A/N I swear this fic isn't abandoned! I just take forever to update!

7:25. It was 7:25, and Makoto still wasn't there. Haru was sitting on the stairs in his usual spot, petting the small white kitten that always seemed to be nearby. He adjusted the top button of his collar—the one Makoto always insisted he kept done. Haruka waited longer than he probably should have, but he couldn't make himself move.

He should have expected it. He was the one who told Makoto to leave him alone—albeit in a roundabout way—but that didn't lessen the pang of loneliness and betrayal in his heart.

The walk to school was quiet; just the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore, and seagulls cawing on the beach. Haruka couldn't help the way his mind wandered; back to the harsh truth that was sprung upon him; back to the words that changed everything; back to the look on Makoto's face that now plagued his mind.

.oOo.

Makoto was the first person he saw when he entered the classroom. As much as he tried not to, his eyes were still drawn to the brunet's kind smile and gentle eyes. Haru was silent as he took his seat beside him. Said boy didn't make a move to break that silence. And then Haruka spoke.

"You didn't pick me up this morning."

It slipped out unintentionally. It was irrational to think Makoto would still come for him after what he said yesterday. The practiced smile on the other boy's face faltered slightly, but he composed himself. Nobody but Haru would have noticed.

"Sorry Haru," he said, still smiling that same kind smile, "I was running late."

No, that's not right.

Although he was smiling, Haruka could see the way his eyes dulled. He was lying. Makoto never lied.

Except now he does. Because of you.

"…Okay," he muttered, turning to face the window. He couldn't keep looking at the forced smile on his best friend's face.

"Umm, Haru?" Makoto was talking to him, wasn't he. "I brought you lunch."

Haruka peered into his lap. He gripped the fabric of his pants tightly. Why is he doing this? Why is he being so kind to me? The other boy looked at him expectantly, holding out the neatly wrapped box that undoubtedly contained Mrs. Tachibana's godly cooking. He didn't bring anything with him today. It felt like too much effort. Haruka nodded, taking the food from the brunet, who smiled; and this time it reached his eyes. One more thing couldn't hurt. Baby steps.

"Thanks."

.oOo.

Makoto was starting to feel hopeful. Maybe this could be fixed? Yesterday he promised himself to give Haru some space, but intentionally letting him starve was going too far. He wasn't ignored, exactly, so it was probably just a misunderstanding. Right? It had to be.

The rest of the morning went by rather quickly, and the bell rang—signaling the beginning of lunch. Makoto stood up from his desk, putting pencils and papers back into his bag. He bent over to grab the lunch box from under his chair, and turned to face Haruka. The shorter boy was already by the door, clutching the homemade lunch in his hand. Makoto frowned. He slung his bag over his shoulder and jogged through the open door. By now, Haru was halfway down the hallway. Makoto called after him, jogging slightly to catch up.

"Haru!"

Haru stopped, turning around as Makoto reached him. He stayed silent.

Makoto smiled at him, "Aren't we going to the cafeteria?"

"Not today," Haruka paused. "I'm going to the art room."

Makoto's face fell. It wasn't fixed. But he couldn't stop himself from trying. He wasn't good at keeping himself away from Haru. "Want me to come with?"

Haruka scowled, and Makoto took a step back. Never in all of his seventeen years of living, had Makoto been on the receiving end of one of Haruka's glares. His stomach tightened uncomfortably, and he tried not to stumble. That would be a little overdramatic.

"No, your…friends want to sit with you."

With that, Haruka broke his gaze and continued down the hallway. He didn't look back. Makoto watched his retreating form with a crumbling heart. Something really was wrong, and it couldn't be fixed with just a kind smile and a peace offering. Maybe he didn't want peace; maybe he didn't want anything. That thought scared Makoto more than he ever believed it could. Losing his best friend—the unwavering presence in his life—was more than he could bear. And it seemed like there was nothing he could do to fix it. Emotions he'd tried to suppress for years began to bubble up.

Maybe I really should give him some space.

But that was the hardest thing Makoto could ever commit to. The two of them have been inseparable since before he could remember. There was no one else who could make him feel this way. And—

Something heavy slung over his shoulder. "Hey, Tachibana!" the boy's voice echoed in his ears. When he turned his head, he was met with a mop of dark hair: Toichi. The boy from before; when everything went wrong. Makoto forced a smile and tried to duck out of the other's grip. Toichi only laughed, clapping him on the back brusquely.

"Uh, hi," his voice wavered.

Is this who Haru meant by friends? He had it all wrong. I don't care about these guys! That's ridiculous! But Makoto let himself mindlessly be led into the cafeteria and onto a chair at a table filled with nameless faces. He knew he could probably give their names if asked, but it didn't matter right then. Where were Nagisa and Rei when he needed them?

This was Haruka's way of telling him that he didn't need him anymore. That he didn't care. There were people talking to him, but he didn't answer. He couldn't. His mouth wouldn't move. He was too wrapped up in thoughts of the raven-haired boy.

The words surrounding him finally registered.

Finally got rid of him, huh.

A/N Ah, more angst. For real though, it won't always be angsty. I promise you all a happy ending. I've planned out the rest of the fic, and it should have about three more chapters. It keeps getting longer and longer lol. Thanks for reading!