One Last Breath
~By: Lauren~
M A G A Z I N E S & F I E N D S
Meimi frowned. She didn't want to cut her hair. It had taken her almost seven years to grow it that long and she was frankly very proud of it. But when the thought of her being a missing person appeared in her mind, she began to doubt it was worth not cutting it. Then another thing edged in the back of her mind. It was one of the last physical reminders of her parents that she had left. A memory entered her mind.
"Meimi you should grow your short hair out, it would look beautiful on you. You know, when I met your father, he use to love my long hair. He told me it was one of my most dazzling features. Maybe one day you'll meet some great guy and he'll think the same about you." Her mother smiled warmly as Meimi chirped up with excitement, ready to grow her hair. "But it'll take time and patience." She had warned her daughter.
Meimi sighed, pushing the memory back into the far corners of her mind. She sank back in the cushioned seat she was placed it. She made a conclusion. No matter how desperate things became, she wouldn't cut her hair at all. A blanket of stars shone brightly above her. The group had decided in the morning they would ride to wherever they choose. In the corner of her eye she caught Tammy and Tony snuggling together near the warm fire that sat in the center of the junkyard. They had found a battered couch and insisted on sleeping outside that night for it was growing warm. Spring was just around the corner. Meimi cursed at her sudden unhappiness. She could see the faces of her friends from the faded glow of the fire. Marie was drooling over some magazine while Aaron was busy straining his eyes to read a book she had purchased for her young companion. She already knew Tammy and Tony were off in some other world chattering aimlessly to each other about things Meimi wasn't interested in. She had a strange feeling of jealousy towards the tall Italian boy. She wanted so badly to speak to her dear chocolate haired pal but Tammy hadn't even given her a second glance for the last hour as she stared into Tony's eyes. Sighed, she questioned herself why she felt so sorrowful all of the sudden. She had friends and, well, as strange as it seemed, she also had a home. She fit in with these people. She had given up her old life, her old friends, her so-called family. Meimi didn't belong there anymore and she would never return to that cursed town. She had let it all go, so why did it seem to sneak up to her again? Why couldn't Asuka Jr. let her go? Did he truly feel that guilty? Or maybe he thought bringing her back would restore forgiveness in Saint Tail and the mystic thief would reappear to fight crime. The redhead snorted at the thought. She had given up that dream a long time ago. So then, why? Why did her heart burn so, why did her fists clench themselves to compressed balls of infuriation, why did her face flush with intolerance, why? That was not Meimi. That wasn't the Meimi she knew of, it wasn't her, a peaceful happy girl who didn't believe in looking down, who's optimism was limitless, who's perception of life would remain positive in every way whatsoever. But that Meimi, that wonderful happy-go-lucky girl was being tested and tried in so many ways, pulled to a tight fine line threatening to break, if it hadn't already. How was it possible? How could it be possible that anyone, herself or any other, would have even the slightest trace of a smile in such a situation? She felt she had lost everything! One by one, the solid structure of her once pleasing life had caved into itself, surrendering to these unpredictable circumstances, foreshadowing only upset, only things she couldn't stand, only things she couldn't bear with any longer. She couldn't take it. At that very moment, she couldn't be happy. She couldn't be optimistic. She won't pretend life was blissful. She won't imagine hope in something that was so utterly hopeless. She turned her head, shielding her face from the fire's glow for she was afraid the others would see the tears that trickled down her flushed cheeks. When she turned she found herself face to face with herself. Her reflection shone brightly from the car window near her. And Meimi was reminded why she always wore her sunglasses. There were the unforgettable memories, the ones that lay with her forever and only her. She could still think of it. She could still see her old fantastic smile, her eyes with this life that had now been taken away too many times, with her gentle kisses to her parents and an affection - a love - that she bore to only them and no other. She could still feel the warm hand atop her head, ruffling her hair as she clutched to her father's leg as a child, grinning at his usual greeting, "How's my little princess?" Then she'd watch as he whispered words of love to her mother, making the silliest faces, which brought her to healthy laughter, completing the image of a sweet little family, with her, her father and her mother. As she stood there, only a couple of feet away from her frozen self, she could already see what had been growing in her, accumulating, over a period of months: stress, fatigue, depression, inability. It was never more evident than now for her eyes had bags underneath, her skin had paled and her face was expressionless, nearly scary had it not been herself, once full of a sweet love and charm. She could barely remember herself that way - she could barely remember her family that way, with family dinners and laughs and jokes, hugs and kisses while watching television programs or movies together. It was a pleasant memory, but that one didn't serve to reality any longer. That life had been whisked away from her once sparkling eyes, that energy from her active self, that brilliance from her gleaming smile all in the time that everything seemed to crumble away all because of her. From that day on real true laughter had become extinct, and she could only wonder as to where real happiness went. And so there she stood, this inane and lifeless girl, for reasons she didn't understand. But her mind would not let her dwell on these thoughts as a strange noise caught her attention.
There. She heard it again.
Craning her neck around, she glanced at Marie who was holding her magazine sideways and peering at it closely. She wore a scarlet blush on her cheeks and then she heard the noise again.
"Ehehehehehe," Marie laughed, sounding more than slightly maniacal, and Meimi had to resist the urge to hide under the couch.
Sliding over, she peaked over the raven-haired girl's head. Streaked out in the magazine and blown to a large proportion was a shirtless blonde haired man. The same scarlet blush that Marie wore popped up in Meimi's cheeks. A giggled escaped her lips, giving away that she was directly behind her friend.
"Meimi?!" Marie spun around, gripping the magazine tightly to her chest. "HEEEYYYY!!! THIS IS MINE!!!"
A smug look passed on Meimi's face as she slid into the seat next to Marie. "Isn't that the actor who played Legolas in Lord of The Rings? You know, the blonde guy with the six pack?" As she recalled the picture, a glazed dreamy look filled Meimi's eyes that were still behind her sunglasses. It was harder to see at night with them on and the girl was trying to figure out some way to solve that problem.
"Maybe.." Marie smirked innocently.
"Where'd you get that?" Meimi reached for the magazine as she attempted to rip it from her friend's grip but sadly, she failed.
"I bought it fair and square with my OWN money! And NO, it's not a bad magazine. It just has.erm.shirtless hot guys." Blush flamed on her cheeks as she released a girlish giggle along with a dreamy expression much to the one Meimi had just recently worn.
"Does Tony know you have that?" Meimi lunged for the thing again but her hands only found air.
"No and if you tell him.!!" Marie threatened, raising her fists in front of Meimi's face.
Meimi held out her hand. "I won't tell him if you let me look at it with you." She proposed her idea.
"You got a deal." Marie gripped Meimi's hand tightly as they shook. With another giggle, they snuggled close above the magazine, each fighting to have a better view.
From across the room Aaron rolled his eyes and sighed. "Girls." He then returned his attention to his book.
~*~
"So I have pick a place to go? But I have no clue how." Meimi winced, staring at the highway ahead of her. She was extremely nervous about having to ride her own motorcycle but now.NOW she had to LEAD the group to a new town WHILE making sure no one recognized her. She cursed Asuka Jr. under her breath before Tammy then spoke up.
"Just choose a road, follow it and if you see another road you want to get off on, then get off and continue on down until you feel like stopping. Whatever appeals to you." Tammy smiled. "It's that easy." Everyone was refreshed and ready to go.
"Ok." Meimi nodded. It sounded easy enough.
"But before we head out." Tony mumbled so quietly she had to strain to hear him. "We have to cut your hair." Out of nowhere a sharp pair of scissors appeared in his hand. As soon as she spotted them he seemed to grab her shoulders. Meimi struggled to get free as she fought tears. She couldn't let him take her hair away now.
Snip.
She saw a few pieces of red hair drop to the ground. She froze. "DON'T CUT IT!!!" Her own voice surprised her at the harshness in her words. Meimi lashed out with strong fists as Tony attempted to hold her still. Her fist found contact with his lip, causing a coppery taste to fill his mouth. He let go and grabbed his lip, nursing the pain. Finding herself free, Meimi ran a few feet away as she examined her hair. He had only cut a tiny chunk off. Turning back towards him, she planted her feet down firmly. "Don't you dare cut my hair!!"
Tony let go of his wound, glaring at Meimi. "So you'd rather risk US and YOU being caught by the police?! Is that more important than your long fancy red hair?! HUH? We all make sacrifices here!! You might not like it but it has to be done. It's for the best. It's for our safety AND yours." Glancing at Marie, he added. "I knew we shouldn't brought the softy along with us."
Meimi looked at the group for help. Aaron was staring at the ground intently, trying not to be noticed. Tammy had found a sudden interest in a loose string on her gray sweater. Marie was chewing on her fingernail while Tony glared at Meimi, sucking on his cut lip.
"Is that it? No one's going to help me.?" Meimi gave Tammy a longing look but the girl turned away.
"It IS for the best." Murmured Aaron.
Meimi sighed, rolling her eyes as she attempted to control her temper. The words hurt. They seemed to sting as they cut into her. She looked back at Tony. "You would never understand what it's like to kill your own parents!!! I KNEW NONE OF YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND!!!!" She spun on her heel, marching past the silent group and mounting her bike. She instantly regretted her words. Those four people that stood behind her.they knew what it was like. They knew the feelings more than anyone could have imagined. More than even she could have imagined. She knew most of the words had hurt Tammy the most and she was pained by that knowledge. She knew because behind her she could hear her friend sniffing and fighting back tears. The gravel crunching was Tony walking over to embrace the girl and comfort her. Marie was chewing harder at the nail until she hit blood and Aaron had been reduced to a small, trembling figure with clenched fists. Guilt flooded directly at her, gnawing at her every nerve. It was wrong of her to attack them like that because they were right. If she rode with them along with her long hair she would be a risk factor to being caught. She realized she had friends here too, friends who were hurt by her words because they listened to her. With her mother and father gone, she'd thought she was free of that kind of pain, but she was less free than ever. She'd never love anyone as she had her family, but others had come to her to be important to her: Tony and Marie, who gave her acceptance. Tammy, an elder sister and Aaron who respected her. Each of those people now was a potential wound. Meimi cleared her throat from the lump that had filled it. ".I'm sorry.You can cut my hair." She managed to whisper.
Tammy wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve. "It's ok." The girl replied. Ever so slowly, the group turned around and gained their composure.
Tony gave Meimi a weak smile. "Keep the hair.for now at least.ok?"
"No!!" Meimi instantly refused but after receiving another glare and warning, she knew not to argue. With feelings put back into place, they all mounted their bikes. The vibration of the motorbike under Meimi sent a feeling of thrill throughout her entire body. She gripped the handlebars as she took in a deep, relaxing breath. Under her the road seemed to stretch out forever. An endless road for her to follow. Where it took her, she had no idea but she was ready to finally follow it.
Smiling at her friends who returned the gesture, she faced forward. "Let's go." She spoke quietly and with another roar of engines, the group took off.
~*~
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge and I'm thinking
That maybe six feet
Ain't so far down
~By: Lauren~
M A G A Z I N E S & F I E N D S
Meimi frowned. She didn't want to cut her hair. It had taken her almost seven years to grow it that long and she was frankly very proud of it. But when the thought of her being a missing person appeared in her mind, she began to doubt it was worth not cutting it. Then another thing edged in the back of her mind. It was one of the last physical reminders of her parents that she had left. A memory entered her mind.
"Meimi you should grow your short hair out, it would look beautiful on you. You know, when I met your father, he use to love my long hair. He told me it was one of my most dazzling features. Maybe one day you'll meet some great guy and he'll think the same about you." Her mother smiled warmly as Meimi chirped up with excitement, ready to grow her hair. "But it'll take time and patience." She had warned her daughter.
Meimi sighed, pushing the memory back into the far corners of her mind. She sank back in the cushioned seat she was placed it. She made a conclusion. No matter how desperate things became, she wouldn't cut her hair at all. A blanket of stars shone brightly above her. The group had decided in the morning they would ride to wherever they choose. In the corner of her eye she caught Tammy and Tony snuggling together near the warm fire that sat in the center of the junkyard. They had found a battered couch and insisted on sleeping outside that night for it was growing warm. Spring was just around the corner. Meimi cursed at her sudden unhappiness. She could see the faces of her friends from the faded glow of the fire. Marie was drooling over some magazine while Aaron was busy straining his eyes to read a book she had purchased for her young companion. She already knew Tammy and Tony were off in some other world chattering aimlessly to each other about things Meimi wasn't interested in. She had a strange feeling of jealousy towards the tall Italian boy. She wanted so badly to speak to her dear chocolate haired pal but Tammy hadn't even given her a second glance for the last hour as she stared into Tony's eyes. Sighed, she questioned herself why she felt so sorrowful all of the sudden. She had friends and, well, as strange as it seemed, she also had a home. She fit in with these people. She had given up her old life, her old friends, her so-called family. Meimi didn't belong there anymore and she would never return to that cursed town. She had let it all go, so why did it seem to sneak up to her again? Why couldn't Asuka Jr. let her go? Did he truly feel that guilty? Or maybe he thought bringing her back would restore forgiveness in Saint Tail and the mystic thief would reappear to fight crime. The redhead snorted at the thought. She had given up that dream a long time ago. So then, why? Why did her heart burn so, why did her fists clench themselves to compressed balls of infuriation, why did her face flush with intolerance, why? That was not Meimi. That wasn't the Meimi she knew of, it wasn't her, a peaceful happy girl who didn't believe in looking down, who's optimism was limitless, who's perception of life would remain positive in every way whatsoever. But that Meimi, that wonderful happy-go-lucky girl was being tested and tried in so many ways, pulled to a tight fine line threatening to break, if it hadn't already. How was it possible? How could it be possible that anyone, herself or any other, would have even the slightest trace of a smile in such a situation? She felt she had lost everything! One by one, the solid structure of her once pleasing life had caved into itself, surrendering to these unpredictable circumstances, foreshadowing only upset, only things she couldn't stand, only things she couldn't bear with any longer. She couldn't take it. At that very moment, she couldn't be happy. She couldn't be optimistic. She won't pretend life was blissful. She won't imagine hope in something that was so utterly hopeless. She turned her head, shielding her face from the fire's glow for she was afraid the others would see the tears that trickled down her flushed cheeks. When she turned she found herself face to face with herself. Her reflection shone brightly from the car window near her. And Meimi was reminded why she always wore her sunglasses. There were the unforgettable memories, the ones that lay with her forever and only her. She could still think of it. She could still see her old fantastic smile, her eyes with this life that had now been taken away too many times, with her gentle kisses to her parents and an affection - a love - that she bore to only them and no other. She could still feel the warm hand atop her head, ruffling her hair as she clutched to her father's leg as a child, grinning at his usual greeting, "How's my little princess?" Then she'd watch as he whispered words of love to her mother, making the silliest faces, which brought her to healthy laughter, completing the image of a sweet little family, with her, her father and her mother. As she stood there, only a couple of feet away from her frozen self, she could already see what had been growing in her, accumulating, over a period of months: stress, fatigue, depression, inability. It was never more evident than now for her eyes had bags underneath, her skin had paled and her face was expressionless, nearly scary had it not been herself, once full of a sweet love and charm. She could barely remember herself that way - she could barely remember her family that way, with family dinners and laughs and jokes, hugs and kisses while watching television programs or movies together. It was a pleasant memory, but that one didn't serve to reality any longer. That life had been whisked away from her once sparkling eyes, that energy from her active self, that brilliance from her gleaming smile all in the time that everything seemed to crumble away all because of her. From that day on real true laughter had become extinct, and she could only wonder as to where real happiness went. And so there she stood, this inane and lifeless girl, for reasons she didn't understand. But her mind would not let her dwell on these thoughts as a strange noise caught her attention.
There. She heard it again.
Craning her neck around, she glanced at Marie who was holding her magazine sideways and peering at it closely. She wore a scarlet blush on her cheeks and then she heard the noise again.
"Ehehehehehe," Marie laughed, sounding more than slightly maniacal, and Meimi had to resist the urge to hide under the couch.
Sliding over, she peaked over the raven-haired girl's head. Streaked out in the magazine and blown to a large proportion was a shirtless blonde haired man. The same scarlet blush that Marie wore popped up in Meimi's cheeks. A giggled escaped her lips, giving away that she was directly behind her friend.
"Meimi?!" Marie spun around, gripping the magazine tightly to her chest. "HEEEYYYY!!! THIS IS MINE!!!"
A smug look passed on Meimi's face as she slid into the seat next to Marie. "Isn't that the actor who played Legolas in Lord of The Rings? You know, the blonde guy with the six pack?" As she recalled the picture, a glazed dreamy look filled Meimi's eyes that were still behind her sunglasses. It was harder to see at night with them on and the girl was trying to figure out some way to solve that problem.
"Maybe.." Marie smirked innocently.
"Where'd you get that?" Meimi reached for the magazine as she attempted to rip it from her friend's grip but sadly, she failed.
"I bought it fair and square with my OWN money! And NO, it's not a bad magazine. It just has.erm.shirtless hot guys." Blush flamed on her cheeks as she released a girlish giggle along with a dreamy expression much to the one Meimi had just recently worn.
"Does Tony know you have that?" Meimi lunged for the thing again but her hands only found air.
"No and if you tell him.!!" Marie threatened, raising her fists in front of Meimi's face.
Meimi held out her hand. "I won't tell him if you let me look at it with you." She proposed her idea.
"You got a deal." Marie gripped Meimi's hand tightly as they shook. With another giggle, they snuggled close above the magazine, each fighting to have a better view.
From across the room Aaron rolled his eyes and sighed. "Girls." He then returned his attention to his book.
~*~
"So I have pick a place to go? But I have no clue how." Meimi winced, staring at the highway ahead of her. She was extremely nervous about having to ride her own motorcycle but now.NOW she had to LEAD the group to a new town WHILE making sure no one recognized her. She cursed Asuka Jr. under her breath before Tammy then spoke up.
"Just choose a road, follow it and if you see another road you want to get off on, then get off and continue on down until you feel like stopping. Whatever appeals to you." Tammy smiled. "It's that easy." Everyone was refreshed and ready to go.
"Ok." Meimi nodded. It sounded easy enough.
"But before we head out." Tony mumbled so quietly she had to strain to hear him. "We have to cut your hair." Out of nowhere a sharp pair of scissors appeared in his hand. As soon as she spotted them he seemed to grab her shoulders. Meimi struggled to get free as she fought tears. She couldn't let him take her hair away now.
Snip.
She saw a few pieces of red hair drop to the ground. She froze. "DON'T CUT IT!!!" Her own voice surprised her at the harshness in her words. Meimi lashed out with strong fists as Tony attempted to hold her still. Her fist found contact with his lip, causing a coppery taste to fill his mouth. He let go and grabbed his lip, nursing the pain. Finding herself free, Meimi ran a few feet away as she examined her hair. He had only cut a tiny chunk off. Turning back towards him, she planted her feet down firmly. "Don't you dare cut my hair!!"
Tony let go of his wound, glaring at Meimi. "So you'd rather risk US and YOU being caught by the police?! Is that more important than your long fancy red hair?! HUH? We all make sacrifices here!! You might not like it but it has to be done. It's for the best. It's for our safety AND yours." Glancing at Marie, he added. "I knew we shouldn't brought the softy along with us."
Meimi looked at the group for help. Aaron was staring at the ground intently, trying not to be noticed. Tammy had found a sudden interest in a loose string on her gray sweater. Marie was chewing on her fingernail while Tony glared at Meimi, sucking on his cut lip.
"Is that it? No one's going to help me.?" Meimi gave Tammy a longing look but the girl turned away.
"It IS for the best." Murmured Aaron.
Meimi sighed, rolling her eyes as she attempted to control her temper. The words hurt. They seemed to sting as they cut into her. She looked back at Tony. "You would never understand what it's like to kill your own parents!!! I KNEW NONE OF YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND!!!!" She spun on her heel, marching past the silent group and mounting her bike. She instantly regretted her words. Those four people that stood behind her.they knew what it was like. They knew the feelings more than anyone could have imagined. More than even she could have imagined. She knew most of the words had hurt Tammy the most and she was pained by that knowledge. She knew because behind her she could hear her friend sniffing and fighting back tears. The gravel crunching was Tony walking over to embrace the girl and comfort her. Marie was chewing harder at the nail until she hit blood and Aaron had been reduced to a small, trembling figure with clenched fists. Guilt flooded directly at her, gnawing at her every nerve. It was wrong of her to attack them like that because they were right. If she rode with them along with her long hair she would be a risk factor to being caught. She realized she had friends here too, friends who were hurt by her words because they listened to her. With her mother and father gone, she'd thought she was free of that kind of pain, but she was less free than ever. She'd never love anyone as she had her family, but others had come to her to be important to her: Tony and Marie, who gave her acceptance. Tammy, an elder sister and Aaron who respected her. Each of those people now was a potential wound. Meimi cleared her throat from the lump that had filled it. ".I'm sorry.You can cut my hair." She managed to whisper.
Tammy wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve. "It's ok." The girl replied. Ever so slowly, the group turned around and gained their composure.
Tony gave Meimi a weak smile. "Keep the hair.for now at least.ok?"
"No!!" Meimi instantly refused but after receiving another glare and warning, she knew not to argue. With feelings put back into place, they all mounted their bikes. The vibration of the motorbike under Meimi sent a feeling of thrill throughout her entire body. She gripped the handlebars as she took in a deep, relaxing breath. Under her the road seemed to stretch out forever. An endless road for her to follow. Where it took her, she had no idea but she was ready to finally follow it.
Smiling at her friends who returned the gesture, she faced forward. "Let's go." She spoke quietly and with another roar of engines, the group took off.
~*~
Hold me now
I'm six feet from the edge and I'm thinking
That maybe six feet
Ain't so far down