What happened..? I was in my room, on the floor. The lights were off and it was dark outside. When did I get here? I don't remember being on the floor. I dragged myself up. I placed a hand on my forehead, trying to think of anything of what might have happened. My mind was blank. Maybe, somebody around the house will give me some kind of clue. I placed my hand on the door, trying to turn the nob but to no success. Huh? I did it again, but it refused to open. It was locked. No... I backed away. Did Mother lock me in? Why did she do that? I have to remember something. I pounded at my head, trying to think of something. Why am I here? I was walking home...Cause of the fire...Fire! I didn't cause it. I swear I didn't. Mother must know...She thinks I did it. Everyone does. Is that why she locked me in? I have to get out.

I banged on my door to no prevail. "Mother!" I yelled, hoping she would unlock my prison. I heard no one. My hopes sank... I didn't do anything to deserve this... I fell to my knees, my head resting against the wooden door frame. I sighed, fighting back tears. I wondered what happened... Did I try to explain myself? Even if I did, she wouldn't have listened. How long have I been here too? It was dark, the street lights were on. The snow was falling outside lightly. I felt footsteps, I quickly got out of the way. The door clicked open, Seika peeking through. Her devil grins wider than ever.

"Look who woke up from the dead sadly." Oh, she doesn't know how bad I wish I could wake up from the death like dream. She slipped in, closing the door loudly. "What's with that face?" I glanced at the mirror, I looked like I was seeing a monster and I was.

"Why...Am I locked in here?" I asked quietly, not wanting to anger her. I didn't want another fight...My tongue ran across my lips in remembrance.

She laughed loudly, having to breathe before she could speak. "Are you serious? Are you stupid?" She bent down to my level, looking straight into my eyes. "How about I remind you?" And with that, she punched me straight in the face. My face slammed against the ground. Everything was dizzy. "I think she went like this too?" She then kicked my stomach. My cheeks puffed up, trying to hold in liquid. "Also this!" She put her foot on my head, pushing down. I wanted to scream for help as clear liquid spilled from my mouth. What was this stuff? She finally removed her shoe, giggling to herself.

"Stop..." I pleaded.

She snorted, "You're boring anyway," She leaned against the wall. "I've never seen Mother so mad before. You really messed up this time, didn't you? I haven't found out yet, but I will soon. Surely, I'll hear all about it tomorrow at school." I couldn't look at her, I was holding my head, trying not to snap. "It was quite the show though. As soon as you walked into the house, she punched you." Seika placed a finger on her lip, looking up like she couldn't remember what fully happened. I knew she was just putting on a show. I wasn't dumb. She loved seeing me on the ground, completely pathetic. "I think that punch knocked you out actually, not surprised now since you can't remember anything."

"Can I please leave..." I asked, knowing my answer.

She giggled, "Mother says you are staying in here until the school calls and says you can go back." Seika opened the door, slipping out. "I love this!" She said, disappearing. I dragged myself off the ground, wiping my mouth. I got a towel to wipe up my clear vomit. At least, now I know that I can black out. Thank god, I can't feel any pain or I would be sobbing for relief. I can't stay here...What if Mother decides to stop by. I can't see her...I refuse to look at the anger in her eyes. But... I'm locked in. I can't leave.

"Hara?" I heard my father from the other side. I rushed to the door, my ear pressed against it.

"Father!"

I heard him sigh, "Oh Hara, I'm so sorry."

"Father..."

"I heard all about it but I know you wouldn't do something like that. Mother won't believe me. She protects her pride more than her own daughter...My daughter...I'm sorry." He said in a low voice.

I frowned, "Let me out." He would let me free. Father was different from them. He was the only one who believed in me. He loved me when no one would. He was a coward, yes, but he loved me either way. I knew he would let me out. He is different. He knew I didn't cause the fire. He knew I was innocent. "Please..."

"I can't." My world froze.

"Mother says you need to think about some things. I can't disobey her. Not when she is this mad. Oh, Hara... I'm so sorry." My eyes lowered...Somehow, I knew. This was my fate... I couldn't answer him. "Hara?" Words were lost. I walked away from the door. I slid onto my bed, burying my face into my pillow. All I wanted to do was cry but I couldn't. Is this going to be forever? Even if I fade sometimes. I feel like I am to remain on this earth forever and suffer. Only... If I could change it... I felt a breeze coming from the window.

No, I couldn't. But, what if? I went to my window, seeing it was unlocked. I could sneak out. Flashes of that night entered my mind. I quickly got rid of them, the memories made me want to vomit. I opened my window wider, seeing the cold dark night before me. The snow almost stopped. I was frozen, not knowing what to do. I couldn't stay here. I can't be locked up again. It was terrifying. I was trapped in my own body, I refused to be trapped in reality as well. One of my feet went out the window. The wind on my face. Am I really going to do this? I glanced at the door. What if Mother came in? No, I shouldn't be treated like this.

I escaped.

I was sitting on the swings at the park, shaking my head, watching the snow fall. Why did I do this? Mother would surely find me gone. I was in trouble, but now I'm surely dead. This was a terrible idea. I couldn't go home. What was I to do? I can't sit here all night... I could, I wouldn't freeze to death. I glanced up, the snow was falling harder. Since I felt no heat or cold, the snow refused to melt on my skin. This was stupid... I don't know what to do. Where was I to go?

"Hey." I froze, not wanting to turn around. What if it was a stranger. I felt a hand land on my head, making me look up. Tomo was standing there, a sucker in his mouth. "You shouldn't be out this late." He sat on the swing next to me. He shifted his sucker so he could speak better.

I scoffed, "What about you?"

He watched me, pretending to be unamused. "I am a man, I can take care of myself. You are a woman and things can happen." I could care less. I was already dead, what else could happen? I was accused of burning the school, Mother wanted nothing to do with me since I was born, Father can't help me and Seika was the queen of torture.

"I'll be fine," I choked. "I'm used to being alone." This was true. Tamaki...Oten...They were my friends, but I could never let them that close. I couldn't believe I almost told her about my situation. It would have ended horribly. Everything does. She wouldn't have understood. No one could. My eyes wandered over to Tomo, who was looking into the distance, snow landing on his lashes. His hair shined from the park light, making him look like some kind of snow demon.

He removed his orange lollipop with a smack, offering it to me. "Here."

"No thank you." That was in his mouth. That would be a...Indirect kiss.

He rolled his eyes, putting it back into his mouth, "Fine." He got up, shaking the snow from his hair. He stood there for several seconds, before looking over his shoulder at me. "Come on, let's go."

I remained seated, I was confused and wanted to go nowhere with him. "Huh?"

"We are leaving?" He repeated like I was dumb. I got up with a snort. I was far from stupid. I had the best grades in my class, even though I was forced to have them. He smirked, "That got you up." He knew exactly what he was doing. It made me even more upset. I wanted to scold him. Let him know different. However, I wasn't about to give him the time of day. He began walking away. I remained in place until he reached the gate. He stopped, leaning against the brick wall that went around the park.

I instinctively looked at my feet, "No...Don't follow." I breathed. I need to remain distant. No more... I shouldn't let anyone else get close. Two was enough. Even that was too much. I shouldn't be friends with anyone. I was dead. I was no longer living. It was selfish of me to even allow them into my life. If I was to disappear... They would surely grieve. Would they? Am I worth anyone's tears? No...Surely not. I heard foot steps stop in front of me.

"Come on, Nerd." He grabbed my hand without warning. He dragged me out of the park, his grip like iron. I tried to wiggle free but to no avail. We walked through public, people rushing from place to place even this late in the night. Lights flashed over us from bars, hang outs and eating places. He rushed at amazing speed, not letting go once. It made me uncomfortable. I wanted him to let me go. We ended up far away from the lights, into the dark neighborhood that didn't look too friendly, the darkness made it even more threatening. We stopped at a worn out blue door, it looked like it could fall off at any minute.

"Where are we?" I finally managed to get him to let go. He opened the door, going in first. I peeked in, seeing that the place was a mess. Clothes and trash littered the floor, the couch was older than the dinosaurs and he only had a TV standing out. I slowly entered, this couldn't be his home, could it? I left the door open in case I had to make a speedy get away. He went to his kitchen which was the size of a single person. He only had a microwave besides his fridge. He grabbed a soda.

"Want one?" I shook my head. Even when I was alive, I wasn't much for soda. He shrugged, shutting the door behind me. "It's cold." I instantly felt uneasy, sticking to the door like glue. Tomo could be like the rest of them. He had already embarrassed me. Why was I here? I thought about running away but I had nowhere else to go. The white haired boy was rude, didn't care for others feelings and worse of all. He wouldn't leave me alone. How hard was it to leave me be? He knew I disliked him, but yet he didn't stop. Then again, here I am, in his home.

I blinked, the soda in front of me. "No...I'm good," I said, barely hearing what I muttered. He tilted his head, putting it back into his fridge and finishing his off. He plopped onto his couch, the sound of age echoed. He turned on the TV, the screen full of static.

"You can sit down, I won't do anything." He sighed, "It's not fun." I didn't like his answer, but I sat down on the far side from him. My hands rested on my lap, not knowing what to do with them. The show he was watching wasn't anything special, I could barely pay attention. I was too uncomfortable. We sat for a full episode. I looked around his home. The walls were yellow and peeling terribly. There was one door, which must lead to his bed and bathroom. I shoved one of his shirts to the side with my foot, watching a mouse escape. I had to cover my mouth, not wanting to scream. This place was nasty!

"I know, the mice are terrible." He noticed. Has he been paying attention to me?

I gulped, "Do you ever clean?" It came out a little ruder than I wanted.

"Sometimes." He watched my face twist. "Finally, got you to lower your shoulders!" He laughed. His teeth were as white as his hair and his smile was bright. I didn't notice. I still wasn't completely comfortable but it wasn't as bad.

I titled my head, "Where are your parents?" His smile remained but he looked away.

"Not here. I moved out as soon as I turned 18. I couldn't stand them. Got this place for cheap and been here ever since."

"I can understand." I sighed.

He raised an eyebrow, "Oh really? You look like you come from a good home." I looked like it, but behind closed doors. It was a gate to hell. "Tell me about it, little miss perfect." His attention was on me entirely, making me nervous.

"Huh?"

"Tell me about your home. Why did you run away?"

I puffed my cheeks, "I didn't run away!" How could he tell that easily?

"I'm a 'punk', remember?" Oten... She was one to blurt out things.

I took a breath, "Well..." Should I tell him? He was willing to listen and it was just my family. It was not about me at all. Then again, what if he was to do anything? If Mother found out I told someone, she wouldn't take it lightly. Then again, there was this whole fire accident and I was supposed to be in prison right now. It shouldn't bring me any harm, "My Mother...She dislikes me."

"The whole Mother thing, huh?" He made it seem like I was acting like a child.

I gripped my dress tightly, watching my tongue. "My sister, younger sister is the favorite."

"The favorite sibling thing too." He snorted. My teeth grinded against each other. Was he making fun of me? Did it sound like I was being dramatic? I was far from that. Everything I wanted to say was true. I wasn't one to blow my life out of proportion. Tomo thought I was being a baby who got scolded for the first time and ran away like a pre-teen. It made me sick. How could he act like this? He wanted to know. I was willing to tell him my home life. The main reason why I ended it all! My dress was going to become permanently wrinkled at this rate, my grip only tightening; my knuckles turning white. Here I was, think that for once in my life. It was okay to talk about home. He looked no better off so maybe, it would have been okay to relate to him. No, Tomo was rude and made it seem like I was only acting like it was bad.

"My father...Won't help."

He laughed, "The dad being the mom's toy? I've heard it." My eyes widened, my breath was quick. I couldn't look at him. Was my death this funny? The reasons for me jumping was so common? Was I so weak as to give up cause such small things? I couldn't hold it in. How dare he make me seem like a fool.

I snapped.

"SHUT UP!" He backed away into his couch, surprised my voice could go so high. "I'm not some baby who got scolded! How can you sit there and laugh at me! I've been beat! Bruised and worse! I haven't felt love in years and yet, I still try my best to earn it!" My throat burned yelling, "Slapped, kicked, left on the floor to drag myself up. How could you do that to your daughter...I tried... I did. Good grades, no friends. I gave up everything to be perfect in her eyes. All I was met with was a fist and disappointment." I covered my eyes, tears threatening to spill. I should stop. I needed to stop being upset. However, my mouth wouldn't close. "I thought it would be okay for once in my life to open up but here it is, making me seem pathetic. Maybe, I am? Never standing up for myself? Running away?"

Tomo scooted closer, placing his hand on my head. "Hey..."

I froze, realizing what I did. Oh...Opening my big mouth. I began to cry. I covered my lips, trying to cover up the sobbing noises. This is who I am. A crybaby who runs at the first sign of fear. "God..." I choked. I need to leave. I got off the couch, not moving my hand. I need to go home. Face my punishment. For still being here.

"Wait," He got up, grabbing my dress so I couldn't walk away. "You can stay here for the night. I didn't mean to upset you...It's just I know what it is like. The parents...Better sibling. That's why I live in this shitty place. I got away but...I still feel them too." I was so upset, that I wanted to laugh. He acted like he understood me. However, he didn't. He would never understand.

I laughed through my tears, "Oh yeah?" I didn't care at the moment as I shook my head, "What would you do if I told you, I killed myself?"