Friday

"uhm..."

I woken up today, feeling slightly wearily but also like crap. I lift myself up looking at my window, the sheets were blocking most of it but it looked kinda dull out.

I sigh, I carefully got into my chair and roll and about to pass my table, I remember about my book, damnit. This made me feel more like crap, is in the hands of yuri, she probably read it alright. She probably think I'm a freak or someone she doesn't want to see.

Trying to ignore the thoughts I went up to do my business and just get this over with, school will begin soon and I can't delay. I'm not in a mood for this. who knows what this day will bring.

After a hassle of putting on my clothes, I left my house, my mom wasn't home today so I just ate toast before leaving. I was finally outside, it looks cloudly outside. it feels like it could be dreary today, which exactly how I feel.

I moved on going down the sidewalk, I was reaching the area where I met sayori and mc, but instead i saw mc just walking around the corner to the next sidewalk. Where's sayori? She's usually here to met me, this is a great start to the day.

I quickly roll up to mc and asked.

"hey, Where's sayori?"

He turns his back to me while walking.

"uh, I waited for her but she didn't came out. I texted her and she said she'll be late for something related to her parents."

"oh..."

I don't know how I should feel but this doesn't feel quite right. I certainly hope she's okay.

We proceed foward down the sidewalk as mc commented about the weather.

"is pretty cloudly, I heard it supposed to be partly cloudly today, but is pretty dark..."

From a distance we saw thunder from the dark clouds, it doesn't look like it'll come this way but it certainly could rain after a while.

"wow, we don't get rain too often but is nice when we do."

"yeah..."

It rains a lot where i'm at, but right now it just not the time. We continue now reaching the school courtyard.

Yuri pov.

It was another day, it was dark out which really set the mood. I just, read three paragraphs of Simon's book. And I'm really concerned for him, but also disturbed by what he wrote.

I can't believe the distress he must have endure, but I can't help but hate myself for reading his book without his permission, he clearly hated if I read or even touch his book. But I must give it back to him, is only right.

I quickly said my goodbyes and ran to school, I hoped my parents didn't see me. Just the thought of simon hating me makes me anxious, but I have a hunch he will.

I'm so stupid, I shouldn't have touch his book in the first place, is killing me right now.

"ehh, I can't, I need to..."

I grab hold of my left arm, no I shouldn't. Not until I give it back.

I was finally in my class, I said my goodbyes to mc, he seems to be concerned for sayori as I am. And, at class she wasn't here, at this point I figured she won't come. So far the classes was normal, the clouds didn't seems to get any brighter, in fact it sprinkle a bit outside.

I hadn't seen anyone outside the club, not mc or yuri. One more class before lunch, i'm looking forward to it.

While I scroll down the hallway, I noticed a few people who said hi to me, they seem to be nice when saying it. I didn't know why they said hi but I'll take it as granted.

While I was getting to my class I noticed sayori near the end, she seems a bit down today, i'm used to her smiling but she didn't looked so happy. Until somebody went up to her, and she force a smile.

"what the...?"

I never saw her force a smile before, I wonder what happen to her.

After a normal class session it was lunch time. I ended up going down the usual path to the cafeteria, passing many students in my way, and some nearly ran into me without looking.

"oops, sorry!"

Some random girl went around me as I didn't get the chanch to apologize. I eagerly went to the cafeteria and was about to reach for the handle until I heard a familiar voice, it wasn't a voice I didn't want to hear.

"hey yuri..."

I looked right beyond the people who were in the way as I notice yuri turning around as we see that girl who bullied who her yesterday.

"you think you can get off that easily?"

Yuri didn't respond, the girl spoke slightly louder.

"hey, i'm talking to you--!"

"can you go away!? I don't ever want to speak to you again!"

Yuri snaps at her which turned some attention to her, this caught her off guard. The girl said.

"wow, look who got the nerves..."

I roll into view, I wasn't gonna have her get away with this. She noticed me and her expression weaver.

"huh, fine. I leave you be, including your boyfriend."

"he's not my boyfriend!"

I was shocked to hear that, but again I'm not surprised. She simply smile a little while backing away.

"right, sure."

She turns and walk away, plenty of people looked at her disproving. Soon everyone went on with what they're doing. Yuri turns around sighing and looked at me, surprised.

"*gasp*"

We stare at each other for a while, I can see that she's really perturb at my sight. I, don't blame her, I just felt indifferent.

"hey..."

I simply replied while rolling towards her, she was in the moment of panic and said almost said outloud.

"stop!"

I froze, she clearly trying to settle things and I'm not helping. She looks away, I can see her body moving, she must be breathing in a fast motion.

I never have anyone be so tense like her, she must have some serious issues or something.

After another moment she spoke.

"i...I'm sorry."

She turns to me.

"i-i didn't mean to say all of that, I was just caught up in the moment. She just, gets on my nerves. I didn't mean to make you upset."

"...Yuri, is alright you don't need to worry about that."

"but, about that...I, ah..."

She was lost in thought, yuri's mind must be all over the place. I feel sorry for her.

"Yuri, you want to find a place to talk this over."

"ah!"

She realized we're talking in the middle of the halls, people just walk by us as she eagerly said.

"yes, we should."

We went off down the opposite direction from the cafeteria as I look at yuri who's just holding on to her hands, like she's keeping herself together.

She went up to a room and turns to me.

"in here..."

We entered the room, it was the supplies room, in other words; The closet.

She had her back towards me, I just look at her long dark purple hair going down her back. I can hear her breathe slowing down. She turns to me.

"Simon, I just want to apologize. For everything."

"everything?"

"what I said, about you being well, not my boyfriend. I still think of you as a friend."

"I understand yuri, but...I think you know, what's really bothering you..."

I think she clinch her teeth, she looks really sorry.

"yes. I do...Simon, I didn't mean to take your book. I accidentally took yours, and, do you have mines?"

"yeah, I do."

She sigh a little relieved.

"oh, good. I guess. Erm, I don't have your book now but I can give you back when is time for clubs."

"okay..."

"o-oh right, well. Sorry for taking it."

"is alright, you haven't read it, didn't you?"

This is the moment I been dreading, I don't know if yuri did or not, but seeing her expression lower say something.

"oh... Uhmm, about that..."

Oh no, please don't tell me she did."

Yuri wasn't looking at me, she then quickly looked at me with sadness in her eyes.

"I read just a little, not too much..."

My face lower, my heart sank. she read my book.

"Yuri, how much did you read?"

"errr..."

Yuri was getting anxious, but I was getting upset, but also nervous.

"how much did you read?!"

This made her jump a little, she's clearly agitated.

"i-i'm sorry, I didn't mean to read it! I really didn't mean too!"

"Yuri, just tell me."

I just need to know.

"Only, t-three paragraphs...I-i'm sorry I won't do it again!"

She ran out as I try to apologize.

"wait yuri!--I'm sorry!"

She went out right where I ended my sentence, I struggle to get out of the closet since it was narrow. I roll backwards and open the door and push my way out.

Right where I turn my attention down the hall, I heard a voice right next to me.

"Simon? What happen?"

I turned my head and saw natsuki looking concerned which turns sour.

"did you do something to yuri?"

I wasn't in the mood for an accusation, but I briefly said.

"no."

I roll away from her and she still pressed me.

"what happened?"

I turned to her.

"Nothing happened! Now back off..."

I roll away now eager to at least eat something before is too late. But I couldn't help but feel bad, damnit, why am I yelling at them? She's just concerned, but I wasn't in the mood.

It was now the end of the school day, it was finally time for club meeting. I grab my bag and open it, searching for yuri's book and found it. I need to give it back to her.

While I put it back, my thoughts linger towards our conversation in that closet, yuri was so nervous and timid. I probably felt intimidating to her, heh, funny, a crippled person like me?

I sigh and left the room now heading towards the stairs to the third floor where the literature club is.

I was going down the hall and notice yuri from the side, she was looking for me. I went up to her, apparently i didn't need to say anything since my wheelchair gave it away.

"simon."

She looks at me as she already dig in her bag and search for my book.

"hey yuri, I want to apologize for the way I acted. I'm sorry for pressuring you."

She stop momentarily while staring at me, I notice her expression lighten just a little.

"Simon, i'm glad you're apologizing but, I stoop so low and read your book. It must means a lot to you."

"yeah, I know... Since you already know about it, then you know why..."

Yuri looks away, already feeling guilty, she pulls it out and lead it to me.

"here..."

I grab it and remembered mines.

"right..."

I reach in my bag and pull out hers, I lead it to her.

"here, this is yours."

Yuri silently gasp and reach out for it and grab it, she held it with both hands and looks at me.

"t-thank simon."

She was about to speak until she stop momentarily, she clearly have stuff in her mind.

"Simon, you're not, mad are you?"

I sigh, I then looked at her and just stared at her. She gaze at my eyes, she clearly take this personally, and I don't want her to think as me as a mean person.

"no. Yuri, is, okay. *sigh* I don't want you to beat yourself over this, but... Just forget everything about this."

I wanted to move on and leave until she stops me.

"but simon, I just, want to know...This story you wrote--"

"is not, a story..."

I looked at her, with stern gaze.

"this book, is personal..."

My expression lower as I try to turn my whole body towards her.

"please, don't tell anyone about this."

A moment of silence between us, yuri was fixated on me, which soon her gaze were somewhere else. She attempted to speak.

"I uhh. Okay, you're secret is safe with me."

Her concerned expression didn't change, I don't know if I should be glad or, not.

"okay..."

I notice the club which wasn't far, I looked at her.

"let's get to the club, they're probably waiting for us."

"...Okay."

We went and open the door and was back in the club room. The original scene was there, but everyone seems off.

Sayori have her arms on her desk looking downcast, mc was staring at her concerned and natsuki was reading her manga, but she wasn't so happy about reading.

"huh, today truly is a moody day."

I commented, and no one paid any attention to us. Yuri reluctantly went to her usual desk while taking glances at me. I couldn't help but feel tense as well.

I just went and grab the book I was reading yesterday and just went to the side of the closet and started reading, trying to ignore the others attitude.

A little later the door open and I saw monika coming in with a smile on her face.

"hello everyone~! How are you...?"

Monika notice everyone wretched expression, including mines. This made her pretty concerned quickly.

"wow...? What's up with the long faces?"

She went near the middle of the room as mc said.

"I don't know, it must be the weather?"

Monika gaze were outside, it was still cloudly but it wasn't so dark before, it certainly wasn't raining anymore but the clouds still linger around.

"well, certainly something is going on. Even sayori is sad."

"noo, mc is right."

I notice her force a small smile.

"is just the weather."

Monika didn't seem too convinced, I don't blame her. But then she just ignored it like is alright.

"okaay, well uhh--"

Her gaze were on me.

"Simon, how you been?"

Mc looks at me, honestly I don't feel great either, so I'm at a crossroad of telling the truth or lying so I can try to lift some spirits.

"uhh, well I just feel... Hm, I could be better."

I decided to just go with a lighter route, is for the best anyway. But monika didn't seems so relief of my words.

"well... Jeez...What's wrong everyone?"

Natsuki spoken up.

"Monika is fine, you don't need to pry into our personal lives"

Monika looks accused.

"i-i'm not, i'm just concerned that's all. You're happiness means a lot to me, because you're my club members. Including friends."

This caught me off guard, I wasn't expecting her to call me as a friend. I listened to what she's saying.

"and if anything is wrong then I would like to hear it, even if is personal..."

Monika looks around, the club room didn't seem so lively but sayori suddenly stands up, with a bright attitude.

"Yeah, I agree Monika, you're all my friends too, and I like to see you all happy as well."

Suddenly a flash came from the windows and a loud clap of lightning can be heard. This scared sayori as she yelped in fright.

"eheh, sorry..."

Then shortly after it started to rain as the drops hit the windows pretty hard. We all stared at the rain smacking the windows, yuri commented on it.

"is raining really hard out."

"yeah, no kidding."

Natsuki said pretty sarcastically, monika then sigh briefly.

"oh man, I don't even have anything to protect me from the rain."

"tch, that makes everyone."

Mc commented as it was oddly quiet beside the rain hitting the windows, yuri said.

"well, we could just wait until the rain pass."

"yeah, but how long will that be?"

Sayori then sit back in her chair looking lump as before.

"mmm, this day isn't a good day."

"tch, yeah I agree."

Natsuki commented as yuri soon agrees as well. Mc just remain quiet, monika soon notice everyone sadden expression was back. She sighed.

"Okay, I guess I just leave you guys as it is. I'll, stop prying into your lives..."

Mc try to speak but nothing came out expect for a muttered sound.

Monika went off to her desk, I looked around the room, I couldn't believe that everyone was not okay. First yuri, than sayori and Natsuki.

I don't like seeing others unhappy like me, I always try my best to make them better, because if they liked me, then I'll pay them back in return.

First I went to Natsuki since she's closest.

"hey, Natsuki, I uhh..."

She turns her attention to me.

"what?"

I just realized how hard this is, I don't usually get the chance to make someone feel better. Including if i don't know them for long. But i decided to start low.

"Uh, how are you?"

She looks at me almost perplex, but said.

"I'm doing okay alright? Since when do you care?"

That gotten on my nerves, but I'm not going to be mad, I decided to try one last time.

"hey, i...I do care, alright. We have this talk before haven't we?"

"yeah, but still. You didn't seem to care when I told you in the hallway earlier."

"oh right, I yelled at her when we were in the hall, I need to apologize for that.

"oh, i'm sorry for that. It was just, I was caught in the moment and, I acted like a jerk."

"yeah, you were..."

"sorry."

It was awkwardly quiet between us as natsuki sigh while lowering her manga.

"Listen, you don't need to worry about me okay. I'm fine, and if anything.--"

She turns her head to me: "I'll ask you if anything is bothering me, okay?"

"alright, i'll be all ears."

"hehe, right..."

She turns back and continue reading her manga. I then went up to mc who looks bothered, maybe sayori is on his mind.

"hey mc."

He grunt in awareness and turns to me.

"oh, simon. Hey..."

"hey, are you worried about sayori?"

He turns his to her.

"yeah."

I looked at her as well, she didn't seem so happy today.

"hey, you think we should ask her what's wrong?"

"I did, she told me nothing was wrong and told me not to worry about it."

"hm..."

I thought for a moment.

"how about I talk to her?"

"uhh, well if you want to, but I don't know if she will tell you anything else."

"okay, I'll try then."

I went up to her and said.

"hey sayori, are you doing alright?"

"huh?"

She turns her head to me and lift her body off the table, looking quite concerned.

"Simon, what is it?"

"uh, hey. Is there something wrong? I'm usually used to you be happy and smiling. But you seemed to be down under the weather. Are you feeling alright? Did something happen?"

She stares at me with her concerns turning to a faint smile.

"oh simon, I'm alright really. I'm just not happy today that's all."

"really, why? Is there something wrong?"

"is just... My parants that's all, but I think they will resolve it tomorrow maybe? But you don't need to worry, just continue on with what you were doing, i'll be fine."

"oh...Okay."

I roll away and went back to mc.

"well?"

"she just sad for her parents, but she kept whatever it was personal. I don't know she said it was going to be resolve tomorrow so it could be anything."

"oh, oh okay. Thanks for giving me at least why she's sad."

I realize something and told him.

"Hey, ain't you her boyfriend? Why can you two share stuff like that to each other?"

"I don't know, she has been pretty secretly with me for the pass days. I don't know."

"okay, well good luck with her I guess."

"uh, thanks."

I looked at yuri, she's the last person I wanted to speak to, since she doesn't want to speak to me anyway. I turned my attention to monika who was looking at her phone, apparently texting someone. Maybe her boyfriend?

Soon the rain lighten a lot to the point where is sprinkling outside. We been in here for quite a while now as I just decided to just continue reading my book.

I couldn't help but glance at the others, they seem to be occupied with their own things.

Natsuki was reading her manga, monika was now writing on a piece of paper, mc was reading a book as well and sayori was playing with her pencils. Weird.

And then I looked at yuri who just got up and turned her attention towards me, oh boy.

She went up to me as she stops mid movement when she notice I was watching her.

"uhh..."

"yeah, what is it yuri?"

She sigh and looked away clearly in thought. She looked at me and was about to take a step forward until monika announced to the club room.

"okay, everyone!"

We all turned our attention to her, yuri a little neglected turns her head to her.

"I say today was, quite a calm but oddly relaxing time in the club. But next time we will try an activity that I will personally like to hear from you guys. But for now, I'll see you all on monday, thanks for coming!"

Natsuki close her manga and put it away, yuri looked at me with a sadden expression, I roll to her.

"hey, you can still tell me what you wanted to say."

"ah! Well. *sigh* simon, do you mind if we could read together sometime? If, that's okay with you?"

What? Yuri asking me to read with her, this might be the first request I ever get from anyone. But sure, I agreed.

"Yuri, I, i liked too."

A smile appears on her face.

"g-great, i'm glad you could agree. But, maybe we can do it next Monday?"

"oh uhm. I guess we could."

I forgot, we're not meeting each other tomorrow.

"unless, we can meet each other tomorrow?"

"what? I mean, sure. Wait, really?"

I was flabbergasted, I never have anyone at my home before, hell not even sophie. But yuri offering herself to read with me at my home...

"yes, if is okay that is..."

I don't know, maybe I should. Maybe this is a good way to apologize,or get to know her more.

"sure, I liked too."

She was quite surprise but was happy as well.

"okay, if we're going to meet, then I guess we should tell one of us our address. Actually I think you should tell, my family can be...Challenging sometimes, hehe..."

"oh, sure."

I give her my address and said.

"so, what book you want us to read?"

"can I, make it a surprise? If you'll allow it."

"sure, as long it isn't too bad."

"okay great, you're going to like it, I'm assure of it."

Shs proceed to walk back and turns away. Soon we said our goodbyes as we head out. I didn't get the chanch to head out with the other two but instead I ended up heading out with monika of all people.

She was further away so I didn't get the chanch to head out with her. I soon made it out of the school. The sun finally shines through a opening from the clouds, even know it was still sprinkling outside.

I made it out of the school courtyard and turn around the corner, only to see a familiar person with a long ponytail and a white ribbon, hugging a person wearing a red hoodie.

"hm?"

Monika noticed my wheelchair noise, as she turns around no longer hugging them. She looks at me with a blush expression.

"oh, hey simon."

I was quiet, my attention was on him, i saw a brief look at him, but his face was slightly obscure from the shadows from his hood.

"h-hey..."

I briefly said to her, monika notice me looking at him. as she said.

"oh right, uhh. Simon, this is my boyfriend."

He spoke to me."

"hey."

His voice was a little deep and kinda brash, slightly low but not too much.

"uhh, hi."

"soo, your one of Monika's club members right?"

"yeah?"

"nice to meet you, i'm jo."

"jo... Okay."

I faintly smile, just trying to be nice as monika said.

"he's pretty nice. He help me feel better when you all were, feeling down and out of it. Sorry I couldn't help you all."

"is okay, i try my best to help the others as well."

"really? Well i'm glad to hear that, that's really sweet of you simon."

"heh, just treating them how they treated me."

"heh, you really are kind, aren't you?"

"hey, i'm right here you know?"

Jo responded to her words.

"what's the matter, jealous?"

"tch heh, monika, don't say that."

She giggles, clearly taking this to her liking. Jo briefly chuckle.

"anyways, i'm glad you two are okay with each other. Simon, I'll be seeing you on Monday then."

"yeah, see you simon. Take it easy okay?"

He brings his left hand up as he he turns around and bring his left arm around her.

"shall we go?"

"sure."

She looks at me one more time.

"bye simon, have a good weekend."

She waves at me, I simply said.

"yeah, bye..."

Jo looks at me one more time, I saw a glimmer of what he looks like, he look like he was starting to grow facial hair underneath his nose, and possibly his chin as well.

"bye."

He said as they walked off, talking among each other. I stood there just letting that in, I couldn't see what he looked like but I did saw a glimpse at what he looks like.

Either way, I went off home, tomorrow will be an interesting day, I'll be reading with yuri in my home. Well, this all feel so sudden, maybe I should clear my room. That's going to be challenging.

I roll my way home, it stops sprinkling as it was just bright outside, the sun was shining in my face. I was getting close to my neighborhood until I saw a glimpse of somebody from the right.

"hm?"

I turned my attention to whoever it was and saw mc and sayori hugging, sayori seems emotional with tears from her eyes. I wonder what's happened.

I could sit here and watch on, but I guess I shouldn't get involved, but right where I was about to move, sayori notice me. We stare at each other, soon mc notice her reaction and turns to me. They were pretty far from where I'm at, but it feels they're close.

I lower my head away and moved on, this isn't something I should be involved with.

I was back home, today was interesting and eventful. Man, I can't believe yuri had my book the whole day, she read at least three paragraphs so I pull out my book and looked at how much she read.

She knows about "the black day." About all the thoughts that was lingering in my head, the negative thoughts. She knows about my relationship with mom, she knows how I feel about people and all the shit I have to endure when I am crippled.

She knows about my apartment life, and how I despise and hated the residents in the apartments. She, even knows about my self hatred and self harm...

Damnit, damnit!

I slam my fist on the table and shut the book, I was willingly to destroy this book, no one should know about this, no one should see this...Darken side of myself.

I sit there, calming myself down with a little effort. At least she only read to that point, so I don't need to worry about her knowing more about my sick problems.

I sigh, I put my book away, I don't look at it right now. I heard my front door open, I called out.

"Mom!?"

"yes?"

The door closed which send relieved to myself.

"okay; Mom! Uh, can you help me clean my room today?"

A brief silence was heard, she spoke up.

"sure, but why?!"

I don't know if I should tell, but I figure I shouldn't keep it a secret.

"uhmm...! I'm having a guest!"

"really!?"

Oh boy, she's may not let this go.

"that's great sweetie, who is it, a girl?!"

I'm already regretting this, I groan displease.

"Mom! Just, help me with my room!"

"okay! Just give me a minute!"

It was quiet, this is going to be an eventful evening.