Disclaimer: Do I even have to say it?

.... a moment of silence... *drops down to knees and begs for forgiveness* I know! I'm sorry! I said confrontation next chap and then this is what I do! It's just that... I really REALLY hate confrontations... and I'm unconsciously trying to postpone them. *grins dumbly*

~~~~CHAPTER 12: YOU KNOW IT'S YOUR FAULT~AYUMI'S POV~~~~

Not wanting to be in anyone's company, I walked to school alone. I didn't even want to go, but my mother prodded me out of bed, saying that I shouldn't skip school, that one day was enough for me to get over it. She didn't know, I didn't tell her. But I guess somehow she felt it. That the reason for my depression was...

Walking alone calmed me down a little. More than sulking in my room. I thought about it and I realized that maybe, just maybe, Conan-kun didn't know what to do. That's why he didn't follow me. And that the rumor didn't have any truth in it.

I decided to pretend that everything was all right.

I walked through the door of my classroom, put on a smile and was about give a cheery "Ohayou! (Good morning)' when I heard something that stopped me cold.

"That was brave of Edogawa-kun! Kissing Haibara-san in front of everybody."

"I guess that just shows how much he likes her."

I dropped the smile I was wearing, freezing by the doorway. Mitsuhiko-kun noticed me arrive and walked over. "Ohayou, Ayumi-chan."

I wanted to believe in Conan-kun. I really wanted to believe in him. But I had to make sure, so I asked Mitsuhiko-kun. I tried acting normal, without my smile. "Mitsuhiko-kun... Did Conan-kun... To Ai-chan..." I started out hesitantly, then said it all in one big breath. "Did Conan-kun really kiss Ai-chan?"

I looked at his face. He had on a pained expression. It told me the one thing I didn't want to know. Tears formed, but I blinked them away. I told myself again that maybe, just maybe, everything was just one big mistake. That maybe Conan-kun didn't want to kiss her, that he was forced to do so. I put my bag in my usual seat, and started asking around.

~~~~CONAN'S POV~~~~

We ran the rest of the way to school. Though I was panting by the time we arrived, still, a smile was plastered on my face.

I'm going out with Ai this Friday! Ai held my hand! I hugged Ai! These thoughts went through my mind in no particular order, over and over again. I knew I was being childish, but I couldn't help it. I was giddy with delight.

The grin I was wearing could have easily split my face, but it quickly disappeared when we entered the classroom. Mitsuhiko was glaring at me, his eyes burning. "You're such a jerk, Conan-kun," he hissed at me.

I know he's mad at me for kissing Haibara, but that's really no reason to call me a jerk... Is it?

That's when I these words reached me. "Ne... For someone who's supposed to have confessed to Conan-kun, she's acting pretty normal... Don't you think?" It was said in whispers, but my sensitive ears heard them. I knew immediately who they were talking about. My eyes quickly scanned the classroom, looking for her.

She was where she normally sat, talking to her seatmates as she usually did. I found it weird, thinking that she should have been more depressed, considering the way Mitsuhiko treated me. I'd understand why he'd call me a jerk... If Ayumi-chan was crying or sulking... But she's not... So why...?

'You know it's your fault.' I recognized that voice. It was the one that nagged me back in Chapter 6. (haha. I know Conan wouldn't say that but... ^_^)

Not entirely... And... He doesn't have to make such a big deal about it. She was the one who started it, blurting out her confession right in the middle of the street, I retorted.

'But you did nothing. You just stared at her as she ran away, looking like the dumb guy you really are.'

That doesn't make any sense. I never asked her to like me in the first place.

'Even if you didn't, she still liked you. You were aware of it, but feigned ignorance.'

Well, duh! If I told her straight out 'I know you like me' that would make me seem like some arrogant brat!

'And... you aren't?'

"Just shut up, will you!?" I shouted. Everyone turned to look at me. Even my seatmate, who didn't pay attention to anybody, was giving me this look that said, 'I'm starting to regret agreeing to go out with you.'

Oh God, I actually said it out loud.

"Conan-kun, that's a very impolite thing to say," said Kobayashi-sensei as she entered the room. "And very unnerving, considering you weren't talking to anyone."

I put on my most apologetic look and bowed my head. "Gomenasai. (Sorry)"

"As long as you understand." Sensei smiled and turned to the rest. "Listen class, words like 'shut up' are considered impolite and would be an insult to the person you are talking to. They carry a message saying 'I don't want to listen to you' and most people would interpret this thinking that you are ill-bred. Understand?"

"Hai," the class replied. Kobayashi-sensei, looking satisfied, started to take attendance. Haibara gazed at me, seeming to ask, 'Who were you just talking to?'

"Aliens were trying to communicate with me and they were getting annoying," I whispered sarcastically.

She raised her eyebrow. 'You really expect me to buy that?'

"I was just... Having an argument with myself," I admitted reluctantly.

"Edogawa Conan!" the teacher called out.

I responded immediately, not wanting to be scolded for the second time that day. "Present!" When I turned back to my seatmate, she was looking away. And that was the end of that.

~~~~LUNCH BREAK TEITAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL~~~~

Nobody was blaming me for anything, if you didn't count Mitsuhiko. So I was kinda confused why I was feeling guiltier by the second.

You can't keep that person hanging forever.

Ran's words echoed through my mind, turning my guilt into determination. I can't keep her hanging forever.

The dodgeball guys were keeping Mitsuhiko busy, so I seized the opportunity to walk towards Ayumi (hey, that rhymes!). I couldn't tell if she was ignoring me. She wasn't wearing her headband and her hair was covering most of her face.

"Ne, Ayumi-chan..." I said, in the gentlest voice I could manage. I was gonna reject her, sure, but I didn't want any waterworks because of it.

She was ignoring me and I didn't know what to say next so I just kept standing there, hoping she'd notice me. I waited for what seemed like years, but was probably just a few seconds. I tried to take her hand and she finally looked up at me, smiling. "Ne, Conan-kun..." she whispered.

I smiled gently and said, "Nan (what is it), Ayumi-chan?"

"There's... something I want to ask you..." she said, clearly this time.

I chuckled, trying to calm my nerves. "What a coincidence. 'Cause there's something I want to tell you. It's not something I want others to hear... So would you come with me?"

Her smile wavered, and in her eyes was a faint fear, fear of rejection. I wanted to assure her, to rid those eyes of that fear, but I couldn't. The only way was to tell her I wasn't going to reject her, which was exactly what I was gonna do.

I squeezed her hand, not knowing if I was trying to give or get support. "Let's go," I said with my most reassuring smile.

Rejection hurts. I was thinking of Ran's words as I brought Ayumi to the rooftop.

~~~~CHAPTER 12: YOU KNOW IT'S YOUR FAULT end~~~~

Hope you liked this chap! The nagging voice makes his comeback! haha ^_^

Review please! (you guys are probably sick of hearing this but if i say don't review.... and you actually dont... that'll make me depressed...)