A/N: I would like to thank Enigmatic-Elysium and EcoSeeker247 for their lovely reviews. I hope my story continues to please you! And I drew some pictures for this story. You can get the link on my profile page. Click on each of the pictures to see my captions for them. Not sure if that works on mobile, but oh well. Haha. I hope to slowly get better at drawing and writing because that is what learning is all about.

Enjoy this chapter! And welcome all new readers!

Weeks flew by and before we knew it, our first year in college had come to an end.

It was move-out day, and I was in Miles' room, helping him pack for the trip home.

"Y'know," Miles sighed, turning to look at me from his place on the bed. "I don't remember asking you to help me pack."

"You didn't." I laughed, folding a t-shirt and placing it in his suitcase. "But I know you procrastinate stuff like this, and traffic will not ease up because you were too lazy to get up and pack."

"Mmfph." He rolled over and buried his face into the comforter. "Thanks. I'm happy that's taken care of."

"But pancakes and I make you happier right?" I cooed, cackling as Miles shot up and threw his pillow at me.

"IT WAS A JOKE!"

"Then why is your face as red as a tomato?"

"Get out."

He tried to look angry, but his bedhead and Mickey Mouse boxers completely ruined the macho image.

I chuckled to myself as I snapped the suitcase shut and placed it next to his backpack.

"I can't leave just yet; I still need to get you up and dressed. The traffic is terrible, and you need to get on the road soon."

I grabbed his arms and pulled him up, which was quite a feat since he did nothing but be dead weight.

It was a shame Miles' roommate already left since I could've used the extra pair of muscles.

"Dammit, Miles!" I admonished, trying to keep him on his feet as he slouched over my smaller frame. "I'm trying to make your life easier, so work with me!"

"What are you, my mother?" Miles wiggled out of my grip and dived back onto the bed. "Anyways, shouldn't you be packing? You're the one who lives in another country, not me."

"I already packed last night, and I told you to do the same but you insisted on playing Super Mario 64 for the entire night while chugging vanilla coke!"

I put my hands on my hips and stared down at the lump I call my best friend, wondering if I should just let him rot here.

The bed creaked as Miles turned over and gazed up at me, that half asleep glaze in his eyes.

"If you're done, then lay here, "He scooted over and patted the space next to him. "Relax, short stack."

"Sorry, but I promised Professor Roskin that I would take inventory of the music room before I leave."

His eyes snapped open, and he sat up so quickly that I was afraid he gave himself whiplash.

"Roskin? Isn't that the dick who picks on you?"

"Yeah. What about him?"

"Why the hell are you doing favors for him? It's his job. Besides, you always complain about how shitty he is."

"I know, but he is my professor, and I am the one who uses that room the most. And I feel like I owe him. It was his letter of recommendation to the Dean that got me accepted into the Honor's program."

Miles shot to his feet, making me stumble back in surprise.

"He is using you as his pack mule. Just because he wrote a letter of recommendation doesn't mean he is the sole reason you got in. No, you worked your ass off, and the Dean would've accepted you regardless of Professor Dickface's input." He crossed his arms and glared at me. "Haven't I told you to cut the weak little girl crap already?"

It was the last part that ticked me off.

"Look, Upshur," I snapped, sticking my finger in his face. "I appreciate the concern, but I can take care of myself. Regardless of how Roskin treats me, he is my professor, and I was raised to respect my elders whether they like me or not. Professor Roskin may be a scumbag, but he is one of the best music professors at this school, and I want to thank him for what he's taught me. I can't always be like Miles 'Fuck-them-all' Upshur. No, sometimes you have to zip your stupid mouth and let it roll off of you!"

Then there was silence.

It was like the students in the hallway could sense the tension and ceased all chatter.

We scowled at each other, never breaking eye contact or moving a muscle.

Then Miles finally spoke up in a lower whisper.

"Well excuse me for caring."

He stomped into the adjacent bathroom and slammed the door behind him, rattling the window frames.

I stared at the floor, guilt slowly eating away at the anger in my heart.

I know he was just looking out for me, that's all.

"But it's not like I asked you to." I mumbled, settling on Miles' bed and wringing my hands until they were white.

I understood his concern and realized he was just angry, but he didn't have to call me a 'weak little girl'.

I've spent the entire year gaining my independence and learning to overcome my shyness, but my best friend, and the person I admire for his confidence, mistakes my politeness for weakness.

Despite how much I learned to express myself more, I cannot forget eighteen years of being told to respect everyone, good attitude or not.

I laid down and heaved a deep sigh.

In spite of how annoyed he made me, I shouldn't have yelled at him.

No, I should have been the mature one and explained me reasons calmly.

Miles truly is a warm, caring person, but his rough exterior makes his concern sound condescending.

He tries to act cool and aloof, yet he is awkward with expressing his feelings too.

I smiled despite myself at the thought.

"We're not so different when you get down to it, I guess."

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a handmade bear keychain with a microphone in its hand.

Miles' nineteenth birthday is next week, and since I won't be here to celebrate with him, I wanted to give this to him before leaving.

Well, I was going to, but I don't know if I should even bother now.

I stared at the bathroom door for a while before sitting up.

No, we weren't going to see each other again for three months. I don't want this to be our last memory.

Taking a deep breath, I waltzed over to the door and stood there with my fist hovering in front of the chipping, white paint.

However, before I could knock, the door whipped open and there stood Miles, noticeably calmer.

"I'm sorry, (Miles/Young-ja)." We said in unison, surprised with the other's apology.

"It's my fault." He started, ruffling his hair with one hand. "I was out of line."

"No, Miles. It's m-."

"Didn't I just say it was my fault?" He groaned, rubbing his face before placing his hands on my shoulders with a serious expression. "You are not weak, just the opposite in fact. But you are just so damn nice to everyone that I worry about someone taking advantage of you. I know you are doing this because you want, and if the asshole asked you to do something stupid, you would shut him down. But I know the prick doesn't respect you, and that's why I got pissed off. You are so fucking amazing, and you deserve better."

I was stunned, mouth agape and eyes wide open.

Miles immediately turned away, hands covering his reddening face.

"Look what you've done to me," He mumbled, "You're turning me into a fucking sap."

My heart felt like it was about to burst.

Wow, when Miles wanted to be sweet, he really went all out.

Overcome with euphoria, I rushed forward and embraced him, receiving a gasp in return.

"W-what the hell?!" He lifted his arms up, expression a mixture of shock and embarrassment.

"Thank you, Miles." I gazed up at him, tears prickling at my eyes. "That means a lot to me."

He sighed and awkwardly returned the hug, cheeks still pink.

"I just speak the truth, short stack. No need to get emotional on me."

I laughed and backed away, my chest now feeling lighter.

"Well, I realize this is early, but here," I placed the keychain in his hand. "Happy 19th birthday, Miles."

He inspected the bear, turning it this away and that.

"Did you make this yourself?"

"Yes, do you like it?"

"Looks like someone tried to fuck-start its head with a cheese grater."

"Oh, shut up! So what if I'm not that great at sewing. It's the thought that counts!"

He chuckled and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me in for a hug.

"Thanks, short stack. I'll treasure it."

"You better. It's actually a good luck charm, and you're going to need it."

"Why's that?"

"Because you should've been on the road thirty minutes ago."

"…..Shit."

A/N: I had to add that line from the game. When I first read that note, I had to walk away because I was laughing so hard. I LOVE Miles' notes.