The atmosphere was thick, my throat felt tight and it was so quiet, you could hear a coin drop from another room. Oten waited for me to speak, her face gave off so many emotions, it was hard to describe them all. I was scared, I admit. I was going to tell her about who I really was. My family, my life and more importantly, how I ended it. She deserved to know. She has stuck to my side no matter what and continued to be worried about me. It wasn't right of me to keep secrets from her. Not only was this an opportunity to tell her the truth, but also a change to better myself. I wanted to change. Not only for Tomo, for myself as well. I needed to show that it was okay to trust others, not everything was going to hurt me.

"Okay...I should have told you sooner, but I was scared." I breathed, "you're probably not going to believe with what I'm about to tell you. However, you're my friend and that means a lot to me. You have a right to know."

Oten spoke up, "you don't have to tell me anything if you don't want too."

"I know. You are my friend though and if we're being honest, I don't know how much more time I have." I squeezed her hand, "So I'm going to tell you about my family."

"I know they're not the nicest." She teased, but I didn't laugh.

I continued, "My Mother wants me to be perfect. Ever since I was young, I had to be the perfect child. All my time went to my grades so making friends wasn't something I could do. My Father, he is someone who can't stand up for himself. Even though he loves me, he can't protect me like a parent should."

"What do you mean?"

The words didn't want to leave my mouth, but I forced them out. "My Mother is abusive towards me," It felt great to finally say it. "Mentally and physically." Oten looked upset. Seeing her face grimace with anger was something I wish I didn't have to see. However, she needed to know. It wasn't only for her, it was also for me to accept it. By saying it out loud, it was like my mind was able to register it, allowing me to move on. I could tell Oten was about to speak up, but I stopped her.

"Let me finish first." She silenced herself. "I've been growing up in a life that was to hard for me. My little sister was the favorite child, she could get away with things I could only dream of doing. My father is a weak man...He showed me kindness, but only when Mother wasn't around and if she was, he would look the other way." For some reason, I didn't feel like crying. Everything felt good to say, like I was finally getting rid of some kind of burden. "I entered Ouran High with top grades, but it never pleased Mother."

"Life at home was just as hard. The beatings, the emotional trauma." I said, "You know how you can only let something build up until it explodes? I wasn't allowed to do that. For years, I've kept things inside, hoping it would get better. I had realized it never does."

Oten spoke up," But it does get better! You've met me and you seem so happy!"

"I did meet you," I smiled. "However, I was to late in doing that."

"What do you mean?"

I had to get off the bed, I was feeling a bit trapped. She had a balcony, walking onto it, I leaned on the railing. Oten was by my side, concerned. "December 3rd, was the night I killed myself."

She couldn't help, but look away. Trying to comprehend what I was saying. "You're joking. I mean, you're right here! In front of me, completely solid too!"

"I know, I don't know what's going on with me. I jumped from the high school roof and the next morning I woke up in my bed. I thought it was a dream at first, but it wasn't. It was real. I'm not normal anymore and I don't know how much time I have left."

"What do you mean?" She asked, trying to understand.

I held out my arm, my scars were once again gone. "I used to cut myself everyday, it was the only thing I could feel. Living in such a blank world was hard." I walked over to her nightstand, a pair of scissors was out and some paper pieces, you could see that she was messing around with some art. Taking the scissors to her, I placed the sharp blade to my arm. Oten got extremely angry.

"What are you doing!?" She snatched the scissors from my grasp. "Are you insane! Look, I believe you! Just..." She hugged me as tight as she could, "don't hurt yourself." I wanted to show her what I was going through. To prove to her I wasn't making this all up. With the way she was shaking, I could tell this was a lot to take in. She pulled away from me, holding back tears. I never saw Oten as the kind of girl to cry, she was so tough. A person I looked up too because she had such a strong will.

"I won't...I'm sorry."

She wiped her tears away, trying to look somewhat composed. "I should punch you for that." She sniffled.

I couldn't help but giggle at her, she sure was something. I quickly returned to my serious state, "Oten, something is wrong with me. I can't be injured, I can't bleed and I'm no longer able to digest food. I feel no heat or cold, no fatigue and pain."

"It's like you're some kind of ghost."

I placed my finger on my lip, "Seems like it, but I'm physically here. Others can see, touch and hear me. If I was a ghost that wouldn't be possible."

She agreed, "That is true. I don't know what is going on, but I'm here for you Hara." I felt like crying, I wasn't going to let my tears ruin a moment like this.

"Thank you..That means a lot to me." This was true. I was afraid she was to call me a liar, make me leave and she would never talk to me again. I was beyond grateful to have someone like her in my life. This put some hope in me that maybe, Tomo too, would believe me. He's already seem some of my worst sides and side affects of my condition, why wouldn't he believe me? Since I've told Oten, he had the right to know too. It's decided. When I return to his side, I'll tell him.

With new found courage, I knew what I needed to do next. I was changing for the better and this was another step I had to take. I needed to return to where all my misery had started, I needed to return to home. I needed to see Mother. "I'm glad you believe me," I told her. "I have to go now though, there is something I must do."

"Do I need to help you? Because, I'm here." she said. "You're not alone anymore."

I hugged her, burring my face into her small shoulder. "You've done enough. This is something I have to do on my own."

"Hara, if anything bad happens, you let me know immediately!" She said.

"Of course," I laughed. "You'll be the first to know."

There I stood in front of my apartment. It was dark outside, I ended up spending quite sometime at Oten's home. She sent me off with high hopes. If she believed me, stuck by my side, despite the craziness that circled around me. I had the strength to stand up to Mother, to tell my father what's wrong and to even put Seika in her place. I'll tell Tomo everything and I have even decided...To tell Tamaki how I felt about him. He was the first person to reach out to me. He showed me that not everyone was out to hurt me. So I will tell him.

I noticed none of the lights were on. Was anyone home? Mother and at least Seika should be. Father often came home late. Slowly turning the door knob, it wasn't locked. Someone was here. Creeping inside, the house was dark. I wanted to call out, but that wouldn't be very smart. Mother would surely jump out and I'd be luck to even see the light of day again. I needed to approach her this time and not give her an opening. I walked around the house quietly, but found no one. Then I heard something like a crash in Seika's room. She must be home! I grew nervous. What if she called Mother home already?! What will she do to me since I've been gone for so long?

No, Hara! You must be brave. No more running away and being afraid. You need to face her and get this over with. No more being pushed around, being treated like dirt. I went around the hallway to her room, I carefully went inside. This would be the first time I've stepped foot into her room. I was never allowed in. Mother said I would rub my disgrace onto Seika if I did. Looking inside, I saw her room was the same size as mine. The walls were pink and dolls littered the room. You could believe a princess lived here.

Suddenly, she came out of her bathroom in a rush, slamming the door behind her. "No...it can't be." She covered her mouth. Her face was drenched in sweat, her cheeks flushed. Her eyes were locked to a small plastic stick in her hand. Concentrating on it. past the darkness. I could tell it was a pregnancy test. I couldn't see the result, but from her reaction. I knew it wasn't negative. Then her eyes caught sight of me. Anger filled her. She hid the test behind her back. "What are you doing here?!" She screamed.

"Seika.." The energy I had to confront her was gone. She was in no postilion to fight. If it was true that she was pregnant, I was more worried on what Mother would do to her. Me telling her a piece of my mind could wait.

She took a step towards me. "Why are you in my room?! Why did you even come back?! We were perfect without you so just leave!" She threw one of her teddy bears at me. I didn't want anger her more, however, I couldn't just leave now. I saw her secret. She may have treated me terribly, but I couldn't leave her in this state.

"Listen to me Seika, I won't tell anyone."

It looked like she wanted to believe me, but she was to emotional. "What are you talking about? Now's your chance to get revenge. If you told Mother, she would disown me! You'll be the favorite child!" What she was saying may be true, but I no longer desired to be Mother's favorite. I didn't want to be in the palm of her hands anymore. I stepped closer to Seika, making her back into a corner. "Just go away and I'll deal with this myself!"

"It'll be okay. I won't let Mother hurt you."

Seika was breathing heavily, tears were already staining her cheeks. "I...I'm scared" She finally said. She looked like she was about to fall but I quickly grabbed onto her. "Oh Hara, what am I going to do?" She cried into my chest.

"I don't know..."