perked up at this. "Do you need money?" He started to reach into his jacket pocket.

"No...I..." He handed me the money anyway. I sighed and took it. "Thank you." I mumbled before sliding out of the booth and heading down the steps to the counter. There was a bored teen who couldn't have been older than me, behind the counter, waiting to help a customer. When I approached he stood up a bit and managed a polite smile. "Can I help you?" He questioned. "Yeah, um..." I looked down at the money in my hand. How much did he give me? I moved it around, trying to count it when I heard a cough from behind me. I jumped and quickly said, "Hot chocolate, please." The guy looked at me curiously before nodding and turning away to prepare the drink. I glanced behind me and muttered an apology to the person waiting in line.

"Fine, whatever. Just make sure you know what you're getting before you get in line." Came the man's reply. Well, not really a man. I recognized him as someone from school. Though, I'd only seen him in passing. Em...doesn't really matter, does it?

I nodded and waited for the guy to come back and tell me the price.

"What are you doing here?" The guy behind me grumbled. For a moment, I thought he was actually talking to me, but then I heard another voice.

"I'm here to get what everyone ordered."

"The hell-I said I would."

"While that's appreciated by some, Miss Honda wishes to be in your company."

My arm slipped from the countertop and I nearly hit my head on the edge of it. The two behind me became quiet and I just leaned in closer to the counter, hiding my face from them. Miss Honda? She's, that's...oh damn. I suddenly felt my face heat up and grasped my hands together nervously. Where's that guy with the drink?

"So are you going?" The other continued.

"Eh?! Why should I?! I said I was going to get the drinks, so I'm going to get the drinks!"

"You're really such an idiot."

"Damn rat. What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're an idiot. Do I have to spell it out for you?"

"Damn it, shut your mouth."

"Shut yours and go back to Miss Honda wont you."

The employee finally came back with a warm mug and I hastily handed him the money. "Thanks." I muttered, before slipping away from the argument. I didn't even look over my shoulder at the quareling two. I knew one of them from school, so the other could possibly be a family member or something the way they were arguing. Brothers maybe.

I was half way back to the booth when I heard someone call out my name. I turned to see a girl sitting at a full table towards the back area waving in greeting. She was small and had long brown hair pulled back in ribbons. I've seen her at school also. I didn't recognize anyone she was with except for Hatsuharu and Momiji. Hatsuharu is the only one I've actually spoken with, but it's the girl and Momiji who are looking at me. I look around me for a moment, wondering if they were waving at someone else, before half raising my hand in a weak wave. I'm sure my face was an expression of: 'Okay, I'm waving. But, who are you?'

Momiji was pulled back down into his seat by his sleeve by the man sitting next to him, while another whispered into the girl's ear. I took that chance and quickly headed back to the booth with Airesth and Haku.

Once I slid in all the way to the end, I placed the mug on the table and dropped back into the cloth seating.

"You okay?" Airesth asked, looking at me from across the table. "You look all flushed."

I let out a breath and shook my head.

Airesth had a thoughtful look on her face. "Was that guy at the counter flirting with you or something?"

I hit my head against the back of the seat and made a face. "No." It just got really hot over there for some reason.

"Those two Souhma guys at the counter were arguing while you were over there." Haku pointed out. "Were they fighting over you?"

I scoffed at that and opened my eyes since they'd been closed since I sat down. "No. They were talking about a Miss Honda."

"Tohru Honda?" Airesth turned her complete attention to me. Haku seemed to go off into his own little world for a moment. "She's hot." I heard him mutter.

"Down, sweety." Airesth grabbed his hand and squeezed it, bringing him back to earth.

He snapped back and looked at us. "Oh, right. Sorry."

I shook my head and reached out for the mug. I dragged it closer to me. I tried to stay as close to the corner as I could; hoping that no one could spot me.

"Well something happened." Airesth commented. "You look freaked."

"No. It's nothing. Some people just called out to me...and I...have...no idea who they are...is all." My voice kept dropping until it was nothing more than a mutter.

"Well, who? Maybe I know them." Airesth scooted over to the edge of the table, away from Haku, who for a moment, looked a bit abandoned.

"Airesth, it's nothing." I sighed.

"Stop that. Now tell me: who was it?"

I rolled my head to the side to look out the window. "The table where Hatsuharu is sitting at."

"Be more specific. I don't see Hatsuharu."

"Eh...then the table in the way back. You should at least see Momiji or something."

"I'm not seeing it. Come here and show me." I could hear the annoyance building in her voice and decided what the hell. I took a sip from the hot chocolate and slid over to the edge of the bench. I stuck my head out from behind the back of the booth only to have the view of a body standing right in my face. To put things simply, I freaked out and ended up back at the other end with my back to the window and my legs out before me. My heart was pounding like crazy and my face was hot again. Judging by how badly both Airesth and Haku were laughing, I looked as freaked as I felt.

"Oh man." I groaned, burying my face in my hands. Its hard to say what I wanted to do at the moment. Either start laughing, or run out the door.

I didn't get to act on either, because I heard the sound of someone clearing their throat somewhere behind all the laughing. I slowly looked up through my fingers and felt like crawling under the table.

"Hi, Hatsuharu." I managed to say while slowly lowering my hands.