Chapter Text
AKEMI’S POV: FIRST DAY OF 7TH GRADE
It was too dark in my room to sleep. My nightlight died out last night, and I couldn’t find anything to light up the room with. I crept through my room to reach for a flashlight, but I felt something touch my hand, and I bolted out of my room and went downstairs. I’ve been sitting down here ever since. Just waiting. The kitchen was the only part of the house slightly lit up, due to the moonlight shining in through the windows.
“Akemi?” My mom came down the stairs, “What are you doing?”
“...Couldn’t sleep.” I told her.
“Was it those dreams again, sweetie?”
“No, Mom.” I winced, “I told you, I don’t want to talk about that.”
She sighed and took a seat next to me, “Today’s a big day, you know.”
Is it? I doubt it will be any better than last year, and last year was horrible. Everything started in fifth grade, so it just carried on to sixth, and the kids got even worse. I thought they’d forget all about me, and they did…until they saw me again. Every time they see me, I get a beating.
“Why do I have to do this?” I growled, “I don’t get it.”
“Because…I want you to have a future, honey.”
“This is supposed to give me a future? Of what, a dishwasher? Professional punching bag?”
She gave me a look; One I knew meant that I had said too much. Been too mean, maybe. I can see that she is trying to do her best, but at the same time, I just want everything to be over. I want to grow up and be able to stand up for myself. I hate it when she babies me. I’m not a child anymore.
“I thought you said you weren’t being harassed anymore, Akemi. Do I need to make a call?”
“No!” I yelled, and then paused, “No, Mom. It doesn’t do anything. Just makes it worse.”
She sighed and nodded, “Alright.” It was starting to get brighter, slowly. I didn’t know what time it was. I didn’t care enough to check. I probably had an hour or so before I had to get ready. Mom got up and started preparing something. I figured it was for Dad, but who knows. I observed her. She pulled out a bag full of meds and started arranging them on the kitchen counter. Right, I forgot.
“Come here.” She called me over, and handed me a pill.
I stared at it, “What? What’s it for?”
“Well, Akemi, I spoke with your-”
“I’m not taking it.” I threw it straight into the garbage, “There’s nothing wrong with me.”
I stomped up the stairs, and she tried calling after me. She yelled so loud that I knew she just woke my dad up. Just great. Nice going, Mom. I closed the door behind me, and searched through my closet again. I could see well enough to see the outline of things inside now. I pulled out my one and only sweatshirt, and a pair of pants. I didn’t care that the sweatshirt was covered in stains and saturated in my scent. It was alright that way, to me.
There was a knock on the door. My mom. “I’m sorry I yelled at you. I’m just-”
I groaned and plopped back on my bed. I didn’t care enough to listen to her ranting just outside my room. My ears were already covered with my pillow. I could still hear her, just barely.
“I understand you’re mad at me right now, but these really will help. They helped me before when I was just a kid and-”
I opened the door and stood in front of her. She wasn’t too impressed.
“You’re not wearing that to school.” She scolded me, “And did you even hear me?” I knew it; just as soon as I opened this door, here she would be, ranting in an angry tone at me. She didn’t feel bad. Not really. She was just using pity stories to get me to open this door.
“I’m not like you.” I said quite frankly, “And I’m not taking those pills.”
She had that scowl on her face, and my comment didn’t fix it. “You better change right now.”
I rolled my eyes and closed the door in her face. I wasn’t sure what it was. My mom and I got along pretty well before this. I felt so mean, in honesty. But I wasn’t taking them. And I was right;
Nothing is wrong with me.
I hadn’t told her what the dreams were about. Not explicitly. But one time, the day before our neighbors died in a house fire, I told her that morning that something bad was going to happen. I felt it, I guess. I’ve had dreams about a lot of things. When Grandpa died, I told Mom to say “Goodbye” before we left. She asked me why, and I told her “you never know”. The next morning, she got the call. At first, I thought I could predict death. It was possible. But then it was smaller things. We were at the store, and there was a worker on a ladder. Nothing could have told anyone he was about to fall, but I told my Mom so. A couple moments later, he did. She was so angry, and said, “Don’t you ever say things like that.”
So I tried to warn people. I thought it would help that way. Once, we were at my mom’s friend's house. For about an hour, I sat on their couch and watched their cat. I knew something was wrong, somehow. Eventually, I spoke up, “I think your cat is sick. You should take her to the vet.” My mom slapped me at that moment, but the family did end up bringing her. Turns out, she was sick. It was actually a disease invisible to the eye, slowly killing her. The vet said that if she hadn’t brought her soon, she probably would have died too.
My mom’s friend asked me, “How did you know?”
I said, “I don’t know.”
That’s when my mom tried to call someone. Anyone. She knew it wasn’t normal, and when I told her I had a dream that ultimately came true, she got me a psychologist. I didn’t talk to her much. We went once a week, and she asked me questions. I couldn’t answer most of them. One of the questions was, “What do you dream about?”
I said, “I don’t know.”
That was the funny thing. I dream all the time, and I know I do, but when I wake up, I don’t remember anything. Not until something makes it click. Like my neighbors, or my grandpa, or that cat. I didn’t remember what was supposed to happen until just before. Sometimes, it was far after it happened. I get deja vu all the time. I think my mom’s friend is the only one who supports it. According to her, I’m really spiritual. She finds it amazing, but my own mom criticizes me for it. She says it’s a curse.
“Akemi! Breakfast is ready!” My mom called me down.
Shoot, I never even changed. I quickly dug through my closet and threw on a small shirt. I made work with the pants I had on. They were fine. It was just the sweatshirt. I shoved it into my backpack anyways. I gave myself a stare in the mirror. Skin and bones. I always wore so many hoodies and sweatshirts that people thought I was about fifty pounds more than I weighed. I wonder what they would think if they saw me today, like this.
“It’s getting cold!” She called again.
My backpack was nearly empty. It’s not like I needed much. I was supposed to bring in this big list, but my mom called and complained, and the school said the teacher would supply me, I guess.
I adjusted the straps and headed downstairs. I could already smell breakfast. It was some type of bread, and maybe eggs. She probably did that to spite me. She knew I hated eggs.
My book bag was placed down next to the table. I stared at the plate in front of me. Two pieces of toast, and one big egg. I took a small bite out of one of the slices, and looked over at Mom. She was making coffee, per usual. It wasn’t for her though.
“Akemi, read me the paper.” My dad threw the newspaper at me. I sighed.
But I did. There was no point in telling him no, unless I wanted a good beat. I read each and every word and made sure not to mess up. He’d make me re-read the whole thing if I messed up. About five pages in, Mom pulled my arm. I continued to read. She must be dumb, trying to stop me.
She placed money on the table in front of me, “For lunch. Don’t lose it.”
I nodded and continued. I had ten pages to go.
…
“Alright, come on.” My mom poked my arm. I just finished eating, and my dad was re-reading certain sections of what I read to him and complaining to himself.
“Where are we going?” I asked. I looked over at the clock. I still had a good half-an-hour.
She huffed, “Well, I thought I could drive you to school.”
“...Okay.” I got up, shoved the money in my pocket, threw my bag on, and headed out.
When I got just outside the door, she stopped me, “Forgetting something?”
I gave a quick sigh and then said, “Bye, Dad!” Not like he cared if I said it anyways. He didn’t even answer back. I heard Mom give him a peck on the forehead and yadda yadda. Don’t care. It’s all fake.
I hopped in the car quickly and threw my bag in-between my legs. Then I looked over at my mom. She seemed too focused to care. I connected my MP3 to the radio and picked out a good song. Then I turned it up. I didn’t see the point in getting driven to school anyways. Most people around here walked. It was barely a three-minute drive. But she’s all paranoid about me getting kidnapped, and says I’m too young to walk.
But then she went the wrong way. “Where are we going?” I asked.
“Don’t worry about it.”
I didn’t until she said that. Now I was observing everything out the window. I saw a couple kids walking. Well, two. They were walking together. Two boys, by the looks of it. I might’ve seen them around somewhere, but I talk to almost no one. They probably didn’t know me, at least not for any good reason. Rumors were the only real reason most people knew me.
We arrived in front of the local convenience store. I’d only been here a couple times.
“C’mon. Let’s go.” The car had already stopped, and she got out. I was surprised she was asking me to come in. Usually, she has me stay in the car. Mostly because I ‘always ask for things’. I think that happened once, and it was a drink.
Being out in the open like this makes me realize how paranoid I am. Because now, I’m looking at everyone. Watching them. Their moves and everything. I don’t feel safe in most places now, but that’s mostly because of this summer. I was on complete lockdown. Couldn’t go anywhere. So I can barely remember how to talk to people normally, let alone how to act publicly.
“Akemi, do you want something?” My mom asked me.
See, this was tricky. If I said no, she would think that I didn’t need her. But I said yes, she’d complain…I said no in the long run. I wasn’t even sure what she was referring to.
“Are you sure?” She pointed at some breakfast sandwiches, “They’re on sale.”
I nodded, “I’m good.”
She groaned and picked one out anyways. See? No right answer. Why even bother asking me?
“Is that all?” The cashier asked her and she gave them a look. She could be mean some mornings, typically when I got into an argument with her. This was her way of trying to apologize, but she had a hard time selling it. I could see the uncontent look on the cashier’s face, but I didn’t blame them. I don’t want to talk to her when she’s in a mood like this either.
When Mom paid, she sent me that same look. I wanted to say, “I didn’t buy it, you did” but the words couldn’t slip out my mouth. I didn’t really want to start anything. It was nice for her to offer, since I only ate half a slice of bread this morning. She knew I hated eggs, but now that I think about it…Dad probably wanted them. That was the first thing he wiped out.
We left the store and got back into the car. Mom reached into the bag and pulled out the sandwich and a drink and handed it to me. “Thanks.” I say, with little emotion. She doesn’t respond. She just turns on the car and quietly clears her throat. I turn back on the music, and we head for the school.
…
If there’s one thing I hate most in the world, it’s got to be introducing myself, especially in front of a bunch of kids that I don’t know and don’t want to know. They all talk about their summer, hobbies, and sports, and then it comes to me…
“I’m Akemi…and…I like writing, I guess.”
No one claps, or asks questions…it's just mutual silence. Then it goes to the next person, and everyone goes back to normal programming. Not a lot of people listen to me. I’m pretty much a background character in school until someone actually needs me for something. Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone would even ask me to do their homework. I’m not that smart.
“And what’s your name?”
Hey, it’s that boy. The one I saw this morning. I stare at him. Honestly, he looks stupid. Weak. Well-kept blond hair, circular face, a little pudgy…and then he speaks. “I’m Skye. I like taking pictures, and I want to be a professional photographer one day. Actually, a doctor. Well…I’m not sure, really.” I scoff just slightly, but he notices. Then I refuse to look at anyone for the rest of the introductions. How embarrassing…
“Alright, now that we got to know everyone, please choose your seat. This will remain your seat for the rest of the year.” The teacher says it like some type of warning. It probably is. I scan the room, and everyone seems to have plans already. Oh, well. I take a seat at an empty table, and pray no one has to sit with me.
“Hey. You’re Akemi, right?”
Why did I recognize that voice? I open my eyes to see that boy sitting next to me. I almost groan out loud. I didn’t want to meet anyone. And being around him…I couldn’t see how it would help my case any. He probably got bullied himself. He’s more feminine than me. And…wait…he has two different colored eyes. Green and blue. Wait, no, it’s probably just the light. But wait- It’s not!
“Um…hello?” He waves a hand in front of me. He has an embarrassed smile plastered across his face. I was staring for way too long.
“Your eyes.” I point, “They’re different colors, aren’t they?”
“My eyes?” He questioned, “Oh, yeah.” He laughed, “Almost forgot.”
“That’s cool.” I mutter.
I expect him to leave, but he gets situated. He takes out his stuff for class, and looks up at the teacher, waiting for instructions. Seriously? He doesn’t have anyone else to sit next to? There’s a couple desks with only one person too…it’s not like he was forced to sit here.
“Why’d you sit next to me?” I ask him.
He smiles, “Well, you’re the only one I really know here.”
“You know me?”
“Now I do.”
He gives me this grin that will probably stick with me for the rest of the year. Somehow, I think I just managed to make a friend. But he looks back to the teacher and acts like he didn’t just do the nicest thing that has ever happened to me before.
…
We had to switch classes after a few hours. This year, there were more classes, but we didn’t have to go far. Most classrooms were close together for 7th grade. It was easy that way. But classes were a lot longer. We didn’t do much today. It was just the introductions.
On the way out of math, someone bumped into me, “Where are you going next?” It was Skye.
“Uh…” I read the paper in my hands, “Gym, I think.”
“Wait, really? Me too!”
A small smile creeped across my face, and I nodded, “Nice.”
“Want to walk together?” He offered.
I was a bit surprised, but I nodded, “Sure.” I couldn’t turn down a request like this. So here we were, walking down the hallways together. I looked around to make sure no one was looking. Maybe that was wrong. He didn’t seem like a bad kid. Actually, I was surprised when people started greeting him in the hallways. Turns out, he’s more popular than I am…
The second we got into the gymnasium, he gasped slightly and ran up to meet with someone. I knew it wouldn’t be long until he found someone to hang out with. But he called me over anyway. I went up the bleachers slowly and sat down next to him.
“Tate, this is Akemi. Akemi, this is Tate.” He introduced both of us, and we both stared.
He was around my height, longer brown hair, mean look…someone I wouldn’t mess with. But he grinned and held out a hand, “Nice to meet you.” I took it and he shook it tightly. I grinned back, “Nice to meet you too.” I could already tell. We would get along well.
I paid attention to both of them. Skye was a lot different around Tate then he was normally. Skye seemed to be a nerd at first, but actually, he had that popular side to him. Dramatic; social; confident. He was a completely different person than I thought. Tate, on the other hand, was oddly isolated. He joked about everything the teacher did, but he almost seemed to be a background presence. He wasn’t afraid to say it, but he never spoke loud enough for anyone else to actually hear him.
Forty-five minutes later, and the class was over. Everyone else was saying “Thank God” but I wasn’t feeling the same. I was actually bonding with these guys, and now they had to leave. I smiled and waved them off still. At least I had someone in the morning to talk to, right?
They both waved, but Skye followed after me…for a few minutes. Eventually, I turned to him and asked, “Where are you going now?” We compared schedules again. We took a minute to contrast them and then I spoke up, “Are you serious?” Everything was the same except for two classes, later in the afternoon, after lunch.
He giggled, “Looks like you’re stuck with me.”
I shook my head, “Jeez, guess so.”
…
English is done now. Again, he sat next to me, but we had to sit in groups, so two girls sat with us. They were okay. As I expected, Skye got along with just about anyone. He was that type of social person. They got along, and they actually found him funny. I would’ve never guessed Skye would be the type to flirt, but these girls were actually whispering about him by the end of class.
“Damn, man.” I said, “That was crazy…”
“Huh?” He picked up his stuff, “What do you mean?”
“Those girls. They totally like you.”
He gave me a look, and then he started laughing. He laughed all the way out the classroom. At first, I thought he was one of those people so popular that he thought those girls weren’t worth it. But then he said something rather confusing. “You must be kidding.” He said and bumped into me.
“What? No. I mean, for real. They were totally into you, dude.” When I said that, he laughed again, and I scoffed, “You don’t believe me?”
“Oh, no. I believe you. I just think it’s funny.”
“...Why?”
He didn’t answer me. Mostly because we were already walking into the lunchroom, and he was too busy picking out what he wanted to eat. I got the normal, but he went out of his way to get a salad. Figures. I still couldn’t read him though. He seemed to be all over the place. He was double-popular, in the sense that everyone knew him, but people liked to use him too.
“Skye! Skye! Do you have extra money? I lost mine earlier…” It was some random girl.
“Of course.” He smiled back, “Here. This is enough, right?” It was $5…Lunch was only $3.
“Thanks! You’re the best!”
They ran off with all the money, and then I saw them buy snacks with it. They never did get lunch. But Skye didn’t say anything. He didn’t seem to care. Maybe he was rich. He didn’t seem that way, but there wasn’t a single stain on any of his clothes, and they looked brand-new. So…maybe.
“Hello? You’re holding the line up.”
I cleared my throat and paid. “Sorry.”
With my tray, I sat at an empty table and began to eat. I was used to it. I saw where Skye sat. It was at a table, almost completely full. I figured other people would soon fill up those empty spaces. By my second bite, someone stood behind me. I saw blonde hair. I almost groaned, again.
“Aren’t you going to sit with us?” He asks, “Sorry if you got scared.”
“Why would I get scared?” I muttered.
“All the people?”
He had a point. I sighed and turned around.
He smiled at me, “Just give it a go. We won’t bite.”
I nodded and grabbed my tray. I might as well give it a go. Even if they decided they hated me, at least it would be over. Hopefully. I don’t want this to be like last year, or elementary. I probably won’t say much. It’s better that way.
There were four others sitting at the table. Tate was the only one I recognized. But everyone there was a guy. I was almost surprised. Skye talked to more girls than boys. Maybe he wasn’t the so-called leader I thought he was. There was someone who stood out already, talking all high and mighty. The main thing that stood out was his choice to dye his hair that awful bright red. He stuck out like a sore thumb. It wasn’t common for people around here to dye their hair. At least, not their full head like that.
“That’s Harley.” Skye said before we even got there, “He can be a bit much sometimes.”
“I heard that!” Harley said from a few steps away. Skye didn’t try too hard to hide his remark. He wanted him to hear it. Skye laughed back, “Yeah, that was the point.” I smiled because of his confidence. Harley also didn’t seem to be the type to mess with. No one at this table did.
Skye introduced me first, and then he went around the table to introduce everyone else. Lucas; a calm guy with a good sense of humor, upper-class, played sports, darker-skin, and fresh looks. Skye described him as the “player” of the group, in both senses…basketball and women. Then there was Ben; a normal kid with a messed up mind, probably. Skye didn’t say anything other than “Ben”, so that probably meant he must be hiding something. Probably nothing good. Or maybe he is that boring.
“You already know Tate…” Skye skipped over him. I already knew what he was like. Trouble maker. That grin said it all. There were a few eyes keeping check on him already.
“And Harley…” Skye continued. “He’s the Boss. Right?” Skye laughed, so I figured it must be an inside joke. Harley gave him a look. He didn’t look too impressed by that comment.
“That’s everyone.” Skye smiled at me. He made it sound easy, but now I had to meet five new people. I could already tell some wouldn’t stay here. I wasn’t sure if I would either. I never fit into a group before, but this definitely wasn’t it. Maybe I’d fit better in whatever table was getting food spit at them right now.
…
“Well, we don’t have the next class together, so see ‘ya!” Skye waved me off, and ran off with Tate. So much for that. I didn’t know how the next two classes would go. Technically, it was one. Just two different subjects. History and science. I wondered who I would get stuck with this time around.
By the time I got there, everyone was just picking seats. I chose a desk next to the window in the back. Nobody else was sitting around here. Then he walked in. Harley. He looked at me, and gave a little “hmph”. I couldn’t tell if he was happy to see me or not. Probably not. But he sat at a desk in front of me anyways. He couldn’t sit behind me, but if he could’ve, he probably would have.
Normal introductions to both courses, and then we were out. Before I could leave, Harley pulled me by the shoulder, “Where do you live?”
“Huh?” I was confused, “Uh, it’s the house on the end, on the left of the intersection.”
He seemed to understand where I meant, “Okay. Wanna meet up with us tonight?”
“Uh…I’m not sure if I can.” I was honest, “Where?”
“We meet at the park, near the elementary. It’s not a far walk, right?”
“Guess not.” I shrugged, “I can ask my mom.”
He found that answer amusing, “Ah, I see.” I knew I said the wrong thing, “Mama’s boy, huh?”
“No!” I tried to defend myself, “But she’ll get really mad if-”
“Who cares?” I didn’t sense that he was this type of person before, but I saw it now. This whole group. They were a bunch of loner troublemakers. Just like my brother. Or, how he used to be, I guess.
“...I’ll try.” I said. He seemed content with that answer. He nodded and walked away. I wonder what would’ve happened if I had said no. A broken nose? Black eye? Or…acceptance?
…
“Hey! How’d things go?” Skye greeted me as I walked into the computer room. At least they had chairs that could move here. I sat down next to him, “Alright, I guess.” My response wasn’t the happiest.
“Oh no, did something happen?” He frowned, “It’s alright, you can tell me.”
See, the thing about Skye is…you can’t tell when he’s being genuine. He’s one of those people that seems really nice, but you never know. A lot of people like this are good at backstabbing, and I’ve only known him one day. What if we get really close and then he ruins everything?
You’re just overthinking, Akemi. You just met. There’s no point in worrying.
“Well, Harley wants me to meet up…” I looked away, “I almost said no, but I don’t think he was going to take no for an answer…”
Skye nodded, “Oh, he’s like that. But if you can, it’d be super awesome! Me and Tate will be there too!” He smiled softly, “But if you can’t…I understand.”
“I’m afraid my mom will say no or get upset.”
“Ohhh…” He thought about it, “Yeah…I know someone like that. But I understand. Don’t feel forced or anything. And if Harley says anything, just ignore him. He’s all bark, no bite.”
That made me feel a little better. “Thanks.” I say, with a smile.
“No problem!” He smiles, and turns to hear instructions.
…
“Two more classes to go.” I sigh to him.
I could already tell I wasn’t going to like this class, but the teacher really sold it. He said everything in a monotone voice, and I don’t even think he likes what he’s teaching. If so, he doesn’t act like it. At least pretend at that point…
“I’m surprised you signed up for French.” Skye remarks, “You don’t seem like that type of guy.”
“I didn’t get much of a choice. That or Spanish.”
“Fair enough. I only chose it because it seemed easier.”
“Yeah, me too.”
Again, we sat in a group of three. It was okay, but the girl we sat with had some old drama with me. She didn’t bring it up. I guess Skye was friends with her too. Maybe he was friends with everyone.
…
Last class of the day. It was art. I didn’t remember signing up for this, but that’s okay. I didn’t mind it, really. Again, we went over the basics. We were at tables with four people at each, so again, I was stuck with Skye and a few others. A boy and a girl. I didn’t know either of them, and for once, neither did Skye. But that didn’t stop him from finding out. When he got the chance, he started a conversation with them and got to know them. They were friends by the end of the class.
And now… it’s the end of the school day. The final bell rang. Thank god.
But it’s still not over. “Where’s your locker?” Skye asked me.
I barely remembered, “Upstairs, I think. Near the math room?”
“Oh, yeah. Makes sense. It’s typically near our homerooms, so mine too!”
I didn’t have to ask. We started walking there together. By the time I grabbed all my stuff, he was chatting with someone at his locker. He really was popular. Plus, he didn’t seem to care at all that time was ticking to get on the bus.
“Do you take the bus?” I ask him.
“Oh, nah. I walk home. It’s only across the street from the school.”
“Oh, okay. Well, I’ll see you later?”
“Yeah-” Then he stopped me, “Wait, wanna hang out with us? Only for a couple hours.”
“Uh…I’m not sure…”
“Please?” He asked in a way that was hard to say no to. I paused, and then slowly nodded. It wouldn’t kill me, I guess. Not until I got home. That’s when it would kill me.
…
Damn, it’s 6pm already. I should’ve been home hours ago. I wonder if she noticed. Eh, probably not. Realistically, by now, she probably called the school and then the bus garage. And neither would have an answer for her. Then she would’ve called the police and filed a report, and they’re probably out looking for me somewhere. Well…that’s a slim chance. They would’ve found me, immediately. I didn’t run too far. I’m still at school, for christ’s sake.
“Well, I have to get home.” Skye finally said, “I’ll see you guys later!”
Everyone else agreed. I agreed too. It was getting dark. I was almost scared to walk alone now. Nobody lived my way. Skye and Tate lived West of us, Ben lived South, and Harley had a ride. I lived North, so no one was going my way.
“Am I staying at your house?” Tate asked Skye, as if it was an ordinary thing. Maybe it was.
“I mean…if you want to.” That must be a yes. They walked off together. Then Skye turned back, “Oh, Akemi, it’s kinda late. Want to join us, maybe just to call home?”
“Uh…” I thought about it. I didn’t really want to walk home. At least my mom would yell at me over the phone this way too. By the time I came back, maybe she would calm down. “Sure. If that’s okay.” Skye looked over at Tate. He gave approval, “That’s fine with me.”
…
And that’s how I ended up here, laying on Skye’s floor.
SKYE’S POV; 11:24PM, “MY BEDROOM”
I didn’t expect to meet anyone new this year, but I did. A couple kids. But…more than anything, I never expected that one of them would be sleeping next to me the same day of meeting them. It’s a long story of how we ended up here, but I’ll try to explain it shortly.
Tate always sleeps on the floor. That’s his thing. I always ask him if he’ll finally crawl up here and sleep on anything but that cold tile, but he always refuses. He’ll take a blanket and a pillow from my bed and just lay there. And that’s it. But today was a bit different. I’m used to having Tate here, almost every night. But Akemi’s new. I don’t know how he sleeps or what he’s like, or if he’s ever slept at someone else’s house. Something about the way he acts tells me otherwise. He’s too scared to say anything. He’s so quiet, and lets everyone else take over the conversation. But he listens, and he doesn’t seem to mind talking to us, so I’m not sure why he doesn’t.
Anyways, I asked him his opinion on sharing the bed. I was curious, I guess. Whether he’d be more like Tate or…more like me. Turns out, he’s more like me. He shrugged, and we went from there. He refused to sleep on anything but the inside of the bed though, where I typically sleep. It’s okay.
But there’s another thing. Sleeping next to him makes me feel embarrassed. I’m not sure why. But I’ve never been this close to someone before. He’s almost laying on top of me. Well, not really, but we’re close enough that our bodies are touching. Tate doesn’t even go so far as laying in bed with me. That’s the thing I like about Akemi. He doesn’t seem to care too much, and he’s willing to say yes to just about anything. I don’t plan on using him, but people like that are good to have around.
He never really told us what happened when he called his mom, but I can only figure. I heard her through the phone, yelling at him. I kind of feel bad about it now. It’s only the first day of school, after all. Most people wouldn’t start doing this type of stuff until after a month…or more. I got too excited, I guess. It’s not every day I meet new people like this. He seems to really care, unlike most people here.
“Skye…are you still awake?”
I didn’t expect that he was still awake. But he hasn’t snored once. I should've known.
“Yeah…what’s up?”
He didn’t answer me at first. I thought maybe he was talking in his sleep, but eventually, he spoke again. “I can’t really sleep…just wondering if you were awake.” I smiled at him and tucked him in more. I didn’t know if it would help. He’s probably just like me; not used to this type of thing.
There was never a point in all of this where I thought about the chance that he could be using me. But we were getting closer. It’s only been a night. But I wasn’t against this. New start, right? I never told my mom they were over…maybe I should’ve. She works late most weekdays though, and has to wake early. I wouldn’t tell her now. She’ll find out. Maybe.
“What are you doing?” I whisper. He’s inching ever so closer. I laugh gently at his poor attempts to get closer to me. I find myself blushing. To be honest, I’ve never felt like this. I mean…it’s not an awakening or anything. Everyone with some type of common sense knows. For some reason, he had no clue. Earlier today, when he made that girl joke, was he joking? He must be playing. It’s so obvious…
He doesn’t answer me. He grunts instead, and gets comfortable. He’s not facing me, but he might as well be resting on my chest with that expression. He looks oddly situated. He has such a gentle look, compared to anyone I know. A baby face. Maybe it’s wrong to stare, but I can’t help it.
“Good night…” I whisper again and lay down next to him. I need to get some rest.