Hey guys! I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter, and I thank you dearly for taking the time to read it. I won't talk too long right now, mostly because I am expecting myself to make this quite a big longer than the first chapter, mostly because I don't have an excuse to make it as short as I did the last one. Anywho! I hope you enjoy chapter 2 of "Deserving?"

Also huge thanks to karimalibhai123 for your review. I would like to respond by saying thank you for the compliments, and I'll take the POV into consideration. Thx!

Warmth. If the sunlight provided anything, it was definitely warmth. The wind chilled Monika to the bone on the chilly fall day, but, luckily the sun was out, shining all it's warm and heavensent rays unto her cold and pale skin. She looked around, the colorful leaves dropping from their respective trees, the wind blowing them around in a whirlwind, running along the sidewalk and spreading into the connecting yards of people whom were much warmer and comfortable than Monika was, as she was walking home in a skirt and blazer with a not so light backpack weighing down on her, causing her more back pain than she already had.

She sighed, she didn't expect much else but the worst as this point. Have heaven and hell decided to conspire against her? Has the wrath of God and Lucifer finally been unleashed on her? She knew she was exaggerating, and was only making everything worse in her head, but even so, she couldn't rationalize that everything had been going fine for her, she bit her lip. Just keep smiling, everything will be okay. Fake it till you make it, right? She thought in her head, and breathed deeply as she reached her neighborhood.

She walked up to the walkway to her rather large house, not something extravagant or anything as grand as a mansion, but it was of fairly large height at three stories, with a nice white picket fence surrounding the perfectly kept grass, allowing the bright white paint to be fully exposed to the eyes of those who walked past. Windows were symmetrically placed on both sides of the rectangle shaped home, allowing for a more pleasing view. The walkway to her home was surrounded by orchids and roses, her and her mother's favorite flowers they had decided to plant when Minori still lived with them.

Minori She scowled as she thought of her sisters name. She didn't hate her sister by any means, in fact, she was incredibly sweet and nice to not only Monika, but to everyone. She helped everyone in need, regardless of if the person was a stranger, a classmate, or a street bum. She took that caring so far, she got a scholarship to Medical school so she could be a doctor like her mom. No normal person with a heart that isn't made out of pure steel could hate Minori.

But, it wasn't Minori herself that made Monika scowl, no, it was her parents infatuation with Monika being just like Minori. She constantly heard "Your sister passed that class with ease, why can't you?" and her oh so favorite, "Your sister could have passed that test flawlessly." It pissed her off so believably so.

But... Maybe it wasn't her parents part in it that pissed her off, perhaps she was more upset with herself for conforming to what her parents believed she should be. That she should be just like her sister, the perfect daughter they could be proud of.

She was jealous of Minori. And she had come to terms with that. But it still doesn't mean she can't be pissed off by it.

Monika shook her head and opened up the gate and closed it behind her, walking up to the door and removing her shoes before grabbing onto the silver colored knob and opening up the heavy dark wooden door. She stepped inside and looked around, it was quiet, as usual. She plopped her stuff right by the door, making a mental note to pick it up later less she wanted to be scolded by her parents for being lazy.

She made her way to the kitchen and went straight to the counter, looking at the note she already knew was going to be there. She picked it up and scanned it, reading it aloud, "Monika, your mother and I are expecting to be working late tonight, remember to sweep the bottom floor and clean your room. Also, please get your Latin grade up, it is unacceptable for any grade to be that low, regardless of it being a core class or not. There will be punishment if it is not. There is food in the fridge or you may order food if you prefer to do so. Goodnight dearest, and I'll hopefully see you tomorrow. Love, Dad."

She scrunched up her nose and crumpled up the note, tossing it into the trash. Only her parents would say a 85 percent in a class is absolutely unacceptable, even if it's a class as stupid and useless as Latin. Please, tell me what am I ever going to use Latin for in real life? Am I going to go to an ancient Roman monastery and meet a ghost who only speaks in Latin? Is that what they are preparing us for? She thought in her head, audibly groaning as she walked to the cleaning cabinet grabbing the broom and starting on her chores.

After about an hour and a half of her cleaning chores, she grabbed her backpack and dragged herself upstairs, mentally scolding herself for not taking it up there when she went to clean her room. She made it to the second floor and opened her door, closing it behind her and sitting her stuff on her desk, her room was a nice size, but the design was pretty basic, her walls were painted a baby blue, dark stained hardwood floors she hated, seeing how cold they got at night, always makinf her second guess if she should get up and relieve herself at night. Her bed was pretty bland, as well. A king sized with black sheets and a white blanket that was extremely comfortable. Her walls were decorated with white ribbons that matched her blanket and a singular picture of the first day of the literature club. She smiled as she looked at it, Sayori's everlasting bright smile, her own confident smirk, Yuri smiling sheepishly, her hands clasped at her waist, and Natsuki, who didn't want to be in the photo at all, crossing her arms and pouting, looking away from the camera. She never would admit this to anyone else, but the Literature Club was one of the only places she felt most at peace, even today, when she was stressed out of her mind. She couldn't imagine life without it... Snapping out of it and looking at the clock, 5:32 P.M. it read in big red numbers. She inhaled deeply, and blew hard out of her nose, she could feel a headache already coming on and she hadn't even started on her homework yet.

She broke out her assignments and started scribbling down answers on them, using her phone as a calculator, and using other papers as references. If someone walked in, they would probably assume she was trying to solve the exact calculations of how to land a turkey on the moon using only a ladle and a singular rubber band, with the amount of paper spread on her bed and the frantic scribbling.

She didn't realize how much time has passed until she felt her stomach grumble, and she rubbed her stomach. She was probably just going to eat some leftover ramen from a few nights ago. She looked down at her third paper she was to work on, and sighed. "One more question, then I'm done for the night. I can't handle anymore of this," She muttered to herself, working out the problem. As she went to her phone to use as a calculator, she was startled by the sudden loud ringing and vibration, she barely could read the name of the caller before she clicked on the 'Decline call' button which was conveniently where her 'equals' button was supposed to be.

Quickly, she went to her call logs and saw her latest call, "Oh no! That's right, Sayori was supposed to call me!" She frantically burst out, quickly tapping on her name and calling her back, hoping to God she would pick up and not be mad at her.

Almost instantly, though, Sayori answered, and before Monika could let out a breath of relief, Sayori yelled, "MONNNNNIIIIIKKKKAAAAAAAAAA!"

Monika instantly pulled her head away, wincing from the sudden loud noise being thrusted into her ear, she put it back to her ear and snickered a little, "Hey there dummy, you know you don't have to scream at me, right? I'm not 10 kilometers away from the phone, silly," She replied in a cool, calm voice. A stark contrast in the mood she was currently feeling.

"I know! But like, you hung up and I was afraid you were busy, so when you called me back I got really excited and I just couldn't help myself!" She exclaimed happily. Monika could practically hear her smiling from the other side of the phone.

"Yeah... Sorry about that, I was using my phone as a calculator and you called when I was mid-problem. You know I wouldn't ignore your call like that on purpose!" She says, a smirk on her face. Damn, even when I can't see her... She can make me smile. She thought, shaking her head.

"I know! But I was still worried. I was really excited for this, you know?" She replied, making Monika's heart palpitate unnaturally. She suddenly felt... Very special. That her, a girl who is barely acceptable in the eyes of her parents, could make someone like Sayori, who is nothing but a ball of happiness and sunshine, feel excited and happy at the thought of mere conversation...

She snapped out of it and realized Sayori was talking about something, "Uh, what was that? Sorry I wasn't paying attention."

"Whaaaaa? Meanie!" Sayori accused in a huffy tone, causing Monika to roll her eyes playfully.

"Sorry sorry, I was putting papers up," She lied, not wanting to admit what she was really thinking about, "What were you saying now?"

"Well, first of I just HAVE to tell you what happened this morning..."

Monika listened to Sayori talk, no, ramble on about her day, how she burnt up her breakfast bacon, how she was late to her first period and the teacher was mean to her, how she almost dropped her food on someone at lunch, how she ran into someone's locker because she was spacing out while she was walking and that it left a small mark on her forehead that still hurt to touch.

And the whole time, not once did Monika want her to finish talking. After every small story about her day, Monika was hoping to hear another one, regardless of how silly they were. She even enticed her to talk more, by saying things like, "Oh yeah? Did you know who it was?" or "Could you tell me more about it?" Stuff like that. She just... Felt way more at ease when she heard Sayori's voice in such a bright tone. Her sleeping patterns would definitely be 10 times better if Sayori read her bedtime stories...

She slapped those thoughts out of her head and coughed into her hand (better do that in your elbow you peeps =D) thinking of what to say next, "So, what are you up to now Yo-Yo?" She asked, smirking at the nickname she had just decided to give to her.

"Oh, I'm just working on some Japanese pap- Wait did you just... DID YOU JUST GIVE ME A CUTE NICKNAME?!" She screamed in both surprise and excitement, "No one has ever given me a nickname before!" She exclaimed, quieting down just a little.

Monika held the phone away from her ear a little, but she could feel her face contort into a wide smile as she heard the joy in Sayori's voice. Pressing the phone back to her ear, she said, "Well, you best get used to it!"

After a bit of giggling between the two, Monika cleared her throat, "So... Were you going to say you are doing an Japanese paper?" She inquired, a bit curious, and a bit surprised Sayori was doing homework.

"Mhm! It's a persuasive essay!" She said in a cheery tone.

"Oh? What's the topic?"

"The most obvious thing, like, ever!" Sayori exclaimed excitedly, "The cafeteria should provide free all you can eat cupcakes daily!"

Monika facepalmed almost instantly, she couldn't even be surprised, this was Sayori after-all.

"You know... If they did that, you would probably end up eating all of them, knowing you and your bottomless pit you call a stomach."

"B-But..." She stammered, "That's why it's all you can eat..." She whined, enticing a giggle out of Monika.

"You're so silly sometimes..." She commented through her giggle fit. She breathed a little and calmed down, "So, how come you're doing homework so late at night? I always had you figured as someone who would be playing video games or watching TV at this time instead of doing homework," Monika said, a bit accusingly, but trying to show she was being playful.

Sayori giggled, "Well, that's usually what I do!" She exclaimed, causing Monika to roll her eyes, "But, tonight was different, I guess."

"Different how?" Monika asked, raising a brow in confusion.

"Well... I saw how hard you were working today... And it made me want to work hard too..." Sayori said sheepishly, laughing slightly.

Monika opened her mouth to speak, but instantly closed it as she felt her stomach flutter. Did... Did her actions really influence her to be productive? Did... Did she really have that influence on people?

"Speaking of today..." Sayori said, her tone shifting into a more serious tone, which was strange to the emerald eyed girl, who hardly ever heard Sayori talk in a serious manner, "You seemed really stressed out today... Are you okay?" She asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

Monika felt everything slow down, as she looked down at her crossed legs. Are you okay. God when was the last time someone had said those words to her... Has anyone ever asked her that question...?

"I..." She didn't know how to respond, when people asked 'How are you?' it was merely a formality, and the expected response is always 'good' or 'well' as to not put the opposite person in an uncomfortable position they didn't ask to be in. But... When someone asks 'Are you okay?' it meant they actually cared about what you felt, and were prepared to be in an uncomfortable situation.

"I... To be honest, I'm... Really stressed out. I have a ton of assignments to do, I need to get my grade up in a few classes I'm struggling in, and my parents are really on my back to make sure I do..." She confessed in a soft voice, sighing and hanging her head.

Sayori was quiet a moment, and Monika panicked, thinking she just ruined the wholesome and cute conversation they were having by throwing in her stress anchor. Of course, she always was a disappointment... "Well... I think you'll be fine," Sayori said after a few moments of silence, "you're Monika after all! You're like, the bestest most awesomest person like, in the whole world, you'll find a way to get through it and it'll be super duper awesome!" She exclaimed confidently, causing Monika to widen her eyes in a slight moment of shock.

"Sayori... I... I'm really not even close to the best person you know, let alone the best in th-"

"Well I think you are! I don't care what you believe, I think you are the bestest most awesomest person ever and you can't change my mind!" She said defiantly.

Monika didn't know how to process this in the slightest. She was so not used to this level of positive reinforcement, hell, she isn't even used to getting compliments that weren't just fake B.S. from equally fake people.

"Do... Do you really mean that?" She asked slowly, biting her lip.

"Of course I do, silly!"

Monika felt her cheeks flare and heat up, and thanked the heavens that Sayori was on the phone and not in front of her, "T-Thank you Sayori... I think you're pretty awesome too..." She replied sheepishly.

Before either of them could reply, Monika felt her stomach rumble, she looked at the clock and jumped, "Holy crap! It's 8:30 and I haven't eat dinner yet!" She exclaimed, rubbing her hunger filled stomach.

"Monika! That's super irresponsible to wait this long to eat!" Sayori scolded, "Why haven't your parents called you down for dinner anyway?" She inquired, a bit confused.

"Ah, that's because they are working until really late tonight," Monika replied, lacking much emotion.

"Oh? What do they do?"

"Uh, my dad is an architect and my mom is an ICU doctor," Monika replied getting up and heading downstairs to the kitchen, "So they are often at work until really late, I usually only see them in the mornings during the week."

"Oh wow! You're parents are soooooo cool!" Sayori exclaimed, "My parents are both accountants, heh heh..."

Monika rolled her eyes and opened the fridge, scanning for the takeout box with her dinner inside.

"I bet it gets lonely, doesn't it?" Sayori commented after a few seconds of silence, a bit of sorrow in her voice.

"Ah... Well, it does sometimes, I guess. But it's nice to have the house to myself sometimes..." She trailed off, finding the takeout box and pulling it out of the fridge and closing the door, walking to the microwave.

"You know, if you want, when you start feeling lonely or whatnot... You can call me!" Sayori replied, making Monika stop what she was doing. She is getting these weird feelings way too much for her liking today...

"Okay, but that goes for you too. When you feel lonely, don't be afraid to call me either Sayori, I won't reject your call short of when my parents are talking to me," She replied, a smile on her face, which may have been a bit too big in her opinion.

"It's a deal!" Sayori said, giggling on the other side of the phone.

Monika put her dinner into the microwave and pushed some buttons and watched as it came to live, making it's ever so famous annoying noise and spinning her takeout box in a circle. She frowned, realizing she had to end the conversation between her and Sayori. Which, made her a bit more sad than she expected. "Hey, uh Sayori. I need to eat... So I think I should probably go..." She said in a weak voice. Screaming at herself internally to stop sounding like a kicked puppy.

"Oh..." Sayori said, sounds equally as sad as Monika, "Well, that's okay. Us girls need to eat!" She exclaimed, causing Monika to smile and roll her eyes.

"You more than I, if we are being honest."

"Oh hush it!" She giggled, sighing, "I'll talk to you tomorrow, right Monika?" She asked, her voice softening a bit.

"Yeah, of course dummy. That way I get to call you Yo-Yo to your face," They both giggled at that, smiling to themselves.

"I'm looking forward to it! Byeeeee!"

"Bye!" Monika replied, before hearing the 'click' of Sayori hanging up, just as the microwave screamed at her that her food was finished.

She took it out of the microwave and grabbed a fork, walking to the dining room and laying her food down on the table. Grabbing a match from the center of the table she walked over to one of the cabinets, opening it and exposing shelves full of different colored and scented candles. She grabbed one and looked at it. It was blue and the description stated it smelled like morning rain. She shrugged and closed the doors, walking back to the table, lighting the match and setting the wick on fire, laying it down a few centimeters away from her and her food, before sitting down and eating her food in silence.

After eating she walked up to the bathroom, closing the door behind her she went to the sink and looked at the mirror. She touched her pale cheek, running her fingers down to her rose colored lips, tracing them down to her collarbone. She sighed. She hated the way she looked. She looked like a disappointment, which was fitting to her. Her eyes weren't vibrant enough, her cheeks didn't have enough color, her collarbone protruded too much. Compared to her sister, she was an abomination.

She let her hair down and took her bow off, looking at the mangled mess on top of her head, running her fingers through the smooth locks, wincing as she ran through some knots and tangles. She looked away from the mirror, not wanting to look at her face any longer, and started up the faucet, letting the water warm up while she undressed. She threw her clothes in the clothes bin and set the water to 'shower mode' and stepped in.

She looked up at the shower head and let the water run down her face, her hair, her neck, and she closed her eyes.

Even though she wanted to cry and scream, she couldn't bring herself to. She just... Thought of Sayori, and that instantly calmed her down. She didn't know why, or how the mere thought of her and her beautiful sea blue eyes just made her feel... Okay again.

She didn't know hoe she affected her so much, but she did know that she didn't deserve to have a friend like Sayori Takahashi, not in the slightest.

Monika finished her shower in silence, trying her best not to stress over everything going on in her life, trying not to remember how much of a disappointment she was. Trying not to think at all.

She stepped out of the shower, and dried off, brushing her hair out so that was at least straight for the time being. She would probably have to wake up a bit earlier than usual tomorrow and run a straight iron through it so it didn't look like even more of an abomination than it already was.

Walking into her room, she gathered all her papers and shoved them into her binder, throwing it at her bag in the corner, making up her mind that she would pick it up when she woke up tomorrow. She went to her dresser and opened up the bottom drawer and pulled out a green nightgown, throwing it on over her undergarments, she closed the drawer and shut off her light.

Climbing into bed, she threw her covers over her and snuggled into her pillow. She sighed, and closed her eyes. It was a bit early, only being 9:45 ish, but she was just... Tired. Mentally, that is. She just needed the sweet embrace of sleep right now.

But, after a while of tossing and turning, she sat up, groaning.

"Damn it... I can't sleep..." She grumbled, thinking for a moment before she felt her cheeks start burning up.

"I'll just... Think about Sayori... Maybe that'll help me sleep..." She muttered to herself before laying back down, filling her thoughts of Sayori and her nice and kind words.

And sure enough, she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Hey! I'm glad you made it this far! I hope you enjoyed the chapter enough that you wanna read the next one! Ew, that sounds really cheesy. Anywho, thank you for reading, you spending your time to read my content makes my day that much better. Please, review or DM me if you have any thoughts, questions, or concerns. Or even if you want to just compliment me, or roast me, whatever makes you feel best I guess! Anywho, have a nice day/night and I'll see you later! (expect next chapter to be out Saturday or Monday.)