So yey! Chapter 2! I'm sorry that this took FOREVER but I'm doing this in computer class. Every time I start typing my teachers like "Lets do another pointless assignment!" So yea enjoy and all.

Warning: pissed off teachers and colorful rooms…

Contagious

Chapter 2

I sighed for what felt like the twentieth today and walked back toward the town I lived in.

Hinamizawa was its name. A sad, dreary little town that nobody ever hears about. The population was around 1000 people and most of them are unbearable. I'm sorry, their just not my favorite people. I've met most of them and I just…don't like them. It's not my fault it's just as soon as they open their mouths I either get annoyed or bored. There are very few people I like and can put up with my strange self.

First there's Yowane Haku. She's my best friend. Even though she's drunk most of the time. But I think that makes her more interesting. She's nicer when she's drunk anyways. Then there's Nero, but he's my brother so he hardly even counts. I'd probably feel the same way about him even if he wasn't though. He's so innocent, but not in an annoying fake way. I feel like I have to protect him from the world so he won't be contaminated.

And of course, there's Len. He's always so nice to me, but he's nice to everybody so that probably means I'm not anymore important than everyone else. Besides, he's always to busy trying to please his annoying sister or getting Miku to notice him to think of me in any other way than a friend. I'd always liked him, even though he was three years younger than me. I saw nothing wrong with it.

I finally walked into the more popular part of town and started toward the dorm I lived in. I had lived here since I was 12, which makes five years. Almost everyone that went to Hinamizawa High lived there, except for the students whose parents lived here, or who could afford their own apartment didn't. It's sad, but the majority of the town was students. Most every one else moved away when they graduated.

Hinamizawa high is like a very well kept secret. Nearly everyone who graduates from there succeeds in life, but hardly anyone knows about it and it's extremely expensive even if you do know about it. Somehow my parents found out about it and shipped me over here. I don't even know how they afforded it; since we weren't exactly well off. Something about a special scholarship. Anyway, I got here and was enrolled immediately into the Vocaloid program, a special class for singers. I'd hardly ever sang before then but apparently I was just barely good enough to make it.

I used to be one of the best Vocaloids in my class, but then my voice wasn't high and clear and beautiful any more. My voice started getting more boyish and then Miku stole my spotlight. I suppose I'm still a little bitter about it, even though it's been years since she took advantage of me. I might have forgiven her and just let her be if she didn't keep screwing up my life. It's like every time my life starts to get better she does something stupid and messes it up. She is always there, holding me back from how good I could actually be.

Not to mention she's such an actress. She acts all sweet and innocent and nice when she's a total jack wagon. Everyone believes her little act and falls in love with her. It's like she has a cult.

"Miku can do no wrong. Yeah right," I muttered and then looked around quickly to make sure no one heard me. You never know what kind of crazy fans would jump me for saying that.

By the time I finally got to the dorm it was dark outside, the dim lamps lining the side of the road my only lighting. Curfew was ten; it had to be at least eleven by now. The last time I was late I had had to sit out side on the steps until morning. Well, until I went around to my room and got in through the window that is, but no one has to know the details.

I walked up to the door and extracted a small, brass key from my pocket, unlocking the door as quietly as I could. I winced as it clicked loudly, echoing in the silent road. I prayed no one would notice me as I silently opened the door and started creeping down the dark hall toward my room.

Unfortunately, my prayers were not answered. Not that they ever have been.

My professor was standing in the middle of the hall, glaring down at me. Enter Sakine Meiko. She's one of my teachers and unfortunately, our dorm mother. We used to have another one, a sweet tempered girl, barely a woman. Amane Luna, was her name. But one day she just… left. No explanation or anything. I came back from the tower one day and she was gone, her room empty. Everyone said she had left the night before, so as not to be seen, but I knew there was something strange going on. I had looked for any trace that might lead me to her, but found none.

The truth was, we were very close. She was like a big sister to me, even though I was more mature than her in many ways. She would always tell me everything, every little secret and insecurity. We were always close, since the first day I met her. When she came to our dorm she was so quiet and reserved she wasn't even able to control everyone. I guess it's in my nature; I just had to protect someone so sweet and innocent. I basically did her job for her, keeping all the people in the dorm in line, making sure lights were out at curfew. That's why I knew something terrible had happened to her. She definitely would have told me if she was running away.

Meiko cleared her throat loudly, bringing me back to the present. I focused on her reddish eyes and stared back at her with what I hoped was a bored expression. I couldn't let any of my annoyance show or she would assign me to some random job that the janitors should be doing. She sighed dramatically and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Well?" she said, "What excuse do you have for me this time Neru?"

I cursed myself under my breath. I should have seen this coming; I hadn't come up with an excuse ahead of time.

"I was walking around town and I lost track of time. It took longer than I thought to get back here," I said, hoping I sounded sure of myself.

"Oh, really now? You seem to be coming back later and later. I might just let you go one last time though…" she trailed off and tilted her head slightly, tapping her foot against the ground. It took me a while to understand she was waiting for an apology.

"Oh! I'm, uh, sorry I was late. It won't happen again," I said quickly.

She rolled her eyes and walked over to me. "Did the room just get brighter? It took a while for that dim light bulb to go on," she said snidely as she bent down to my level and tapped my forehead, making me feel like a child. "Alright, I'll forgive you this once, but you better not be late again or I'll make sure your punishment is twice as bad."

I swallowed my sigh of relief and thanked her. She turned quickly on her heel and walked down the hall, disappearing into her office. I shook my head at her strange mood swings and walked down the opposite hall toward my room. I looked forward to sleep as I opened the door, but had a feeling my night was just about to begin.

Once again I'm very very sorry for taking so long. I wanted this to be longer but… oh well. Hopefully next week's chapter will be longer. So…yeah thanks for reading and please review!