Monday morning came quickly, signaling itself with the beeping of my alarm clock. I groan, rolling over to turn off the annoying beeping, and rubbed my eyes to attempt to rub the sleepiness out of my eyes.

At least I didn't have a nightmare.

I stretched my arms out, careful to not stretch my stitches that much. Putting it in too much strain hurts, almost as much as it did when he shot me.

I thought of yesterday during my half-sleep haze and smiled lazily. I hope we will have a fun day today just like yesterday. For the first time last week, everyone was truly happy.

How much longer will that happiness really last?

I sighed, moving from my warm covers and into the bathroom, where I freshened up before grabbing one of the books on my bookshelf. It was one of the newer ones by one of my favorite authors.

I update my bookshelf daily, not only to read some new books and to keep my collection updated but to please Yuri too. She uses my bookshelf too since she already read all the books in her house. I don't mind much, she keeps them in perfect condition anyways.

I went into the living room and got the coffee machine from the front of the counter. I usually get coffee after my run, being tired and all, but it became too dangerous to run recently. Coffee would make me in a perky mood for I wasn't that tired but I didn't care. Coffee is coffee.

I grabbed the steamy hot coffee after and brought it up to my lips. It burned slightly at the touch but nothing that I wasn't used to. I sat the cup on the table near the couch a little later and read seeing there wasn't anything else to do.

Yuri came a little later, saying a drowsy hello. I say one back, humming a bright tune. I noticed was still wearing her robe despite me wearing my uniform. I was so used to changing into my uniform as soon after I showered from my run that I accidentally just put it on after my first one.

Yuri seemed to dismiss why I was wearing my uniform and went to the kitchen to fix some tea (I don't know how could she function without coffee) for herself. She also did some of the chores to which I made a mental note to thank her for.

I also noticed that she didn't make any move towards the tv, daring to even look at it.

I continued to read while she did these things, my book has been at its climax and was actually pretty good.

"Is that a new one?" Yuri asks, I looked up and blinked before replying to her.

"Yeah, brought it a month ago."

She hums a tune while sipping her tea, excited that the bookshelf has been updated. "Is it a nice one?" I smile wider as I showed her the author and her eyes widen. "It's that author?! I thought he was on a hiatus!"

"It turns out that he recently got out of hiatus since his son is now going to daycare. To celebrate, he released a new book! I just needed to get it."

"I'm excited to read it! Moni, where are you at."

"Climax. I might be done reading it by next week."

"When you end it tell me about it." She sips her tea once again, this time having a wider smile on her face.

We giggled and talked about the book like little kids talking about a new toy. Well, until Natsuki came downstairs, leaving Yuri with an embarrassed hue.

Natsuki wore a large shirt that her torso drowns in, some pink pajama pants, and plush bunny slippers. She stops walking when she sees Yuri, her face the same color as her pajamas.

I swear I saw some red tricked down her face...

Whatever it was, I dismiss it and thought to try to lessen the awkward silence between us three, however, before I could speak Yuri found her voice.

"I-I...urm... have to go... change! Yes, it's almost time for school! I'm sorry Moni but we have to continue our conversation another time." She rushes off in a blur of purple hair waiting for no reply.

I nod hesitantly, still slightly confused by her erupt departure and horrible lie. I then look over at Natsuki and she looks as confused as I am before clearing her throat. "Goddamn that Yuri, always running when I need her."

I just shrugged and looked at the clock. 6:30 am.

"It's still a bit early for you to be up. There are at least thirty minutes before your alarm.

"Quit babying me Monika, I can wake up for myself!" She diverts her eyes to huff while I sigh, picking up my coffee to drink it again.

Natsuki goes to the kitchen, fixing all of us breakfast. I volunteered to help her but she gave me a glare and basically told me to fuck off. I guess she's tired again, based off her bad mood. She always a little cranky at mornings but rarely this much.

Unless she gets home late due to her father keeping her in longer or her not being home at all, which are the scariest of nights, but she always comes to school fine except for a bruise somewhere and an awful attitude.

I decided not to mess with her right now. Maybe talk to her privately during the club meeting? Yeah, she would most likely calm down before then.

With that decided, I go back to reading my book, pretending that I wasn't coming up with a plan for the wellbeings of my clubmates.

Thirty minutes went quickly as I was reading. Soon it was 7:18 and Natsuki had to nudge me that breakfast was done. She and Yuri were wearing their uniforms now so I guessed that they changed.

"Moni, breakfast's ready."

I nodded, ready to get this day started.

As I went over to the dining room, I couldn't but notice the empty seat beside me.

"Is Sayori up?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Natsuki rolls her eyes while Yuri closes her eyes, nodding her head.

"I tried to knock on her door, but it never works," Yuri says timidly.

I sigh, glancing at the stairway.

"Keep the food warm, okay?"

Natsuki gives a skeptical look, putting the two dishes in the fridge. Yuri gives a light smile and I gave a playful smirk back before heading upstairs.

As I approached Sayori's room, I decided to knock one last time.

"Sayori, you up?"

Moments of silence proves Yuri's last point as I rolled my eyes, chuckling slightly.

"Okay, I'm coming in!"

Sayori's room was slightly cluttered because she had forgotten to clean it earlier. However, it wasn't near as dirty as it used to be. Since she first stayed here we all clean her room with her, since she has a hard time doing it because of her depression.

Sayori herself was laying on her bed, fast asleep. I smiled, a blush forming across my face. No Moni, you have to remember what's at stake!

I ruffled her hair gently. "Wake up sleepy head." She groans and turns over to my dismay. "Come on, Natsuki's going to complain."

Again, no reply. I sat on the edge of her bed, expecting this to take a while. After shaking a shoulder a few times, I got a response.

"Mm...what's the time?"

I glanced momentarily at Sayori's alarm clock. The blue clock has two tiny cat ears attached on its top. It sits on her counter, right next to her plush bunny, making it easy to see.

"Um...7:35. Why?"

"...Ten more minutes," she replies drowsily.

"Sayori, no."

"Sayori, yes."

I bit my lip, deciding what to do next. Do I go with it? Do I admit defeat? I took a steady glance at Sayori's alarm clock and decided it was worth it. So, I got up and promptly plucked her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open at the gesture and she frowns.

"Moni, that hurts~"

"It was well worth it."

She pouts, rubbing the spot where I plucked it. I scooped the smaller girl up in my arms, blowing a raspberry on her forehead.

"Moni, ehehe, what are you doing?"

"Kissing it better!"

She laughs, trying to push me away. After a few minutes, I finally stop and we gazed into each other's eyes until a crash breaks us both from our trance.

It seems like some dishes crashed downstairs. Are they both okay downstairs?

Some muffled noises, two screams, and a fight beginning get me my answer. I sighed, looking back at Sayori, who sighed as well. I let go my hold of her and leaned against the wall.

"Hey, Sayori?"

"Hm?"

"What's the time?"

"Eh? Um...7- It's 7:48?!"

I snicker while Sayori rushes to get ready. She pouts at me.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"

"I did."

Sayori doesn't listen, too busy.

"I'm going to the shower, okay?"

"Okay."

She waves at me before rushing in the shower. I decided to go downstairs to wait for her.

Natsuki and Yuri wouldn't look at each other by the time I went downstairs. I raised a brow but didn't ask anything involving the topic. Instead, I began to put my books into my own bag, hurrying against the time. By the time Sayori joins in a couple of minutes later, I look up to see Natsuki and Yuri were gone.

"Eh? Where are they at?"

"Oh, they said that they were walking to school ahead."

With my eyebrow twitching a little, I sigh, picking up my bag and putting over my shoulder. Abandoning us and walking to school. Great. "Come on Sayori, we're going to outrun those cheaters."

Sayori grins, noticing the perky tone in my voice.

"I can't wait to see you run with coffee! You'll be like the Flash!"

I laugh, covering my mouth to try to stifle it.

"Eh, you think so?"

"I know so."

I laugh again, stretching out my legs a little. "Let's prove it then."

"Right on!"

We slip on our shoes and run towards school, totally not ambushing the others in the process.

Sometimes, I watch as Auntie tends her garden outside. She has two little ones near the sides of her fence. They were small, but bursting with color and beauty.

Auntie takes great care of them, making sure each one has enough water and sunlight and keeping bugs and weeds out. She does this every day.

Sometimes, as I watch Auntie, she spots me. With a raised eyebrow and a playful smirk, she motions me outside.

We tended to the flowers together with some chit-chat in between, although Auntie's bad at it. I guess she doesn't know what topics not to go to with a teenager.

"So, dating anyone?"

Example A.

"Eh? I'm not interested in nobody. It's not like mom and dad will let me date anyone anyway."

"Come on, don't limit yourself! Remember what I said a year ago? 'Rebel-'"

"-be free. Yes, yes I remember. It's just that all the boys are heartless jerks and the girls are so stuck up to the point that it hurts." Auntie laughs while I manage to crack a smile. "Nobody's that cute at the school that I'm in."

"Except for you."

I flipped my hair dramatically, causing Auntie to giggle again. "Well, I'm not really an option."

Auntie smirks before picking one of her hibiscuses. I turned to see what she was doing and she unexpectedly puts it in my hair.

"You look greater than great."

"These are one of your flowers!"

"I had it for a long time, it was about to die."

"...that makes me feel worse."

I gently tapped one of the petals, eyeing it carefully. It felt too big to be just one flower. "Are these one of your Rose Mallows?"

She raises an eyebrow suspectly. "How did you knew?"

"It covers this whole half of my hair, Auntie! Only Rose Mallows grow to be that huge."

"Yeah, your right. It's one of the bi-colored ones."

"That makes me feel worse! The bi-colored ones are rare."

"I have a few left, surely those could reproduce. I'll be fine."

"O-oka-hey! What are you doing?!"

Auntie picks another Rose Mallow and places it in her hair as well. It covers a bit of her face. I laugh a bit.

"Don't think I won't get in with the trends."

"Auntie, this isn't a trend."

"Well, we are making it one!" She grabs her phone and asks if I wanted to see myself, which I agreed to.

So she takes a selfie, her in the front making one of her silly faces and me in the back, grinning like an idiot. I feel a bit uneasy since my parents don't do this thing with me, but this is Auntie. I can act like myself here.

I let myself get in another silly pose and waited for the incoming click.

Ding Dong!

I jump, looking at the large school clock. I then look down at my notebook, which was empty. I sigh, putting the book back in my bag. I guess I daydreamed mostly in class today. The day seemed to fly by too, nothing's left but one more period.

I can't help but feel a pain of guilt in my heart. It's not like someone like me is expected to daydream. I am looked up to by hundreds of students, I can't let them down.

It's not like I wanted them to look up to me, but still...

I lifted my bag up to my shoulder and went to the music room where I spend study hall. I usually play piano in there as a soother. I think I had gotten good at it during the years, but never thought to show it to anyone.

I set my bag down and began to play. I had nothing ready, so I pressed some random keys. Most times, I press the wrong key, making me cringe. I sigh, looking at the ceiling. What am I doing?

My piano skills have become dull for the week I was out. It's hard to get back to the swing of things when your fingers keep cramping every second. To add on, my mind is void of any ideas. It's pointless.

And I thought this was soother.

Ding Dong!

I have to try again tomorrow then.

I pick up my bag again and went to the clubroom, hoping they can help improve my mood.

To think of it, I haven't been to a much of a bad mood at school since last week. This grief isn't done wearing me down yet.

I walk into the club with a weary smile to see that nobody was there. At least the club had not changed during our absence.

I sat down and rummaged in my bag to find the book from this morning. I haven't had time to read it yet, daydreaming and all. I flipped through to find my bookmark and started reading.

"Hey, Moni"

I look up to see Natsuki in the doorway and I smile. "Hey."

She gives an effortless wave before looking around. "Nobody's here?"

"Not yet."

"Thank god. I can read my manga in peace." She closes the door and retreats in the closet. I open my book once again only to be interrupted by Yuri. She scans the clubroom.

"Hey, Yuri?" Yuri jumps at the sound of her name and flushes.

"H-hi Moni."

"Whats wrong. You're not acting like yourself."

"I swear I'm fine. It's just..." She trails off, flushing even more and runs off to a desk. I eyed her suspiciously.

"You sure, you can leave early if you want to."

"Really, I'm fine."

"Tell me if you need anything, it's the club president's job to know the safety and well-being of their clubmates!"

Yuri giggles. "You use that line every time."

"It's true though!"

Yuri gets cuts off by the sound of running footsteps and the door opening once more.

"Ha... Sorry...ha... that I'm late!"

Sayori, face flustered with exhaustion, leans against the doorway trying to catch her breath. I look at her quizzically.

"It's only been five minutes since the bell."

"Really?!" She looks at the clock, double checking herself. "I must've lost track of time again~"

She sits in a nearby desk, resting her head on her palms.

"You ran here from the other side of the building?" Yuri asks. Sayori looks up and nods.

"I thought that I overslept and missed the whole meeting so I ran." She then slumps again, trying to kick her feet. "I never thought it would hurt this much."

"Your legs were just sore from last week Sayori," I said sternly. Her head perks up again.

"They're not that bad guys. We even went rollerskating yesterday!"

"If it caused a reaction now it surely caused one yesterday," Yuri whispers.

I gasp silently. "So that means it has gotten worse. How could I be so stupid?"

"Guys-!"

I suddenly picked her up in a princess carry, making her yelp.

"We're going to the nurse."

"But I'm fine~"

"You're not, we all can see it. Just let me take care of you for once."

"I...okay."

We were about to leave when I turned back to Yuri, remembering earlier. "What I said to Sayori applies to you too. We can end this early if you want."

Yuri shines a small smile. "I think I have this all in control." I was about to object when she shoots me a look.

I sighed deeply and mumbled a quick "we will be back soon."

After we were a great deal away from the clubroom, Sayori spoke up.

"What was that about?"

"I don't know, but I think Yuri would like to be alone for a while."

"It's cold!"

"Come on Sayo, your legs won't swell down by themselves."

"I was hoping them too."

We are at the nurse's office. The nurse said that some ice will let the swelling die down. That and not using her legs for a while.

Sayori hisses from the cold once more. I shoot her a glare.

"It's super cold Moni! Almost like dry ice!"

"It isn't that bad."

"For me it is." She twiddles her thumbs, averting her eyes. I patted her head.

"You're a bean."

"Moni~"

I look at the clock, wondering when to get back to the clubroom. I was greeted with thirty minutes after school was over. I mentally cursed.

"The club was over thirty minutes ago Sayori! We have to go!"

Sayori sits up, throwing the ice packs off her legs. "What about the others?"

"They probably just went without us again," I say, lifting Sayori up. She sighs.

"Ambush ti-"

"No."

"Aw..."

We left the school (the door was unlocked thankfully) in search of our two friends once again.

However, I can't help but feel some unease when passing Natsuki's house. No, not her house, but her nightmare.

Please be alright.