A/N: Okay. So the story will get confusing. Just letting you know again since I forgot to alert everyone, I was inspired by Ellen Hopkins's books such as Identical, Impulse, Crank, etc. So YES, this will be angsty. Just letting you know in case everyone's confused. Sorry if this chapter is going to be short. Happy Holidays, everyone.
Freedom Kiss
Chapter Three: My Everything
Takeru Takaishi
Everything was happening too fast. One minute, Kari and I were content (at least I hope she was) during lunch with out hands holding each other's. A couple hours pass, and Kari's disappeared. Few minutes later, I find her in our Escape from Reality trail looking pale, weak, and on the verge of slipping into the dark. I couldn't let it happen. It's a good thing I found her just in time.
I took her home to my apartment. My mother was working double shifts at her job. I didn't want Kari to go home. Her parents… if they both aren't the devil themselves, they were children of the devil.
I lay Kari gently on my bed. Her breathing was even but it still sounded a little choked. I put my hand to her forehead. Just as I expected – she had a fever. I ran over quickly and quietly to find a cloth. I ran it under cold water and put it gently on her forehead. I saw her move a little.
"Kari?" I whispered.
No answer. I sighed.
I've known Kari since I was seven years old. She was only six. It's been nine years. Over those nine years, I started to care about her more and more. She became the light of my life (yeah I know, corny). Whenever something happened to her, I was at her side in a heartbeat. I couldn't let anything happen to her. She's amazingly special to me.
On my thirteenth birthday, it was when I realized I loved her. I know I was young back then, and I'm still young now. But if what I feel isn't love, it's the closest thing I have ever felt to love.
I was having a party at Mimi's mansion in New York. It was very generous of her. However, Mimi decided to make all the rules…
This was a FORMAL party.
I HAD to dance with a girl.
Matt's band HAD to play.
The cake HAD to have three layers. (I thought this was crazy.)
Everyone had to stay for a week which meant a sleepover. Guys downstairs, girls upstairs.
I had a problem with almost all of them except for Matt's band playing and maybe the cake with the three layers. I didn't want to wear formal clothes. I didn't want to have a co-ed sleepover (it would be awkward for a thirteen year old), and I didn't want to dance with a girl.
However, when Mimi mentioned that rule, the first person in my mind was Kari. I was too shy to ask her though. I didn't know why back then, but I soon became hooked on asking her to be my date for my party. I tried to sleep but couldn't since she was always on my mind.
Then my party began.
Everyone was waiting in the dining room. I entered wearing some fancy clothes which caused Sora and Mimi to squeal on how "adorable" I looked. All the guys just smiled real big and proud, especially Matt. But… I couldn't see Kari.
I asked Mimi where she was, and she told me she would enter soon. She had trouble deciding on what she should wear.
We heard the doors enter, and there she was.
Hikari Yagami.
She entered and sauntered down the stairs ever so gracefully. My eyes lit up. She looked like a princess. I looked like a prince. I realized that this… this was our moment. Tai however, wanted to yell at Kari for wearing such a dress. Matt held him back.
She smiled at me. "Happy Birthday, TK."
I stuttered. "T-Thank you, Kari. You… You look beautiful."
I saw scarlet appear on her cheeks. "Thank you, TK. You look very handsome as well."
I ended up dancing with her that night.
My daydream was suddenly interrupted by the sudden movement on the bed. I rushed over at her side in a swift second.
"Kari?" I whispered again.
This time, she answered. "TK?"
I sighed in relief. "You're alright…"
"Where am I?" She asked.
"You're at my apartment. You fainted on the trail."
"Oh…" She was quiet for a moment.
"Are you alright?" I asked her quietly.
"…I'm alright, TK. I guess I just had a lot on my mind."
"Like what?"
"You know… my parents…"
"Kari…" I took her in my arms and hugged her tightly and protectively. "Everything will be alright." I felt her hugging me back.
"Thank you, TK. You truly are my best friend."
"I love you, Hikari. You're my everything." I realized when I said. Then I realized I was too late.
She broke free from the hug and stared at me with incredulous eyes.
"What do you mean?"