Chapter Seventeen

-Gumi-

"Look, Piko… I have to tell you something," Miku smiles, twirling her hair with the tip of her finger. My eyes widen in shock. She's not going to… she can't! She wouldn't do that to her best friend! No way!

"Yeah?" Piko asks, leaning in so that their faces are closer. I narrow my eyes. Piko! Why?! Why are you so dense? Why can't you realize that I want to be with you more than she does?! I scream in my head.

"You've been… really supportive lately, and I just really want to thank you so much. I'm sure that Gumi feels the same way," she smiles. You have no idea, traitor.

"You really mean it?" Piko asks. "You're not just saying that, are you?" he asks, only for Miku's eyes to widen.

"No, I'm being completely serious," she says, smiling like an idiot. "Piko, you're just so… understanding," she mumbles, blushing. Not to me. He won't even go as far as listen to me. I can't believe Miku is hanging out with this baka. This beautiful… perfect baka.

Alright. Maybe I should explain this a little bit. Remember when I dropped in our room and told Miku I was going to be at the mall later? Well, here I am. I knew something was up when I saw Miku and Piko together in our room, but I didn't dare question it in front of him. And here they are, sitting literally right in front of me as Miku steals him away from me, speaking each flirty word one by one.

There's no way that they know who I am. I just went past every store in this mall and came out with something new to change into so I could look as hidden as possible as soon as I saw Miku and Piko together. Right now, I'm in a baggy black sweater (You've probably figured out that I like sweaters by now, haven't you?), a pair of extremely unflattering pink sweatpants (I never wear sweatpants. Ever.) and a pair of jogging shoes (which would only ever be seen on Rin). Around my neck is a purple scarf (I hate purple), and my green hair is swept up into a grey knit hat (which is unfortunately quite cute), and I dark pair of shades to hide my face (Using Piko's money, of course). So I don't attract any attention, in front of me sits a chocolate croissant. I can't push myself to eat it though… Miku and Piko are too distracting… However, I don't mind one bit- as long as I can hear their every word.

"Miku," Piko says shyly, "Look, about earlier, when I um, asked you out?" he asks, looking up into her eyes through his silky white bangs. He asked her out. I was right- they were doing something… What did she say back to him? I hold my breath, only allowing a sharp gasp to escape my lips as I squint, wanting to know every last word.

"Yeah…" Miku trails off quietly.

"Did you really mean it when you said yes?" he asks.

"I… Piko, it's just…" she starts, unable to finish her sentence. His face falls as she timidly presses her fingers together. It's just what? She's going to talk about me, isn't she?

"Is it… that we'll only be seeing each other for ten days?" he asks, trying to finish for her. She hesitates and nods her head.

"Y-Yeah, that's it," she replies, dropping her hands. Does Piko even realize that I like him?

"Oh," he whispers, his expression falling, "I don't know what to say." You might not, but I sure do.

"P-Piko, I think we should be going home," Miku says, "Gumi will be there all alone." Oh, gosh. I'd better leave now.

"Didn't she say that she'd be at the mall?" Piko asks. Thank you Piko, you just practically saved my life. "We can stay for a couple more minutes," he says. "Unless… you want to leave," he adds, a concerned look falling over his face.

"Actually… yeah," Miku says, startling Piko. "Look, I'm really tired," she says.

"Oh, right," Piko mumbles, standing up. I stand up discreetly as well, pulling my knit hat farther down as I push the stray curls of green hair back in. I duck over behind a nearby trash can, hoping they won't see me before I get home. Unfortunately, Piko and Miku both walk over to my hiding place and throw their empty pastry bag inside. Gross.

"Thanks for taking me out, Piko," Miku says as I watch from behind.

"It's okay. You don't need to thank me. I-I should be thanking you," he says, a blush forming on his face as he clumsily rubs the back of his neck.

"M-Me?" Miku asks, placing a hand over her chest. "What did I do?"

"You told me how you really felt," he says. Suddenly, Miku's expression runs cold, almost as if fear has fallen over her. What is she thinking? Did she hurt my Piko? Why does she look so… guilty all of a sudden?

"I… did?" she asks, chuckling nervously.

"You… didn't?" he asks her, turning his head to look at her. "I-I thought…"

"Oh gosh… Piko," she says, her tone suddenly serious, "I can't do this anymore!" Piko widens his eyes. "Look, this whole time… I just feel like I've been using you," she cries as they stop walking and turn to face each other in the sea of people. I stop walking as well as I lean against the mall directory by the exit, trying my hardest to blend in. I watch in horror as Piko suddenly slips his hands into hers.

"You haven't been using me…" he starts, staring intently into her eyes.

"No, Piko… I've been taking money from you, and I haven't even thought of doing anything in return. I feel terrible," she says, clutching onto his shoulder. That should be me…

"Don't feel terrible. You don't need to do anything for me. Just having you here with me is enough," he smiles, taking her tiny hand into his own and placing it to his chest. Gah! Why can't he be sappy like that with me?

Suddenly, Miku looks this way. I quickly look down and whip out my white iPhone, turning around in hope that she didn't see me. I listen to their conversation. All I hear is more sappy, sentimental romance stuff that only makes me clench my firsts even tighter. That was so, so, soooooo close.

Not wanting to get caught, I quickly stuff my cell phone into one of my many shopping bags. The sound of my footsteps is drowned out by the noise of the late-night crowd as I push myself through, emerging into darkness as I step out into the fresh air. I pause to catch my breath.

I can't believe she would go out with Piko like this… Did she even take one pathetic second to consider my feelings? What about her beloved Kaito… Why didn't she give him a chance? Suddenly, my eyes widen as a sly grin curls onto my lips. I can't help but let out a twisted giggle as I think about the idea…

What better gift for a sweet, sweet sixteen is there than a little taste of sweet, sweet revenge?

As soon as I pull up at my house, I rush as fast as I can, hoping that Miku and Piko won't return home until I get home. Piko had given me another set of house keys so I could let myself in and out whenever I needed to. How nice of him. Suddenly, another thought comes across my mind- I'm hurting him. By hurting the one he loves, you're hurting him…

Gah~, there's no time to weaken up now!

I quickly throw off my clothes and switch into a more silly and casual outfit- without sweatpants, of course. Now, I am wearing ripped jean shorts, with the pockets hanging out from below the bottom hem. Over that is an off-white tank with a black design of the Eiffel tower on it. On my wrists, I wear a collection of gold bangle bracelets, and climbing up my calves is a tall pair of multicolor green argyle socks to match my nails and hair.

I throw on my leather boots and dash straight to the door to get to the other house. As soon as my fingers touch the metal doorknob, it swings open, shocking me into clumsily falling on my butt. Standing above me are Miku and Piko, who look rather surprised to see me.

"Where were you?" Miku asks with a smile, "We were just at the mall and we didn't see you! Weren't you supposed to be there?" she asks.

"Right. I was. I-I'm not really sure why you didn't see me though," I lie, "but I bought these new clothes," I say, adjusting the buckle on my right boot.

"I thought you didn't have any money," Piko points out, narrowing his eyes.

"I'll explain later," I rush, "See you!" I call, running out of the door as fast as I can. I run over the yards of grass until I reach Kaito's house, the stars above twinkling, sending me messages I cannot understand. I push the doorbell and wait, rocking on my heels in front of the door.

"Hello?" a masculine voice asks, opening the door.

"Kaito!" I say, glad to see it's him. He tilts his head.

"What's up?" he asks, "Did Miku send you here?"

"Well, actually, that's what I came to talk to you about," I respond, pressing my fingers together and avoiding his eyes. He tilts head in confusion. "Let me just put it like this, Shion. Could you help me with a little… problem I'm having?"

Uh-oh, Gumi... What are you going to do? Hehe, just kidding. Pfft... I already know, but sorry! No spoilers this time! ;)

Luka's up next (+ An introduction to a special someone... *wink wink*)

*Gasp*! I almost forgot about Quote Time: "What better gift for a sweet, sweet sixteen is there than a little taste of sweet, sweet revenge?" - Gumi
Yeah, whatever. It's a given, I'm aware. I just really liked this one, and I found Gumi to show a side of her... a really creepy one for that matter... that's never been seen before. So... yeah! Sit tight! I'll try and update by tomorrow!