Welcome back! Possible trigger warning.


Hiro couldn't do it. He stared into the rushing water below him and let out a sob. Thunder rang over him. He looked up. It was raining. How long had it been raining? He thought. His clothes were drenched. His hair stuck to his forehead like static. Hiro pushed his bangs out of his face and started walking. He didn't know where he was going, but he couldn't go home.

A park was ahead of Hiro as he trudged on through the downpour. He knew this park very well. Tadashi would bring him here when he was little. Tadashi would always push Hiro as high as he wanted on the swing. Without thinking, he sat on the soaked swing and pushed off. He let himself swing back and forth a few times before kicking the ground to stop. The chain was ice cold in his hands. He held one side with both hands and leaned his head against it. Somehow, the swinging felt empty. As did everything.

He must've dozed off because what seemed like moments later, he could hear someone calling him. "Hiro? Is that you, Hiro?" a female voice. She pronounced his name like "Hee-do". Hiro opened his eyes. His brown eyes met deep green ones. "Oh Hiro! What are you doing here?" Honey-Lemon. One of Tadashi's college buddies. Hiro looked around. Soft grey light of a new day was on the horizon. He looked down at himself. He was still soaked.

"Hiro?" Honey-Lemon said.

"Uh... what?" Hiro said, dazed.

"What are you doing here? Why are you all wet?"

"Oh. Um. I... I don't know... I guess I fell asleep," he stammered.

"You'll catch your death out here. How long have you been here?"

"I don't even know. A few hours maybe?"

"Oh, Hiro." Honey-Lemon took off her hoodie and draped it over Hiro's small shoulders. "Here. You must be freezing."

"Thanks." Hiro pulled it around him and shivered. He had never been so cold in his life.

"C'mon. I'm taking you home. Now." She said it with a purpose. Honey-Lemon took Hiro by the wrist. But he flinched and pulled back immediately. He looked at her wide-eyed, but she already put together why he pulled away. "Hiro... Let me see your arm."

"Uh.. why?" Hiro played dumb. But her face showed no judgment. Just concern. He caved in, pulling his sleeve up to his elbow. She took his arm delicately in here hands.

"Oh, Hiro..." but her voice trailed off. She pulled him into a light embrace. Hiro couldn't even muster up the energy to hug her back. He let her lead him to her little yellow car. She even buckled him in, like a child. But Hiro didn't even care. He was so exhausted, he let his head loll to the side as Honey-Lemon drove. When they pulled up to his house, he just sat there and stared at it. It was just like he remembered, yet different. He looked at Honey-Lemon, pleading with his eyes.

"Please. I don't want to go in alone. My aunt is probably up and noticed I'm gone. I don't want to face her like this..." tears welled in his eyes. He was so ashamed of his own stupidity. How could he leave Aunt Cass like that? How could he even consider ending it all?

"Of course. I'll come in with you. Do you want me to say anything?" Honey-Lemon replied.

"No. I got myself into this. I can talk my way out. I just don't want to be alone like always.." his voice trailed off.

"I'm right beside you, hun."

"Thanks..." He unbuckled himself and got out of the car. He could see Aunt Cass inside, pacing. Then she saw him and ran to the door. Hiro could see the tears running down her face. She motioned them in. Honey-Lemon squeezed his shoulder and walked into the cafe. Hiro swallowed hard and followed, unprepared for his action's reaction.


As I mentioned previously, the last chapter and this were inspired by the song "I'm With You" by Avril. I really liked the idea of the rain and I guess it plays into the loneliness I feel that Hiro is experiencing. Hope you like it. Love to you and everyone else!