“Tell me it isn’t true. That you’re not the devils son.” I was practically begging. How could this be? How could he not have told me? I shook my head. When I had touched him, I had somehow been able to see some of the memories. How had that happened, anyway?
“It’s the truth, I’m sorry Emiko.” he sighed, refusing to look at me.
I stepped back, unsure of what to do or say. I couldn't meet his eyes at the moment. I needed time to think, time to process what I had just learned.
“Em…” Ryuu tried as he stepped forwards, and I turned and ran straight down the hallway. I needed to get away and clear my head. I ran without looking back.
I turned down the hallway and searched for a place to be alone. My knees buckled out beneath me and I fell on the ground, laying where I had landed. Why hadn't I know this? He had kept it secret so well.
I turned and layed on my back staring at the ceiling. Unless, he hadn't known. Could this be the first time he had found out as well? If that was the case, then he was hurting much worse than I was, and here I was being all high and mighty and emo. I needed to get over myself and go apologize.
But, I couldn't look at him the same. Would Ryuu end up like his father one day? Would I have to kill him, eventually? I wouldn't be able to lose him. Not someone else. I wouldn't be able to handle it. I sat up and sat against the lockers, pulling my legs up to my chest and rested my chin on my knees.
I could hear footsteps coming down the hallway. I knew who it was without even having to look up, and I didn't want to deal with him at the moment. “Go away,” I said caustically. Nino said nothing but stood there silently. “I said go away. I don’t want to deal with anyone right now," I repeated, standing up to face him. I think I was trying to be intimidating.
A sharp pain crossed my face so suddenly that I had been unable to block Nino's hand. I stared at the ground in disbelief. Memories of my father beating me rushed through my head. I pushed them away and stared up at Nino, his sharp glare a little more than intimidating.
“What the hell was that for?” I asked sharply as I stared at Nino, waiting for some explanation.
“Ryuu needs you, and you just run away?” Nino told me as I stared at him.
“I….. This doesn’t even concern you!” I tried to explain then thought better of it. I didn't need to explain myself to him; not like he would understand anyway. I was getting desperate and angry and I lashed out at him, smacking him across the face, a little harder than I had intended, my own cheek still stinging. “What do you know?! Nothing about it! That’s what! Ryuu……”
“Is your friend and needs your help,” Nino finished darkly.
“But…” I couldn't even look at him. I knew he was right. I was being a selfish brat, acting like Elle at the moment. Ryuu deserved better than that. My fist rested on Nino's chest as I gave up the fight.
Nino side stepped and started down the hallway again. “Do what you want,” Nino answered back. “I don’t care.”
I stared after him. I couldn't believe he had come to help me and Ryuu. I was going to make this right. I'd thank Nino later. Making my way down the hallway, I passed everyone, refusing to acknowledge their accusing stares. Ryuu was staring off into space sitting against the wall.
I knelt at his side and pulled him into a hug. "Ryuu, I am so sorry!" I told him as I hugged him tighter, showing him a side of myself I had locked away a long time ago. "I'm a horrible person and don't deserve to be your friend. I'm so sorry!"
Continue?
