A/N: I feel silly. For some reason, I seriously thought I'd posted this chapter already. So, sorry for the long wait. I love this story and have every desire to see it through. This idea has been festering in my mind for over a year. So have no fear that this story will be dropped or put on hiatus. This chapter is dedicated to TopCombine who unintentionally reminded me to update and for the wonderful review. :D

PS: This is the official theme song for this story. LOL! If you don't know this song you should look it up. It is awesome. Look up the music video on Youtube too. It's hilarious. :D

P.S.S.: Sorry for any grammatical or spelling issues. This chapter is unbeta-ed.

Chapter Two

You're Awful, I love You

Love me cancerously
Like a salt-sore soaked in the sea.
'High-maintenance' means
You're a gluttonous queen
Narcissistic and mean.
Kill me romantically
Fill my soul with vomit
Then ask me for a piece of gum.
Bitter and dumb
You're my sugarplum.
You're awful, I love you!

-Love Me Dead, By Ludo

Akiha really hadn't meant to appear like he was following Umeda around. Every since they'd talked in the garden they seemed to keep running into each other. It really was a coincidence…most of the time. Akiha had figured out what time and what days the other boy was usually out there. So he did try to show up as often as possible at the same time as Umeda. He was sure the other boy had noticed, but Umeda had yet to say anything about it. The other boy would sit and read or write while Akiha took pictures of the flowers, bushes, trees, and whatever birds or animals happened to be in the area. The blond wondered though if the other boy noticed the camera pointing his direction more and more often. The scenery now no longer drew his attention like it used to before he ran into Umeda here. Akiha couldn't seem to keep his camera lens away from the other boy. After the first few pictures of Umeda developed in his home made darkroom, he was hooked. Every picture of Umeda was beautiful, like the boy was made just for photographing. Akiha couldn't get enough of taking pictures of the other boy.

It was during these times of taking pictures that they began to talk. It was only a little at first, but ever since that first conversation it was easier to break the ice between them. The words were still a little awkward to find for Akiha when he got to caught up in just listening or looking at Umeda. This was the first person he really liked and wanted to have like him back. It was a new experience for him. He wasn't quite sure how to handle it. Before he just wanted people to like him, not that he necessarily liked them. It was thrilling and scary to suddenly have this overwhelming feeling of attraction for another person, especially since he'd never known he liked boys. He shouldn't really be surprised. His mother hadn't exactly given him the best impression of women, but he didn't hate all of them in general because of her.

Every conversation with Umeda was exciting, because it was a chance to learn more about the boy. Akiha wanted to learn everything about Umeda. He'd never had the desire to know someone like this until now. He sat at his desk in his dorm room now, looking at his pictures of Umeda. His favorite was one of Umeda wearing his glasses with his hair blowing in the breeze as his eyes stared intently at the book in his hands. His legs were crossed in front of him, his tie fluttered in the wind, and his shirt was partially unbuttoned revealing a tantalizing view of Umeda's pale neck and delicate looking clavicle. Every time Akiha looked at this picture he had the overwhelming desire to touch all that pale skin. It was beautiful. He blinked forcing his thoughts away from such things. He recalled the conversation he'd had that day when he'd finished taking pictures and had sat down under a tree not far away from the other boy.

"Do you have family?" Akiha had asked. He didn't really know why that question had popped out. It just had and as soon as he said it he was desperate to know the answer.

Umeda looked up from his book, looking slightly annoyed at being bothered. "Yeah. Although sometimes I wish I didn't."

"You shouldn't wish that," the blond said softly.

"Maybe you should meet my family then you might understand," Umeda replied, looking down at his book like that was the end of the conversation.

Akiha was not ready to stop talking though. "Do you have siblings?"

"Why are you so interested?" The other boy glanced back up in irritation.

Akiha hesitated before answering. "I don't really have a family. Just my Dad."

"Oh," Umeda frowned—feeling bad now. He didn't know why. He didn't know this kid enough to care, but for some reason he felt guilty for being so rude before. "I have two sisters. One's older and has a son already. The other is younger than me by several years. I have both of my parents."

"What are they like?"

"They're all crazy." Umeda said simply as he looked back down at his book.

Akiha laughed—a real laugh. One that Umeda had to look up to observe. The sound of it was enough to bring a smile to his face. He wondered why the blond couldn't be more real like this all the time. "They sound like fun," The blond said.

"They can be annoying…but not always," Umeda admitted grudgingly.

"They're your family."

"Yeah."

The conversation had died out after that. Akiha had thought it best not to push the other boy too far or Umeda might decide not to talk to him at all anymore. They talked a little each day they ran into each other in the garden after that. Akiha always asking as many questions as he felt he could get away with before annoying Umeda.

Akiha flipped through the more of the pictures in his hands. A picture of a bird feeding its chicks made him smile briefly before he looked at the next picture. This photograph was of Umeda sprawled out comfortably under a tree with a cigarette between his fingers, a notebook in his lap, and a scowl on his face aimed right at Akiha. The blond remembered that particular conversation perfectly.

"Would you stop pointing that damn thing at me!" Umeda snapped irritably.

"I thought you didn't notice."

"I did."

"Oh."

"You're never gonna expand your talent if you don't photograph anything else," Umeda remarked offhandedly as he went back to writing.

"Is that why you're writing all the time? Practicing your talent?" Akiha asked curiously.

"I suppose. I thought someday I might try my hand at journalism or something," Umeda answered, looking up to see the blond watching him with eagerness. "You ever wondered what you might do with your life?" He didn't know why he asked.

"I dunno. I don't have any real talents…that I can think of," Akiha fiddled with his camera.

Umeda quirked up an eyebrow in disbelief at that remark and glanced pointedly at the camera. "Aren't you holding it?"

Akiha looked down at his camera. "I never thought about taking pictures for a living."

"My dad always said to do something you're passionate about," the other boy said seriously.

"You're dad sounds smart."

"Eh…he can be, I guess." Umeda shrugged.

"Do you really think I could do that?"

"What's it matter what I think? If you like taking pictures a lot be a fucking photographer," Umeda rolled his eyes.

Akiha smiled at the boy's blunt words. It was this side of Umeda he loved—that kindness underneath the harsh words. "Alright." He smiled cheerily. "Would you like to be my model?"

"No." Umeda shook his head and went back to writing. The blond was out of his mind. He had to be to take anything Umeda said seriously. He looked up to say something else, but saw the fake smile plastered back on the blond's face. He sighed irritably. Why the hell did Akiha do that? He still had yet to figure it out. It bothered him whenever he was with the blond. He'd get a few minutes of talking to the real person underneath all that stupidity and then all the sudden it would be back. The kid was one of the best emotional turn coats he'd ever seen. If the damn kid would be himself more often Umeda might actually be able to like him. He didn't dare say anything about it though for fear of encouraging the other boy's very obvious crush on him.

Akiha had not taken any more picture of the other boy since. He had taken Umeda's advice somewhat to heart. He had been shooting pictures of other things. He knew he'd eventually go back to taking pictures of Umeda, because he simply couldn't help himself. Having the other boy in his viewfinder was more addicting than any vice in his opinion. He didn't think he'd ever be able to find anything or anyone that was as beautiful as Umeda Hokuto.

/

Akiha wanted to know everything about Umeda. This particular desire ended up biting him in the ass. It was the end of the school festival. He'd watched his crush the whole time, surprised by the other boy's hidden athleticism and passionate side. So of course he had noticed when Umeda ran off when everyone should have been helping clean up. He saw Umeda running around the corner of the school like he was searching for something. Curiosity tugged at him. He had felt compelled to follow. Maybe he could help Umeda find whatever it was that had drawn him away from his vice presidential duties. He could sense that something was about to happen so he sped up. Above the clouds were darkening swiftly and threatening rain any second. He continued to jog briskly down the path he'd seen Umeda taking towards Dorm 2. He didn't want to get caught out in the rain. He had no umbrella. If he didn't find him in a few minutes, he decided he'd just go back Dorm 3.

Just as he decided this he heard raised voices a second later as he came to the corner of the school. It sounded like some boys were having an argument. He recognized the sound of his sempai as one of the voices just out of sight. He hesitated—wondering if he should just ignore the call of his curiosity. This was none of his business. Whatever was going on between Umeda and whoever else was not something he should be sticking his nose in to.

Rain began to fall as he wavered in making his decision. What could it hurt to take a peak to see what they were arguing about? He peeked his eyes around the corner. What he saw made his jaw drop. Umeda Hokuto was kissing Kojima Ryoichi like he wanted to melt into the other boy. Akiha couldn't help, but watch for a moment. He was to stunned to turn away. It was both fascinating and disappointing. In an instant, he realized two things. Umeda was gay and he was in love with Kojima-sempai. Akiha's hopes were shattered before they'd even had a chance to fully blossom. He was painfully blocked again like that door slamming into his face. Like fate was saying 'sorry kid, this one isn't for you.'

He watched the two boys kiss like nothing else existed in the world at the moment for them. Finally, he managed to wrench himself away from the scene and back away further from the corner. He stood there in the rain, drenched through every piece of clothing he had on, as he wondered what happened for him now. For the first time in his life, he'd found someone he cared deeply about. He loved that boy. He never expected to feel that way for anyone. He hadn't thought he'd been capable to love anymore after his mother had abandoned him. He'd felt so dark and cold inside for so long that he never thought the empty hole inside him could be fixed. Yet, when he was with Umeda that empty place inside lessened. Sometimes he felt like it wasn't even there at all. He had hoped that the other boy might be able to love him back. Maybe whatever was wrong with Akiha deep inside could be fixed by Umeda—or so the blond had desperately wanted to believe. He felt cut off and alone again. It was a feeling he loathed more than anything.

A little voice in his head whispered that he shouldn't give up so easily. If you love someone you don't give up on them.

He swallowed hard as he thought about that. He couldn't just give up on Umeda. He truly did love the other boy. He wanted to be with him. He wanted to be close to him. Maybe whatever Umeda had with Ryoichi wasn't a sure thing. Maybe he still had a chance. If there was even a small one, he'd keep trying to win Umeda's heart. He ignored that stupid door of rejection fate kept throwing in his face. He wasn't about to give up.

It took him a few days to muster up the courage to confess. He knew it was probably useless. He knew he had to try though. He couldn't give up without at least having said something to Umeda about how he felt. For once, he didn't want to hide behind the mask he had created. His feelings for Umeda were too strong to just down play or brush aside with a smile like he did for everything else. Even if he was rejected at least he had tried. He was doing something for himself for once, not to please someone else, but to please himself. It was something he had not done for a long time. It made him nervous to do it now.

He waited for his chance in the garden. Umeda was there reading his book. Akiha found it hard to even pretend to take pictures as waited for the opportunity to present itself. Umeda glanced up over the top of his book to see the blond staring at him. The other boy had been doing that since he'd arrived. It was beginning to weird Umeda out. He sighed and decided it would be more peaceful to go read in his room. He got to his feet, brushed off his pants, and began to walk away.

"Umeda!" Akiha called, scrambling to his feet. He didn't know why the other boy was leaving, but he couldn't let his chance slip away. Umeda kept right on walking. Akiha hesitated, wavering between letting the other boy go or speaking out for himself. He was torn as he watched the growing space between him and the other boy. "Please go out with me!" Akiha burst out, half panicked. His mouth had made the decision before he fully realized it.

Umeda stopped abruptly. He spun around to face the blond with an incredulous look on his face. "What? Why the hell would I do that?"

"Because I like you," Akiha said desperately, clutching his camera.

"What if I don't like you?" Umeda scowled, crossing his arms. "I'm not into boys."

Akiha had to smile a little at that declaration. "I know you're gay, Sempai."

"Oh really?"

"Yes," the blond looked down at his hands. "I saw you kissing Kojima-sempai."

Umeda went pale for a second. A moment later the scowl was back on his face. "Alright so you found me out. You should know I already like him then."

"Yes, I do know. I still had to ask." Akiha replied quietly.

"Look, Akiha, I hardly even know you."

"So?"

"You're not my type." That was somewhat of a lie. He thought the blond was cute and attractive. It was the boy's weirdness he didn't like.

"Please, Sempai. I love you!" Akiha declared ardently.

Umeda scrutinized him for a long moment. "I don't believe you. Stop messing with me."

"I'm not! Please, go out with me!"

"No! I don't like you. Go find someone else to stalk."

"But-!"

"I said no!" Umeda snapped irritably.

Just like that Umeda had blocked him out again. If Akiha had been smarter—if his heart hadn't fallen so completely in love—he would have realized then it was hopeless to chase Umeda. Yet, as he watched Umeda turn and stomp off Akiha's determination only strengthened. He refused to give up. He would prove to his sempai that his feelings were serious—even if he didn't know how to do that.

/

Be a responsible reader and review!

Yes, this was a short chapter. I'm sorry. I know Umeda seems a little harsh, but you have to remember these are teenage boys. They tend to be assholes. I should know. I have three brothers and had to deal with the teenage idiocy their mouths can spout. So bear that in mind. I'll see you all next chapter, which I will try to have up by next weekend.