Chapter Four: I Don't Want You

All disclaimers applied.

I took a long drag and the dark fumes slid through my lips like a silent murderer. The last of sunshine glistened in the broken mirrors. My cell phone lay on the dusty granite sink, buzzing meekly. Must be mother. I didn't feel like talking to anyone.

Maybe if I just have another one things will get better. Things will be back to its terrific state, just like a day ago. Maybe Mimi's sudden madness was truly a toy of my mind. But no, no matter how many cigarettes I slid out of the carton, my Mimi was mad and she was mad at me. For once in our mud-slinging and crying-fiestas friendship of oh, eight years, I had not intentionally teased her into this wrath. If it was any toy of anyone's mind, it was hers. I was truly innocent of the hell-raising-tsunamis-inducing-volcano-erupting crime that I was supposed to have committed against her.

Maybe it's Taichi, I reflected as I squirmed on the dirty toilet bowl. Maybe she's truly into him and foolish me went ahead and made out with him in front of her. But truly, if she wants to call anyone sluts, I was the one who, in her own words, snogged the guy and not my mother.

I snatched the cigarette out of my mouth and crushed it under my shoes, flattening into a dead flat piece of paper. Bitch.

It had been hours since I slapped her. Mother must be worried. I should eat but I didn't have the appetite. It felt good to just sit here, staring at and trying to read the scrawled words on the dirty wall. How long has it been since the last time this toilet was used? Years and years back.

The bulb over my head flickered. The night's shadow was falling, sliding through the broken windows into here. My eyes fluttered.

I woke up when the water rushed into my ears.

"Damn-" I managed before my head went underwater again. What's happening? Terror stricken me dumb, I tried to struggle but the hands holding my head underwater were strong. I grabbed for the hands, screaming, but my foe ignored me. I blinked the water out of my eyes as air flowed into my lungs and I gasped.

"Lowly," I panted. "Truly lowly. Who attacks when the victim is harmless?"

"I am attacking? Mate, I thought I'm doing you a mighty favour." The coarse voice grumbled. I recognised it and he plunged me back into the water. I kicked his shin but my foot was the one that ended up bleeding. Damn it, what was he doing?

"Yamato Ishida," I groaned out when he pulled me out of the water, my feet squirming. I spat out a mouthful of water. "Stop before I do you bodily harm."

"You tried," he chuckled, holding my head close to his. The blue in his eyes glistened in the harsh light of the sick bulbs. I used to think of him as handsome. Now his looks had diminished in my eyes. "You harmed yourself, mate."

"Yeah," I said. "Next time I'll hurt us both, guy."

He slapped me. The crawling pain seared into my eyes. I blinked back the tears, sinking my nails into his hands. I got every satisfaction when those blue eyes winced, rather lightly.

"I'm not your punching bag," I growled.

"Ace," he growled back. "I see you looking so pathetic today and I got disgusted. You deserve to be punched."

"Oh, you care?"

"I can't stand pathetic people."

"Why kissed Mimi's ass, then?"

"What was that blue with her for?"

"She's mad."

"I'm aware-"

"It's none of your pathetic business."

"See this sink? It's full of water, huh?"

"It'll be your head down there."

"You're a dag."

"You talk funny."

He plunged me into the water again. When I was out into the fresh air, I gave him my best condescending look. Can't he stand a jab against himself, the Ozzy?

"Janitor, I can get you fired."

"You'll be doing me heaps of favours."

"I can't win with you."

"Ace, you're brilliant suddenly."

"What the hippy do you want with me, guy?"

He stared at me, scrutinising. He was not going to trust me at the drop of a hat. Well, guy, I wasn't going to either. The guy literally bathed me, anyway. I'll give him some benefits of the hesitation, because I clearly had pissed him off and still pissing him off. Truly, he wasn't going to kill me. Yet.

If I did die, who will cry? Truly not Miss Tachikawa. Or Mr Yagami for that matter. Might as well get along with someone who likes to clean me.

My cell phone sang itself to life. I ignored it but his blue eyes narrowed to it before meeting my defiant stare. His grip on my hair loosened slightly and there was an enquiring look in his eyes.

"Yeah?"

"You're avoiding someone," he said matter-of-factly. Ishida let go of my hair and walked over to the cubicle I was asleep in. I looked in the mirror, checking for any lasting damage I can use as basis to charge him with. Damn, none. He grabbed the carton of cigarettes that I left behind and took one.

"Make yourself at home," my eyes narrowed.

He glanced at me, his eyebrows raised. I gestured at the cigarettes.

"Huh," he narrowed his eyes at it. "Kindergarten."

Nonetheless, he lit two and handed me one. I stared at him.

"Oh, hell." He crept closer and thrust one into my mouth.

"Thanks."

"You're going to my apartment."

"Guy, I'm a minor. I can sue you," I was overjoyed at the thought of getting even with him.

"You're too plain," he said, honestly disgusted. He thinks he's so high and mighty...

"Terrific."

"You're the end of me."

"I am not going anywhere with you, yeah? Get it?"

"Why the hell not?"

"You tried to drown me."

"Yeah, but for your own good, mate."

"Guarantees?"

"You know my tiny brother, what's his name, Takeru?"

"Have seen him before."

"He likes to annoy me." At my questioning stare, he elaborated impatiently. "Meaning he lives with me."

"Who are you like?"

"Hell?"

"Mother or father?"

"My old man."

"Takeru?"

"That ancient woman."

"Terrific. Other guarantees?"

He shrugged richly. "I've leftover pizzas."

How did he know I was longing for something to eat? I glanced outside. Sure enough, it was already pitch black. A glance at my watch confirmed that it was seven o'clock.

"Others?"

"I live next to a granny and her seventy cats, mate. One for each year."

I forced back my laughter. I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction. The level of his looks increased slightly.

"More?"

"I'm going to strangle you."

All in all, I had no reason not to. I was not going to see my mother at my current dishevelled and wet state. Also, since he had been the cause of my wet hair, red eyes and pale face, might as well make him pay for the laundry. Also, I wanted to escape my own life. Yamato Ishida, however mad he might be, was still a terrific alternative.

"Terrific. Let's go," I made my decision. If I was going to die with him, so be it. I might as well make it as legendary as Cleopatra or Juliet. He will be my Hamlet for tonight. I don't want any Romeo.