Chapter 3 – Books are not awkward

I was running swiftly down a darkly lit corridor. My best friend Daisuke was running next to me. But that wasn't right. He was dead. "Aika!" he called my name, "Quick! They're going to catch up! I looked behind us to see what was chasing us, but all I saw were shadows. Suddenly, I couldn't breathe anymore. I batted my legs to go up, and broke through the silvery surface of the water. But I couldn't see Daisuke anywhere. I looked all around, searching for him. Then I smelled it. The horrible, acre odor of blood. A shark's fin appeared from under the water's surface. Then another, and another, until the water was littered by them, like burnt stars on a pale surface. I tried to scream, but my throat felt blocked, and I could feel it, some unearthly creatures twisted and twisting on itself deep in my throat-

I woke up with a silent scream and quickly sat up in bed. It was alright. I was awake. What had just happened? It had just been a dream. Only a dream. Only a dream… But aren't dreams messages our subconscious wants to tell us? I shuddered at the thought. If only I could somehow remember that dreadful night when… It was no use, my brain had deleted it all from my spirit, made me amnesic, so as not to traumatize me further.

Knowing I would not be able to sleep anymore for a while at least, I went over to my computer and logged on to the online game I had been playing for the past months since the accident. It was easier to express oneself online, where people didn't care whether I was mute or not. So, it helped me. It was one of the only places where I could truly be myself and no one would ever judge me for it.

I checked my friends list. Only one person logged on. Mikaze Ai, a powerful ally of mine, in this game at least. I didn't know very much about his irl, since neither of us liked talking about our lives, and it fit us to only talk about the game. All I knew was he liked to sing, and he was also currently wondering what love was, for god knows what reason. The guy was probably 12, maybe younger, judging by his E.Q. (emotional intelligence, basically). But, hey, he was a badass ally, and I wouldn't want him as an enemy on that game anytime soon, so…

"How's life?" I typed him.

"Meh. Boring as usual." He answered back fairly quickly. I wondered how many hours he'd been on that game all alone before I'd arrived.

"Shouldn't you be in bed by now?" I asked. It was around 3am, which is definitely not healthy for a 12 year old.

"What about you?" He was an intelligent 12 year old. I'll grant him that.

"Nightmares. Can't sleep." I sent back, "U?"

"Didn't feel like sleeping tonight. Not tired. Btw, do u know what love is yet?" Immediate reply. He probably hadn't even read my last message. Even though we hardly knew each other at all, we still did, in some weird, gamer way… Like, we could easily guess what the other was thinking and stuff. Kinda like comrades.

"What about school?" I asked.

"What about it?" What an idiot. He knew exactly what I was saying, and yet he chose to answer that.

"Won't u be tired if u go to school after a whole night of gaming?" Pff, 12 year olds, I tell you.

He quickly answered: "What do you mean? I'm a professional idol, I don't go to school anymore."

"What? I thought u were like 12, or something! (sorry)" Well, that was awkward. I was the idiot, for making such hasty, judgemental conclusions.

"Nop, I'm 17." So, he was my age… Well sh*t.

"Oh sorry then… Yawn, I think I'll go back to bed, I'm tired."

"Ok, good night."

"Gn". I hastily logged off again. Too much computer one night. Time to read a book… At least I can't be awkward with a book… Right?

I do not own any of the characters, or the bands in Uta No Prince-Sama, but the protagonist (and her -dead- best friend) of this story is my own creation. Please do not steal them without authorization (just ask). Thanks dudes. :) Peace