Chapter 11

Laying beside a pale faced boy were several dirty, tan paper towels. And, on the boys face were a pair of hand which lightly stroked his forehead, down the side of his face, ending at the middle of his chin. The other, however, inclined Bou's head upward. The blonde had red eyes and pink cheeks. From the tree, Kanon led Bou the way home and sat his on the toilet as he went for the paper towels. Bou, from the tree, stayed silent, bag clutched on his shoulder, head bowed. What could he say? Humiliation kept him silent.

"There," Kanon said, laying down the last dirty paper towel, eyes skimming over his face to make sure, "you're done." He finished, standing with full posture, taking a step back to allow Bou to stand as well.

Bou gave a weak smile, head bowed, "Thank you, Kanon," he said through leaks of tears.

Kanon blushed, looking around as if he was unsure what to do. Sighing, he knelt to Bou, taking his hand, "Trust me, just put up your hair," he ran his fingers through a couple of strands, "and just be yourself."

Bou's eyes widened, meeting Kanon's almost immediately, "Kanon?" He asked, wondering if what Kanon said had to do with . . .

"He'll understand." Kanon gave a sure smile, knowing what he was about to give up.

Happily grinning, Bou straightened his posture, wrapping his arms around Kanon's neck, "Thank you so much, Kanon." He felt like crying, not of sadness, but out of understanding.

"You're welcome, Bou," Kanon whispered, hugging back to someone he was to lose. "Now," he put on an awkward smile, "get your hair done. We're late for class." He chuckled, pushing Bou arms length away.

Putting his hands on Kanon's shoulders, he nodded, having an ear-to-ear grin.

Bou felt the hair whip at the back of his head as he walked beside Kanon, laughing at a joke. From the bathroom to the sight of school Bou felt different. He felt as if he had the world, overtaking it with each step. Even the rules he depended on were hidden, away from his sight. He didn't need to be strong, he didn't need scribbles on old paper to tell him how he should feel. Instead, he found he needed were a few kind gestures and words from a friend who continuously blushed and pushed up his glasses.

"We're here," Kanon said, putting a hand on Bou's shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze.

"Mm," Bou nodded, hair flapping.

"Ready?" Kanon asked with worry in his tone.

Bou looked over to him, put on his best smile, stomach turning over, "I'll be fine, stop worrying." He patted Kanon's back before finishing, "Go on ahead, I'll see you in class." The smile still on.

Kanon seemed hesitant for a moment until the hand on his back gave a small push and Bou giggled. The shy boy then nodded, heading off while the blonde held his stomach, taking in slow breaths.

"I can do this," he said, taking the hands and patting both of his cheeks. "I can." He whispered before jogging into the school building.

After signing into the office, the blonde only had twenty-minutes left of his first block and with that he hoped to set things straight. His head felt light and with his heart hammering against his chest didn't help matters. Standing in front of the classroom, he wiped his forehead, deep breath and he rotated the doorknob to complete silence. Bou's nose started to sting, especially when everyone turned his way, "Sorry, I'm late sir," he bowed toward the teacher sitting at his desk.

"It's okay, Bou, take a seat." The teacher waved a hand, not even looking up from his papers. "Just pull out a book and read until I say stop." He absently answered like a drone.

Bou nodded, silently padding his way to his empty seat, not even daring to look in Miku's direction. He pulled off the bag with one hand, bottom sliding into the seat as he met Kanon's eyes; he smiled.

The room stayed silent save for the random snores and clearing of the throats. Bou heard a fly buzz loudly around the room every time he found himself trying to concentrate on reading. And when he finally heard the buzzing stop, he leaned forward in his seat, head facing down to the book, eyes cornering to look at Miku who seemed occupied. Bou furrowed his brow, seeing the boy shuffling around in the school uniform, hands in his hair. Why was he so different?

"Books away, last five minutes to talk." The teacher said, standing from his desk, to the door, where he stepped out, papers in hand.

At once, the class erupted to mass roar, people standing to migrate over to friends… Just like Teruki and Kanon did, except, not to Miku. Instead, they maundered around the groups of talkative teens to Bou who seemed startles just as Miku did in the background. "Go home?" Teruki asked, taking a seat on the desk.

Bou nodded, "Yes and I left a big mess in your bathroom." He teased.

Teruki stayed silent, "Is that gunk in my sink?!" He rhetorically asked, actually believing his brother.

Kanon laughed, "I helped."

"Guess who's cleaning it," Teruki firmly said, not even a question.

"Not me," Bou popped up, hands in the air. Kanon mimicked.

"I'm telling," Teruki said, arms crossing.

"Tell, it's your bathroom, what would the parents think?" Bou laughed, trying to help Teruki think things through.

"You have to be kidding me!" Teruki said, standing up.

Although Bou continued to talk, continued to make fun of Teruki in his own way, Bou couldn't help but to look past Kanon and his brother to see Miku staring at them with a peaceful look on his face. The blonde gasped to see Miku staring at him, smiling. And, with the new realization, their conversation suddenly paused with Teruki looking back, Kanon following soon after. "Go for it," Kanon spoke up.

"I'll hate it, but do it." Teruki said, standing to make room for Bou to get out of his seat.

Bou's gaze switched from boy to brother, confused. "What?"

"Go!" Teruki exclaimed, jabbing a finger to Miku who stood as soon as Teruki had done so.

Bou's eyes widened, face red. "I -…" He trailed, noticing Miku walking over to him.

The blonde stood as well, knees almost buckling under his weight. Body cold, forehead hot, he stepped out of the desk, meeting Miku halfway just when . . .

DING

DING

DING

Together, the class picked up their things, walking and talking out of the classroom except two boys who hung low in the back as two others stood in the middle.

Silence.

"Miku, I…" Bou heard himself say just before Miku hugged him.

"I'm sorry, you tried your best, didn't you?" He asked, tightening his grip.

Bou's nose, once again started to sting. "I did," he chocked, arms shyly wrapping around Miku's waist.

"Good job," he chuckled, pushing Bou away at arms length, looking him up and down. "I have to say, this is the best look. Can you smile for me?" He asked, his face red.

Through the heat and welling tears, Bou chuckled out a smile, wiping his eyes with the back of his arm. "Thank you," he mouthed.

Miku nodded, pulling Bou forward to kiss him on the forehead, "I should be thanking you." He finished, sliding down his arms down Bou's own, saying, "Get your bag, I'll walk you to class." He smiled, squeezing the blonde's hands, walking away to his own desk.

Chest having a delightful, sharp pain, Bou hurried to his desk, glancing at the other two. Kanon nodded with a smile as Teruki held out a thumbs up. Bou smiled back, mouthing a thank you to them before his hand was interlaced with Miku's. He didn't jump, he didn't give a surprised squeak, instead, he slowly rose, arm sliding the bag on his shoulder before they started down the hallway to Bou's next class.

Somehow, he seemed alright.

Somehow, he felt he would come shining through.

And, somehow, everything seemed silly. All the worrying he had done seemed a waste. Yet, looking at Miku, it seemed worth it. Every step he took seemed more than worth it.

a/n: Omg, everyone, thank you so much for the support!! Although I hated this story, you all helped me realize maybe it isn't HALF bad, although I still dislike it very strongly. I really hope I incorporated feelings and such... I try really hard with emotions. I'm glad, with those that read, that you all liked and reviewed with every chapter I updated. Again, thank you! If you would like to know where I reside:

last.fm - http://www.last.fm/user/ipetpigs/