Reine

The doctors said he would be alright. He lost a lot of blood, but the wound wasn't fatal. When I go into his room, he's still unconscious.

I can't really remember what happened. I took my phone (they left it behind) and called ambulance. Then, on the way, I called Rod. That's all I can recall. Rod had left to I-don't-know-where, so now I'm all alone.

I look at my wrists: both are now bandaged because of my efforts to break the cuffs. I wonder what should I tell Gwen if she asked… training injury? Oh, so convincing (today there's no training and she knows it).

"Reine!"

I turn my head and see Rod running towards me. He then gives me a pair of wristbands: both are pink.

"What is this for?"

Rod puts his hand over my bandage and tries to smile like he usually would, although it comes out like… I don't know, it's just not the same.

"Thanks." I tell him, forcing myself to smile. I open the package and wear the bands around my wrists.

"Let me walk you back." Rod offers, "I'll tell your sister that you had extra practice for the competition."

Oh, yes. Inter-school Karate Championship would be my first major event after the winter break and the new academic year starts. It's also the last major event for the senior batch since they will be in third year and step down soon. As much as I want to stay until he opens his eyes, I know I should go back soon before Gwen grows suspicious.

I nod and we start walking back.

"I'm sorry…" I manage to say in the midst of our silence, trying not to cry.

"Sorry for what?"

"Troubling you," I tightened my grip around my bag. "But, I guess… the one I should apologise to is him… if only I had been stronger…"

"You were up against six guys." Rod says. "If you could handle them on your own… well, that's amazing, but there nothing wrong if you couldn't."

"But that caused him to be hospitalised…"

We arrive at the road where my house is. Just like with Neil the last time, I told Rod dropping me here would be okay.

I don't want Dad to get the wrong idea.

"Don't put all the blame on you, Reine," is the words he tells me before we part ways.

If the blame is not with me… my weakness, where should the blame be?

Neil

"Sooo… you can go back to school tomorrow?" Rod asks in a cheerful tone.

"Yeah, that's what they said."

"Good!"

The door is open. A quick glance and I can tell who.

"Neil…" she mutters.

I won't forget what they did to her. I won't forget how she's cuffed to that pillar. I won't forget that she was about to be screwed by that damned guy. I won't forget the fear in her eyes. I won't forget her tears.

No. I won't let her to be dragged along into the world I was dragged in.

"Go away." I tell her sternly without looking into her eyes; lest my resolve wavers once those green eyes find their way to mine.

I can hear her sobbing and the door being closed a few moments later.

"It took her five days to gather her courage and come here." Rod says.

"So?"

"I'm just telling you that she is facing her fight head on."

"That's all the more reason I can't let her stay."

"You're afraid you can't protect her, right?"

I don't feel like answering him. He didn't see her that moment, he won't understand. No, he didn't even know the full extent of what they might do to her next time if she stays with me.

"Have someone ever told you you're a coward?"

I clench my fist.

That hits too close to home.

Her words echo in my head.

Face it, fight on. That's how you should survive.

I'm facing it: letting her to slip away.

I'm fighting the loneliness that would come after I get used to seeing her pinkness.

So can she still say I'm a coward now?

Reine

He hates me.

And it matters, because during the five days I'm trying to build my courage to face him, I realise he means a lot to me.

He likes Felicity is one thing, hating me is another.

But isn't it just sensible? I caused him to be hospitalised.

But, the thought of him hating me…

God…

My phone vibrates: it's Rod.

"Yo, Reine!"

"Hey, Rod…" Suddenly, my throat chokes. "He hates me."

"Huh?"

"You were there, too. You heard him."

"Reine…"

"I made him go to the hospital. It's just logical he hates me now…"

"You get it wrong, girl," he says. "Neil is the last guy to think that way."

Eh?

Reine

I've made up my mind.

Even if he likes Felicity and rejects me, at least he knows the truth.

Rod told me he's in school today. On the first break, I immediately walk up the stairs to his level. If I remember correctly, his class is the third from this stairs.

True enough, I see him walking out from his class with Rod.

He freezes on his place when our eyes met. His eyes sharpen and he frowns. "Didn't I tell you to stay away?" he asks.

I take a deep breath. Okay, I have to get this out.

I stare into his violet eyes. "You can't tell me to go away from the person that I like."

"What are you saying?" he asks.

I clench my fist as I raise my voice, "I. Like. You." I tell him slowly so that each word will sink into his ear, and maybe… just maybe, find a way into his heart.

His eyes widened.

That's it. You did it, Reine.

You told him. He got it.

Nice one.

Now, the rejection.

"Which part of my words you didn't get?"

I stare deeply into his violet eyes. There is fury, but there's something else I can't really make out what. He says the words painfully slow.

"Go. Away."

No matter how much I have prepared myself for his rejection, it still hurts.

I turn back before he can see the tears in my eyes.

Reine has bravely faced Neil's rejection of her, but what do you think she will do next? (no, really, I really need your opinion)

Thanks for reading! Rate and review (and answer for that question) is very much welcomed! ^^