Disclaimer: I do not own La Corda d'oro

NEXT TO YOU

Chapter 5

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How dare he grin at me? Must he torment me for telling him the truth? As I mumble. I stand frozen while they walk ahead of me while I sigh as heavily as I could for my anger is fuming inside me. I tried to step forward but my foot is immovable. I could not find courage to move forward and I certainly don't have the nerve to see them like this.

"You could just tell her how you feel," says an impassive voice. I look behind as I follow the trail of his voice and his face shows no emotion as he looks at me.

What does he know? I ask myself. I look down the pavement and I feel my blood rushing and my heart thumps louder and almost immediately I find myself backtracking towards the main gate.

"Hey!" shouts out Len

I run as fast and far as I could and there I stop near the bench at the park where I played basketball with Ryotaro. I gasp for air for I feel light headed as I clench my teeth. Anger, yes I'm angry as hell and never before I feel like this. Loosing my best friend, Oh! Wait I don't have a friend and now the girl that I can't seem to get with.

So, my heartbeat continues to rise while I look around me. Everything seems obscure, so I shut my eyes while I take deep breaths as I feel a drop of wet fluid on my right check. I quickly open my eyes in disbelief while I start shaking my head. "No!" I mumble, but no matter how much I hold it in, my eyes continues to irrigate.

"Hihara! Hihara!"

I can hear him faintly but ignored him, I feel weak while I fall down on my knees. I wipe out my tears and focus on whose voice is calling my name. I could not make out to his face but his voice is familiar. So, I get up and everything around me is hazy then lost my consciousness. *Thud

I open my eyes to an opaque ceiling. Waking up in such unfamiliar place puts a big question mark on my face. Even the smell of the room is different. So, I gradually get up while everything around me is still blurring.

"Where am I?" I said and notice that my voice is hoarse

"You're finally awake"

I look sideways to my left and see Len of all people. What the hell is he doing here? He then walks towards the bed and handed me a glass of water.

"Thanks! But where am I?" I ask while I take a sip from the glass of water.

"You're in the schools infirmary," he said while he helps himself to a chair across from me.

My jaw then drop upon hearing him says that I'm at the schools infirmary.

"What?-How?" I ask confused

"Lets just say that carrying you in was not an easy task and don't worry no one saw what happened." He said as he put my mind at ease

Then it hit me. I remembered being so angry that I even cried for the first time over such emotions. What the hell is happening to me? I said quietly while I unconsciously tug on the white Lenin.

I rapidly get off the bed and look at the time and I could see that it's lunchtime. I need to be in class for I don't want to get detention hell.

"Thank you!" I said to Len while I gather my belongings and walk towards the door.

"WAIT" he said to me.

I glance at him and see him get up from the chair. He walks towards me and reaches for my shoulder while he taps and said. "You have to do it for us."

"Huh?" I said while he beams at me, for this is the first time I saw him smile. I blink my eyes many times like an idiot for being so confuse and for not understanding what he said. I can hear him chuckles while he walks ahead of me. But what does he mean by saying 'You have to do it for US?'

So, I lean towards the door and try to understand what he said. Then my eyes widen….

"NO FREAKING WAY" as I pull my hair unconsciously. Upon realizing what Len had said I hurriedly made my way to my class while my thoughts are running wildly and said to myself "MORE RIVALS? But why do I have to do it?"

And soon I find myself standing in front of my classroom.

Walking into the classroom is extremely stressful for me but I see my classmates going about their business and it seems like they did not even notice my absence. So, I draw near my table and quickly sit-down as I tried to play it cool for missing the morning class.

I look around the classroom and become aware of Yunoki's absence. Could he be looking for me? And just for a minute I wanted to believe that our friendship did not squander but whom am I joking and why am I even thinking about him? I slightly slouch then I hear commotion in the hallway.

So, I quickly regain my composure and look outside the window for I know that only Yunoki is capable of such raucous. Yes, his fan club and I can hear his fan girls squealing over him.

"Every one, take your sit." Exclaims the teacher

I quickly draw my attention to the teacher. Though in the corner of my eye I can see a glaring stare.

After such a long lecture the bell had finally save my boredom. I could only heave a sigh for I know that I have a lot to do before the prom. That's right the prom is in few days. I sigh again and walk towards the exit.

"S-E-N-P-A-I!"

"Eh!" I said shock-seeing Kahoko smiling wildly in front of me.

"Geee what's with the expression?" while she quickly put on a smug look.

"Ehhhh oh nothing I'm just surprised to see you, If your looking for Yunoki he left already." I said while I hold on tightly on my trumpet case.

"Silly, I'm not here to see him I'm here to see you!" she smiles at me happily but what does she want? While I smile awkwardly.

"Senpai! I need a favor?" she asks while I see twinkles on her eyes.

What do I have to do know? Should I give in anyways? Do I even want to see more of her? Wahhhhhh! As I scream inside my head.

"Hino-san, how may I help you?" so I gave in

"Well, I originally ask Tsukimori-kun and Tsuchiura-kun to help me out but they send me your way. So I thought I ask you since you were recommended." She said beaming

"Well? Let's hear it?" I said lightly beaming at her. While my heart beats to its fullest.

"Please come shopping with me? I need help for my prom dress?"

What? What the hell just happened? I ask myself quietly. I know all too well that it's not my place. I am going to kill Tsukimori and Tsuchiura later.

"Senpai?"

"Eh! Are you sure? Why not bring Yunoki he knows fashion better then I do," I said while I feel warmth on my face. 'oh! Boy this is embarrassing'

"So, you're rejecting me too?" she said sadly

Rejecting? As I thought quietly, do I even have the nerve to say NO to her? My annoyance for this awkward situation grew for I am also anxious to spend time with her even if it kills me seeing her with Yunoki at the prom.

So, I extended my left elbow and said "Come on I'll escort you to the boutique" I said smiling at her while she quickly holds on closely to me while my head is spinning out of control for I want to be this close to her forever.

…

A/N How's everyone? I know it has been a while. I also had computer problems where I lost every word documents. BUT I am happy to have this chapter uploaded for you guys and school is halfway thru the semester =) I can't promise anything for the next chapter but I will try my best to have it as soon as I have free time from school. Like always Please REVIEW!