A/N: I'm trying my best to improve my writing skills so please deal with this for now...
I'm trying my best :)
I've been writing more mainly due to boredom so there will probably be more updates :D
Sorry if you don't like GUMI's personality this time...
For liveless-snow :D Hope you enjoy this :)

~Confession Rehearsal~

The bell rang, signalling everyone school had just ended. I closed my shoe locker and got ready to meet Len. It was about autumn now, leaves were falling and there was a slight breeze in the air. This kind of weather I really like. I grabbed my annoyingly heavy books, shoved them into my bag and walked towards the gate.

"Oi! Wait up!"

Len was already walking out, why was he so annoying at times? It was then I had decided to say it. Before he could leave the school I grabbed onto his shirt. It ripped; he was going to have to mend it again. He turned back; obviously not happy. I almost flinched at his gaze. If looks could kill, I'd on the floor right about now.

"What was that for?"

I could hear the annoyed tone in his voice but still I continued, ignoring it.

"Umm, well you see…"

Why wouldn't my heart stop beating so fast?

"I'm sorry its sudden and all but I've liked you for a long time now."

Len's face turned a shade of red. There was an awkward pause which lasted for seemed like hours. I couldn't stand the tension so I eventually broke the ice.

"Haha! Just kidding! You thought it was real right?"

I stuck my tongue out at him and laughed at the expression on his face. His blush almost immediately faded away and he looked kind of relieved but at the same time pissed.

"Well, did you like it? This confession rehearsal."

He just gave me a snort and continued to walk out of the school. I trailed after my old friend pestering him with questions.

"Was it cute? Were you shocked? Hey, don't look at me like that."

Len turned to face me, his face all serious.

"Are you going to get serious? Don't joke around with stuff like that."

That made me snap.

"Argh! You're so annoying!"

I smacked his shoulder about… ten times… continuously… but this is normal. I do this every day whenever he pisses me off. Len just laughs as though it doesn't hurt at all.

"Hey, let's go somewhere on the way home."

"I want ramen at the place near the station!"

"We ate there last week…"

"I still want ramen!"

"Fine…"

"Yay!"

Len scratched his head and looked away like nothing happened. He's cute like that… wait! What am I saying? I looked up at him and grinned like a spoilt kid who had just gotten his candy.

"Tomorrow I'm going to tell the person I like… support me ok? Please?"

Len rolled his eyes and just sighed. He seemed to be thinking about something else…

"Fine… but you owe me."

I could see a hint of evil in his eyes but I didn't care. He was being helpful, now that was rare.

"Thanks Len!"

As soon as I got home I took a bath, with bubbles. I played with the rubber duck and, as I always do, I thought about my day. I sunk deeper within the bubbles, blushing. I wonder what Len's doing now… Hey! Snap out of it! I stood up, dried myself and got ready for bed. My phone lay on my table, with its sparkly orange and green cover and the carrot phone strap, expecting to be used as it always did. I hated isolating my things. I picked it up, the carrot jangled, and started to text Len.

Tomorrow, can you just listen to my selfishness? Just for one day.

Growing up has only caused this selfishness to grow in my heart too…

With one last spell check, I pressed send and took a deep breath. Would he actually reply? Was he still angry at me? My phone rang with the same tune, telling me 'NEW TEXT!'

You got to get serious you know?

With all this stupid practice and stuff

A lying heart will be seen right through

His reply kind of ticked me off. I threw my phone to the floor, hearing it clonk when it landed, but my small habit got in the way and I had to pick it up again. I looked at the time on the flashy orange phone screen. Woah… It was really getting late… but before I could get to bed I saw my old photo album covered in drawings of little carrots.

I saw pictures of me while I was in primary. I looked so small back then… with that old bucket hat and in a checked shirt, I looked even weirder. I could hear myself laughing at the photos. Turning the pages, I recalled both happy and sad times… Me in middle school… Me trying to play the stupid recorder… Me studying… Where did they get all these pictures? In most of the pictures was me but in the rest Len was shown, either sleeping of supporting me in some way. Len… I almost slapped myself. Get yourself together girl! Still I couldn't top myself from touching the photo… as soon as I did I literally slapped myself. Idiot!

I woke up early to get myself together. My hair was in a mess and I was still in a daze but I couldn't stay asleep. I turned on the TV to only see a fortune telling show on. The flashy signs and the cheesy sayings never really got to me. Fortune telling was something never really believed in but one day wouldn't hurt… right?

"Alright! Today I'm going to make myself look like a proper girl. Hairdo? OK! Makeup? OK! Girl Power? OK! Yosh! Let's do this!"

I grabbed a carrot and walked out of my home.

"Bye mom."

"Have a nice day Gumi."

I almost ran to school, my confidence brimming until I reached the school gates. The metal iron bars were taller than before and path looked longer than ever. I did my best to reassure myself with no avail.

"This is it…"

I took a deep breath and was almost about to enter…

"Yo."

Len appeared. His tie was in a mess and his shirt wasn't tucked in but at least he had come to school early for a change.

"You going in?"

I hesitated, but his snicker made me snap. I could feel my anger rising again.

"Why you…"

I punched him twice, hard. The next thing I knew, he was crouching down and holding his head. That good for nothing person deserved it. The bell rang for class, we both ran to our home room and sunk into our seats, greatly relieved.

"Made it…"

As the teacher called our names out, I looked over at Len. He was gazing out the window and drifting off into dreamland. He had stayed up last night, again.

"Gumi?"

"Oh, here."

Roll call continued, the teacher's clear voice had almost everyone's attention, almost.

"Len? Len!"

I slightly laughed and looked at my friend.

"Hmm? Oh… here…"

He drifted off again. The teacher rolled his eyes. Soon, it all ended but before Len could leave I held onto his shoulder.

"Help me practice one last time, please?"

He too rolled his eyes and agreed. He sat down and made himself comfortable.

"Make it quick."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"I like you!"

"More emotion needed."

"I like you…"

"Again."

"I REALLY LIKE YOU!"

"Ok, good. I'm cheering for you so do your best ok?"

He began to leave, my heart beat quickened and I grabbed onto his hand.

"Sorry for lying but I've liked you for all this time!"

My voice trembled but I had to say it, no more lying to myself.

"Don't make me say more than what I already have."

I could feel my cheeks turn red but I couldn't stop.

"I feel the same."

What? I looked up to see Len smiling at me as though he had felt so for a long time.

Can you hear the loud fast beating of my heart?

More than ever, I want you to hear this voice in my heart.

Fin.