A/N: I've decided to split the chapters into each character's point of view but still have the plot moving forward. I just thought I'd mention that in case I've confused anyone.

Also, thanks so much for the review sakurai9826 (my first review!). I'll keep in mind what you said about the repeating phrases, I tend to do it alot, but I'm working on it. It was also really nice to get your encouragement. Thanks again!


Silent with swimming sense; yea, gazing round

On the wide landscape

-S.T. Coleridge

Meguimi

Meguimi sat watching the surface of the water, mesmerised. "No one first, no one last. Friends forever…" As her thoughts echoed in her head, she moved into a position with her face turning up into the wind that brushed it lightly in its quest to go outwards and onto the lake. The wind, caringly brushing past, took away the painful memories. She scoffed. Nothing lasted forever anymore. All there was were people pretending to be happy, not like before, when everything was real.

Laughter echoed across the water as four girls sat on the dock, jumpers pulled up to their chins and their cheeks a rosy pink. The water was a cold grey that reflected the season that was upon them. The fresh cold wind blew past them and made the girls shiver.

"You actually said that? I don't believe you!" She had announced in disbelief. Kaoru blushed shyly making the rosy pink deepen. The other girls giggled while Meguimi looked over at Tomoe, seeking approval for her work.

"Well?" said Tomoe, clearly pressing Kaoru for more detail.

"Anything happen? Come on, we would tell you…" She further coaxed.

"Well… we skated around for a bit… we held hands… he asked to see me again… I don't know…" Kaoru had said haltingly, giggles following what she had said. Misao turned toward Kaoru and gave her a hug and a mysterious wink.

Feeling slightly left out, Meguimi turned to Tomoe who had moved on and had started ranting about 'the time when...' stories pulling the attention, as always, back to herself.

Her thoughts echoed emptily over the water, disappearing to the other side. Meguimi shook her head as the wind wavered across the open water leaving ripples in its wake.

People grow up and are influenced by time and yet they are also influenced by everything else at the same time

Different morals, different attitudes, but there will always be differences.

Meguimi got up and moved towards the steps of the dock. She could have done something to make Tomoe stop. The water below her moved in a lazy pattern, backwards and forwards.

I could've. But I didn't.

Was it because she didn't care enough to help Kaoru, or was it that she was too afraid that it could be her next? Confused eyes lifted from their gaze and focused on the small upturned boat to her left.

Empty. Like her life.

An empty shell. Outside, a perfect image, but underneath emotions welled, unable to surface. The autumn wind presented itself once again, the coloured leaves sailing on the breeze that pushed past the girl, the golden leaves settled on the surface before being engulfed by the lake. The hair that had previously settled so neatly on her shoulders tickled her face before she brought her hands up and brushed it away, petting her hair back to its usual flawless appearance.

The four girls started walking through the arcade; the music behind them was blaring Christmas tunes.

It was the beginning of December.

"We're going skiing in Switzerland for Christmas… Daddy's flying us over."

"You're so lucky Tomoe. I wish I could go to Switzerland…" She had looked over to Tomoe to watch her response, a smug face turned towards her as she walked.

"I know…"

Meguimi turned to look at a passing reflection in the window. Both she and Tomoe were wearing the latest fashion, their hoods with faux fur and their boots a pale tan, their cheeks an artificial stain. She looked behind her to smile at Kaoru and Misao for some reassurance but found herself to be smiling at thin air. Where had they gone? She spotted them several shops down, stopped at a window in the arcade. They were wearing the no-fuss, keep warm look that was common amongst their fellow shoppers, parkas pulled up tight and black boots to stop the onslaught of snow, their cheeks a natural pink of winter.

"Wait." Meguimi put a hand on Tomoe's shoulder, the raven haired girl sighed in response.

In her line of vision she saw Misao pull on Kaoru's parka to follow her through the milling crowd towards where Tomoe and Meguimi stood.

"Sorry." The apology was met with the cold stare of Tomoe and a warm smile from Meguimi. She noticed the distance between them subtly changing, the youthful ease somehow tainted.

Meguimi was drawn back to the present as her foot slipped into the water as she stretched her legs. The temperature was not freezing but it was cold enough the shock her back from her memories. She looked over to where Kaoru sat. In her place sat a stranger, someone who she once knew. They had never been that close, so why was she so worried? Meguimi gazed into the distance while her foot made circles in the water.

Just because it isn't the same, doesn't mean that you should hate them for it.

The water made ringlets as the girl withdrew her foot from the water, the circles growing outwards from the centre.