He didn't scream. He didn't yell. In fact, he seemed pretty awkward.

He just stood there.

Staring.

At me.

And I stared back.

"Where've you been?" He asked.

"Busy." I said after a slight pause.

"Really busy, I'm guessing, since you haven't been coming to school in two weeks." There's the guilt trick I was waiting for. I looked down at my lap. He sighed and closed the door before coming to sit on the edge of my bed. "You should have told me. I found out what happened to Takashi. Your mom told me. I know what it's like to lose somebody close to you and I might have been able to help."

Tears threatened, but I pushed them back. This wasn't a time to get upset. "I know." I sobbed dryly. "I just didn't want to bother you. I thought I could take care of it all myself. I thought I could handle it."

"This isn't the type of thing you handle by yourself. Don't end up like me. You'll hate everyone and become bitter." He didn't reach for me. And I was secretly happy he didn't. I don't think I would have kept it even slightly together if he tried to help. I wouldn't be able to help myself.

"But you're not."

Ritsuka left with Soubi not long after we talked. And I felt that it was time for me to go too. I found my bad beside the couch. In fact, I was almost out the door when I was suddenly caught from the back of my shirt.

I screeched. (I was a little embarrassed how girlish it sounded.)

"I don't think I could live with myself if I let you leave alone. You can live with me."

It turns out that Kio's apartment isn't that much different than Soubi-san's. It was really messy, though. Lollypop stick seemed to litter the floor.

He gently nudged me through the door frame.

His words rang through my head as I observed my new temporary home. He was so kind. Who would have thought that such a handsome adult would take me in! I'm a little….infatuated with him, I admit. He's so funny. He cracked jokes the whole way to his apartment. Trying to make me more talkative, I assume, not that I'm making it easy. It's kind of creeping me out, but I kind of like it.

"There's a room beside the kitchen that I paint in, so it smells like paint, but it has a bed. If you'll sleep on the couch for the night, I'll open a window and try and air out the room." He said as he opened the door to said room.

I beamed and my ears twitched happily as I gazed at my new room. I turned to express my gratitude, only to end up two inches away from his face. I paused in shock.

He didn't.

He moved, just not away. He moved toward me and I freaked out. My ears flattened against my head and my tail moved between my legs as I launched myself backwards away from him. I fell painfully on some art supplies and let out a yell.

"Ah!" Suddenly, Kio was out of the hallway and in front of me. He kneeled by my side and started checking my body. "Are you okay? I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have scared you. Are you hurt?"

He practically attacked me in order to make sure I was okay, while I attacked myself for screwing up the only chance I might have had at my first kiss. I looked up to assure him that I was fine, only to come to the same position we were in before. I inwardly screamed in delight! Before he could move, whether he wanted to move away or toward me, I leaned up the extra two inches and pressed my lips against his.

Note: I'm so sorry this was so short, but the next chapter should be the last chapter!! Yay!!