Chapter 7: Opened hearts

-lll-

So, here we are now, another day after. A feeling revealed and emotions confused, no idea what to say, how to say, what to do, or how to do it. We've avoided one another, not a word to say to wither of them. I don't know why, I just think it would be best to fade out of this. Forget what I had and let it fall away, no longer in my hands, but in the air and gone.

The end of the day bell rung, my thoughts going on, before I could go, some one stood at my desk, it was Hanako, and she seemed distraught and saddened. "Sorry..." Was the only thing she said before leaving, I could barely hear her, it was a scared whisper. But I could see the tears starting as she turned to leave, the heart that was burned cried to clear but only to sting. It ran through my mind a million times, no reason to go after her, is there? Is it my fault that I can't have a life like others? I can fade away from the view, but what if I do. What then? Do I die without anyone knowing? No one would care or see, right? But, they might, would they? I don't know, the possibility is high and the reason clear.

It took a moment for my body to move, but, I started after her. She was around the corner. I quickened my pace; I had an idea of this path to where she is going. I guessed right, I hoped I was right. I saw her move past the doors into the library.

I went in and spotted her going to the far back. I slowed down, quieting my steps. I got there, saw her, I had hurt her. Balled up, arms wrapped around her knees, head tucked down, crying, and it was my fault and it hurt.

I took only a few steps towards her. "Hanako..."

She looked at me for a split moment and then tucked back her eyes to hope I was gone. "G-Go away...please..." Her voice, such hurt, it's what I caused. My absence left a pain in a heart that was already hurt.

I thought about going to her, but I didn't, might cause even more pain, no more pain, not for her, and not for anyone else. "Hanako, what's wrong?" My voice held flat but edged on emotion, a hurt sound of worry.

She continued her tears; it panged my heart to see this. "You lied...you don't..."

I was now lost, or was I? I lied? I don't...no. "What did I lie about?"

She looked at me again, I could now see anger. "You don't love me. Don't lie..." The evasion, made the truth a lie, and it hurt instead of helping. "Who would love me...I'm...just look at me!" She pulled back the hair covering the right side of her face to reveal the burn scars.

Her scars from the burns, they were purple, red, black, and blue. How could anyone hate her for the scars, why would anyone hater her?

"Look at these scars, I'm hideous. I'm just a burned girl every one pities and hates, and to say you love me..."She dropped her head again. "It hurts..."

I moved closer and crouched down; I put my hand on the scars, feeling the skin. "No, these scars, to me, are beautiful. You are beautiful. I love you. I avoided you and Lilly because I felt too close, but, I was wrong, and now I hurt the one I love."

Hanako looked at me, her tears had ceased. Now a light blush on her face. "I...I..."

I sighed. "I'm sorry Hanako. I was scared. But, feel my scars," I took her left hand and let it feel the long scars on the left side of my face. "I have scars as well. Just like you, not of fire, but of the same caliber. But, I don't hide mine. Neither are you, I find who you are as beautiful. I don't see the scared burned girl you say you are, I see you as Hanako."

Hanako started to cry again, not from sadness, but joy. "T-thank you..."

I leaned closer and wrapped my arms around her, rubbing her back. "I love you, and that's not a lie. I don't say it to make pity, I say it because I honestly love you Hanako. I'm not showing pity, I'm showing how I feel." I moved back till we were face to face. "Don't think anything else, understood?"

She smiled and wiped her tears. "R-Right..."

I got up and held my hand out for her. She took it and I helped her, pulling her close for a quick kiss on her right cheek. "Come on." I was smiling; she was too, but with a bit of a blush. "Lilly's probably wondering where you are."

She nodded and stayed close to me as we walked to the little room, hand clasped together.

I opened the door for her and let Hanako enter first. I saw Lilly calmly sitting. "Hey Lilly, sorry we're late."

Lilly turned her head in my direction. "Oh, Kizuato, is Hanako here?"

Hanako smiled. "Yes...I-I'm here."

Lilly let out a sigh and smiled. "You had me worried Hanako."

Hanako played with the end of her hair. "S-sorry...I was...w-with K-kizuato..."

Lilly looked to me. "So, what were you two doing? And why have you been avoiding us?" I could see a mischievous grin, never thought I'd see Lilly do that.

I blushed and rubbed the back of my neck. "I-I...well..." I let out a sigh. "I'll tell you over some tea." I went over to the tea and made some, and thus we talked. Lilly was happy, Hanako was doing her best to not faint from embarrassment, and I was just telling the story. Feels good to be with the people I love, especially with the one I care the most about. This is what an opened heart feels like, no longer scared to share and love. I think I'll keep to it.