Eh heh heh heh.

I'm sorry I'm so late. I'm truly sorry.

I just had too much of my own problems that I had to do. I constantly have to juggle my schoolwork, piano stuff, sports, and roles as class prez. It's just a little too much. I mainly didn't write productively, probably because I had to carry lots of things on the subway, so I didn't get to write during that period of time.

But we can't focus on the negatives should we? At least I got this chapter done. :)

Next chapter will come out in a week or so, I haven't been on schedule lately, I'm sorry.

I dreamed of the past. Something beautiful yet terrifying.

In my murky dream, I sat and watched as time reeled back into place.

I saw the moments I had with Emily.

I remembered the time when I first asked her out. She was surprised but ultimately said yes. The first date we had was a disaster. The bridge that I wanted to take her to was closed down due to maintenance.

The second one was as bad as the first. The weather made it so bad that we decided to stay indoors in a mall.

The third was dream-like. The snow had already begun to pour down on Earth. She asked me out to spent time at her place. We stayed outside and played in the snow. We made a massive snow castle, thanks to Emily's psychic powers. When she first showed me I was in awe. She tried to teach me but ultimately failed.

"You'll get it one day," she said, laughing. I threw a snowball at her as a joke. With a mischievous glint of a kirlia, she tossed me in a snow pile. She ended up having to help me get out before I got frostbite. We went back into her house and made hot chocolate and sat in front of the "fireplace." It was, in reality, a heater. As we went into eight grade, we began to be more rebellious.

I remembered the nights we snuck outside campus to spend under the cloudy, dark sky when we were expecting to see the stars. I remembered the way she laughed at our situation and pulled me closer to her. The time we slept under the stars when the cloud blocked the view.

We finally were high schoolers. Emily evolved finally into a gardevoir. She began to act much more differently. She was much more affectionate and more assertive. She managed to push me beyond my limits and comfort zone. We went beyond just snuggling and kissing. I never disliked or liked it.

But all ended terribly.

"Emily!" I called, hugging her from behind. She turned back and gave me a small smile, but she turned around and walked away. Confused, I sank to the ground. In the midst of darkness, I saw her holding hands with another boy.

"Why?" I whispered as they faded away. I sat crushed in the dark. I never got the question answered by anybody.

I grew resentful. Emily stayed away from me as much as possible. We never talked ever again. I removed her from my contact list and social media in spite and vowed never to speak to her again.

One day I confronted her, drawing a massive crowd. I vividly remember the event, which I regretted at the same time. Bloodshed, I repeated to myself. Bloodshed. We fought arm and arm, leg and leg. I struck her down in rage, taking advantage of her weaker side. She fell to the ground and a gallade physically stopped me and pushed me off.

I thought it was the end, but I was wrong.

A few days later, the body of her boyfriend was found in his room. I was afraid and confused. I saw her for the last time on the campus sitting alone. She looked lost, lonely, and helpless. Her bag sat beside her as her company. I reached out, but I stopped myself. I wanted to ask her how she felt. I wanted to guide her back into the light before I left. But I never stepped forward to help her.

A couple of days later, I never saw her again. I heard rumors that she got expelled. I got a notice that I was being transferred to another school division due to my behavior. The dream ended with me looking out the window of the train. A new school, a new start.

I woke up to see curtains draped around me. I shielded my eyes at the dimmed lights which was overhead.

"You're awake," I heard somebody say. I shuddered in surprise.

I turned my head to see Emily crossing her arms. I saw that her expression wasn't guarded but rather solemn.

"Why are you here?" I asked, with a more agitated tone than I meant.

"I can leave if you want," she said, getting up sadly.

"No!" I said, raising my arm. I felt the IV tube pull against my skin.

"Take it easy," she said, helping me with the tube. I watched her untangle the mess. When she finished, she sat back down.

We stayed silent for a second.

"Why am I here?" I asked.

"I brought you here last night," she said, resting herself on her propped elbow against her crossed knees. "Last night I called you to make us dinner because Anna wasn't home that night, but you never responded. I knew you were home because you left your backpack on the sofa. As I passed your door to go to my room, I saw you lying on the bed. I thought you were asleep for a second, but I didn't sense any consciousness coming from you."

"..."

"I tried to use Heal Pulse, but I got blown back because of the Detectors. I couldn't do anything so I brought you here," she finished.

"How long have you been here for?" I asked, curiously.

"Not very long," she said, eyes focusing on somewhere else. "Just about five minutes or so,"

"I hope I didn't worry you," I said. Emily looked at me suspiciously.

"Why would I be worried about you?" She crossed her arms. "I could care less if you..."

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing," she said. "I'm leaving,"

I watched as she got up to leave.

"Please don't," I whispered. She stopped and glanced at me.

"Why?" She asked.

"I... I don't know," I said.

Her cellphone rang, which surprised us both. She took her phone from her back pocket and looked at it. I didn't see who called her, because she quickly put it away.

"Who was that?" I asked. She shook her head.

"Nobody important. Just some gallade," she said, sitting down.

"Gallade?" I asked. "Oh yeah, I've wanted to ask a while ago, but doesn't your species marry into the gallade species?"

"Hm? Not really. There are male gardevoirs out there if that's what you mean." Emily said, confused. I shrugged.

"Never mind then," I said, looking back at the ceiling.

"Why you ask?" Emily said. I shrugged.

"I..." I paused. I wanted to ask her about our past and question her about killing humans. I don't think I should... especially not around this time...

A knock sounded at the door and Anna peeked her head in.

"Are you okay?" She asked, approaching my bed.

"Of course," I said. "I am free to go right?"

"The nurse said you are allowed to leave. She told you to be more careful and take these," she said, blushing a little while holding the bag containing the pills. I reached for them and she gave them to me. Once per day huh?

"It's late, are you hungry?" Anna asked, waving her tail shyly.

"I am, actually," I said, pushing the covers. "Have you eaten yet?"

They both shook their heads. I sighed and tried to get up. My knees buckled and Emily caught me. I felt her arms around my waist as she hoist me up on the bed.

Fuck, I thought. "I'm sorry," I stepped on two legs and allowed myself to walk around the room. I felt stinging sensations as I stepped around. I shook my legs out until the pain faded away.

"I'll tell you what, I'll bring you guys to a place to eat," I said. "We should to Togo,"

"Togo?" Emily asked. Anna nodded.

"That sounds great," Anna said. "You'll love it, I promise,"

Emily nodded uncertainly.

Twenty minutes later, we were already walking to our destination. It felt awkward between Emily and I because we didn't really talk much. Anna was trying to speak to Emily, but the conversation felt very forced.

"How's work going?" I asked Anna.

"It's okay," she said. "We are starting to get more work and I have a midterm soon, so I probably should study harder on the weekend."

"Oh right, speaking of which, I also have a test coming up," I said, thinking.

"Don't you have a college test coming up as well?" Anna asked.

"Yeah, it's towards the summer though," I said, glancing at Emily. "How about you?"

"I haven't registered yet... I should probably do that soon," she said.

"The deadline is still a couple of months away, you still have time," Anna reassured her.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"Of course I know. Academic failure," Anna said, poking me.

"Ouch," I said, shrinking away from her. "God, cut your nails,"

"Who knows when creepy people like you will attack us?" She said, sticking a tongue at me.

"I would never do that," I said. Emily coughed and gagged. "Hey!"

"Exactly, she agrees," Anna said, giving me a know-it-all expression.

"You guys can protect yourselves with you magic powers," I pointed out.

"Hm, that's not reassuring," Anna said. I opened my mouth to say something but Anna cut me off. "Emily, how is school? I know you just came here and everything, but I hope your experience has been fine."

"Of course," she said, walking beside us. "All the teachers are kind. I like how the school work is light as well."

"Oh! That's nice," Anna said. "What school did you come from?"

"I came from a Gardevian Academy," She smiled. "It was really hard to keep up, so I decided to change schools again."

"Again?" Anna asked, curiously. I mentally wanted to tell Anna to stop talking. I cleared my throat, trying to get her attention to no avail.

"Yeah, I came from another public school called Jason Caldwell Smith's Academy." She said. I glanced at Emily, who I can see was getting slightly uncomfortable.

"Hey, why don't you go ahead and get the reservation?" I said to Anna, gesturing to Togo which was a couple of blocks ahead of us. She wanted to shake her head, but I gave her a glare. Anna gave me an unreadable expression and walked ahead of us. I slowed down and turned to Emily,

"Sorry about that," I apologized. Emily shook her head.

"It's fine, I don't blame her," She smiled. I looked at her confused.

"...I..." I stuttered, wanting to ask her something that was on my mind. Emily stopped me.

"I don't particularly want to talk right now," she said, shaking her head. "I don't mean to offend you or anything, just not now."

I nodded respectfully and stayed silent as we walked to the restaurant.

"Hello," a human girl said. "A braixen came a couple of seconds ago to reserve three seats. Please come with me,"

We followed the girl to the back of the place and sat down with Anna. I grabbed my menu and sat back into my chair. Anna didn't speak much. Thank god, I thought. I peered over at Emily who was reading through the menu but had an expression I couldn't read. I looked back to my menu with a slight frown.

What did she mean when she didn't want to talk? Like not wanting to talk present tense? Or about our past... I pondered. I snuck a glance at Emily who was concentrating. Hey, isn't that a symptom of mind reading? Hello, is that you Emily?

She flinched and gripped the menu. I looked away embarrassed.

So she was tracking my feelings... I thought. This is so awkward... does she hate me less now?

"What are you going to get?" Anna asked, causing us to jump a little.

"Oh! Uh," I said, flipping through the pages. "Hehe, I don't know actually..."

"Didn't you always pick this?" Anna said, pointing at a dish.

"Yeah, but I might want to pick something different you know?" I said, fake smiling. I quickly looked at the menu again. I have no idea, I'll just pick this salad whatever.

"I'll just pick this," I told Anna.

"You know what you're getting?" Anna asked.

"Hm, I am stuck between three options," Anna said. "But I'll choose this for now,"

I called the waiter over and he took our orders. As he left, I saw Anna watching me but quickly looked away.

"So, Emily, do you know what field you want to strive towards?" I said, gagging through the awkwardness of the situation.

"Hm, maybe something with psychology?" Emily said, giving me a half-hearted answer. "What about you Anna?"

"I haven't really decided yet, to be honest. I am, after all, three grades below you guys." Anna said. I rested my chin on propped up arms.

"Surely you must have some idea of what you are going to do," Emily countered. "I mean, seeing that you are this smart and everything,"

Anna blushed, "I'm flattered. I did want to do something in the medical field, like all of you. But, I also probably wanted to do something in the business field."

"I never knew that," I said. "I think you would make a great businesswomen actually,"

"Oh really?" Anna said, sheepishly.

"Of course," I supported.

"Since you are part psychic, it may actually give you an advantage as well," Emily said.

"You're part psychic? You never told me," I said, surprised.

"Oh? I thought I told you. Maybe you forgot..." Anna said, avoiding my eye contact and swayed her tail.

"It doesn't take a psychic to know you are lying," I said, pinching her fluffy cheeks.

"Oww..." she said after I released my hold. "What's so bad about me not telling you that I'm a psychic?"

"Well, it's nice to know and trust somebody," I said, crossing my arms. "Now I can't trust you anymore,"

"What?!" She said, slamming on the table looking very serious. I glared at her across the table before smiling.

"Of course I'm just kidding," I chuckled. "I'm not that dense,"

Anna made a disgusted face. "I would say otherwise,"

"Would you like to provide evidence?" Emily added.

"Anna, don't you dare..." I said, glancing at Anna.

"Hm, let's see... maybe once when I caught him po-,"

I covered her muzzle and hissed. "Another word and I'll tell her about the 'incident.'"

Her eyes opened wide and I released her. I made a smug expression.

"I'm actually rather interested in what you caught him doing," Emily said, leaning forward. "Don't worry, only I'll know. And if this human attacks you then I can physically retrain him, since we aren't on school grounds anymore."

I clenched my jaw in anticipation.

"Checkmate," Emily said, poking her tongue at me.

"Fuck you," I growled, turning away. They both glanced at each other.

"You know I promised that I wouldn't tell a single soul about your problems right?" Anna pointed out. "I was planning to keep that promise though..."

"I hope you are," I sighed.

"I'm surprised you are able to live with him," Emily said.

"That doesn't improve my feelings," I interjected.

"Who said I was going to make you happy?" Emily said while narrowing her eyes.

"Guys, come on, stop going after each other's throats," Anna said seriously. We both stopped glaring each other. "But to be honest, I'm quite surprised myself. I was like you in the beginning. I thought that I would transfer to a different dorm, but I still stayed. He's not a bad person, Emily. I think he's pretty reasonable. Just give him a couple of weeks and you will get used to him. I know his humor sucks and that he is really annoying, but that's just what makes him likable."

"Please define reasonable," Emily said, sarcastically. I hissed at her with hostility.

"Did something go on between you guys?" Anna asked. "I've never seen so much hate between two living things before."

"No, we just don't see things eye for eye," Emily said before I was able to speak.

"Hm," Anna said, not buying her story. The waiter conveniently appeared with our food. He laid out all the plates neatly.

"Enjoy," He said, leaving. We each respectfully ate in silence. But it didn't stop me from my train of thought.

We don't see things eye to eye? What does that mean? We don't agree with a lot of things? What does she even mean? She's the one... that ran off with another person. I just don't understand what she is thinking, because I don't have any ability to read other people's thoughts. That's so frustrating... I want to understand her but at the same time, I literally can't.

"Are you okay?" Anna nudged me under the table.

"Yeah, I'm probably going to walk around a little after we are done. You guys should head back to the dorm as well," I smiled. Anna gave me a suspicious look and continued to eat. I looked back at my plate and finished my serving as well.

We barely said anything, which kind of made the atmosphere a little weird. After we all finished, I waved the waiter over and paid the bill.

"Thanks," Anna said, as we got up from our seat. I grabbed a handful of candy that the store offered in front.

"You want some?" I said, dropping a couple of pieces in her hands.

"Thanks," she said. We headed outside and I parted paths with them.

"Be sure to be back soon," Anna said, waving. I smiled and waved back. When they were out of sight, my smile quickly faded away.

Why am I like this? I thought. I started to frown and think. I just don't understand this whole situation. Emily ran off with another dude... then turns around and says I'M the one that's messed up and inconsiderate. This shit doesn't make sense.

I found myself walking closer to the river. I find this spot very calming and I usually come here with Lizelle. I sometimes come here when I'm very stressed about studying as well. I sat on one of the benches that were near the water. The water ripples were beautiful. The natural current allowed the water to collide with the rocky shores. I watched the blinking lights of traffic on the bridge. These lights illuminated the water and everything was calm. I closed my eyes and thought about Emily.

I did not understand her, nor her species. I don't understand anything about them, despite dating one. I didn't want to understand them either.

They were truly beautiful and terrifying.

How does one have contrasting traits? How does this even exist? I took in a deep breathe as I felt my stress fade away.

As soon as I graduate, I would need to go to college. I would need to find myself a job to be able to live.

A brief image of Emily appeared in my mind. Our promise.

"I promise," she said, holding my hand. I snapped awake and a wide lake faced me.

God... I thought as I covered my face with both my hands.

"You are still here?" I heard. I turned around.

"Why are you here?" I asked, keeping hatred and spite out of my voice. She shrugged and sat on the at end of the bench.

"Just wanted to talk," she said, looking out to the waters. I turned to watch the waves as well.

We both remained silent before I asked a question.

"How've you been doing?" I asked.

"... I've been okay," she said. She had no expression on her face.

"..."

A pause hit again.

"Why did you come here?" I asked.

"I came here because the other school that I went to had too many dark types," she said.

"Hm... you never seem fond of any dark types," I pointed out.

"I guess... it's just that they make me uncomfortable," she admitted.

"You mean the fact that you have a type disadvantage?" I clarified. She nodded. "Well, think about how the dark types feel,"

"..."

I sighed.

"How're your classes going?" I asked.

"Good," she said.

"You failing anything?" I said, semi-jokingly.

"No," she said. I glanced at her to see her emotionless face looking at the flowing river.

"Is there... anything particularly bothering you that you want to talk about?" I asked.

"Maybe not so much me, but more about you," Emily said.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

"I... the first couple days of school I've been stressing out mainly because of... pretty much you," she admitted. I raised an eyebrow.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"You were so... spiteful the day that I came here. I didn't want to step down either, personally because I, myself, had reasons to be mad," Emily said.

"But... you were the one who ran off," I said, feeling the words stick to my tongue.

"..."

"I'm sure that there's a reason behind this, and I'm willing to at least listen..." I offered.

"..." She stayed silent for a second. "Do you hate me?"

"No," I said. "Just a bit wary,"

She shrouded her shoulders.

"To a gardevoir, not knowing something can be very frightening and traumatizing. We get paranoid very easily, so we need a constant input of information that will satisfy our mind for information," She said. "I was getting pushed to the edge, mainly because I didn't know how you truly felt. I... I just don't like to know that there's somebody out in the world that despises me and wishes to hunt me down on every opportunity that they have."

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, curiously. She stayed silent for a second before speaking.

"I... I know you probably resent me and everything, and that you are concealing your true feelings pretty well. But I want to know how you think about gardevoirs..." Emily said, forcefully.

"About what?" I said.

"About me, as a gardevoir," Emily said, looking away. I looked away.

"Honestly, I don't hate you as much as you think," I said. "I was very surprised that I saw you though, so I'm sorry that I was probably pissed for a couple of days. I vowed to never cross paths with you again, but here you are. When you cheated on me, I just had so many unanswered questions. It's just... What's bothering me the most is that I never understood why you went off with another guy,"

"..."

"Not to mention, he was found unconscious and traumatized after a couple of days," I said. "I just don't get why we never stayed together..."

"So you want to date me again?" Emily said. What? I understood what she was going at.

I shook my head.

"No, I'm sorry. It's just too much," I said. "I hope you understand,"

"Oh, I didn't mean it that way. I would have declined as well," Emily said, looking away. "Well, at least I know you don't hate me,"

"I mean, don't get me wrong, I still am suspicious around you," I said, glancing at her. She sighed and smiled a little. "So the point of you talking to me was to understand how I feel? Why didn't you just use your feeling powers?"

"I... I can't feel the emotions of people precisely if I'm not in a deep relationship with them," she admitted.

"So..." I said. "You don't despise me either, right? It seems like you dislike every I do,"

"No, I don't hate-hate you. But..." she trailed off.

"What?" I asked.

"Can... can we just become friends?" Emily said, shyly. I did a double-take to make sure I was hearing right.

"...Well of course," I said. "I bet there's a reason behind it, am I right?"

"..."

"I was right," I sighed.

"Yeah, I'm failing calculus and I need you to help me," she blushed. I face-palmed but smiled nevertheless.

"Alright Emily, I'll tutor you," I said, standing up.