We were back in his apartment and as soon as he closed the door, he glared at me. "What were you thinking?! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"How was I?" It happened to fast. I wasn't going to scream for help and even if I wanted too, she made sure I was silent.

He wasn't fazed, "That's not what I meant. How long has this been going on? Her bullying you." I was about to answer, before he added one last comment, " And don't lie to me, I can tell if you do." Then my words were lost. What would it matter if I told him about her? There was nothing he could do to take away the past. I was thankful he helped me, but what else could he do?

"Tell me." He demanded.

I avoided his gaze, "Since freshman year."

This is it! I'm going to change this year no matter what. New school, new people and there will be a new Hara. Everyone was running around, looking for their new classes. You could tell the freshman apart from the seniors. Freshman were asking fellow students for help and where to find their teachers. I stood there, determination on my face. I will not be the same person I've been before. I walked forward, looking for my first class. I noticed some girls. One with pink hair stood out the most. I approached them. Don't be shy!

"Hello," I said. "Do you know where the lab is?"

They looked at me with curiosity, the pink haired one speaking first. "We have that class too! We can't find it though. Want to look for it together?" Joy filled me. This was easier than I thought. I joined the group of girls. They chatted mostly to themselves. Which was fine. I was content with just being around them and not alone. We finally reached the classroom, students already had their seats. We sat towards the corner, they didn't mind that I sat there. The teacher began speaking and asking basic questions for us to answer.

When it came to my turn, I gladly stood up and answered. "The answer would have to be how sunlight affects the cells of the plants roots." I was happy and this made me answer full of energy. Then I noticed the girls to my side get quite. Class continued and each time I was called upon, I answered correctly. Which this made the teacher proud. Eventually, first period ended and I was about to tell the girls how easy the class was until I was met with glares. From all three of them. Huh? They pulled me into the hall way.

"Don't we have a little miss smarty?" One laughed. I was so confused. They were smiling with me only moments ago. The pink haired girl grabbed my shoulder, making me shake.

She whispered into my ear, "Looks like you're our new target." With this sudden message, they laughed and left me standing there. I could only sigh, every fiber of me being happy was long gone, like it was never there.

"It never changes."

He walked away from me, pinching the bridge of his nose. Trying to breath. I haven't seen Tomo like this before, it was unsettling. Why was he so upset? After a few breaths, he snapped. His angry filled eyes locked onto me, "Stop acting like the victim and do something about it!" It all hit me at once. Mother beating me, Seika with all the emotion abuse, Father being helpless. Letting Luka ruin my school life and the thing that stuck out to me the most was that I did let it happen. I let all of it happen to me. I've never truly tried to stand up for myself. I should have been stronger, I should have been able to stop them.

"I should have." I spoke.

He continued to yell, "Then why didn't you?!" Out of all the things running through my mind, why couldn't I find an answer to give him? All these years of torture and abuse, why didn't I do anything. Of course, I knew my reason. I was afraid. To scared to make a difference and change. The pain and emotions were to much for me to handle on my own.

"I was afraid." I bit back tears. He didn't seem fazed.

"I too, was afraid, but I got away. You could have done the same!"

Something inside me started to grow and I didn't like it. "What if-"

"Look what's happened now. You won't even let anyone help you. It was hard enough to make you stay here, yet alone make you tell me anything. You need to stop thinking everyone is against you, Hara!" He glared at me, his anger not subsiding. "You need to grow up!"

"Grow up?" I glared back at him. "You want me to grow up? You don't know half the stuff I've been through and what I have to deal with. Yes, I wish I've changed sooner. But guess what? I can't now. I only have so much time and I will not have you," I poked his chest. "Telling me to grow up!" The feeling was becoming unbearable, something just wanted to explode from within and I was going to let it.

"You know what! I will change and watch me, I'll be back and I won't be the same Hara you know now." I opened the door, not even bothering to shut it. I was well away from the house.

Tomo leaned against the door frame, his arms crossed, a victory smirk spread on his face. "That's my girl."

I was in the middle of a crowd, completely blank on what to do next. I feel so stupid! I told Tomo I was going to change and here I am, standing still and not knowing what to do next. So many faces past me, happy, sad, angry. So many emotions mixed together and for me to be so lost, it was unsettling. I saw a group of girls from my highschool, laughing and enjoying some treats together. I wonder, if things ended different. Would I have been like them? The feeling from before rose in me. If I wanted to change, then I need to start now. Out of all the things that's happened in my life, I need to tackle every problem. Everthing that has made me who I am now. I need to face the things that have made me end my life and where to start would be mother.

With my goal in mind, I had to prepare myself. I couldn't just walk into my old home and tell her what she's done wrong. It would only end with me getting hurt, mentally and physically. I needed to sheild myself to were that even if the worst happened, I would be okay. How was I going to do this though? I couldn't go back to Tomo, not until I changed for the better.

Suddenly, I saw a familiar short figure in the crowd. I couldn't help but smile as I saw her, Oten, who was carrying large bags with her. I knew I could rely on her. She always made me feel like I had a purpose in life. My feet ran to her.

"Oten!" I called out. She turned around, confused on who might have yelled her name. As soon as she saw me, her face lit up.

"Hara!" She dropped her bags, running into me, her arms rapped around my thin frame. It felt so great to see her again. When she pulled away, her smile was the biggest I've seen, all her teeth shown brightly. "Where have you been! I went to your house but I was turned away. I've been worried."

I had to tell her where I've gone. What's all been happening to me. I owed it to her. "We have so much to talk about."

"I have some stuff to tell you too. Which this is great because I was heading to my house. You can come with me." She picked up her bags, I grabbed one of them to help take some of the load off her. I nodded as she lead me through the streets. We went down an ally which lead to a nice neighborhood. It started with simple houses and they just got bigger down the line. We stopped infront of a rather large white house. It reminded me a small mansion, leaving me speechless. How could I be so surprised? She went to Ouran High. A place for mostly rich kids, it would be common for students to live in homes like this.

Large white metal gates were in front of us, she pressed a button and a gruffy voice answered. "Miss Oten, back already?"

"Yep, I ran into a friend too so let us in please." She smiled proudly.

The gates creeked opened, "Of course, ma'am." She went ahead of me. For some reason, my feet refused to move. To enter such a nice home, it was something I wasn't used too. It was a place I felt I didn't belong in. Oten grabbed my free hand, tugging me forward.

"Come on, my family is nice." Her family. I didn't think I would be meeting them. What were they like? To have a daughter like Oten, they must be amazing. One we entered the doors, my breath was stolen from me. The house was huge and beautful. In front of us was a large stair case that lead upstaired, which seperated into two halls.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Hara." A man bowed before me. He was older and wore a black tux. His face had some white scruff. However, he was really clean. "I've heard all about you from the young mistress. We are glad to have you here."

Oten tugged at my hand, "let's head to my room!" The old man nearly smiled as we went up the stairs. She lead me down a long hallway, full of pictures of women and men. Towards the end was a picture of her with long hair. It took me a minute to realize it was her. She looked composed, her face showing only professionalism. She saw the frame, " that thing? I hate that picture of me. Never was a fan of the long hair, glad I cut it off."

"You looked beautiful." Words escaped me. I became flustered, " I mean, you still are!"

She could only laugh at me, "you crack me up, Hara!" We finally arrived at a simple brown door, she kicked it opened, revealing a large room. A huge bed covered with stuffed animals was in the center of the room. The walls were pink, which I didn't see Oten liking. She sat the bags by the door, which I sat the rest next to them. Turns out the bags were filled with clothes.

"May I close the door?" I asked.

She plopped on her bed, making stuffed animals fly into the ground. "Go ahead." I did so and joined her on her bed, sinking into her matress. Looking around her room, I saw how nice it was. It was clean, pretty and the complete opposite of what I thought she would live in. From the pink walls to the plushies on her bed. She was a tomboy, someone full of fight. Not someone who lived in a room that was fit for a princess.

I couldn't help but think of my room at my mother's. The walls were a dull blue, my bed was small and simple. I only had my bear, not an army of animals. There was my bathroom which was small, but I couldn't complain. It was my room, the only place I could escape too. I hated it, but at the same time, I loved it. Long nights of loneliness companied me, but also, days of sanctuary.

I focused my attention on her, now was my chance. It was time I told her what has been happening to me. It was time she would know. Tomo knew, she had the right also. Now, Tomo didn't know everything and I doubt I could reveal everything to her. Not at this time. Taking a deep breath, I spoke, "Oten, I need to tell you something."

"What is it?" She smiled at first, until she saw my serious expression.

I sighed, "I'm not normal, Oten. I need to tell you everything."