Leena

[Kerui]

Originally intending to write shounen-ai based love story, I got to shoujou-ai instead. The story has a strong romantic tendency and I apologize if it is not of your taste. Also a word of apology about the genre for I know the forum is mostly focused on yaoi, so I hope you can take this in way of making the community a bit more diverse place.

All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The work might have resemblance toward other stories but I don't believe I accidentally quoted anyone, without clearly stating it during the writing. I hope you'll enjoy chapter 1 and forgive me any spelling mistakes.




Deserted alley


The street was warm. The dark yellow colour of the setting sun was radiating softness across the empty sidewalk. Leafs coloured in shades of red, orange and brown by the mid Autumn air, were shivering in the light breeze that curled my loose hair. In the background I could hear the noise of traffic, just few blocks from the isolated aveny I loved so much. Everywhere around me were houses hidden behind the tall fences, not bothering with the rest of the world and protecting those which resided inside. Everything was so peaceful here, my long route from school to home.

I saw her again today. Her innocent smile and kind eyes. Always being so polite and outside my world. I, I was special, to special to be noticed by her. But she was bright in my eyes for a very long time. Leena. I blinked focusing on the traffic light that was ahead of me. The light turned green and I passed the road, turning left to a cream-coloured house with a flower garden in it's front.

A dog's bark could be heard from the back yard. When I got around the corner a furry ball, full of excitement greeted me with a lot of jumping and whining. "Hi Navigator, how is my boy?". Navigator cheerfully licked my palm I tried to use for scratching him behind the ears. "How was your day?" Came a greeting from my mom, holding a flower pot full of gently violate lavender. "It was fine. No grades given, no future plans explained. I'm just a bit tired, so I'll probably head to my room. Enjoy". I got a dismissal wave and quickly retreated to my attic bedroom.

I could relax now. Slowly dropping a heavy loan of unneeded school books I silently turned on Matthew's West, Family tree and went to my story book I hid on the shelve behind my drawing sketches. I took it, placing it then on my writing desk and opening it, where the red reading string was left in midnight hours a day before. The stories I wrote were always about her. Leena was my inspiration since the day I meet her.

Her short black hair was rounding her moon-shaped face in perfect lines. Her watery-blue eyes were directed carefully towards her friend which was conveying her, what seemed an interesting story. They were headed toward the library while I was waiting for my next lesson to begin. Another friend called her from behind and I caught a glimpse of her smile when she greeted, what I learned later, her best friend. Had it not been for my friend keeping me occupied at that time, I would have gazed in her direction after she was already long gone.

The stories I wrote of her were those coincidences when I ran into her on the hallway or saw her from a distance. I would imagine the reasons why she was there and write short paragraphs about it, never true but always somewhat poetic. I got much better through time and now some would actually be worth reading. But the book was my secret and I intended to keep it that way.

When I finished my writing I carefully placed my treasure where it belonged and moved onto my fluffy bed, fetching a book from my night stand along the way. I adored provocational reading topics. It was always a challenge I eagerly accepted. That appeared to be my only solution escaping a world, filled with thought of her every second of every remaining day. I used it, my medicine, regaining my sanity, which I believed would last forever.

Written by Kerui
Lp:monkey_sleep:

[Kerui]

What I noticed during my writing this week was not only my romantic and cliché notions, but also the slower progressing of the story. A pardon and apology gift given with another chapter.

All characters and events appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. The work might have resemblance toward other stories but I don't believe I accidentally quoted anyone, without clearly stating it during the writing. I hope you'll enjoy chapter 2 and forgive me any spelling mistakes.



Alphabet

Another hallway traffic jam was on the horizon. Shutting the door of my locker and turning to the path, guarded by tenths of similar faintly green sanctuaries radiating bone tired aura, I quickly made my escape. Evading the long line of students who were already free to go, I retreated to the silent corridor ahead, where noises of many conversations could not disrupt my line of thoughts. Straight down the hall, left leading past the tacky informal posters, a sharp turn right and up the stony staircase with the plant theme fence for two floors. My destination was the physics cabinet, where Ame was waiting for me to help me organize the classroom. She didn't need to do it, it was my lack of homework that lead to this situation, but as my best friend she was with me in heaven and hell.

»Are we ready to go? « Ame was standing in front of the cabinet waving to me with a bunch of clattering keys. »I think I’m more or less choiceless. « She rewarded my attempt of sarcasm with a nod an unlocked the door. We moved onto the very unstable stacks of paper that needed alphabetical attention and started with the reconstruction.

If the heating system wouldn't have been working, we would be in a very uncomfortable position. The warm walk home from last Friday already seemed like a very distant fairytale. But the warmth was not the only thing missing. What I felt like swallowing few ice cubes a whole, was the fact I haven't seen her for almost a week. I was feeling lonely and stupid at the same time, being concerned about someone who had yet to learn of my existence.

»Should we put the result on the top shelves, or are we supposed to put it up front?« Focusing on the finished papers, I pointed towards the blackboard. »I was told to leave them next to the teacher’s desk. If they won't like it, they will move it by their desire.« Ame chuckled »Always a rebel. You should ease your stubbornness a bit. Show at least a bit of remorse for your lack of interest.« I send a smirk toward my red haired, jeans loving friend and continued diminishing my extra-curricular activities.

With steady progress we managed to beat the papers till early six o'clock. Stretching my hurtful back I helped Ame carry the rest of the papers up to the front. We picked up our bags and locked the class behind us. »No more homework please. I believe chatting in a café is much more pleasant than that over piles of paper. Now let's go get some of that coffee.« Talking till we reached the main hallway we relaxed and headed to the side exit. But when we got around the corner, I halted to a gradual stop.

Leena was sitting on a bench with a book on her lap and staring into one of those coloured information posters. When she heard us, she turned around with a questioning look. »It seems we are not the only condemned ones, what is keeping you chained here?« When I am a book specialist, Ame always knows how to handle pop up situations. »I forgot something. I found it but dozed off a bit.« Blushing she stranded up and wanted to leave.

»Have you got an umbrella?« She turned around surprised. »It seems it's going to rain.« Getting two surprised glances in a row then, I was guessing not everyone tends to look out of the window when bored. »The sky is getting somewhat dark.« I pointed to the nearby window illustrating sky as black as writing ink.

»Oh, I haven't noticed before. I actually haven’t gotten one on me. The forecast never mentioned rain. «
»You can take mine if you'd like. I believe you don't want to catch a cold right before the weekend. Ame will walk me home, so I don't really need it.« I got some raised eyebrows from Am's direction but thankfully no protest. She knew my backstory. »Are you really sure? I don't mind getting a little bit wet. « I gave her an affirmative nod. »We’ll be fine. See you on Monday then. « I pushed my blue-white clover printed umbrella in her hands and practically ran through the door. We left Leena holding a book, a rain cover and an unsure look on her face.

It was icy fresh outside. But running through the rain that started falling I felt myself melting and smiling in a way I never had before.

Written by Kerui :monkey_sleep:
Lp

[Kerui]

All characters and events appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. The work might have resemblance toward other stories but I don't believe I accidentally quoted anyone, without clearly stating it during the writing. I hope you'll enjoy chapter 3 and forgive me any spelling mistakes.



Sachertorte

Biology. Sitting on the left, in the fourth row, I was copying the teacher's notes as usually. I noded when I need to; mostly pretended I knew the solution when asked about it. Adding notes to the already to full table when I was left alone for a longer time period. My green lunch bag and my black panda illustrated school bag were resting at my feet, the pressing of papers to my leg. And in the side pocket of my panda bag was hidden my clover printed umbrella.

"Thank you again for letting me use it. The rain got truly heavy afterwards. I would have been in a great deal of trouble without it." I believe I have counted four appreciation sentences in the past three floors we had to walk. "I'm glad it helped you. I wouldn't have wanted you to catching a cold." Blood flooded my face in an almost instant notice when I said it out loud. "I should be going to class now. I hope I'll see you around." Making a small bow, a habit I adopted from my beloved anime, I joined the mass of students going in every direction.

That went truly fantastic. When the first impressions tend to stick around, second ones can destroy pretty much everything. Leaving out another sigh, the bell thankfully stopped our lesson. Checking twice, not to leave anything behind I took the nearest connection to the doors and went to find Ame. I spotted her chatting with her other japanese learning classmates and stationed myself between them listening to their conversation.

Right when they progressed from, whether boku and ore can really be used by a girl, to boys using atashi and watashi, I pulled Ame a few feet backwards. "Want a walk home company today?" I was not in a mood to meditate on the hallway for another hour. "I think I'll stay. Today's lesson was really great. You should join us as well you know." I grumbled. "Thanks but I'll pass. Be good." "You don't need to tell me" I went to my locker for jacket and headed out.

Just as I walked through the main doors I got a quick pat on my shoulder. I jumped around missing that one stair I had to take and fell on my back in an improvised pirouette. To top things up the one needing my attention was no other than Leena. A red traffic light would be proud of my face.

"I am so sorry, I didn't mean to…"
"No problem. I'm sorry for jerking away, you just really caught me off guard. I'm really clumsy..."
"No, it is all my fault." She helped me get up, upset again because I fell. "What do you need me for?" I need to get some rephrasing lessons done. "Oh, I was just wondering if you had any more classes today?"
"No, all free to go. I was just heading home."
While I talked she seemed somewhat restless. She was rocking left and right on her feet in a constant rhythm. Her look was a lady-like one again, all black and blue. "If you'd like, I know a great pastry shop not far from here. I feel I haven't thanked you enough for Friday."
My umbrella got another lucky star.
"Believe me you don't need to thank me anymore, or apologize. But if you'd like, we can still go to the pastry shop."
"I'd liked that. The fastest way is on foot, if it's not too cold for you?"
"Let's go then!"

We turned left and into a small passage that connected our school with the living blocks across the street. "If it's not too personal, can I ask you what happened the other day? You seemed so sad?"
"No, not at all. I just forgot a book I needed for my project in school. I was trying to remember if I accidentally forgot anything else."
Her smile was convincing, but I didn't really believe her.
"Did you have any clubs that kept you there so late?"
I laughed: "I had some unfinished business with the physics cabinet. Ame, my best friend you saw, was helping me out. My name is Memo by the way." I smiled a tiny bit. We both forgot the first natural thing to do, even if it wasn't really needed for me.
"Oo, everything is a mess today. My name is Leena. I'm glad I met you."
If only had it had the same meaning for her too.
"Nice to meet you back." We burst into laughter. "We're almost there. Do you see that red maple tree over there? That's the entrance.”
“That was fast. Do you often visit here when you have free time?”
“To be honest, not really. It was my favorite place since my older sister showed it to me when I was eight. I like to drop by just few times a year.“
I felt several degrees warmer. “It looks like I owe you a favor now. Better be prepared for my favorite.”

We got to the brick coloured door and went inside. The bells above the door softly announced our arrival and we were embraced by the smell of various pastry ingredients. They were tangled together in all kinds of lovely shaped sweets displayed on the long red shelve. A waitress wearing a heavy pine tree-coloured apron welcomed us with a smile and gestured to chose our treats freely.

“What should we get?” I wondered which one was Leena’s favorite.
“Whatever you want. I will get some of that Sachertorte, It’s really good.”
“I’ll take a creamy vanilla hot chocolate then. It’s as warm as it is creamy, you can never get enough of that.”
I earned a broad smile. We ordered and moved onto the second floor, where they had soft, fake-leathered sofas and small coffee tables prepared for their staying guests.
“If it’s not a bother, I was wondering where your name comes from? It has a nice tone to it.”
She was one of the very few who asked that question not just to make fun of me and call me names. I hoped.
“It was my mum’s idea. She found it very creative having me named Memorie while possessing a short termed memory herself. Marie was my grand grandma. I still don’t know if this perfected my memory though”. I chuckled. “Does your name have a second meaning to?”
“No, not that I would know of. I’d love it though. When I was small I always kept making up stories about someone famous that had my name.”
“Be careful what you wish for. I got teased all the time because of my memory. Your name is perfect for being the way it is.” I got a bit carried away.
“I’ll take it as a compliment.” Our order arrived. A big slice of Sachertorte and vanilla hot chocolate with a hill of cream on top. I took my spoon and went to heaven. This was not the last time they’d be seeing me here. “It’s delicious. Your sister blessed you when she brought you here.”
She smiled. “If I knew I had any chance of making it, I would open my own pastry shop. I don’t think I have the talent though.”
“Have you ever tried?”
“Just for home. It was ok, but not outstanding. You can’t make it like that though.” She gave away a sad look.
“Don’t worry. Everyone gets better with time. Besides nothing is certain in life. How can you know it truly won’t work if you don’t try it? Everything would stop if we would.” I truly got carried away this time.
“Thank you. It’s the first time anyone has been that enthusiastic for me.”
We ate silently for a couple of minutes.
“I know I was the one who invited you here, but I’ll have to go soon. My show jumping lesson starts in half an hour.”
“We should eat fast then.” Leena seemed to relax and cheer up.

We finished eating in a record two minutes and went to the cashier. After a bit of stubbornness from my side, we paid each our share. “I really had fun today. Hope I’ll see you soon.”
“We must. I still have a favor to return after all. Have fun at your lessons!”

We waved to each other. I knew my story time was beginning. But what was the most important was our promise. We will meet again…


Written by Kerui:monkey_sleep:
Lp

[Kerui]

The school system that I briefly mentioned in this chapter is based on an existing one with about 2 million users. The story itself takes place in the same system, but the environment is bent a bit outside of the reality for the purpose of certain events I wanted to include. I will leave it to anyone truly interested to discover the country I placed the story into. Enjoy!

All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. The work might have resemblance toward other stories but I don't believe I accidentally quoted anyone, without clearly stating it during the writing. I hope you'll enjoy chapter 4 and forgive me any spelling mistakes.




Mirror

Preparing a wok for dinner is truly a nasty business. People do always say it’s one of the easiest thing to cook but they never saw its true colours like I did. The situation always went well with the chopping, slicing and mixing, but when the fire was included in the equation, the ingredients started a full rebellion. I wasn’t such a bad cook, but everything has its limits.

“Remind me again why are we doing your least successful dish for our dinner?”
“That’s so very nice of you Ame. You know you are actually here to help me make this eatable.” I gave her a sinister look as to alarm her, to finally start working. She didn’t seem to budge from our polka dot couch in the kitchen anyhow. Perhaps she already grew some roots down there.

“I am relaxing after a particularly stressful Wednesday. I would be of no use for you anyway. I do promise I will summon my strength to help you prepare the table though.” And here I thought Ame had a serious lack of humor. “Where is Sue hiding? I haven’t seen here since we got here.” Ame stretched from her post to have a look through our window at our backyard. “She’s still playing with Navigator. I think your mom won’t be pleased. They ruined some of her lavender flower beds.”

Sue, Ame, Winter and me have been friends for a long time. I met Winter already in kinder garden. We were both teased because of our names, so we started sticking out for each other. We weren’t all that alike. I always loved books, fairytales and stories. But winter hated the written word. She loved the forest. She would just walk around in it all day until she went down with a fever.

We met Ame in third year of primary school, when her family moved into town. We became friends right away and naturally pulled Winter along. Because Ame was always a serious, task taking person Winter enjoyed it to. I tried not to take sides, for I knew Winter longer and understood Ame better.

And then about two years later Sue joined us. We were kind of a special group in our core and Sue was always getting heavily picked on because she never stood her ground. We fought away her bullies and she joined us. But if I had to compare her with anyone I think Navigator would be her perfect match. Full of energy, bouncy and very talkative, she was Winter’s solar opposite.

I had to put up a lot of persuasion with Ame to keep us from falling apart, and even now, seven years later it was a lot of trouble. Winter usually found many excuses to be away when Sue was around, so she was missing most of our Wednesdays too.

“She is going to catch a cold, if she’ll keep this up.”
“Don’t worry, Sue’s never ill. I think she would make it to the world record if stamina could be properly measured. We’d have to worry more about Winter if she were here.” As I lacked special memory powers, Winter’s name was no blessing either. Her temperature rose in cold weather before one could say “achoo”.

“Here goes”. It seemed as though we were about to feed a whole village looking at all the ingredients. Ame got up from her royal spot. I was suspecting her to be too hungry to quietly observe a catastrophe. She took control over the situation just in time. “More sweet and sour sauce.” Bossy fellow. I searched the fridge for some remains. Passing her the sauce I heard the front door open and close.

Instead of Sue and Navigator, that I was expecting, Winter came into the kitchen in my mom’s fluffy green slippers, carrying a paper bag. “I brought us some pudding for desert.” Ame smiled while I went to prepare the dining room. “You are just in time to help me carry some china around.” Generously handing her a handful of forks and spoons, taking some china myself, we moved to the room next door.

While we were preparing the table I heard Ame calling Sue inside. “Will your mom come to?” I rolled my eyes. “You know how she is, she got stuck in her job as usual. She sends best regards.” My dad wasn’t around all that much because of his travels and my older brother already had a family of his own so we usually had my home for ourselves.

“I wish my house was as empty as yours someday…” Just then Navigator stormed inside getting me all slimy, but thankfully already mud free. Sue spotted Winter and went to give her a very jumpy hug. Ame came in carrying an unreasonably heavy wok all by herself. “Jeez, let me help you! Don’t walk around carrying things that are heavier than you!”
“You worry too much. What kind of a person would I be, if one tiny wok beat me?”
“A wise one. Think of your old age, your back will kill you!” All I got was a pat on my shoulder when our dinner was already served.

We talked. We laughed. The sun was setting behind the windows. It swallowed everything in burning colours. The dining room was glowing and everything seemed so simple. It was like bathing in all the happy moments we already saw together. Winter’s pudding was really sweet.

“Did you cook it for us?”
“The pastry shop near my home did. Is it that bad?” The answer seemed too defensive. The tension came out of nowhere. “Don’t be mean Winter, we would never say your cooking is bad! It is really good.” While she talked Sue was waving her spoon around so much, Winter got a bit of her portion on her nose.
“My, if you like that much, then please at least keep it to yourself.” Sue got awfully quiet. Am interfered: “She only wanted to help, you shouldn’t be so harsh Winter! We’re all friends here.” Winter stood up. “Friends are for telling the truth Ame. She’s always so loud and noisy, don’t’ you think that might be the reason why nobody likes her? I thought you were the most down to Earth person. It seems I was wrong. You might even beat Memo as a fantasy queen, muttering nonsense all around!”

This made my blood boil as well. “How can you say that! We’ve known each other for ages, we’re not like that, how can you say it?!”
“Tell me I’m not right! Tell me how realistic all of you are! Have you seen your bellowed Leena this week yet? Are you perhaps a couple already? Have you seen you’re happy ever after?” She was shouting already. “That’s enough.” Ame looked pale.
“That’s right, I better go. Nothing I ever say will change your minds. Thank you for the meal. I really enjoyed it.” We heard the sound of footsteps and a loud bang of closing doors.

“I should be going too. Sorry for all the trouble. I didn’t’ mean to upset anyone. Sorry, I’ll see you in school.”
“Sue wait, it’s ok. Don’t be sad, please!”
“Memo, thanks but I still have to go. Bye, bye!”

We were left behind Ame and I. “I wonder what happened to Winter. She was really odd…” But it seemed I agitated Ame even further. “How dare she! Nobody has the right to say that to anyone, who does she think she is!”
“She was right though, wasn’t she. She was just trying to help. What she said about Sue and me wasn’t a lie.”
“Memo , why would you…”
“Don’t worry, I’m not clueless. I just like to dream that’s all…” Ame came to me and gave me a tight hug. “Why do you seem to be in such pain then?”
“They say truth hurts.”

“I’ll sleep over tonight.” I got caught by surprise. “You don’t have to. Your mom and dad are waiting for you at home.”
“They will. But if I leave, I wouldn’t be any better than Winter just now.” I couldn’t help but smile. “She’ll come around too. I know her, there must just be something bothering her, I’m sure of it.” Am looked distant for a moment. “I’m not so sure. Let’s get my bed ready, shall we?” The moment passed. “Let’s get ready your royal bed, your royal highness above all.”
“Sounds fitting. My back wouldn’t complain either.” So we set off in search of some royal blankets and pyjamas that would satisfy the royal Ame.

“Happy ever after, is it?” Stars were shining really brightly that night. Wind blew and rattled the windows keeping clouds away. And I was having a sleepless night, lonely, as Ame slept soundly beside me. She was safe in her world, where she was untouchable.

Written by Kerui :monkey_sleep:
Lp

[Kerui]

In this chapter I tried to mimic a children’s conversation and I believe I failed utterly. I tried to shorten the chapter for a few paragraphs this time to make the story more fluid. Enjoy.

All characters and events appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. The work might have resemblance toward other stories but I don't believe I accidentally quoted anyone, without clearly stating it during the writing. I hope you'll enjoy chapter 5 and forgive me any spelling mistakes.





Lily Rose

“Mama, papa, can I go play with Winter?” I was pulling my mama’s pencil skirt while she was washing the dishes. Papa patted my head with his big, wet hands. “Go and play Memo. But don’t forget to wear your favourite poncho. We wouldn’t want daddy’s big girl to catch a cold, would we.”
“Benjamin, you know the will play in the forest again. It’s too dangerous there, they should just play inside. I don’t know what that girls parents are thinking, she is already such a fragile child.”
“Now dear, they aren’t deep into the forest. Some fresh air will do them well, besides children have to grow up sometimes. It’s ok Memo, just be sure to get back before it gets dark.”
“Thank you papa!” I ran to the front door just to hear another fight starting in the kitchen.

“Winter is waiting, Winter is waiting.” It was so windy I felt cold even under my warm poncho. “One, two, three, just another hill.” So high…
“Wow!” Everything was shining. The little snow that was left behind shone like thousand lights. “Winter I’m here!” A little figure was on the other side of the meadow.
“Memo look! I’m making snow flowers. Let’s make lots and lots of them!” The snow was flat and full of pure white flowers.
“I’ll make lilies!”
“Lilies look nice, but daisies are better. And roses are perfect.”
“Sunflowers would look pretty too.”
“Let’s make all of them!”

The snow flowers were perfect. There were thousands of the shining like little stars where we sat.
“We’re done! This will be our base from now on and we’ll name it Rose.”
“Winter don’t just name it on your own! Let’s name it Lily Rose. This way, we’ll all have funny names!”
“We’ll play here every day. Let’s always meet here and play with Lily Rose.”
“It’s a promise, every winter I will play with Winter...”
“And Lily Rose.”

We were completely wet. The sun was barely seeable across the tree tops. “I’ll go home now, so mama and papa won’t be mad at me.”
“Memo…”
“…I’m lonely…”
“Don’t worry. We promised, you’ll always have me and we’ll always play so you won’t be lonely.”
“Tomorrow we’ll meet Lily Rose again.”
“Wait for me! Bye bye.”
She was still waving when I ran back home.

A loud crash from the kitchen. Mama and papa were fighting again. So near. A shower?
“Shit!”. The window atop of my bed was wide opened letting the rain pour on us. I jumped to close that stubborn thing. It seemed Ame wasn’t bothered at all. Picking up the wet upper blanket I went to find a dry replacement.

Winter, what happened?

Written by Kerui:monkey_sleep:
Lp

[Kerui]

While the last chapter was anything but long, I extended this one a bit further. I am getting better at conversations slowly, and I hope it can also be felt in the text.
The school system is back and in order, while I'm trying to add more people as well. I feel that my characters are probably less manga styled that I anticipated, and will try to put a bit more yuri feel in the future. I hope the absent touch is not very disappointing.
This time there is a mention of an already existing character I left unquoted. I will include a full mention in the next chapter. Enjoy!
Lizbeth Salander is a character in Stieg Larssons Millennium series, perhaps some of you have already heard of it.
All characters and events appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. The work might have resemblance toward other stories but I don't believe I accidentally quoted anyone, without clearly stating it during the writing. I hope you'll enjoy chapter 6 and forgive me any spelling mistakes.



Stoic

"Ame, December is already starting! You don't have time to get all lovey-dovey on me, we have to go present shopping!"
“Memo, I’ll only be absent this Tuesday. We’ll get everything done in time.”
“Tell Bryan you have quarantine until Christmas Eve! Threaten him to leave you alone, if you must. This is not a time to go on a sugary date with your boyfriend.”
“Actually many would disagree with your opinion here. ”
“Not those who take ages to pick a perfect present for everyone! Remember two years back, at the underwear section, when you…”
“Ok, fine, I will become your loyal, single companion for the first two weeks of December. Please just let me go on my date tomorrow and I will help you find what you need.”
“Agreed, enjoy.”
“Thank you. See you soon.”
“Bye.” But she was already gone.

Curse the happy couples. Mostly inconvenient. I couldn’t help but smile. I wasn’t really being serious. I did envy Ame’s happiness, but she fully deserved it. I was happy, that she was happy. Bryan was an ordinary boy we met in primary school. He never threw mud at her in lower grades, never called her names in higher grades. He actually never really spoke to us. Just when we went to the 9th grade, he built up some courage to ask Ame out. We found out that later on.

To be true, he was one year our junior. Nobody would ever guess that though. He was high for his age, now already 180cm. He didn’t stand out much, despite his figure, with his brown hair, brown eyes and pale skin. His behavior was serious, hardworking; Sue would seem like a kindergartener by his side. I would be a teen rebel as I was.

I sighed. After Ame moved with us onto high school they kept dating throughout our freshman year. He joined us a year later, naturally, and since then, I always had to wait in line for Ame’s full attention. I was still sulking over this fact, even after four years. What a spoilt kid I am.

I felt an urge to puff in my frozen hands. I forgot my gloves at home, while my deer knitted poncho wasn’t long enough to cover my hands. Nope, my name wasn’t helping. While trying to puff my red fingers to life, I looked around to spot the grocery store ahead. Because it was already a bit past 10pm, I had to walk eight blocks to reach the nearest one, and this did not please me. It wasn’t my fault we ran out of bread right in time for my dad’s homecoming. At least not entirely. With my bad mood, my furrow line reappeared.

At last. I spotted the sign 24/7 and hurried to reach the shop. I tried to stall my visit as much as possible, knowing I would be freezing to death soon enough. The shopkeeper seemed utterly disinterested, flipping a random magazine behind the counter. While I picked some edition to the shopping list, he started quietly whistling to himself.

It ended too soon. I started to walk faster to kill the distance. I just passed the forth block back, when a group from the street, left ahead, joined me on the sidewalk.

A tall, dark haired, skinny teenager walking next to a few centimeters shorter friend, probably, wearing a cap. Next to him was a girl, laughing at some joke the cap head was telling. I recognized her voice. Pam I remembered. Leena’s best friend, with Leena on her left. And she didn’t seem her composed self at all.

“Robert, we have to get back. You are already drunk and we have school tomorrow!”
“Oh, yes Robert darling. Your girlfriend Leenie insists! Go home to your blankie and get some sleep.” The short guy started laughing out loud. He was the only one of the four not looking sober.
“Relax Leen’s, Antz is right. We’ll be back by three. Plenty of time to get some beauty sleep.”
She started laughing along Antz.

Robert seemed tense. Just a few more steps and they would be next to me, under the street light where I was standing.
“Leena, sweetheart, don’t stress it. Relax and have a drink with us. You cannot be serious all the time. It makes you look stoic…” To hell with tense, aloof. He was annoying. Leena was getting more unsteady by the second, ready to almost bolt. And then she turned her head and saw me.

I saw surprise in her eyes as she stopped. “Hi.” I froze.
“Hello.” She was still trying to compose whatever she was feeling. The cap guy, Antz, got over the surprise quicker than her.

“Oh Leenie, so how do you know this Lizbeth! Have you finally decided to show your true colours to us?” Lizbeth? Pam turned to her then.
“You never told me you knew people like her! Leena, they are backstabbers. You should think of your reputation, you know what happened to…”
Was I supposed to be deaf?
“Stop it Pam. Memorie helped me out once. She…”
“Memorie? What kind of a name is that?!” Robert looked stunned.
“So the freak’s got a name?” Antz resembled the laughing cat from Alice in Wonderland.
“Please listen to me. She…”
“Leena, you know I don’t’ like to see you hanging out with such… different people. They might even hurt you.” Robert closed in on her, and took her hand; most likely in what he felt was a reassuring way. Leena was not of the same opinion.

“Let me go please.” She took a step back.
“Don’t be so distant darling. We are supposed to be a couple. And as your boyfriend I cannot allow you to spend your time with someone like that.”
“Robert, we are not dating, please let me go now, I have to…” She didn’t have a time to finish as Robert leaned down and kissed her.
“LET HER GO!”

Antz and Pam froze from their giggling session while Robert turned around. Just in time to see me charging with a grocery bag for my weapon. As he jumped back I took my protecting position in front of Leena.
“Don’t you dare touch her again!”
Before anyone got a chance to recover I took Leena’s hand and marched across the road to a smaller street. We just came across the corner when a “Hey!” reached out ears. I started walking faster and surprisingly she followed me. We turned to a private but unguarded passage between two houses. As we reached to the end of the passage we broke into a run.

We ended up in a somewhat familiar neighborhood. I remembered being here once or twice before. We both needed a breath or two, so I led us to a bench I spotted at the street’s dead end.
“Are you ok?” She stared blankly ahead, still breathing loudly.
“I’m sorry I took you away by force, but they didn’t seem sober enough for reasoning...” Still no response.
“Leena.”
“I cannot go home.” Not an answer I was anticipating.
“Is there something wrong at home?” Her eyes slowly found mine. They were completely empty.
“They won’t accept I left Robert and the others behind. It is not by their expectations.” My blood boiled, but I kept my voice even.
“You haven’t done anything wrong. I am the reason, I dragged you away. Tell them that.”
“They won’t accept it.”

She was like an empty shell and that frightened me. No other way to explain my stupid decision.
“Come to my place then.” Surprise shifted the empty look off her face. Enough of that for one night, I would say.
“My parents won’t mind. My room is big enough for two and you can use our phone to contact your parents.”
“What should I say to them?” Was it really that easy?
“Tell them…tell them you met an old friend. That I invited you to a late visit and that you are too tired to go back home. That I insisted you sleep over tonight and come to school with me tomorrow. I can even ask my parents for help if you want…”
She started to truly look tired.
“Ok.”
“My home isn’t far from here. Can you walk a bit more?” She nodded silently.

We stood up and headed home. I was holding her hand in one of mine, and a grocery bag in the other. She needed so much support at the moment. I squeezed her cold palm with my own; trying to reassure her everything was going to be fine. I was here. And I was going to protect her. Always.

Written by Kerui:monkey_sleep:
Lp