My alarm began to go off, however, I had already been awake for hours prior. The blaring-loud and boring iPhone alarm "radar" blasted noisily and although I usually panicked immensely, knocking objects over attempting to shut it off, I lacked not even a single damn to give. Today was nauseatingly special – today was the day I was sent off to the Literature Club.

God, I still remember the cheery voice of Sayori begging me to join when I was clearly interested in the anime club. I still remember the cherry blossom petals falling, drifting in the wind, only to lay onto the ground. They were the only witnesses to Sayori's pleading.

"Come on, (y/n)!" begged Sayori. "They would love to have you, I promise!"

"But I've been trying to tell you, Sayori. I'm not worried about that."

Sayori's blue eyes brightened suddenly. "Then you can come with me today, right?"

"No!"

Her eyes quickly lost their shimmering look to them, and I found myself taken aback. To be honest, what did I expect? I had to admit, I was being maybe just a little bit too harsh with my childhood friend, but I was cornered.

"Maybe it was stupid, but they're all super sweet, I swear," she pouted. "One of them even said she'd make cupcakes if we found another member."

That line. That last little sentence she uttered under her breath, finally realizing I wouldn't budge, is what happened to make me budge. I've never been popular with girls, maybe because I had never tried, but goddamn they were beguiling. A spark struck in my brain and that was the beginning of my downfall.

I finally shut my alarm up and slapped a hand over my eyes. I could not bear to face the day. With the classes I had to endure and the girl, maybe girls, I had to face that afternoon, it felt constricting. If I made a fool of myself, it was over. It would end up like every other instance where I tried to talk to girls. Could I even do it?

Nonetheless, I got ready for school and headed out the door. Sayori was already out waiting for me, so I took my chance to apologize. Even with the circumstances I had to face, I could never stay mad at her.

"Huh?" Sayori cutely tilted her head like a puppy, then clasped her hands together, her head back to being upright. "Oh yeah! Now I remember." Unsurprisingly, Sayori's gaze grew soft as she eyed my sleepy expression. She placed one of her soft hands on my shoulder and smiled slightly. "It's no problem. I've known you since the beginning of time. Well, that's what it feels like, at least. I know you're just scared of what they'll think, but it'll be okay."

At the expense of my pride, Sayori was right. What a strange amount of wisdom from my typically air-headed pal. Was there a catch?

"Besides," she touched her two dainty index fingers together. "I kinda already told them you were coming."

There it was. I sighed and thought to myself before commenting on her foolishness. "You have to be more careful than this, Sayori. I mean, what if I decided I didn't want to go?"

"I know, I know. I just—" Sayori fumbled around with her words until she looked up and noticed the smile, albeit uncertain, I had on my face. Then, her face beamed brighter than it had in months. "Oh my gosh!" She grasped onto my arms and wrapped me into a tight yet comforting hug. "I knew you'd join!"

I stifled an awkward laugh. Part of me was excited to join the Literature Club, but the rest of me knew I had done it for Sayori's sake. How would I know if this was the right choice after all?