Joe stared down at the newspaper in front of him. His long blue hair was a mess, most of it falling in his face, but he hardly noticed. He forced himself to take a breath as he struggled to make sense of what the black and white print told him.

Joe's roommate wandered in, running a hand through his dark green hair," Joe? What's the matter? You look like hell."

Joe blinked his deep, dark eyes, never looking away from the paper," Mimi…"

James raised an eyebrow," Who?"

"Mimi," Joe repeated. He slowly touched the black and white image of Mimi's mother weeping into the arms of her husband," She's a girl I know… She attempted suicide last night."

James's eyes turned sympathetic," Joe… I'm sorry…"

Joe's eyes ran over the paper as he continued," Her body was pulled from New York Harbor. She's barely alive."

James looked to the ground, not sure what to say, as Joe collapsed in a chair," Were you close to her?"

Joe continued to stare at the newsprint," Very."

James sighed and ran a hand through his hair again," Are you going to be okay?"

Joe closed his eyes and leaned back," I don't know."

James walked over to Joe and took the paper, scanning the article," Is there anything I can do?"

Joe slowly opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling a few moments before answering," Help me pack."

James watched as Joe stood and left to go to his room and followed," What? Where are you going?"

"America. I'm going to New York to see Mimi," Joe replied as he opened his closet and began to flip through his clothes.

James watched Joe rummage through his closet, pulling out a few items and laying them out on his bed," But… You'll miss class. You never miss class."

Joe began folding his clothes, gesturing for James to hand him the suitcase that stood in the corner of the room," Well, I will today."

James set the case on the bed and observed Joe while he rapidly began to fill it," I'll take notes for you, okay?"

Joe quickly brushed his hair and threw the brush in the suitcase before closing it. He smiled up at James as he latched it closed," Thanks, buddy. I'll owe you one."

James stepped back to allow Joe to pass and then followed him out of the bedroom. He watched as Joe straightened his jacket before reaching for the door," Good luck, Joe."

Joe looked back at his friend, his eyes grateful behind his glasses," Thanks, James. I'll need it."

James silently watched as the door closed and slowly walked to the table by the chair. He tenderly picked up the newspaper and read over the article. Mimi Tachikawa, Teenage Fashion Model, Attempts To Take Own Life. James closed his eyes and sighed before looking back up at the door. He hoped, for Joe's sake, that she'd be all right.