All the coughing, the nurses, and doctors whispering among themselves and the constant smell of cleaner. It was all becoming too much for me but here I was in front of Tomo's door. He was on the other side but felt so far away. I wonder what he was thinking right now? Would he even want to see me? After everything that has happened, maybe walking away would be best. However, I kept thinking of his injuries. I got a few all glances from people wondering why I was just standing outside the door and not going in.

I was trying to gather up the courage.

I didn't know what to say to him nor did I know how to apologize properly. I wanted us to go back to the old days so bad but that was long gone. There was nothing I could do to bring that back. Any day now I could disappear forever but he would still be here. He was alive and he had a future. Even though I couldn't be there physically, I wanted to be remembered by him.

Taking a deep breath, I raise my hand towards the handle. I needed to be brave and face him. Pushing the door to the side, my eyes were fixed on the floor. I was scared to look at him. I entered the room and shut the door quietly behind me. There was nothing but silence for what felt like forever. I could only hear his breathing along with people walking down the hallway.

"What are you doing here?" His voice was emotionless. There wasn't a hint of anger like I thought there would be. Slowly raising my gaze I saw him sitting up in the hospital bed. His hair was a wild white mess, it kind of reminded me of whipped cream. His smooth grey eyes watched me closely, curious about what I was going to say.

I wondered to the end of his bed, to nervous to sit close, "I wanted to see you..."

Looking him over, I saw he had bandages on his arms and one on his cheek. He was pale and tired, his breathing was rather hard. I tried not to look too much at him but I couldn't help it. He was my friend and I couldn't bear to see him injured. The blanket was pulled to the side a bit and I could see his ankle was rapped. He must have twisted it badly. I wanted to get on my knees and beg for forgiveness. I was the reason he was hurt.

"I'm fine so stop staring," His words whipped my eyes away.

I was now looking out the window, watching the snow beginning to fall. The air was grey and cold, just like Tomo's eyes. It made me shiver and he saw this, he didn't say anything and continued to watch me.

I spoke up, not looking at him, "How are you feeling?"

"You tell me," He immediately shot back.

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to ignore the acid like tone. I needed to stay strong. He had a reason to be so cold to me. I should have stuck up to Mother that day and if I did, I would have gotten to stay by his side. I would have never gone home and he wouldn't be stuck in a rough hospital bed. He looked so exhausted and sick. I wondered if he got any sleep last night?

I tried again, "Is there anything I can do-"

"You can leave."

I couldn't take it anymore.

I didn't like how cold he was being towards me, I knew I deserved it but I couldn't stand it. I only have so much time left and seeing someone close to me being so cold was too much to handle. The way his words ripped into my mind was deafening. I rose to my feet, tears threatening to spill. "Stop it!" I wanted to scream but kept my voice low. "I know I mess up but please, stop treating me like this!" I was covering my ears, not wanting to hear any more of his venom like words.

He was shocked by my sudden outburst, his eyes wide. I covered my mouth, not wanting to yell anymore. I didn't mean to do that. He had all right to be angry with me. I should just leave and never come back. Maybe, it would be better if he was angry with me. It would make it easier on him when I'm no longer here. He could move on and forget that I ever existed. He could find a better friend, someone who wouldn't harm him with fire or drag him along in their pathetic little life.

But, I didn't want that.

I wanted him to remember me. I wanted our good times to be remembered forever. The last thing I wanted was for him to hate me for the rest of his life. The very thought chilled my bones and made me want to vomit. He was someone who stuck by my side and who would I be if I just ran away. He was the one hurt now and it was my turn to care for him.

Taking a couple deep breaths, I managed to say, "I know you hate me, I don't blame you. I should have stuck up for myself that day but I didn't. I was a coward and left you behind."

"Hara-"

"Let me finish," I interrupted. "I know I'm not the brightest girl. I know I should be braver and have never left you. I hurt you so badly and all I can do is try to fix it." I went to the side of his bed, not being able to look at him in the eyes, afraid his icy gaze would freeze my words. "The fire last night was my fault. I should have never been there in the first place and because I was, you were really hurt."

He finally spoke up, "You started the fire?" he sounded more confused than asking a question. His expression showed that he didn't believe me. More like, he didn't want to believe me. Taking a seat next to him, I looked at my hands. I could almost vividly see the burns that affected them not too long ago. What if he had been burned as bad as I was? I could never forgive myself.

"I wanted to stop the fight," I choked. "I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt. I only wanted Takashi and you to stop fighting."

Then I remembered how Tomo promised me he wouldn't fight anymore. Why was he there? Why did he go back on his promise and end up back at that fighting ring? I had so many questions but I was so upset and conflicted that it was hard to spit out the words I needed to say. Eventually, I calmed down and looked at him, face to face. I needed to ask him. I had to know the answer.

"Why did you fight last night?"

His expression looked pained but only for a second, he was trying his best not to looked fazed. "I can do what I want."

"Why did you break our promise!" I cried. "You said you wouldn't fight anymore. I told you, that you could have been hurt and even though it was my fault for the fire, why didn't you listen to me! Why were you there last night?!"

His eyes pierced me like a sword, leaving me even more broken. "I was fighting because you left me!"

My chest tightened and all I wanted to do was pound my fist into his chest. So what if I left him? I didn't have a choice! Me leaving should have never made him want to break our promise. It was there to protect him and now look, he was in the hospital covered in burns!

"I'm sorry that I left you but you should have kept our promise anyway! I was going to come back, I was going to apologize for everything." I was choking back sobs, not wanting to appear any weaker, "But Tomo, even though I left, you didn't wait for me."

"I-" He took a minute to calm his nerves, not wanting to shout. This small fight was draining the energy out of him. "Look, I was angry. I never think well when I am upset. I thought letting some steam off would help me. I never thought you would have been there."

We were both calmer and this was a good time to ask him questions that plagued my mind. "Why were you going to fight Takashi again?"

This was the biggest question I had and I wanted to get it out of the way. Why didn't Takashi tell me he was going there that night? Why was Hikaru involved and wanting Takashi to fight for him? None of this made sense to me and I wanted answers. Being in the dark was driving me mad and I would do anything at this moment to touch the light, even if it was just a little bit.

"The tall kid? I got a call from one of my boys and was told he was coming back for a round two. I was angry and accepted into the heat of the moment."

So Tomo just wanted to fight because he was angry. He didn't care who he was fighting as long as it was someone. This didn't answer my question and it left me feeling even needier. I decided to let it go, this wasn't the time to be acting like a detective. Even though I was starving for answers.

I slapped on a smile, giving the impression I was satisfied. "Alright."

"Hara," Tomo couldn't look at my eyes. "Thank you for coming to see me and I'm sorry I broke our promise." His voice was almost a whisper. He acted like apologizing wasn't something he was used too. His cheeks were tinted pink and he was fumbling with his thumbs.

His body language showed how nervous he was.

"I'll forgive you just this once, " I winked playfully.

He chuckled, "You know you'll always forgive me for anything."

He wasn't wrong. I wasn't the kind of person to hold a grudge for long. I mean, look at Seika and me. We didn't along for most of our lives but now we were closer than ever. The never-ending thought crept back into my mind, making me remember that even though I was getting close to people. I was dead and time was something I was getting further away from.

Tomo's gaze grew gentle when he saw my changing expression; I wasn't hiding my troubles very well. He looked like the Tomo I grew to know and it made me feel a bit better. Behind all the bandages and burned skin, he was the same boy who saved me from so many things. It pained me to know that I would soon have to say...

Goodbye.

He reached his hand towards a strand of my hair, he caressed it, letting it fall through his wrapped fingers. "I couldn't sleep last night. I was worried that you were hurt too."

"You know I can't get hurt." I lied, laughing through my teeth.

I might not be able to feel pain but last night, my body was beyond damaged. My body was injured but not my condition. Something told me that if that was to happen again, I wouldn't heal back a second time. The constant fear of the unknown was hurting me more than the flames from the fire.

I grabbed his hand, being careful not to hurt his burns, "Tomo, I wanted to tell you before it was too late. I'm going to disappear soon. I wanted your forgiveness and now that I have it. I want you to know that wherever I go, I will never forget you."

His expression flashed fear but he tried to hide it, "How do you know that it will be soon?" His words trembled and he looked even paler than before. If I had more time, I would have waited for him to feel better before delivering such crushing news.

"You know when you feel something, something deep in your core that you can no longer ignore it? Well, my body is screaming at me and my mind is starting to accept it. I know that my time is almost up, I can't deny it any longer."

He suddenly pulled me closer, I had to catch myself on the edge of the bed. He winced from his actions but didn't show regret. He spoke softly, his words laced with longing, "then I need to do this before it's too late." He leaned into me, inches from my face.

Before I could even react or think of what was happening, the door slid open. Tomo's eyes shot to the side before letting me go. He was annoyed and becoming angry. What was he trying to do? My head was spinning when a nurse coughed awkwardly.

"I hate to interrupt but you have another guest." She spoke, stepping to the side.

Takashi walked in, looking at emotionless as normal. He didn't ask questions, like how did I know Tomo? Why did I want to see him so badly? He simply walked to my side, ignoring Tomo's harsh glares. I couldn't read what he was thinking, nor Tomo.

"Who are you?" Tomo finally spat.

He didn't look at him, only keeping his dark eyes on me. "Honey called, we need to leave."

Tomo went to ask something but bit his tongue, not wanting to get me any more upset. Anyone could tell I didn't want to leave his side. However, Takashi was my ride home. I got up, my body felt like lead. It was telling me to stay. It was telling that I would forever regret this

"Okay," I tried not to frown. I gave Tomo an apologetic look, trying to convey my feelings through my gaze.

Tomo finally spoke up, "I will be waiting for you. I'll be waiting at the park. I have something to tell you no matter what." His words were filled with something I couldn't put my finger on. It was a last request. Like he was begging me to listen.

I nodded, a painful feeling grew in my chest as we closed the door behind us.