A/N - Last one!

For a change, we made it to the diner without side tracking to my apartment. She got her coffee with a blueberry pie, but I didn't dabble in sweets so I stuck with my cup. She took her coffee light and filled with sugar, I kept my black how it was. She licked at the too sweet whip cream on top before bothering with the rest of her pie, and I watched her with a small smile that refused to go away.

There were things you knew you should say away from. They came with warning labels, red signs, exclamations marks, with a twist of words that explained the reason so you wouldn't be left wondering, growing curious to find out for yourself.

Life was easy, it was us that made it hard.

I knew what I was supposed to do, saw the signs in front of me as she smiled each time she slipped that finger in her mouth, licking that too sweet whip cream as her eyes danced to mine. I saw those winding words, swirling in caution like the black coffee in my cup. Bitter taste allowing me a sample of how it would be to do the right thing, slow echoing warmth promising that the stinging would eventually seep away.

Yet I found myself talking to her until late in the night, and far too early in the morning.

And when I walked her enough to take comfort that she would make it safe back to her dorm, I couldn't turn down her offer of her number.

The way she saw it, it was a mark of us being friends.

The way I saw, it was a step closer to being too curious for my own good.

But I handed her my phone to type it in, and promised to text her when I got home, because she didn't want to worry.

I made good on my side, shot a vague text that wouldn't linger into a conversation when I finally hit my cold bed. And stared at my ceiling with her reply ringing through my head.

Good, I'm glad you're safe.

Of course she was worried about my safety, she seemed like the girl who had a habit of disregarding hers. But the voice in my head wouldn't let me forget.

You're going to be that one mistake.

Save her from the trouble, disappear while you can.

X

The moment I grabbed her number, I told myself I wouldn't use it. Few days went by with my phone away from arms grasp, not wanting to be tempted into doing something stupid like sending her a text. She messaged me here and there, starting with a short hi and leading to questions if I was working that day.

But I didn't answer. Couldn't force myself to.

The thing with Ino, that made her so dangerous, is that I forgot all resolve when she was around. While away, I could make sense of what to do, but when near everything would fade. Though I couldn't reason why it was that way, I did come to a conclusion.

I wanted desperately to walk with my eyes open.

And with her around, it was like I was traveling in the dark.

So I ignored most of her messages that came through, reasoned with myself that I was doing the right thing while I kept my routine. Getting up to run around the neighborhood, taking a shower when I got back. Rolling up two blunts just before work, one to smoke on my own before clocking in and one to pass to old Joe. Passing out drinks at the bar, smiling to the girls that seemed interested enough in talking to me. And watching, always watching, for the door to open with Ino puffing breath and scarf. Hoping, that just for tonight, she wouldn't.

But after a couple of days a text came in that I couldn't let sit there.

Did you mean it. That you wanted to be friends?

I stared at the message for awhile, sat down my phone as it weighed me like an anchor. Hardly able to take a few steps from it as I tugged at my beanie and stared at the glooming mountain just shy of sight in the dark of the late night, until I couldn't take it any more and replied back.

Yeah. I did.

In two short minutes I read her message as if she were right there sitting in my bed with me, hesitant eyes flicking to mine as she mumbled.

Then why are you ignoring me?

I looked away, staring at my wall after replying.

I just don't think we should be too close friends... But I read every message. I know you're there, I'm not pretending you aren't.

I guess I tipped her off with an idea, because hours later I didn't hear from her.

And even when I woke up from bed in the middle of the night randomly with her in mind, I saw she didn't plan on replying.

So a couple more days went by, two or three or maybe a full week. Things were blurring together, my routine seemed to run my days all into one. But this time around I found myself glancing at my phone, waiting on a message that I was sure would never come.

And each time I found it blank, because if it wasn't a text from her then I didn't bother.

One night though, as I was walking to my apartment from the bar, passing the diner we had coffee at, I broke. It seemed even as she was at a distance, if she made her presence strong enough, I still couldn't hold onto my resolve.

Pulling out my phone, I typed out the only thing that came to mind and hit send.

Ino...

Because she was the only thing that was on my mind.

But a reply never came. So I kept walking.

Laying in bed in the dark with my eyes tracing the ceiling, I let hours pass by. And as the too early morning came steadily around the corner, my phone began buzzing with a call.

I didn't bother looking who it was, it hadn't mattered and I was up anyway. Yet I wasn't surprised when I heard the voice on the other end. In the short time period I knew her, I was beginning to figure her out. And while I hadn't known before, I knew now that I was waiting to hear from her, knowing she would appear eventually.

"You know, I can normally wait months just to prove a solid point. But with you, it looks like I can only stand a couple of days." Was the first thing I heard from the other line in a matter of fact tone. But then Ino's voice asked in a soft whisper, hushed and quiet. "Are you done hiding in that shadow you think you live in? Avoiding me for no apparent reason?"

"I was just checking on you, making sure you were alright," I replied just as quiet, watching my ceiling as I spoke.

"The thing about shadows is you don't know anyone is there unless you speak within the dark occasionally," she said quietly, "And if you don't hear a voice back, you start thinking you're alone."

"But you weren't alone," I mumbled in response, shutting my eyes to visit the shadows I knew were all around me, "And I'm not either. Just because I don't hear anyone call back doesn't mean they aren't there. Maybe the echo has to travel, and maybe the reply has to travel back. I'd hear from someone eventually."

"Mm, and if you never do?" She hummed in challenge.

"Then I'd know one of us made it out... And that maybe I'm alone after all."

"Tayuya," she whispered, causing my fingers to slowly curl into my sheets, "Open your eyes. There are no shadows." But I continued to be silent, continued to have my eyes shut. After a moment, she went on, "And for a change, let's try something different, let's pretend we actually are friends. Because I didn't offer just for you to accept out of pity. Despite what you think, I actually enjoy the few times we were together. And no, it wasn't just the sex."

Shadows still all around me, I muttered, "Ino."

"Yes, that is my name. A name of a friend. And friends text friends back, no matter how many times I annoyingly spam you," she replied, causing me to smile.

Sighing, I opened my eyes, "If I tell you this isn't a good idea..."

"I'll take offense, because it would be like you telling me you don't want to be friends. Leading to the point that you were lying from the start," she answered.

"I haven't lied to you," I state, having an urge for her to understand that.

"And I haven't lied to you," she replied in a soft voice, "Now that I can wipe the doubt of us lying, answer me truthfully Tayuya. Do you want to be friends?"

Struggling to pick my words with care, I answered, "I have learned, a long time ago, to live without what I want."

Her laugh was soft as she slipped out a dancing sigh, "Good enough. That's all I need to know." Her pause was almost long enough to ask her what she meant, but I didn't get a chance to as she continued, "So, now that you've fucked up and are now stuck with me, let's get one thing straight. If you don't reply to my text within the day, I'm showing up to your apartment to ensure you are, in fact, alive; and that I am, in fact, not alone."

A smile pulled my lips as I mumbled, "Used to getting what you want, huh?"

I could imagine her sexy little pout as she echoed the words I've heard before quietly, "I may be a bit spoiled."

Sighing, I said honestly, "You are making a mistake."

"Mm Tayuya, keep telling me that," she hummed, voice laced with the need of sleep, "Because I love to prove people wrong."

Shaking my head, I let her have her moment, seeing no point in arguing further. I couldn't effectively push her away.

This time around, it was my fault for reaching out while I was traveling in the dark.

There we go. Wat do ya think?

Yay or Nah?

Damn Shy you killed it or nah?

Ayyyyy Shy you slayin! Or NAW?

Read review, tell me what you think. It was the set up pretty much, but next bundle I'll have some nice things for you.

New Story Addition included in bundle SET. God, I'm slayin, like for reals.

LOVE YOU GUYS.

Shy is off to post her last story bundle! Brbs. Outs.