Chapter Text
01
wait for it
“two!”
Three spokes, two hinges, one person.
It all went by so fast, didn’t it?
I still remember how she looked. How she’d say my name. How I would sit at my couch waiting for somebody to come over and chat with me. Waiting for her.
Still, I can’t forget what I saw: the kitchen in disarray, the bags scattered on the floor, the chair tipped over. All of that has been burned into my mind. Yet, I fear as if I remember more of what I didn’t see in that room.
“gaty?”
Her face, her figure, her voice is all too much for me to let go from. Why did I have to fall for her? Why did this have to happen to me? Is this some kind of punishment for something I did?
What did I do to deserve this?
“...gaty?”
I’ve dug myself into a hole too deep to get out from. I need help. I need someone to help me. I need you. Please, if I had one thing, I’d wish for you to be here with me right now. Please. Just once.
✶
When I saw you weren’t there, I passed out.
I sort of recall Four talking outside and rushing in when they heard a thud on the floor. I remember him and X picking me up. After that, it’s all a blur. Time passed.
I woke up and instinctively looked to my side, yet nobody was there. I stood up and looked out the window and saw the contestants playing around on the ground. I can’t blame them, they’d never know what–
“two?”
The door swung open and X waltzed into my room. I guess they’ve been waiting for me to wake up.
“hey, x.”
“how are you doing?”
“i’m fine.”
I turned around after blurting that out. Honestly, I still felt lightheaded after falling and hitting my head.
“really? are you sure?”
“yes, x. i’m fine.”
“you don’t need to check up on me. i’ll be fine, i promise. i just need some rest.”
He sighed and closed the door behind him. I plopped myself into my bed again. I should probably just sleep this off. Maybe this headache will go away if I take a short nap.
The door opened again.
“oh, by the way two…”
“...if you need anything, just call us, okay?”
X closed the door again. I guess it's great and I have their help, but honestly all I want right now is to have this headache go away, and I don't think they can help with that. All I want to do now is sleep. I rolled onto my side like how i’d sleep and…
…this bed feels a lot bigger now.
I stared at the ceiling for some time, waiting for myself to magically become sleepy. Yet, it never happened. Maybe it was because it was midday, or maybe because of the throbbing pain in my head, or maybe because of something else. I waited, and waited, and waited.
The chatter in the hallway outside became louder and louder as the contestants started to file into their rooms. Somebody started to knock on my door. I could probably guess who it was.
“...two?”
X peeked in and I motioned him to come in. I guess he was a little scared. How long had it been, anyway? It can’t have been that long since I’d been staring at the ceiling.
“two…”
“what is it, x?”
“it's been about, like, ten hours? are you okay?”
I looked at the time. It was about seven o’clock in the evening. That means that I'd been waiting for roughly ten hours. Looks like he was right. Wow, what am I doing with my life?
“...two? are you there?”
“...oh, yeah.”
“uh, i’m fine, x.”
“i don’t know, two. you haven’t gone out to eat or…”
“i am fine, x.”
“just let me rest and sleep.”
X nodded and closed the door again. The light from the hallway that crept in slowly vanished as the room was left in darkness. I guess I could sleep now. I closed my eyes and felt myself drift off.
When I fall, I pick myself up again, right?
✶
“two!”
I opened my eyes and I was greeted with her voice. It was weird. The couch was always soft but I would’ve never fallen asleep on it. Whatever the reason was, there were more important things on my mind.
“...gaty!”
I stood upright and patted the seat next to me. She walked over and sat there. I glanced over and saw her.
Did she always look like this?
Maybe it was just the sunrays reflecting off her hinges or the fact I had just woken up, but she looks awfully… pretty? I mean, I do think she is pretty even if it was raining or whatever, but right now she looks—for the lack of a better term—perfect.
“...what are you looking at?” She giggled a little.
I quickly turned away from her. Was I really that obvious? I guess I was, like, blushing a little, but that could mean anything. It’s boiling out here and–
“is there something wrong, two?”
“oh-uh-s-sorry! i-i was just-uh–”
“just looking at me?”
“come on… i don’t need you to tell me i’m pretty…”
She started laughing. I guess she found herself funny, which was quite uncharacteristic of her. Anyway, I just started laughing alongside her since I didn’t want to spoil her fun.
It was nice seeing her so happy and cheerful. Actually, ever since she started staying here she’s been in a great mood almost everyday. Could it be because we talk everyday? Or could it be because she didn’t have the burden of competing anymore?
“...hey gaty?”
“yeah, two?”
“why are you so happy lately?”
“what do you mean?”
“...do you not want me to be happy?”
“n-no, i meant, like, you’ve been so… cheerful ever since i let you work in the kitchen.”
She turned away from me. Then, she shuffled a little farther away. I called for her.
“uh… i-i didn’t mean it like that by the way… i-i think it's great that you’re so happy nowadays! yeah!”
“uh…”
She started giggling again. I was confused for a moment, and then she turned around and shuffled back over. She was smiling. Then, she whispered something to me.
“oh two, of course i’d be happy!”
“i get to spend all my time wi