Chapter 3 - Overcast
Author's Note: I decided to re-write the end of this chapter. It didn't fit with what I want to do with the next chapter and it felt too light and happy. Hope i didn't piss anyone off :) Enjoy! I hope...
I wake up on my couch, I got a pretty good night's sleep. I bask in the warmth of my blankets for a good few minutes before getting up and heading to the bathroom. While brushing my teeth, I notice a pink toothbrush near the spot I keep mine.
Me:"Wh-What? Where did this come from?" I didn't buy a pink toothbrush. I look around the bathroom for anything else out of place. I spot a stick of women's deodorant, a pink brush, and some hair clips and ribbons. "What in the holy frag grenade is goin' on?!"
It's just now that I remember that Natsuki stayed with me last night. I should've come to that realisation when I woke up on the couch...Oh well. Guess I need to make breakfast then.
I finish my morning routine and stroll into the kitchen. The first and most important part of the day is what comes first, coffee (Black coffee, none of this friggin' chestnut or chocolate flavored crap). After getting the coffee started, I open my fridge and grab some eggs, bacon, and few other ingredients. I decide to make omelettes.
A little while after I've begun cooking, I hear Natsuki shuffling down the stairs. She takes a seat at the dinner table and places her head on her arms.
Me:"Ah, top of the mornin' to ya, lassie!" I say with a thicker version of my normal accent and a big ol' smile.
Natsuki:"Bleh...It's too early for happy..."
Me:"Well I hope it's not to early for omlettes..." Natsuki livens up immediately upon hearing that.
Natsuki:"Omlettes? You made breakfast?"
Me:"Yep. You eat meat right?" I ask before sprinkling fresh bacon bits into the omlettes.
Natsuki:"Of course! Monika's the vegetarian. Ugh...y'know she showed me that video they use to convert people, and ya know what I did right after watching it? I bought a steak!" Natsuki exclaims, slamming her fist down onto my table.
Me:"Hahahaha! Yeah that sounds just like you..." While the omlettes are cooking, I start to set three places at my table. Natsuki watches me with a curious expression.
Natsuki:"Why are ya setting three places? Did Yuri say she was coming?"
Me:"Huh? No I just thought I'd invite Sayori over, she doesn't eat breakfast if I don't make it for her..." I say as I take my phone out my pocket and start texting her to come over. I've made breakfast for Sayori everyday for about a year now.
Natsuki:"...Eli...uh...S-Sayori can't come over...remember?" Natsuki says in a calm, kind voice.
Me:"What do ya mean? Has she got plans or somethi-" I choke up, the events of the past few days come rushing back to me in a cruel wave.
Me:"Oh...right." Is all I can manage before turning back around to continue cooking. Wiping away tears while hoping Nat can't hear me sniffling. I'd grown so accustomed to getting to see her everyday. It's so hard to accept she's gone.
Natsuki comes up behind me and wraps her arms around me. Squeezing me hard, like she wants me know it's okay. That it'll get better...
Natsuki:"I know...I forgot yesterday. It was hard when I saw her empty desk." She says, still holding on to me.
Me:"I-I just...miss her so much..."
Natsuki:"We all do."
After breakfast, Natsuki and I get ready to go to school. It'll be the first time I've ever walked to school with anyone besides Sayori.
We arive, we didn't talk about much on the way, it's not a long walk anyhow. We each dreg through the school day until it's time for the Literature Club. Upon entering the clubroom, a handful of dry rice hits me the face, and I can hear "Here comes the bride" being played poorly on a recorder by Monika.
Monika:"Well, Mrs.Gunner got here a bit before you did. I guess you must've been making the honeymoon plans..." I should've known they'd do this to me. Why am I not surprised? I look over to Natsuki, who has her bright red face buried in her hands.
Yuri:"Well I ceratinly hope you bought her dinner first before having her, stay the night." Yuri says with a sly smile.
Monika:"He can't afford dinner! He has to replace the headboard they broke last night! Not to mention all the noise complaint tickets!"
Me:"Hey, cut it out! She just stayed the night! That's it!" Now my face is as red as Natsuki's.
Monika:"Whatever you say Eli..."
Me:"Ugh...This is gonna go on for a while isn't it?"
Yuri Monika:"Absolutely."
Natsuki:"I hate all of you..."
Me:"What did I do?!"
After Monika and Yuri finish teasing Natsuki and I, the day goes on usual. Nobody's writing again yet, but we decided we'd read one of Sayori's favorite books. "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen. Not a very exiting novel, but it's in honor of Sayori so I'll happily read it again.
Yuri:"I love this novel, it's so romantic, even if I'm usualy into suspense and horror."
Natsuki:"Well...I guess it won't kill me."
Me:"Sayori used to quote this thing all the time when she wanted to sound sophisticated..."
Monika:"Alright everyone. We'll be back on Wednesday to discuss it. Club dismissed!"
Natsuki and I join up and start to walk out of the clubroom. Yuri stops me on the way out.
Yuri:"Eli, how are you feeling today?" She asks with a caring smile.
Me:"I'm better...Had a bit of trouble this morning though while I was making breakfast. Y'know how Sayori would come over and eat with me before school right? Yeah I started setting three places at the table and was trying text her when Natsuki snapped me out of it. It's like I can't accept that she's gone."
Yuri:"Oh, Eli I'm sorry. If you ever need to talk it out, or need some help. I'm always home. Don't hesitate okay? Acceptance is one the hardest stages of grief. Just remember that you'll likely go through denial before that. So be prepared and try to overcome it."
Me:"Yeah...I will. Thanks Yuri. You're great."
Yuri:"Ah...Well...I don't know about that. But you're welcome. Have a nice day."
Monika:"See ya Eli! Don't impregnate Natsuki over the weekend!"
Me Natsuki:"SHUT UP MONIKA!"
After we get back home, Natsuki piles up on the couch with her laptop and starts playing Dark Souls. She'll be occupied for a while, so I go upstairs to my bedroom to read my book.
It would make Sayori happy to know I'm reading a book she tried so hard to get me to read. But, it is a truth universally accepted that boys don't read this kinda stuff. Though circumstances have changed. And I will happily read it in her honor. I flip past the first few pages since I already know what happens.
Sayori:"Can't even be bothered to read the begining for me huh Eli?" I knew that voice.
Me:"S-Sayori?" I say quietly to myself.
Sayori:"Yep." It was her, but it wasn't at the same time. She looked like she did when I found her. Grey, lifeless, she had a horrible bruise around her neck from the noose, and her fingers were covered in dried blood.
Me:"W-what the f*!? What's going on!?" I fall out of my chair and into the floor.
Sayori:"Well. I'd hoped for a warmer welcome. But I guess I should've expected this from you."
Me:"What's that supposed to mean?"
Sayori:"If it wasn't for you, I'd still be alive..."
Me:"...You're right. I know. If I'd just told you I loved you like you wanted. You'd still be here..." Tears streak down my face as the guilt sets in.
Sayori:"*Sigh* You did what you thought was right. But it wasn't. I needed you and you failed me."
Me:"*Sobbing* S-stop..."
Sayori:"All I needed was for you to love me, but you wouldn't. Though you don't seem to feel the same way with Natsuki..."
Me:"Please...Stop...I can't take it..." I have my hands on each side of my head, backed into the corner of my bedroom.
Sayori:"It's your fault you selfish monster! You killed me! Murderer!"
Me:"STOP!" I shout through a sob. When I look up, Sayori is gone. I hear Natsuki running up my stairs.She suddenly opens my door.
Natsuki:"Who are you yelling at?"
Me:"Nobody, don't you knock before you enter?" I'm sitting back in my chair with my back to her so she can't see my face.
Natsuki:"...Okay, uh, sorry." Natsuki closes the door and heads back downstairs.
I hear Sayori's voice but I can't see her.
Sayori:"She'll end up just like me, everyone you care about leaves. One way or another."
me:"Get out of my head..."
(End of Chapter 3)