Chapter TwoThe Box

I took the box with uncertainty. "Go on," I told him, placing it beside me.

He pointed at the box. "That is your key. The biggest question of all will be answered once you open that box. Until then, this is as far as I can get." In a far off distance, the bell rang. "Meet me here at the same time tomorrow. Bring that," he motioned toward the box, "And at least have looked at it. Savvy?"

I smiled and nodded. Together we walked to the main building, and then we split. I went up three flights of stairs to the roof to meet Sakura for lunch.

"Who was that boy?" Sakura asked, walking from the gated edge. "Why weren't you at math class?"

Crap. "He's nobody, we were just meeting for the ten minute break, is all. I was at math." I lied.

"No, Aya. It's two minutes into break. There's no possible way. Besides, I didn't teach fourth period today. I was up here for the while, and I saw you sneak off. Don't you lie to me, Ayase!" Sakura had never been so mad before.

I looked down. "He's.. Vince LaMatii. He wanted to meet me for something. I only went because he said that it was about Father." I hid the box from her. "Nothing happened, he just wanted me to.. to vent, really. Can we just eat?"

Sakura sighed. "I want your word that this is all that happened. Truthful and honest word."

"Nothing happened. We just talked. I promise on Father's grave." I wasn't lying either. It wasn't like we did anything wrong besides skipping class. We did just talk.

She pushed a tray in front of me. "Egg rolls and super meat sandwiches, with a side of mini cakes. And, my special juice. Dig in."

I happily shoved food into my mouth. I hadn't had much breakfast and by now, I was really hungry. "Don't eat so fast, you'll get sick." Sakura protected even when she was upset.

I met up with Vince after fifth period. "Would it be possible to miss a different class period? Like third?"

He looked up at me suspiciously. "Okay. Third, then."

I was glad that he hadn't asked me why. I happily walk away to sixth period. He stalked up behind me. "Looked in the box yet?"

"No. I was planning on it at home." I said.

"Whatever," he took my hand. "Want to walk with me?"

I smiled and nodded. My hand still in his, we walked like snails to sixth period, which we had together. We were late, but it didn't really matter at all. It was worth it.

After school, I met up with Sakura and we trotted home. "Can you tell me anything? You used to tell me everything."

"Sakura-chan! I did tell you everything. Vince wanted to talk to me about my father. And we did so!"

Sakura gave me a disappointing look. "Fine, if you don't want to tell me then I can't make you." I groaned. Then we walked in silence back home.

Once there, Sakura asked, "Did you remember to get the homework assignment from the class that you skipped?"

"No." Not entirely my fault. I'd just tell Mr. Ramardi I was in the nurse's office.

"Oh, I did for you. I said that I was meeting with you that period and he gave me what you missed." Sakura handed me a notebook. "See, I got your back, Aya, the least you could do was tell me everything that happened between you and Vince. And don't tell me that you've said everything that needs to be said." Sakura showed me the box. "You dropped this."

"Wait... did you...?" was all I could say.

"No, I did not violate your space. But, I do know that Vince and you have some kind of thing so I wouldn't put it past you that all you did was talk."

"We weren't... It's not like we were back there making out or anything! You're the WORST" I tore out of there, with my backpack, the box, and the notebook. After I located the farthest guest house, I walked inside, slammed the door shut, and locked it. I slid to the floor and let tears run down my face. Why doesn't she believe me?