Chapter 10 Lovely

"Mitsuki!" Takuto called out and waved. She looked over wordlessly. Takuto walked over, ready to tell her he wouldn't bother her and Eichi, that she could be with Eichi without worrying…

"Takuto," she said emotionlessly, looking into his eyes. It was so unlike Mitsuki.

"Mitsuki," Takuto started. "I just want you to know—"

"I can't talk. I'm heading back to my room," Mitsuki turned and walked away. His hand automatically reached out to grab hers. She looked down at it and pulled her hand away. He didn't stop her. She had already settled her mind to drop him, before he could even tell her it was okay. Even though he was ready for this, he stepped back with hurt. There was no reason for him to be here anymore. He would leave. He would leave Avalon high. Thoughts jumbled in his mind. He made his way back to his room.

Meroko sat in the café, not knowing if she could make it through the next four days like this. She saw a familiar reflection on the window. Takuto. He couldn't be coming here… He sat down across from her. Meroko looked to the ground.

"Meroko," Takuto said softly. She looked up, she could barely look him in the eye. "I'm sorry." Meroko was silent. She could think of nothing to say and she was shocked. She could tell he was being sincere. She could feel her tears welling up.

"Meroko…"

"I'm okay." She managed a smile and continued, barely audible. "But…Mitsuki really has to have everything…" Takuto looked at her a bit surprised, that was the only think she could think of saying now.

"No," he said thoughtfully. Meroko looked at him, indignant, how could he always defend her, especially when she is like this, suffering to death in front of him. "I see loneliness in her eyes, and she tries so hard to stay bright and make others happy." Meroko looked away, not wanting to accept that. "She rarely talks about her mom, but I've heard about her a few times. I think she passed away when Mitsuki was young. Her dad too." Meroko looked straight at him. How could he know so much about her already? They just met a few months ago. To her surprise, he kept talking.

"I've liked her for a long time now…"

"Takuto you call a few months a long time?" He looked over at her, and her anger calmed, she saw something familiar in his eyes.

"So long, you'd never guess. Too long." She stared at him, she saw depth in his eyes, and it was very familiar. It was very much like her own.

"What are you going to do?" she asked cautiously. He smiled at her.

"I'm letting her go." There was a silence and he got up, and as he walked away, he added a final sorry and goodbye. Meroko smiled at him with the saddest look. But strangely he knew it wasn't for him.

Meroko sat there stunned for a while. This situation with Eichi, he was just letting her go. How could he stand that? They didn't talk much, but she learned more about Takuto today than ever before. He was so much like her, except… She looked down. She knew the mistake she's made. He's a strong person, and he really loves her. She felt the shame heavy on her, all that she's done to Mitsuki. Meroko…you're so selfish, you're so weak, you're so… She breathed deeply. She wouldn't cry.

"No Takuto…I'm sorry," she whispered.

She scrambled around getting ready for school. Within ten minutes, she rushed out the door, running as fast as she could. Drip. Drip. No, please not today, not now, Miki prayed. Just then, it thundered heavily and rain started pouring down. Miki cringed and ran faster. Almost…there… Just then, she tripped. As she was falling, someone caught her. She opened her eyes and found herself staring into someone's eyes. She blinked a couple times and got up, blushing.

"T-thank you." He smiled at her and headed inside the school. Mitsuki stood there for a bit, stunned.

She leaned against the windowsill, three days; three days and it would be back to school life. Could she handle it? She wanted to leave, but she didn't want to return to school. Wet snow fell down and melted on the window, the droplets streaming down the glass. She thought of that day, the first day she met him. She shook her head, Stop it Miki. The rain fell on her face and she stared up into his eyes. She shook her head again and buried her head in her hands. She couldn't forget him, no matter how hard she tried. I'm sure time will heal it, time will make me forget. Usually rainy days reminded her of Eichi, no question, but without knowing it, she had fallen for Takuto.

"But now…" She looked painfully at the rain. Now she'd have to forget him. She felt someone's hand on her shoulder. She got up, turned around, and found herself facing Meroko. Meroko hugged her tightly.

Mitsuki breathed heavily. She ran through the wet snow, she felt it soak her pants and shoes. She ran faster. The ski hills. No. The café. No. She went to his building, out of breath.

"Mitsuki. I am so sorry. I…I…" Meroko tried to find the right words, the right words to apologize, to make things better, to undo the wrong. She knew she couldn't. Mitsuki hugged her.

"Meroko, it's okay. I forgive you." Meroko looked at her friend, Miki probably didn't realize how much that meant to her.

"And about Takuto…I'm sorry. Mitsuki go talk to him, he's all yours." Meroko smiled at her with a sincerity she hasn't shown in a long time. Mitsuki looked thankfully at her and they exchanged looks, they knew their friendship would heal itself in time. Mitsuki walked out quickly.

"And Mitsuki?" Mitsuki turned back. "Thank you." Mitsuki smiled and left. Meroko turned back and felt tears in her eyes. Her heart ached, but she felt better. After all she's done, Mitsuki still forgave her. But now if she could forgive herself…

"…Yah…Takuto…" She faintly heard his voice mentioned. She walked around the corner, closer to the voices. "He left."

"What? The trips almost over though."

"I know, no idea why." She crouched down and closed her eyes. She struggled to catch her breath. Takuto…left… She had missed him.

"Didn't he say something about changing schools?" There was a low murmur.

"He's mentioned that before, maybe he's really planning to change this time."

"I think his parents want him to come home." Mitsuki looked dead straight to the ground. She couldn't. She couldn't stop the tears this time. She wanted to see him, no matter what she had to see him. He might never come back. No…no… She tried to choke them back. The group of students looked over, realizing she was there, and hearing her cry they walked away in polite worry. She didn't have time to break down. She got up and ran.

She pushed her way through the crowded bus and found a seat near the window. She felt people silently examining her, looking at her with worry and curiosity. She tried to wipe away her tears but they kept coming. The bus bumped up and the engine buzzed. Everyone took their seats and it started on its way. The scenery zoomed by as the wet snow pelted down harder.

"Mommy it's raining!" a child pushed his face to the windowpane, tracing the droplets falling down it. Mitsuki felt her tears stream down harder. "Miki, I have to go now okay?" her mom said, letting go of her hand. The window was blurred with her tears and the rain became heavier. "No mommy, you can't go," she wailed, clinging to her mom. She fell in and out of her past, dozing off. "Grandma, is she here yet?" "Not yet…" her grandmother sighed. Mitsuki sat as patiently as she could. "Now?" Waiting. Takuto. "I am so sorry, the plan crashed on the way…there was nothing we could do…" Mitsuki's eyes went wide and she stepped out of the corner. She was scared he wouldn't accept her back, scared that he moved on. Scared that she wouldn't see him again. She burst out crying, it was met with an uneasy silence on the bus.

"Are you okay miss?" An old lady took a seat beside her. Mitsuki tried to wipe her tears and sobbed.

"Don't worry. I'm sure it will be alright. Everything will be alright." She said quietly and reassuringly, patting her back. Mitsuki looked at her, wanting so much to believe her, surprised at her kindness. "God will look after you. Don't cry, be strong." A small smile broke on her face through her tears; she felt warmth fill into her. Thank you, thank you so much. She knew she would burst out again if she spoke. Don't cry Mitsuki, be strong. It felt like it was a guardian angel sent to her, and maybe her mom was still watching over her. The lady gave her a smile and squeezed her hand. The bus screeched to a stop. The old lady got up, gave her a final glance, and left silently. Mitsuki wiped the tears and took a deep breath. Be strong Miki. Mitsuki looked out into the pouring rain and she smiled. I guess you're still with me mom…and…even if Takuto leaves, he'll still be in my heart. She had a sad look on her face, nostalgic and regretful. But she didn't feel lonely.She closed her eyes and a last tear dropped down her face. So it was Takuto that finally made her cry, letting out her bottled emotions, accepting her past. Takuto…I love you.

I'm planning on ending the story soon (Ahh almost finished my first fanfic♡) What do you guys think?