I opened my eyes and looked at the clock, again. This time it said that it was 9:30 AM, and I rolled back over. I had fallen asleep for maybe 30 minutes when I went to bed, but then spent the rest of the night trying to go back to sleep after I woke up. My mind wouldn’t stop racing, I would think about Zero, and then about Tai, but then most of the time I thought about Kuori. Then the cycle started over and over again. I felt my phone go off, so I picked it up, but didn’t know the number that had texted me. I cautiously opened it up.
It’s Tai, morning
Hey I texted back.
So what are you going to do today? He asked.
Sleep. Or try to. I didn’t get any last night
Why not?
My mind wouldn’t quit thinking I stated.
Are you still upset with everything that happened yesterday? He asked.
I want to say no, but I think it’s a yes.
I told Kuori off, we got into a fight last night, but then made up.
Why did you fight?
He was being a jerk to you. So I said something.
Tai, you really shouldn’t have, I was the one who was wrong, I was the one who deserved it, I pushed that too far and he had a right to get mad at me. I don’t want to come in between you two because of some stupid thing. My hand hurt after typing that much. He sent a reply a few minutes later.
Do you want me to come over? I thought about it for a minute, I knew he would be very comforting, but then again…
No, it’ll only make things worse.
I’ll be over in a few minutes.
I told you no, I don’t want Kuori any madder, he didn’t even walk me home last night
But, you told him not to bother?
He should know that even if I say I don’t want him to walk with me, it makes me feel better when he does.
I told him that.
I don’t know why he’s doing this to me, all he’s doing is hurting me.
I’ll be over, in about…now. I heard the door bell and I groaned. I heard my mom answer the door and invite him in. “She’s upstairs, maybe you can get her out of bed.” She laughed. I heard him come up the steps and he knocked lightly on my door.
“No Tai, I told you not to come.”
“Coming in.” He said and opened the door and walked in.
“Where’s Kuori?”
“At home.”
“Oh no…”
“Don’t worry about him, he’ll be fine.”
“But-“
“But nothing.” He sat down on the edge of my bed. “We’re alone, tell me why you’re so bothered.”
“I, I don’t know. He and I have been friend for the longest time and he just has never been so cold to me before.”
“He said he didn’t mean to.”
“I just wish he would tell me himself.”
“Hey, it’s ok…” He held my hand. “He’ll come around, I think that me being here is an adjustment for him, we haven’t seen each other in years. I’ll be out of his house in no time, and things will go back to normal I’m sure. I’ll still be in school, and out with you chasing down Zero, but I won’t be around 24/7.”
“Maybe.” I said quietly. He sat me up and I glared.
“Hey, it’s 10 in the morning, you need to get up.” He put his hands up defensively. I shook my head and smiled a little. “That’s better, I don’t like seeing you so angry and upset like this.” He pulled me into a hug, which I gladly accepted. “Come on, let’s go for a walk.” I nodded and he went downstairs as I got dressed. We walked around outside and ended up at Kuori’s house.
“I don’t know if Kuori wants to see me.” I said as I looked away from the house.
“It’s alright.” He took me in and I sat on the couch while he went back to Kuori’s room. A few minutes later Kuori came out.
“Hi Kuori.” I said quietly
“Hey” He said flatly. I looked at Tai.
“This was a bad idea.” I got up.
“No sit down Mi you’re fine.” He went into the kitchen. I sat down and folded my arms. He came out again with some cookies. “I was bored so I made something.”
“Oh, t-thank you.” I took one.
“I just didn’t want to do anything” He explained.
“I, understand.” I let a yawn slip.
“You didn’t get a lot of sleep did you?”
“A whole half hour maybe.” I admitted.
“Why don’t you take a nap then.” He said.
“My mind won’t stop racing.”
“Why not?”
“I just, um…” I stuttered.
“Is it about what happened with zero?”
“Yeah, the whole thing.” I said truthfully.
“You shouldn’t let it bother you.”
“But you were right, nothing I do will make any difference.” I looked at the floor.
“Miyuki!” Tai exclaimed.
“Don’t think that way.” Kuori said seriously.
“W-what?”
“I said don’t let it bother you.”
“But, but you said…” I started off.
“I didn’t mean what I said… but I still stand by what I said with I’m not going to help.” He said.
“It really really got to me. The way you’ve been acting that last couple days. I’m confused.” I tried explaining.
“I’ve just been tired the past few days.”
“Maybe it’s all the running.” Tai offered.
“I’m sorry I’ve made you edgy.” I took a bite of the cookie.
“It’s not you, I guess it’s that I need to take a break from running for a few days.”
“Good idea.” Tai smiled. I nodded and ate the rest of my cookie.
“I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong though.” Kuori questioned.
“You ran to the beach and back this morning and I'm sure you ran around town a couple of times first.” Tai reminded him. I was starting to nod off.
“Hey I like running”
“Yea…I have to go to work.” Tai sighed.
“Alright I’ll see you later.” My eyes shot open as Kuori said that.
“Bye Tai.” I said.
“Bye mi, I don’t know if you’re going to be here when I get back.” Taisuke said.
“Ok.” He left and Kuori looked at me.
“Take a nap Mi. you can go into mine or Tai’s room it doesn’t matter.”
“C-can I sleep in yours?” I asked. I just wanted to be around him, or at least his stuff.
“Go ahead.” He nodded. I rubbed my eyes and stood up. I crossed my arms and turned towards the hall.
“Thank you, Kuori.” I said softly.
“Yep, not a problem.” I left and laid down in his room. I laid there, facing the wall, and thought about everything that had happened. I quietly began to think out loud.
“I’m sorry for everything. Please forgive me…you’re out in the kitchen, and I’m talking to a wall. Pretty pathetic isn’t it?”
“No not really.” I jumped as I heard Kuori’s voice. He laughed a little. “I thought you were sleeping when I came back here.” I curled up into a ball and stayed silent. I couldn’t believe he just heard me. “It’s fine don’t worry about it, just relax and try to get some sleep.”
“o-ok…” I gasped for air. I knew I was going to start to cry soon.
“What did you do, hold your breath? If my sheets smell I’ll wash them.”
“N-no” My voice cracked. Keep it together mi…don’t do it, he’ll just get annoyed because you’re being a baby
“Do you want me to stay in here until you fall asleep?”
“Only if, you want to.” I said honestly. I didn’t want him around if he didn’t want to be there.
“It’s fine.”
“I know, but I only, want you here, if you want to be with me.” I felt a few tears come out. Damn it…
“Tell me what’s wrong. Did you want me to go and get Taisuke?” He asked.
“N-No, please stay with me… I don’t want Tai, I want you!” I exclaimed and the tears flowed harder.
“Alright.”
“I’m a stupid stupid stupid girl.” I hugged the pillow tight.
“How are you stupid?” He asked.
“I cry a lot.” It was true.
“Why?”
“I can’t do anything right.” I shook my head.
“Yes you can.” He said.
“Not, not to you.” I was very, very sleepy
“I’m sorry that I’ve been so mean lately, I guess it is because of the running.” I nodded.
“It’s ok. You, mean a lot t-to me.”
“I’ll wait till you go to sleep then I think I’m going to make something to eat. When I was making cookies I wanted them but after I was done I didn’t want them anymore.” He explained.
“Ok.” I rolled over and faced him, I knew my face was red, and wet.
“What’s wrong?”
“Just, all my stress.” I whispered.
“Sit up.” He motioned me to sit up and he walked over to the bed. I sat up, but looked down. He sat behind me a place his hands on my shoulders. My face got warmer.
“W-What are you doing?”
“I’m going to give you a massage. I figured that it would help you relax.” He offered.
“A-Alright.” I accepted. He started with my shoulder blades, and my eyes instantly shut. My breathing slowed.
“Do you feel better?” He asked. I nodded slightly. “Good.” I reached behind my head and touched his face. “Don’t do that, it makes it harder to give the massage.” He said. I pulled my hand back.
“You’re face was warm, do you, feel ok?” I started to sway, losing my balance.
“Yea I’m fine, I might be getting sick. But when I get some sleep I should feel better.”
“O-Ok…”
“Just relax, I can tell that you’re tense.” I lowered my shoulders and leaned back a little. “That’s better.”
“K-Kuori…”
“Relax and let your mind drift.” I relaxed even more, and leaned back onto him. I laid my head on his chest.
“I…”
“Try to sleep.” I let it go, and fell asleep.
