Chapter 12: disappearence

'would anyone explain to me how Tala got out of the classroom and no one saw him?' Mr Foura said, putting his hands on his hips, an annoyed expression on his face. 'kai?'

'I dunno, sir.'

'Bryan?'

he shrugged.

'Johnny?'

'I dunnno. I guess we weren't paying much attention.'

'I know you weren't.' the teacher replied, frowning. 'when you find him, tell him to come see me. And you better do it, understand? Class dismissed.'

It was like a stampede out the door, no one could wait for the last classes of the afternoon.

'im so hungry..' Enrique whined. 'where are we going?'

'to look for Miko you inconsiderate bum.' Misha said irritably.

'oh right…'

instead of finding the girl, they found Tala. Still standing outside, staring ahead of him.

'what are you doing?' Deseara asked confused, coming up to him.

he didn't answer.

'hello? Earth to Tala?'

no answer.

'DUDE?'

'give him a break, De, he's not going to answer you.' Mystel said, pulling the girl away.

'I just wanted to know what he was doung!'

'obviously he's not going to tell you.'

'hey, watch it.' Misha growled, glaring at the brunette as she rubbed her shoulder.

'you should be careful of what you say, you never know what may come out of it.' Ray answered, surveying her through his bangs.

'yeah yeah, whatever.' She pushed him aside. 'I don't need you to bother me right now, you if you cant see, we're trying to find Miko, and if you don't mind, you're slowing me down.'

'isnt it obvious?" the neko-jin replied. 'she's gone.'

'oh yeah? And what makes you so sure?'

'just look at him.' he nodded towards the redhead.

'……………………I don't get it.'

'he wouldn't be like this if he didn't find out that she ran off. He would've been with us. Why do you think he disappeared from class?'

'oh. Good point. Never thought you could think.'

'can it, smart-aleck.'

Brushing past her, he crossed over to Tala and placed his hand on his shoulder.

'hey.' He said quietly, 'you alright?'

it was a few moments before he got any response. The Russian sighed heavily.

'I made a mess of things didn't I?' he said. ' I just thought, for a moment, maybe she would get over this in a while and then nothing would go wrong. But I never thought she felt that way. I only did it for her own good. I know no matter how much I want to be with her, I would end up hurting her, unintentionally or not...and I would rather see her with someone else and be happy instead of being with me and end up getting hurt.'

The boys hadn't notice Misha coming up behind them. not until she spoke.

'but do really think she'll be happy with someone else?' she said softly. 'do you not realize? She would rather be with you and face the obstacles than lie to herself. She isn't the type to be open about her feelings. By the looks of things, the scar we thought had healed has just opened again.'

The redhead turned. 'what do you mean? What scar?'

She sighed. 'remember at the beginning of the year when we first met you guys? We told you she wouldn't risk her heart breaking again? Well…'

'oh.'

They stood in silence, collecting their thoughts.

'what am I going to do?' he asked in a worried whisper.

'that, you would have to ask yourself, and if you succeed, then I guess you really have what it takes to be with her.' The girl shrugged and turned away, walking back towards the school.

'oh yeah, one little reminder though.' She said, pausing at the door. 'you better hope you find her first.'