Chapter 24: Hurt me

Monika: "Michael? What's going on? Do you know her?" She says as she looks at Michael's sad expression. "Michael?" He walks past everyone to stand right next to the blond girl.

Michael: "This is Sara. My girlfriend."

Monika & Sayori: "Girlfriend!?"

Natsuki: (So that's her?)

Yuri: (So she's Michael's girlfriend. I wonder if he already told her about the incident between us? I should apologize to her?) "Um …"

Sara: "So Michael, you better not have been cheating on me." She says assertively.

Michael: "Of course not. I would never."

Sara: "Good because you know what would happen if you did."

Michael: "Y-yes dear."

Sara: "Come on let's get out of here and head to my place." She grabs his wrist.

Michael: "Wait!" Sara looks at him with a cold stare. "I … never mind." He avoids eye contact.

Sara: "Good boy."

Monika: "Now hold it!"

Sara: *Sigh* "What now bitch?"

Monika: "Excuse me. We were just having fun. Why do you want to take Michael with you instead of joining us?"

Sara: "It's none of your damn business. I don't want Michael being anywhere near you sluts, so butt out!"

Natsuki: "Bitch you don't know anything about us!"

Yuri: "Natsuki!"

Monika: "I'll have you know that I have the right to know where and how my club members are doing. It is my job to make sure all my club members are safe and happy."

Sara: "Hmph, if that's the case then it would be best if Michael leaves then?"

Monika: "What did you say?"

Sara: "Just look at him." She pulls Michael in. "Have you heard about his family problems?"

Monika: "I have. What's your point?"

Sara: "If you heard about his past then I assume you're taking advantage of his weakened state."

Monika: "What?"

Sara: "You're no friends of his. You're just taking advantage of him. He doesn't need that. All he needs is me and no one else, since I'm the only one who loves him for him."

Natsuki: "Why you!"

Sayori: "MC say something." He doesn't say anything.

Sara: "See!? He agrees. Come on let's get going. I don't want to deal with them any longer." She pulls him with her.

Michael: "Stop Sara."

Sara: "What did you say?"

Michael: "Your nails."

Sara: "Hm?"

Michael: "They're piercing my skin."

Sara: "I said let's go."

Michael: "I said stop your hurting me." He tries to whisper, but the girls could hear him in pain as small drops of blood fall onto the white snow.

Sara: "Do as I say or else, I'll give you a reason to listen." He stops complaining and does what she says. Until he felt someone else grabbing his other hand.

Monika: "Now hold it right there! What is wrong with you? Didn't you just hear him? He doesn't want to go with you, so stop forcing him."

*Smack*

Sayori: "Monika!" She rushes to her to see a slap mark on her face.

Natsuki: "Oh you done it this time!" She rushes over to punch Sara.

Michael: "Stop Natsuki!" She stops at her tracks.

Natsuki: "What? Why!?"

Michael: "Just stop. All of you. Just … keep minding your own business. Please."

Natsuki: "But?" She looks at him confused and worry.

Michael: "Sara … just take me wherever you want to go." He offers his hand to his girlfriend.

Sara: "Good boy. Come on let's get away from them. They're a bad influence for you."

Michael: "Yes mam."

As they walk away Michael looks behind himself as the girls look at him distraught. For a brief moment when the wind blew his hair away from his eyes, the girls saw the despair in his eyes.

Sayori: "MC?"

With not much to say everyone watched as Michael was taken away. No one knew the story between them, but just seeing how they act near each other. It was obvious that their relationship was toxic. Everyone returned home after they checked on Monika after she was slapped by Sara. The next day after the incident. Sayori struggled to get out of her bed. Throughout the entire night she was unable to sleep well. She was too worried about Michael that she would try calling him, but no answer throughout the entire night.

When morning finally arrived Sayori quickly got up and readied herself to visit him. With worry in her eyes, still remembering the look he gave them. That last image alone filled her with dread, almost forgetting last night's plan she made with the others. Last night after Michael and Sara left. The four girls talked about what was going on. Natsuki and Yuri revealed that they have heard about Sara, but Michael never went into details about their relationship.

With concern Monika started to wonder if he's been taken advantage of by her. Despite her claims that they were the ones taking advantage of him. However, it was clear as day that she is the one taking advantage of him not them. The way she spoke to him the way she threatened him. It was clear that she's also been abusing him, but why does he let her? Monika thought real hard as to why Michael would let Sara do this to him after everything he's been through. Not only that, but Monika witnessed it firsthand that Michael can defend himself just fine, so why take it from Sara?

While they all talk amongst themselves, Sayori got really worried about her old friend that she wanted to go follow them, but Monika stopped her as that would only cause more problems. After hearing her say that she stopped her pursuit and looked on to where they left. The cold path that her childhood friend has taken. They all agreed to go visit Michael tomorrow despite Natsuki and Sayori rather seeing him now. In the end they gave in and did what Monika asked leading to now.

They all agreed to meet up at Sayori's house before heading to Michael's. Until then, Sayori spent most of her time hugging that cow plushie of hers. She waited and waited until the others showed up. Almost losing her patients at one point but knew she had to hold still knowing full well that the others live far away from her. When she heard the doorbell, she rushed downstairs to answer it.

Sayori: "Hello?" (So tired.)

Monika: "Hey Sayori. Sorry for being late." (I couldn't sleep.)

Sayori: "It's no problem. After all you live on the opposite side of town."

Monika: "Anyways I brought the others with me when I saw them walking."

Yuri: "H-hello Sayori." She bows to her as usual.

Sayori: "Hey Yuri glad that you came by and you too Natsuki."

Yuri: "Of course. I'm worried about his safety." (I couldn't concentrate on my readings.)

Natsuki: "I only came to give him a piece of my mind that's all … and to see how he's doing." She says the part of her sentence quietly. (Idiot, I couldn't sleep last night.)

Monika: "Aw you do care."

Natsuki: "Shut up!"

Sayori: "Well I'm glad you all came. Come on let's go see how MC is doing." Everyone agrees and heads off to his place. "Here we are girls."

Yuri: "I hope he's doing well?" (Please let him be well.)

Sayori takes a deep breath before ringing the doorbell. There was no response. She rang it again. Still nothing. She tries once again as tension builds up only for the door to finally unlock. As the door opens slowly, they saw someone wearing a long sleeve black shirt.

Michael: "Hello? What are you all doing here?" He says tiredly.

Sayori: "We came to check up on you?"

Monika: "After you left with Sara, we were all worried about you."

Sayori: "So here we are. We wanted to see how you were doing."

Michael: "You don't have to do that. Don't worry about me. Go on home and rest up. We have school tomorrow." He attempts to close the door, but Monika places her foot on the door.

Monika: "Not until we have answers. You owe us at least that?" She looks at him seriously.

Michael: "Fine, come in." They all enter and paid close attention to how he talks and walks. They notice the way he walks differently compared to how he normally does. While they watch his movements, he brought them all to the kitchen. "Take a seat everyone. I'll get you all something to drink." The girls did what he asked and waited for him to give them some orange juice.

"I hope you all like orange juice. If not there's water bottles and soda if you want that instead?" He says as he takes his seat. While everyone takes a sip of their juice no one dare say a word. Instead, they all look at him as he drinks from his cup only to notice how slowly he's drinking from it. After seeing enough one of them spoke up.

Yuri: "M-Michael, what happened to you yesterday?"

Michael: "?" He takes a sip again. "Nothing, don't worry about it."

Yuri: "But?"

Michael: "Please don't ask anymore."

Natsuki: "Why the hell not! Do you think we're stupid!?" She stands up slamming on the table.

Michael: "I never said that."

Monika: "Natsuki calm down."

Natsuki: "No! You can all see that BS! The way he looks, the way he's moving, the way he's drinking! All of it!"

Yuri: "Natsuki, please calm down." She says placing her hand on Natsuki's arm.

Natsuki: "Hmph!" She sits back down crossing her arms.

Monika: "Michael, be honest with us. Do you really love her?"

Michael: "Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?"

Monika: "I see … Michael, could you please pour me some more juice?" She holds up her cup.

Michael: "Ok" He slowly gets off his seat and walks towards Monika. Just when he got close, Monika grabbed his arm and pulled up his sleeve.

Monika: "I knew it." Michael pulls away from her dropping the cup onto the floor as he pulls down his sleeve. "I should've known."

Michael: "What?" He says nervously as the girls look at him devastated. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Sayori: "MC … Why are you letting her do this to you?" She says as she starts wiping away her tears.

Natsuki: "Damnit, to think I looked up to you." She avoids eye contact.

Yuri: "I can't believe what I'm seeing."

Michael: "It's not what you think."

Monika: "Then tell us. Tell us what these bruises of yours mean?"

Michael: "It's nothing."

Monika: "Bull! Stop trying to lie to us. What did she do to you?"

Michael: "She didn't mean to do this. She didn't mean to go this far."

Sayori: "My God."

Monika: "Then why stay with her? Didn't you learn anything from your dad? You told us how your dad abused you and yet here you are letting her do the same."

Michael: "It's not the same."

Monika: "What?"

Michael: "You don't understand. She does this for my sake. She's does this so I wouldn't be like him. She's only helping me to become better person."

Monika: "Michael" She says disappointedly.

Michael: "It's her way of supporting me! The only one to ever love me is my mom and her! Everyone here, they all hate me for something that I couldn't do anything about! They all look down on me!"

Monika: "... You idiot."

Michael: "What did you say?"

Monika: "Making you better, doing it for your sake, her way of showing love, loving her? Do you hear yourself?"

Michael: "I do. She's the only one to give me a chance while everyone else turned their backs on me. She supported me when I was down after my dad was arrested. She only hurts me when I do something out of line. When she hurts me, she's only trying to help because in the end it's my fault."

Monika: "Michael"

Natsuki: "That's bullshit. Why would anyone want to hurt the one they love?"

Yuri: "Natsuki?"

Natsuki: "It's not right! If she's making you miserable why take it? That doesn't make any sense?" She gets up. "The hell with this. I'm leaving."

Yuri: "Natsuki wait."

Natsuki: "No! If you want to be miserable for the rest of your life. Then go ahead and do it. See if I care." She leaves.

Yuri: "Natsuki" She tries to say something but couldn't. "Excuse me. I'll go talk to her." She leaves his house.

Monika: "Michael, what has she told you?"

Michael: "..." He avoids eye contact.

Monika: "What did she tell you?"

Michael: "... She told me that, that no one cares for me. That they only use me. To take advantage of. That's what she told me."

Monika: "So you believe her?"

Michael: "She's my lover. The only one to accept me for me. Of course, I would believe her. Isn't that how relationships work?"

Monika: "… So that's your answer."

Michael: "…"

Monika: "I see." She gets up.

Sayori: "Monika?"

Monika: "Sorry Sayori, but I can't handle this right now. I'm leaving too. I need time for myself. I hope to see you two tomorrow at the club."

Sayori: "Wait Monika." She doesn't respond to her plead and instead left for the front door. "Everyone" She looks down on the floor as Michael cleans up the small mess. When he finished, she looks to him.

Michael: "What do you still want?"

Sayori: "MC, you deserve way better than this. I don't want to see my closet friend hurt."

Michael: "Closest friend? You still consider us close even after I left you behind?"

Sayori: "Of course I do."

Michael: "You … you stupid airhead."

Sayori: "MC I-"

MC: "Just stop! I left you behind all those years ago. What right do I have to be your friend."

Sayori: "But-"

Michael: "Why? Why do you still care so much about me, about us, about everyone!? Have you ever once thought about yourself? Why? Why do you care so much about me!? I don't understand your mentality!? Why are you so supportive about someone who stopped seeing you!? Who left you behind!"

Sayori: "MC" She starts tearing up.

Michael: "Just leave. I don't want to hear anymore. Maybe she was right. Maybe you all took advantage of me and in the end, I got hurt. Something Sara would never do to me."

Sayori: "MC" *Sniff*

Michael: "Why are you still here? Get out!" He points to the door.

Sayori: *Sniff* "You're wrong MC. We do care. You don't even know how we're feeling." She says before leaving.

[Over and Over by Three Days Grace]

With everyone gone. Michael sat on his seat alone and started crying. Sayori walks away from his house and heads back to her place.

Sayori: *Sniff* (MC … Am I bad friend?) *Sniff* By the time she got home she saw no one around. "Mommy? Daddy? Where did you all go?" She heads to the kitchen and saw no one. She went upstairs to her parent's room. She knocked before entering and saw no one was inside. She took out her phone and saw a message from her dad.

"Hey little cinnamon roll. Me and your mother got called in for work today. We won't be back until midnight. There's some leftovers in the fridge so help yourself for dinner tonight. See you then."

With her parents gone Sayori found it necessary to finally broke down in tears. Meanwhile, Natsuki decided to just head home to not deal with any of this. The only reason she stopped was because Yuri kept calling to her.

Yuri: "Wait Natsuki!"

Natsuki: "Don't follow me!"

Yuri: "No! Not after what you said to Michael."

Natsuki: "Why defend him? He made his choice, so why should I care?" She says without facing her.

Yuri: "Because he's our friend. We should care after what he's been though."

Natsuki: "Don't give me that crap! Why do you defend him!?"

Yuri: "It's because …" Natsuki turns to face her.

Natsuki: "Just shut up. I don't want to hear anymore." She says as tears start to build up.

Yuri: "Why? Why is it so hard for you to share your feelings?"

Natsuki: "You want me to share that badly then how about you share yours!"

Yuri: "This isn't about me."

Natsuki: "Just shut up! You want me to care!? Is that what you want!? Fine I'll tell you! I don't want to see him like this anymore. It's too much even for me." She bursts into tears and hugs Yuri. "I respected him, but the way he is, it's …" *Sniff*

Yuri: "I know. I don't want to see him like that anymore either, but what can we do?" She hugs her back. (Michael please come to your senses, please.)

On the other side of town. Monika quickly walks home without stopping, only to stop for the cross walk.

Monika: (Damn it. Why did I leave? I didn't mean it Michael. I didn't mean to leave you behind. I regret not trying hard enough to help you. I'm the Club President. I'm the leader, but when it comes to people emotionally. I'm nothing more, but a failure. Perhaps my parents are right. Maybe there is no happiness in the club. Sorry for letting you down.)

[Song Ends]

Back at home.

Michael: "They're right about me. Why go through all this? Why stay with her? She says she wants to help me, to love me like no other, but all I ever get is pain. The same pain my father gave me. Perhaps I'm too far gone from saving? The abuse I receive … I can't live without it anymore."

End of Chapter 24