The Orphan Flower

Just be yourself

Everyone likes that

Never change

Remember who your true friends are

You'll figure out how

And cherish them

"I'm glad that I left that place." muttered Izumi the next morning as everyone gathered inside the classroom.

Juri looked at her friend. "Did you say something?"

"Oh no, it's nothing. No more Takuya Kanbara for me" she accidentally let it slip.

Rika turned to her in surprise. "So, there is a boy involved in the mystery of why you were absent yesterday." she stated.

"It wasn't my fault!" she argued. "He wouldn't let me leave until my fever had calmed down."

"Eh…" Juri began. "Knowing you, I thought you would have beaten him up within seconds, right?" she asked as Rika nodded in agreement.

"I couldn't. That stupid goggle head was sucking all of my energy."

"And that typical goggle head would be?" a voice asked out of nowhere.

"Takuya Kanbara." she simply answered without turning around, knowing it was him.

He laughed. "You know, I never knew you would give in, that easily."

"Stupid! You wouldn't let me leave!"

"You had a fever."

"Who cares?"

Takuya didn't say anything for a moment, and muttered. "I do." before walking away from them.

Juri leaned over to Izumi and whispered. "I think he likes you Izumi."

She only shook her head. "I don't know why, but I'll make sure he doesn't fall for me."

"I guess that makes another thing. You probably don't want to fall for him." Rika added.

"……………………….."

"Am I right?"

"I won't fall for him." she reminded herself.

…………………………

Lunch

"Orimoto! Is it true that you were at Takuya's house yesterday?!" Mimi demanded.

"Yes, and no." Izumi answered without a care.

"Why?!" more girls asked.

She looked at them with a bored look. "Well, first of all-" but before she could continue on, someone else interrupted.

"Well you see, she's my girlfriend." Takuya grinned.

"WHAT?!" they yelled, that even the guys almost choked on their food.

Takato looked at his friend in shock. "And you didn't tell me?"

"Takuya." Izumi fumed.

"Yes my dear?" he smiled.

She glared at him. "Run."

………………………..

"Argh! Takuya annoys me!" Izumi complained as she and Rika were walking home from school. "I don't get why he's calling me his girlfriend!"

"Like we said earlier, he likes you." Rika repeated.

"That's just it." Izumi started. "Why? Doesn't he know what my reputation is like at school? Can't he get it through his head?"

"Y'know, you could've just asked him. Plus, this guy seems to be a bit different from the others I've observed." she explained.

"I'll just find some way to scare him off…" sighed Izumi and noticed her house and turned around. "I'll see you tomorrow at school Rika, bye" and opened the gate to enter the house, as her friend nodded walking silently alone.

15 Minutes Later

Rika was still walking alone, pretty capable of herself. "Only a few more blocks to go" she thought in her head, but heard footsteps behind her making her stop on her tracks. She glanced behind her and glared. "I know you're following me."

"So you caught me." a familiar voice laughed.

Still unsure of who this person was, she asked. "Just who are you?"

"You don't remember me?" he asked walking out of the darkness revealing his identity.

At first, she didn't know who he was and suddenly gasped. "R-Ryo?"