It's a strange morning and I wake up wondering why I am here. I feel...

Empty.

"Miki?"

I turn and my best friend is there, looking up as aimless as I was.

"Hm?"

She looks over at me. Her eyes are clear with fire and brown.

We lay on her bed, in her room all the while, her parents argue downstairs. They're spewing Japanese so fast that I can't make sense of it.

"I wonder if I should move to Japan," Miki says, "Maybe I can be a pop idol or something."

"You could but you smoke too much pot," I deadpan.

She turns with her mouth agape, seemingly offended judging by the narrowing of her thick and shapely eyebrows.

"What?"

I elaborate.

"Pop idols, they're supposed to be perfect, clean cut. Too much pressure. I wouldn't dare."

Miki snorts.

"Well when you put it that way, maybe you should be one, Miku Hatsune, pop idol, how does that sound?"

I sigh.

"I'm not perfect."

My attention returns to the ceiling.

"Just stupid.

My thoughts resume to Luka Megurine.

"Miku?"

I come back to earth. The vivid memory of just yesterday burns at my brain. In fact, it almost feels like part of my head has sort of deactivated, as if I can't even...care. It scares me.

"Miku!"

Honestly, everything is a blur.

"MIKU!"

"Shit."

Thoughts aloud. I find myself in the middle of a classroom. I can feel everyone's eyes on me. The students, the teacher, and then there's...Luka.

I completely forgot that she's the student assistant in this damn forsaken period.

I curse aloud again.

Mr. Marcus isn't having it.

"Miku, I don't know what is going on with you but you need to follow along!"

He's right as much as I don't want to admit it. Since the class started, I've sort of been away. In fact, I don't know what I'm doing here. Part of me wants to get up and leave but part of me doesn't want to let the girl staring intently at me to win.

I glance at her. I wonder why she even bothered to show up and then I remember that this is high school.

It's not that serious. Four years go by faster than you think.

I shuffle out of my seat in a scurry. I hear Mr. Marcus wail on but the words are incoherent. Nothing is making sense right now. Faces watch me but they're blurred. Mouths are moving but I can't hear them. I feel a sudden movement follow after me and I secretly hope it's her.

It isn't. She remains in her seat, head resting on her hand, seemingly nonchalant.

Okay, you win, Luka. You're used to it anyway. You win, as always.

It's 3:15 pm and school is finally over. I'm in the office. A slap on the wrist and a warning is all Mr. Maury gives me.

"Should I be worried, Ms. Hatsune?" he asks.

I shrug. I haven't been able to respond to him. Not that I don't like him. I'm just fighting not crying like a fool in front of him. When people grow concern for me, I have to fight the waterworks otherwise, they'd just be more concerned. I don't want that.

"Ms. Hatsune?"

"I'm fine," my voice shakes, "I'm just having my period I think."

Mr. Maury coughs uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry, you can go now, just please stay out of trouble. It's not worth it."

In my head I answer him, truthfully.

'I know but then why do I still feel this way? Why do I still care? You really don't need me, Luka, clearly. I can do better than to pay attention to a manipulating asshole such as yourself. Am I supposed to wait until were grown adults past 28 to finally give us a chance? Am I kidding myself? Or is this just the only time I will ever really get to know you? Your role has passed in my life. Is that it?'

I'm frustrated, so frustrated that I don't realize there are tears in my eyes. It's hot and wet and I'm pissed.

"Ms. Hatsune?"

I storm out of the office and into the hallways. Students surround me, I hear laughter, the clanking of lockers opening and closing, footsteps, there are so many voices talking that I can't hear myself think. My mouth twitches, I keep rubbing at my eye, pretending I have an injury but it's obvious I'm crying. So, I run. I run past them. As if I'm running from it all, everyone, Luka, Miki, Dad, Mom, Lily, all these other people, all these faces.

One face suddenly stands out.

Among a group of radiating young girls cladded in school colors, Luka stands. She's smiling. People pass by, many noticing the poster child of a perfect high school life. Popular, beautiful, known and expected to do great. I watch her expressions change. She's laughing now and then I realize how much I don't fit in. More than anywhere else, I don't fit in here. Those are her friends and I am alone.

It's 4:30 pm and I've been staring at my phone since arriving home. At first, I thought I'd call Miki but I pulled back since the recent events. Eventually, you do get tired. I still love Miki and I always will but it's one of those moments right now where clarity is solely on your own to figure out. And there's no one that can help. No one can help. I can only make some sort of decision but I keep trying to figure it all out. What can I do?

So, what if Luka is done with me? Soon, she won't be attending the same school as me. I won't have to worry. I just have to fight through the remaining semester and she'll graduate before I know it. Yes, that's just what it is. It's time.

Only thing is, I do have a choice. I always had a choice.

My fingers move and then I hearing ringing. I wait. I wait for what feels like an eternity.

"Miku?"

My mouth opens but its silent. The voice calls again.

"Miku? What's wrong?"

I bite my lip. She waits. I hear a baby cry, another voice follows.

"Honey, what's wrong?"

I should have hung up then and there but I can't. My hand trembles, my voice is stuck in my throat.

"M-mom."

I hear a sharp breath than her voice muffles followed by a guilt-stabbing cry.

Mom is crying and then I realize I am too.

A/N: Hello. It was only a matter of time until I finally included Miku's mom in the picture. I think it is interesting that I come this far with Miku. Her character has become established as well as Luka's and Lily's. I know their next actions and thoughts. This particular chapter is a bit short I know but it allows me to get ready for the next which will certainly be longer. Anyway, thank you for reading and for those that sent uplifting words toward my way since last chapter, thank you very much :) See you next time.