Chapter 10:
Heather's POV
It had been a half a year into training with Rose. I could not believe the kind of progress that I had made. I felt stronger and smarter. Learning a new language was harder than I expected. It was even more difficult learning minor Kidō since the textbooks were in Japanese. Speech had been proven to be more universal than reading and writing in this case. With all that and the fact that I had slimmed down quite a bit, I was able to do so much more than just come back from the Third Division and die the second I reached the manor at night. Which helped when Byakuya wanted to hang out (which was daily) and who was I to deny him some companionship? It turned out that his temper was not exaggerated in the slightest when it came to certain visitors. He never got fully mad at me; however, which was odd to say the least. Was it charisma? Or did we get along that well? I'm sure I'll figure it out one day.
Rose had been proven to be a great guy to be around. He seems to be married to his music, but also a very understanding and tolerant man. I was not the least bit surprised to learn he was under the Pisces sign when he casually mentioned his birthday…the day of his birthday. I felt a little bad about not knowing it when I knew more than half the captains and lieutenants birthdays, but never said that fact out loud. He blew it off with a smile and told me not to worry about it. I shouldn't really care at all, but he treated me so nicely I couldn't help it. His personality lightly reflected on the boyfriend I left behind which was somewhat hard to deal with. I couldn't help but to smile at the mere thought of my trainer now and my stomach seemed to fill up with butterflies when he was in the same room with me. I shouldn't be thinking about someone like this now, should I? I felt like I was betraying my boyfriend's memory by liking another man. Then again, did he stop looking for me? It has been six months, I wouldn't blame him. I felt a pang in my chest at the thought that sprung to my mind next: did he already get over me and get another girlfriend? If it made him happy, it made him happy. It did not mean I had to like it. My thoughts strayed again to the Third Division Captain and cracked a smile. "Heather?" Byakuya's voice threw me from my thoughts.
"Hey, I'm going to get some rest, Byakuya." I told my younger friend, getting up from the spot where I was sitting. The black-haired teen looked at me a little disappointed and politely stood, "O—Okay. Goodnight, Heather. Sleep well." "You do the same, Bya." I replied. He seemed stoked that he had been referred to in a friendly-like manner. I was not really tired, but I was too distracted with my own thoughts to really focus on him. I walked out of the room quickly, almost running into a wall in the process. "Are you alright?" Byakuya inquired in concern. "Yeah, I'm okay." I stated casually before smiling at him with assurance and shutting the door with a final, "Goodnight". On my way to my room, I noticed the library light on and took a peek inside to see Ginrei looking over a couple of old texts.
"Quite a surprise to see you here, what is it?" the old man asked not lifting his head from the text. "I—I seen the light on and got curious, that's all." I replied softly. He startled me that he had caught on that I was there. He looked in my direction and his brow furrowed. "You look troubled, Heather. Are you alright?" he seemed generally concerned and I contemplated telling him about my problem. Yet, the thought that he would not understand what I was going through, or he would critique my thoughts and feelings, kept me from telling the truth. "Nothing, sir." I answered dully. He gave me a skeptical look and spoke, "You spend far too much time cooped up, Heather." "I wanna' keep Byakuya company, he acts a little like he's pinned." I replied. "Thank you, for looking out for my grandson, but you need to socialize outside of the manor and from your teacher as well." the Sixth Division Captain stated. "I guess you're right." I agreed. Maybe it would do some good to get Rose out of my head. "Well, I'm off to bed. Goodnight, Captain Kuchiki."
I finally reached my room and crawled in-between the covers of my bed. My arms cradled my head. What was I going to do? It was not right to be so hung up on my thoughts like this. I feel like I'm letting myself down by not expressing myself to anyone, but I'm terrified to wreck my reputation with the people that I am beginning to grow fond of. I had no one else to turn to. I needed to cling to whatever I had. The few people I had befriended did not need to know my feelings right now. I sighed softly. I felt, dare I say, lonely?