Update: Gwen has decided to publish her story! Check it out at "Colours of Our Hearts" ( s/9820425/1/Colours-of-Our-Heart)

Neil

The blue-eyed girl asks me to go to the art room for another sketching or whatever thing. She has waited for me there with her sketchbook and pencils ready. She seems rather surprised when I enter the room. Her eyes are so easy to read: they are full of fear and apprehension.

"G—good morning, Neil,"

I nod and sit next to the window, my favourite place in any classroom since I can feel the breeze that helps me to stay awake in class.

Yeah, I do give a damn about staying awake in class.

From this window, I can see the students strolling in from the school gate, and in the colony of black, brown and some dark blond, her pink head stands out like a single cherry blossom flower in the midst of barren earth.

Hmph. She's so noticeable.

She has always been so noticeable thanks to her pink hair. In the school hallways, canteen, as well as in the training hall.

I've got to admit that she catches my attention quite frequently.

"Thanks, that should be all for today."

Her voice brings me back to reality. I turn my head away from the window and see that there is a huge box of art supplies on the shelf just above her head. That box is filled by too many things, if you ask me, and when she turns and try to reach something on the top row of the shelf, she accidentally shakes the box.

This can't be good.

Reine

Gwen asked me to retrieve her paintbrush case which she left in the art room. I quicken my pace to the art room, which is on the fourth floor, and the door is slightly opened. I slide it and then my eyes catch that scene.

Felicity is... locked in embrace with Neil.

He is the first one to notice my presence, and when our eyes meet, I take half a step back. "I'm sorry," I say immediately, before swallowing my own saliva. "I don't mean to... interrupt anything."

I turn around and run back. My heart is throbbing and my tears start flowing down.

Why does it hurt like someone kicked me... right at the centre of my chest?

Neil

"Hey! Be careful!"

She ducks below me and I put my arms above her head. Soon they are hit by... I don't know what.

After that bombardment is done, I lift up my head and see that face.

Reine.

She takes half a step back.

"I'm sorry," she says, "I don't mean to... interrupt anything."

She runs away.

For the most of my high school life, people misunderstand me and I have come to terms with that. But the thought of being misunderstood by Reine somehow bothers me. A lot.

I let the girl go and chase after Reine.

It is then I see her with Rod along the empty hallway, with her leaning against his shoulder and her back facing me. He strokes her hair slowly and whispers something I can't hear.

And I thought Rod likes Yuri all this time.

He lifts up his head and sees me. He then says something to Reine, who turns around and when our eyes met, she immediately turns around and walks away.

"I thought you like Yuri." I say as Rod walks to me.

"I didn't say otherwise." He replies, "But Reine is a good friend to me, and good friend consoles each other."

I'm about to chase after her when he holds me back. "What is this, Rod? Let me go."

"I don't want you to go into infirmary, yet." He replies, "If you come anywhere near her, she'll go berserk at you."

"You're joking..."

"I'm not." Rod assures me, "And so that you yourself don't get injected with jealousy fever as well, I'm already dating with Yuri."

Jealousy fever? Is there such thing?

Reine

Today's Saturday. I would usually walk together with Pochi and his master today, but seeing how things are now... I can't be so sure.

Nevertheless, I change my clothes and walk out from the house. Fresh air is always welcomed, no? Besides, Gwen has already gone out with her boyfriend so I have no one to play with.

Much to my surprise, as soon as I set my foot on the place where I usually meet up with Pochi and Neil, I can hear the familiar barking.

Pochi appears from the distance and I open my arms. When he gets nearer, I feel something is strange... something is off about Pochi.

Neil

Pochi seems to be lethargic these days and he doesn't eat a lot, but when Saturday comes, he suddenly bolts out from the house, opening the door by himself.

"Pochi!" I call frantically. I quickly change my shorts to jeans and grab my jacket.

If it's Saturday, he must be going to that place.

Darn it, Pochi.

True enough, when I reach there, he's already in Reine's arms. However, his breathing is ragged and suddenly he throws up on her.

"Pochi!" Both of us yell at the same time.

Not wasting any moment, we run to the nearest animal clinic. While waiting for the examination to be done, she sits next to me, and that's when I realise she's still wearing the clothes that is stained by Pochi's puke.

I walk to the lobby and ask for a plastic bag and the give it to her along with my jacket. "Put your clothes here and change into this."

She silently takes it and goes to the toilet. A few moments later, she comes out wearing my jacket which she zips up all the way to the top.

"Thanks, Neil."

"No prob."

The nurse lets us after a few minutes and we see the vet along with Pochi who is sleeping on the bed. "How is Pochi?" I ask immediately.

"Please take a seat first, and I will explain it to you."

Shit. I have a feeling this won't be good.

"Your dog is contracted by hemangiosarcoma,"

What the hell is that?

"It's a type of highly invasive cancer."

"What?!"

"And in Pochi's case, the cancer has spread throughout his body."

Okay, let me register it first: Pochi has cancer that has spread in his body.

Does that mean... he is dying?

Reine breaks into tears next to me and somehow I feel that those tears are mine, too.

Not giving any chance for Neil and Reine to examine their relationship, their cherished companion, Pochi, is dying.

Please rate and review! (I won't use happy face because I'm honestly sad for Pochi)