"I heard he had a gun," a brunette whispered.

"I heard he was trying to kill Odd," another spoke.

"I heard Odd was tryin' to kill himself." A group of teenagers stood in the hallway. Everyone had been talking about the incident ever since they heard what happened. Aelita walked by and they went silent.

"Did you hear what happened to her?"

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Jeremie is in jail. I don't know whether to feel relieved or feel bad for him. He was terrible to me, yet I feel sorry for him. I also feel some hatred towards him. Great. All my feelings are conflicted. Everyone keeps staring at me and whispering. I know what they're saying and it only makes me feel worse. I can see the pitiful looks they give me. I need to forget all of this. I sighed. I can't handle this alone. I grabbed my IPod out of my bag. On the walk back to my room, I looked through my music. Haven't heard this one in awhile.

Listen close, as the rain falls down to the ground. It's true, we are, we are destined to fail. There is a problem here, with our society. The absence of my tears is my sobriety. I have a growing fear and you're not helping me. Am I the only one who realizes its true? Beat but I'm not broken. Guide me through with you're hand. Lead with your words spoken. Show me how to listen. Let your light shine through me. Take this hate I can't release. Help me make the blind see. Misery loves its company.

I need something to distract me. I walked to my dresser. Nothing there. What is it I'm looking for? I closed my eyes to think. I checked the bottom drawer. A light went off in my head. I pulled the razor out. The blade was still sharp. Perfect.

In an instant, it was on my wrist. The blade felt cool against my skin. It moved over it smoothly, leaving only a red line as a trace it had been there. You're persecuting me, showing hypocrisy. I have a remedy, for your insecurity. I tugged it across again, harder this time. It's all the same sadly, nobody works for free. A neat cut formed and beads of blood appeared. Am I the only one who realizes it's true? The blade ripped my skin again. Another time underneath that one and one more. It felt wonderful. I didn't feel the pain, just the rush. The blood was trickling down my arm slowly. Automatically, I went and grabbed a towel to clean it off.

I changed into a black long sleeve shirt. Yumi doesn't need to know, I don't want to worry my friends anymore. Trust me, I don't need another crazy story getting out about me right now. Misery loves its company. It's true, we are, we are destined to fail.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

When classes were over, we all agreed to meet in the woods near the underground entrance to the factory. I figured fresh air is just what I needed. I pulled on my black boots and grabbed my cell phone. I won't ever leave that behind again. Yumi walked in very surprised to see me still in the room. Since I hadn't left yet, we decided to leave together.

I was glad I put on my long sleeved shirt, it was pretty windy. I watched as the leaves swirled around in the breeze. My eyes closed and I actually felt at peace. It ended all too soon when I remembered what Jeremie and I had been doing here just a few days ago. We walked in a comfortable silence but I could still feel a bit of tension near her. I stared down at the path, waiting for the other two to come into view.

"Windy, huh?" Yumi broke the silence. I nodded. My voice would fail me if I tried to speak, I just knew. "Aelita-"

"What took you guys so long?" I heard Ulrich ask. She had failed to notice how close we were to the entrance.

"Sorry, I got a little caught up in the hallways," Yumi apologized.

"Don't worry about it, Ulrich just couldn't wait to see you." Yumi laughed softly.

"Well we're gonna' go on a walk," she said while tugging Ulrich away,"catch up with you guys later." I sat down and watched their retreating forms.

"So I guess its just you and me," I directed at Odd. He looked down at me with a small smile.

"How were classes?" he asked.

"Okay I guess."

"That's not what you want to talk about is it?" I shook my head.

"Sorry." He came and stood by me.

"Its all over, you don't have to worry about it anymore." He spoke softly, like he was afraid if he spoke any louder everything would shatter. I just continued to sit quietly. The breeze picked up again. I listened to the trees shake.

"Why do I feel like I'm suffocating? I- I can't forget it no matter how hard I try. It- he meant the world to me, Odd." He had a bitter look on his face.

"Aelita, I- part of this was my fault."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

She looked sad and I could feel the pain in her eyes. Here it comes.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I kinda knew what Jeremie had been up to..." I didn't look at her. I couldn't.

"...You knew?" I nodded. "But you didn't tell me."

"I didn't think-"

"That's just it, you didn't think!" I flinched. I had it coming. "Its not your fault," her voice softened. I looked down at her. She was hugging her knees and her eyes were... watery? "Its not your fault," she repeated,"a part of me didn't want to see it." I sat down next to her.

"I don't blame you, we don't like to see the bad things sometimes, even if we know they may end up hurting us."

"That's just it. If I would have accepted it, this would have never happened." She pulled up her sleeve. I couldn't help but stare. "I hurt myself too."

"Aelita, you did that to yourself?"

"Just this afternoon," she grimaced.

"Oh Aelita..." We stayed silent for a while. I picked up her arm and examined it.

"I used a razor," she spoke up.

"Don't do this to yourself. If you need to vent, talk to me. I'm here for you."

"Thanks... My arm hurts now though," she winced. I pulled her hand up and kissed it. Then I kissed each scar on her arm slowly.

"Why is it, that everytime you kiss me, the burning stops?" she gasped out.

"Is that bad?"

"No, it feels so good."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

A/N: OxA to be cont. next chapter.

What could happen next? As always, thoughts and reviews are appreciated.