Jeri slowly buttoned the shirt that matched her navy blue pleated skirt as she got ready for school. "Jeri, after what you've been through, maybe you shouldn't go to school just yet." Rika said, adorning a different school uniform required at her all-girls school. "I already missed four days, Rika." Jeri said in the same voice she had spoken with since the accident, a soft drone deprived of all emotion. "Okay… if you're sure…" She sighed in defeat. "Do you want me to at least walk with you to school?" She offered. "No, it's okay… your school's in the opposite direction… plus, I'd prefer to walk alone, thanks…" She said, putting on her warm winter jacket, gloves, hat and scarf. "Okay." Rika said.
Gasps and surprised stares were aimed at Jeri as she stood at her locker. She just ignored them and continued what she was doing. "Jeri." Her friend Nikki said joining her. "Oh, hi Nikki…" She said. "We thought you'd stay out longer… after… what happened…" Nikki said hesitantly. Jeri didn't answer. "Um, so, are… you okay?" "My father, my stepmother and my half brother just died… but yes, I'm peachy!" She said coldly. "You don't have to be so mean, Jeri…" Nikki said walking off. Jeri just turned and walked to her first class.
'They don't know how it feels…' She thought. 'They don't know how it feels to your mother die… and then your digimon… and then your father, stepmother and half brother…' She thought. "Miss Katou?" Her teacher asked. Jeri looked up. "If you're not up to focusing on the class, you can go home." She offered kindly. "No… no I'm fine… really…" She said. "Alright." And with that, the teacher continued teaching the lesson. Jeri continued to remain in her own world, thinking. 'I don't wanna be in this world anymore…' She sighed, laying her head down on the desk.
When school ended, Jeri collected her things and left the school, avoiding the others, but especially… avoiding him. Even though she loved him with all her heart… even though all she wanted to do was be with him… she couldn't. He probably didn't feel the same way anyway. Why would he? She was a crazy lunatic who ran around talking to her hand. Who could ever care for? Not him. He was fairly popular amongst girls, so he could probably have any girl he desired. She pulled her jacket closer to her shaking shoulders. But they weren't shaking from the cold. The cold didn't affect her. Her heart was now cold. They shook as each sob escaped her. "Why?" She cried out. "Why am I destined to be alone? It's not like I've ever done anything to deserve it… right? No… I've been a good person… so why do bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people?" She wondered aloud. "Jeri!" She heard a voice call. Her mind raced. 'No… I have to keep away from him…' She convinced herself. Even though her heart ached and she wanted to shout out, "Hi! Wanna walk home together?" They always would. They always walked home together. That is, before she was shown once more that she's destined to lose all she cared for. "Jeri!" He persistently called again. She just continued to ignore him and walk back to Rika's house. "I know you can hear me!" Suddenly, his hand on her shoulder stopped her. "How are you doing, Jeri?" He asked worriedly. "Just leave me alone…" She said pushing his hand off her shoulder. "Just leave me alone, okay?" She repeated before running off. "But… wait, Jeri! Please!!" He called.
She ran as fast as she could all the way home, holding in the tears. She finally arrived at Rika's house. She headed straight for the bedroom that she shared at Rika, knowing no one would be home for about twenty more minutes. And that's when Jeri cried more. She cried letting all her pain out. "I'm sorry…" She cried as the tears streamed down her face. "I'm sorry, Takato…"
Author's note: And the love interest is revealed… if you hadn't assumed already. *shrugs* I just love Jurato. ^.^ Isn't it the cutest couple in the whole entire universe!? Anyway… another short chapter… damn me… I'm just not good with whole concept of long chapters I guess. ^^ I promise Rika's love interest will also be revealed in the next chapter! Anyway, please review!