Chapter 10: Tell me!

Author's Note: I KNOW! I'M A TERRIBLE PERSON! I'M LAZY AND HORRID! But, in my defense, I've had a TON going on. I had Homecoming, and homework, a sprained ankle, a seizure AT homecoming, yeah it's a mess. But hopefully I'll get everything straightened out. And now, here's the hopefully good enough new chapter! *bows*

(Rei's P.O.V)

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate school? Because I do. I really hate it. Everyone always looks at me funny, as if I'm not there. They stare right through me. And I really don't like it. Of course, it maybe I'm just seeing what I expect to see. I guess you grow to expect this when your cousins and your own BROTHER each have their own mini-fan clubs. (Totally unwanted by the way, Yuki truly hates his club) It has now been a week since my "incident" at school, but I still see Mateo. He still talks to me, laughs, and acts like nothing is wrong. Like he never came to my house. Like it never happened. And for some reason, I'm on edge. Just waiting for him to say something to someone else about what he saw. And I don't want him to. I really don't want him to.

"Hey Rei, hurry up. We're gonna be late for school." Kyo called to me. Sighing, I finished putting my hair in its usual pig tails and trotted down the rickety stairs.

"Rei! C'mon!" Kyo's loud voice shattered my ear drums as I entered the living room. He was standing literally two feet from me. I took my backpack with and whacked him over the head with it. He fell over. "Ouch! What was that for?" I gave him a face that said 'dude, don't mess with me'.

I'm standing right here you idiot! You didn't need to yell so loud! My fingers sped through air.

"Sorry." He gave me an apologetic ruffle on my hair, and towed me gently out the door to where Momiji and Haru waited with Tohru and Yuki.

"Good morning Rei." Yuki's calm voice was tight with suppressed laughter and I had a feeling he'd seen the whole drama in the living room.

Morning Yuki! Good morning everyone! I gave a small smile to all of them, nodding towards the path. Shall we go?

The other's nodded in agreement, and we set off for school. Haru's eyebrows were scrunched up and every now and then he shot me an apprehensive glance. Something's wrong…

()()()()() At School

"Class, please pay attention." I sat in my desk with Haru and Mateo on either side of me. Mateo had been rather quiet today. Usually he was raising his hand to answer every question. Today, he didn't even speak. What is going ON?

I decided to catch him after class. As I packed up my bags, Haru came up to me.

"Hey, I'm going to go meet Yuki and the others at the entrance ok? Take your time."

(Haru's P.O.V)

Dang that girl is smart. I knew she knew something was wrong. I wouldn't tell her. Not in a million years. She'd fry me alive if she knew what I was thinking. As she squinted up at me with those emerald eyes, I felt an uneasiness wash over me. She couldn't know…could she? No, if she did, she would not be standing in front of me right now. She'd be hiding in the closet Shigure's, or clinging to Kyo crying her eyes out. She wouldn't be standing here in front of me as if nothing was wrong.

(Rei's P.O.V)

Alright, I'll see you outside. I signed. Why was Haru looking at me like that? His ochre eyes probed my face for a moment, as if trying to see inside my mind. Kami knows I love him, but Haru is sometimes really creepy. (A/N: sorry, she doesn't mean like LOVE love, just like cousin love. Just clearing that up.) He nodded and sauntered out. I heard a crash and I turned to realize Haru and I had not been alone in the room. Mateo was still here. He was now on his hands and knees picking up pencils and pens from his fallen binder. Without hesitation, I bent down and helped him pick up his things.

"Thanks Rei." I nodded solemnly. He was turning to go, when I instinctively reached out and snatched his jacket sleeve. He slowly turned himself back to face me. "What is it Rei?" He asked, curiosity and concern evident in his voice. I steeled myself for what I had to say. I couldn't tell him the truth, but I could at least make things right.

I'm sorry.

He stared at me dumbfounded. His honey colored eyes startled me. They flashed ever so slightly when I said that.

"Rei, what do you have to be sorry for?"

(Mateo's P.O.V)

She gave a rueful grin as if to say 'you don't know the half of it'. Then her hands stretched out in front of her again.

Kami knows I have a lot to atone for. But I'm sorry for not being able to tell you everything. I really am. And thank you for not pressing me about it.

She had "a lot to atone for"? What could she have possible done? And she thought I still held her lie against her? I've never been one to hold grudges, hadn't she realized this yet?

"It's alright Rei. I just want to help. I really do. I've seen the way you look sometimes, when you stare at the younger kids playing. You look so lonely. I just want to help." I hated to see her so sad. Her eyes would darken, and she would go off to a place that no one, except possibly Kyo could enter. She would shake ever so slightly, as if scared or about to cry. I really wanted to make her smile. I had yet to see her grin.

Even as I spoke I could see it happening. Her eyes got curiously blank, and the expressions on her face just disappeared. Like a slate wiped clean. I walked up to her, and as I saw her shaking, I put a hand on her shoulder.

"Rei…"

(Rei's P.O.V)

Damn these stupid memories! Why couldn't I just forget what happened? Great. Now I'm going to start crying and shaking. Just perfect.

"Rei…"

Mateo was still here. I had to focus. I tried to wrench myself back from the painful flashes of fear and vulnerability. Then I heard the words that made me shake all over, just for a different reason. I didn't want him to hate me. I really didn't.

"Tell me the truth."

Author's Note: Sorry it's so short. It seemed like a good place to cut it off. The next chapter will be way more long and interesting! I swear! You'll hear the "Story of the Panther" and everything will make a little more sense! Again,sorry for not updating in awhile. I'm horrid, I know. But please read and reveiw anyways! You're reveiws give me motivation to write more!