author's notes: I cried and shamelessly snotted all day yesterday. I also donated blood in remembrance of 9/11.
I love you all. :3
Here's the continuation of the last chapter:
jealousy
.
"... Each toy seems prologue to some great amiss.
So full of artless jealousy is guilt,
It spills itself in fearing to be spilt."
- Shakespeare
Faint, hesitant knocking jerked him awake - though, he had never been truly asleep, merely snagged in this limbo between conflicted consciousness and tangled dreams.
Dark gray eyes stared listlessly at the ceiling before he finally gained the will to thrust himself off his bedroll and meander over to his door. He slid the rice paper open and squinted into the late night gloom of the hallway.
"Sakura?" He rubbed his eyes, struggling to see the shadow.
"Oh, Shūhei - !"
"Oomph!" She tackled him, plastering herself to his front while he attempted to remain upright.
"G-go on," she sobbed into his chest, "Go on; s-say it."
He pulled her away with difficulty - for her strength was incredible - and peered at her tear-streaked face. "Say what?"
"'I told you so'," she blubbered before diving back to his winded torso.
He made a face, confused, but awkwardly stroked Sakura's hair, the silken strands bending with fluid ease around his roughened fingers.
"What are you talking about, Sakura?"
"Byakuya-sama," she mumbled into his chest.
He froze, his lip already curling at the mere mention of the prissy upperclassman.
"H-he rejected me," continued Sakura.
A blind fury surged from within him, but also - most curiously - a bloated feeling of satisfaction at this news.
"... Shūhei, you're squishing me..."
"Oh - sorry."
"It's fine," said Sakura automatically.
Something inside him snapped. "No, it's not fine, Sakura."
She gave him an alarmed look; then a slow, tender smile.
"Thanks, Shūhei, thanks for listening to my problems and me. I know you probably didn't want to hear about them at this ungodly hou-what are you do-"
It was supposed to be romantic - however, it was anything but.
Their foreheads bumped together, like that first time so long ago. His mouth smashed against hers, and their teeth collided startlingly.
Sakura thrashed and pulled away from him. Green eyes wide, she gaped like a fish. "Sh-wha-... I-I'm … I g-gotta go."
And she was gone, leaving his lungs empty and a bittersweet taste on his lips.
author's notes: I'm not completely happy with this one D: let me know what you think. Thanks for reading!