At IWSC the guys where practicing their swimming, mainly relay. Coming right after school, like they did everyday. And pretty much every weekend. Gou was there too, sitting on the side. Everyone was present for the group, except two. April which was fine, her being in Junior High School, becoming involved in things at school through the year, left her little time to be junior lifeguard and come over. Understandable, the other one missing, her younger sister May. Who like Mako, Haru, Rin and Nagisa went to Iwatobi would walk to the swim club after school. All of them arriving at the same time. No one was second late. While the guys would swim, May would normally sit with Gou watching the guys while taking pictures. Coach Sasabe over see their performance. Touching the wall, Nagisa dives right in after Mako. All of them went.

30 minutes into practice, there was no sign of May. Gou noticed looking at the clock then the door. She begin to worry, but tired not let it distract her from her focus on the others. That didn't mean it go unnoticed by the others. Every time they finished their turn, would glance up at the clock then to door. At first they weren't fully worried about May being late, Mako, Haru and Rin knew the reason for lateness. She was held back at school by one of the teachers. So it wasn't that big of a deal. They expected her to arrive at least 10 minutes after them. Come rushing in apologizing. That's what they at least thought, but 10 minutes passed and there was no sign of her. 10 turned into 20, which turned into 30 and soon became 45 minutes. They do their best to stay focus on their practice, but it was rather hard. When they where anxious and wondering where May could be at this time.

"I thought said she would be here by now."Nagisa panics looking at the clock. Then to the door."Why did the teacher have to keep her back?"

Haru finished his turn."Does it matter? It wasn't our concern, they wanted May."He gets out and steps onto the block, positioning himself."She said,she'll meet us afterwards, I don't see the reasoning for worrying."Putting his googles on.

"We should be worried."Mako tells him."It's nearly going on a hour, and she's not here. Not to mention April always comes to pick her up after practice, and if she's not here-"

"Ah!"Nagisa screams in fear of the thought, of what April might due to them."We have to find, May! Before April kills us!"

"Hey!"Sasabe comes over to them."You're suppose to be practicing. What's with distraction?"

They look up at him, Nagisa on the bridge of freaking out and crying out of fear."It's May."Mako tells him, looking at the door worried."She isn't here yet. We know she was called back by the teacher. But we don't know why and we're just worried about her, that's all."

"You guys are, not me."Haru says coldly and dives in.

"Haru! Don't be so mean!"Nagisa tells him, turning back to the coach looking pass him up at the clock. Each second that went by he turned whiter. Shivering.

Sasabe looks at the clock too."You're right normally she would be here by now."Looking around."Did the teacher say anything?"

"No."Mako looks down."We should have stayed back with her. I hope nothings happen to her."Sounding devastated.

Sasabe saw how they all where effected by absence of their pink hair friend. No wonder their focus was a bit off. With their minds distracted like this, they couldn't give it their all. So he made their decision for them."Why don't you guys go back get her then?"

They look at him, he grins at them."..."

"It only seems to make the sense. Since the whole team isn't here."he tells them."Practice can end earlier. Since you guys told me that, I'm starting to get worried about her too."

Nagisa perks up at the thought."Yeah. We should!" The others agreeing too, except for one.

"No."Haru tells them finishing. They look at him.

"Haru, we need to go find May."Mako tells him."We don't know if something happened to her or not."

"Yeah man, what's your deal?"Rin looks at him a bit upset.

"Because it would be pointless."Haru looks at him sharply."Going to find her, what's the point? What if she's not there at school anymore? And just went home? Or somewhere else."

"Haru! Why would say that!?"Nagisa looks at him in disbelief."We can see if she's alright."

Haru lets out a annoyed sigh."Because, it was clear by the look on her face when the teacher asked her to stay back."

They didn't understand."What?"Mako not following."What are you saying?"

Haru sighs again and gets out the pool."The look she had, she was scared. You could see it in her eyes. She knew what the teacher wanted and told us to go because she didn't want us to know. That's why she told us to just leave. That's why I'm not worried. Or in a rush to go back. Also, she just walked in."He points, the others turn around seeing their friend standing there.

"May-May!"Nagisa waste no time and runs over to you throwing himself on you. Hugging you tightly. Mako and Rin hurry after him, with Haru taking his time."You're okay!"

"May, you gave us a scare."Mako tells you relieved to see you. Smiling.

"We were just about to go out and look for you too."Rin snickers, with a wide grin."Guess not anymore."Realizing you had not responded to anything, he takes a better look and sees the distress and anger. Tears forming."May what's wrong?"

His question caught everyone's attention to your mood. Nagisa slowly lets you go, to get a better look. Rin's question only made your mood worse. As you struggle to fight back the tears and response. This wasn't at all what Haru thought when he said what he did. Looking ready to yell instead you lift up your head at them,looking at each of them with grievance. Shutting your eyes and advert them away.

All of them wondering what happened and what was wrong, you wouldn't say. Your silence didn't help either. Nagisa goes back and hugs you, hoping that would work. Squeezing you tightly, like he was forcing you to cry. To let out whatever was inside you. He started to tear up with you. Gou comes to your other side and hugs you too.

You wished a part of you didn't stay when the teacher called you back. You knew what was going to happen and be said. Dreading it, since day one of this. You had tired to act like everything was alright for so long with the others. Laughing and smiling. But now you couldn't. Someone in your position should be happy. Very happy, after hearing such good news. But you just couldn't bring yourself to feel that way. No matter how hard you tired. No doubt your father would be thrilled, in fact he was. Cursing yourself for being this way, why couldn't you just be normal? Why did you have this happen? You didn't want to be separated from any of them, not after everything has been going so good. How could you tell them? You didn't want to know their reaction. Gripping your skirt tightly, Nagisa's hug did the trick and the tears began to drop.

Dropping your head deeply, as if bowing to them."...I'm...So...Sorry..F-For being..I-I tired..."you struggle to say, chocking up. Leaving them more confused. Shooting back looking at all of them. Shaking your head, unable to finish. Whatever it was, was really tearing you up inside.

"Why don't you guys take her out."Sasabe tells them.

"Yeah."Rin agrees. Mako helps to guide you out, leading you to the lounge where you waited with Gou who was doing her best to comfort you. The guys come out dressed, still in your state, Mako suggest to take you outside. They hurry and get you there was a place not to far. After they manage to calm you down, you tell them with a heavy heart what was upsetting you. Opening your pack, you take out piece of paper and let them look at it while explaining. Everyone goes around Mako to look.

"These are you score results."Mako reads."And..."

"Wow!"Nagisa gasp amazed."Their so high!"You slump down."Is that why your so upset?"

They look at you hoping that was the answer, but it wasn't. Shaking your head."No, that's not it."you sigh trying hard not tear up again.

"Then what is it?"Rin comes over.

"Yeah, what is it?"Haru said rather insensitive."Because we had to cut practice short."

"Haru."Mako looks at him hushing him. Then back to you."What is then May? You've always had high scores."

You pull your knees up to you and hold onto them. Looking down."I know..."you remain silence. Take a deep breath and tell them."Because of my scores the teacher submitted them to other schools. They where really impress, very impress. She said. Their so good that the best three middle schools want me and one High School."

Everyone gasp surprised."Seriously?!"Rin blurts. You slowly nod your head, not sharing their excitement.

"...Is that what's bothering you?"Gou asks. You shake your head.

"No. That's not it."you tell them. Your eyes start to tear up again."It's...The teacher was so happy for me. I knew this was coming for a week now. She told me last week she would send in my scores and when they came back today. She told me I would be going to the best schools. But..."you bury your face in your knees."I don't want to go."

"..."Nagisa comes over to your side and rest his head on you to comfort you.

Shaking your head."I don't care about those schools."you cry."None of them. They don't matter! I want to stay with you guys! All of you!"You blurt out bailing your eyes out. You try to wipe them but they came."I don't care about those fancy schools. They're not special if none of you are there. Their so far away. I don't want to be far away. I won't be able to come and here anymore."You look at the building. Then to everyone. Filled with grief."I'm soo sorry. I don't want to go, I want to stay with you guys forever!"

Now understanding, they could console you right. Mako walks over to you and kneels down in front of you, taking your hands in his squeezing them. Haru stood next to him while Rin kneels down next to Mako. Through your tears you look at them. Mako giving you the softest and understanding smile. He pulls you in and hugs you. You cling to him. Rin follows with Gou, then Nagisa. Haru was the only still out, but begins to reach out to you. To pull his hand back, hesitant at first. Getting over that he places it on you.

The next day at school, the guys waited anxiously for you after school was out. You had another meeting with your teacher, the principle, your father and some others. Looking up at the building nervous on the results. Their stomachs formed knots. Nagisa stating he was starting to get sick. Panicking that was taking to long. Questioning why it was, Mako had to calm him down. Though with not assurance to follow, left Nagisa feeling even more scared.

"May can't leave!"Nagisa cries."She has to stay with us! I don't want them to take away. They just can't!"Waving his arms.

"We don't want her to leave either."Mako tells him."We just have to well...I mean..."

Not sure what to say in this situation, he looks to the others. Nagisa clearly showing how scared he was at the thought. Haru just staring up at the school in the direction of the meeting was being held. In the principal's office. He didn't have to say anything, Mako could read it well. Looking to Rin, who was mixture between Haru and Nagisa. Furrowing while trying to remain calm. All of them desperately wanted her to stay. After what happened yesterday. May wanted to stay, she wanted to stay so badly. This was her home, her life. She didn't want it all taken away. They had become very important to her. She expressed it all the time. Smiling every time in their presence. The joy in her eyes. The love in her smile. The happiness in her voice. She wanted to always be with them, every step. Go to Junior High with them, even High School. And college. Her bond with them was what she didn't want to lose.

Which they understood, they didn't want that either. The thought was painful. She had become apart of their group. Mako knew they would do anything to get her stay. Even if it was meaningless. They would do it. Swimming wouldn't be the same without her. If she did have to move, they would try to find ways to see her. Whatever it took. Standing here waiting for her proved just that. Looking at the clock, reading it. An hour passed.

"May!"Nagisa's outburst brought Mako back.

He looks seeing her coming out, with her father behind her. He stopped to shake the hands of the other adults. They couldn't read your face, until you looked over at them. Hearing Nagisa. You where surprised and shock to see them standing there. Looking up at the clock, it was pass their practice. They missed practice just for this? You told them to go on ahead before you went to the meeting. But, they stayed. The anticipation in their eyes, wanting to know what the verdict was. But you where just too stun to even remember what it was.

Touched by this, you start to slowly cry a few tears. Which wasn't a good sign, as they took it the wrong way. Until you smiled and ran to them with your arms open wide."I get to stay!" you yell with glee.

Their eyes and faces light up with joy. They race to you, Nagisa in the lead, he jumps on you knocking you down. Hugging you tightly, laughing with joy. You both do. He rolls with you on the ground. The two of you looking silly. He was so happy and delighted. Mako sighs and smiles overwhelm relief. Looking to Haru seeing he happy too. Rin laughs trying to hide his happy tears.

"That's so great."he tells you. As you and Nagisa sit up. Giving you a happy grin."You had us all worried. I'm so glad you're staying. May."He beams.

Mako comes over."We all are."

Your smile became bigger."Me too. They said I had a choice. So I chose to stay with all of you. I always want to be with you guys."Feeling a hand on your shoulder, you find it belonging to Rin.

"Same."he tells you.

"..."you nod your head smiling.

Why couldn't life be as simple as it was back then? Why? Your eyes dishearteningly gloss over the words before you. Just like years ago, someone in your position would be so happy and thrilled. Yet you weren't, not at all. All this was happening so fast, you didn't know what to do. The others didn't know, you kept it hidden from them. Afraid. Years ago, you where able to chose because you knew back then, there was a road ahead. Before your life took a downfall. The road was bright back then, knowing you would be walking together with all of them. Always making memories. Things would be so simple and just. Growing together, never parting.

Now, that wasn't the case. You thought this year it would be go by slow. So you could enjoy it all, not this. Coming at you like heavy tidal waves. Crashing and pushing you under violently. The storm it was coming back, you would be swept again. The fear begin to consume you, inside you felt yourself falling. Wishing desperately for April to be here to help you. If she was, you would follow her, like the plan you made years ago. The two of you spend High School together for one year, then it would be you. After that, you would still be with her. You would still be with someone and heck even with the others. But that was not the hand life gave you, had to change it.

Thinking what Mako said, hoping the two of you go to school together. And Nagisa, who knew you would pick a school close by. You knew why they said that. Because they knew you well. Very well and because of the promise and responsibility April tasked them with. All of them. Everyone. Mako, Haru, Nagisa, Rin, Gou and even Rei. In her departure, which all of them took to heart. Which you greatly appreciated, during that long and hard part of your life. Each of them took a role. They didn't want you to be...to feel...still. Even though they did their best, still...would it matter? You wondered.

Then there was the responsibility you had, given to you by Seijuro. With the Samezuka. The team had become a part of you, looking back at what was before your eyes. You felt horrible, inside. Feeling torn. Torn between so much, you didn't know what to choose. Your heart was being stretched everywhere. You could feel something start to grow. It hurt. It hurt so bad. Finally when everything was going right, this happened. You would betraying everyone, you knew it. Years ago you wouldn't dare look at this and use every fiber in your body to resist it. Now, you didn't really. The more your eyes re-read it over and over again, you felt horrible. Thinking about everyone. Here. Why did you have have this be apart of you? None of this would have happened if you just would..if...

Unable to finish that thought, you give up. This would be a good thing for you, you try to tell yourself. But it just didn't sound right. Your mind had become so preoccupied that you couldn't fully focus on what was most important. The team. Getting ready for regionals. You missed their relay, because of this importance in your life. Aiichiro had texted you wondering if you where alright. Which you assured him that you where. Lying to him. It was the best thing you could think of, for right now. Even with the others.

Groaning to yourself, you put it away. Your head hurting from all this whirling going in your mind. Hearing your phone vibrate, you look at the text message from them. They where so excited for you, but you couldn't share in their joy. About to turn off your phone when you got another text. From Haru. Asking if you would be coming home. Instead of responding you, turn off your phone. Leaving it on the desk, you get up and walk out the dorms. Making your way outside, the night was quiet and still. Calm and cool. Well at least in your mind. Your legs just walked, with not destination in mind. Lost and confused like your mind. Wall lights, lite provided light on the campus. So you could see, even if you felt blind. You didn't know how far your legs took you, you didn't care at this point.

Coming to a stop, looking around, finding yourself somewhere. It was unfamiliar to you, this part of the school. The pool and dorms where the only places you knew,that cafeteria. Having gone there a few times, Aiichiro took a couple of times. Rin took you twice. This area though you didn't know, which was alright. You found a place to sit and think. Clear your head. Sitting down on the bench, looking up at the night sky. The stars danced around. That was one thing you did enjoy when you moved here to this town. That New York didn't have, a nice clear sky. You remember laying with the others just admiring the stars. You and Nagisa always trying to count them and making wishes.

Such a warm thought made you smile to yourself. Sadly. You where you begin to feel that memory start to fade. Just like the others in you mind, you didn't know why. But they did. Where you doing this?

You didn't want them gone. None of it. Looking around at the school, you didn't want be taken away from all this. Not now. Because, when it happened last time. You came back finding everything disarray. Broken.

Broken things where never good. You knew all too well. So you couldn't leave. You couldn't go. You would resist, do all you could to prevent it. That way, things could stay the same.