"Heh... "
It's cold, really cold. I think it's about -12°C right now. Snow is falling slowly on my head.
Burying under my blanket I let out a lifeless laugh as I stared into the distance.
The blanket doesn't seem to help me at all, and the cold is sending me chills down to the very bones.
Right now im sitting on a bench in a park by the riverside. A streetlight is illuminating where im sitting on.
The frozen river looks like it's out of a painting. It would have been an enchanting sight to see if only I wasn't dying of cold here.
"What a day am I having, hngh..."
I don't even want to think about it. Its not like I can change anything, can I? I already cried enough, I'm just too tired to do it anymore.
Sob.
Even though I should have already bawled my eyes enough today, why is it that I just can't calm down?
Covering my eyes with my hands, I started sobbing quietly. Not that there is anyone to hear me even if I was louder.
I'm just disgusted with hearing my cries already, that's all. I started to lose myself in my thoughts.
'I can't do it anymore.'
I tried so hard and that's what i end up with? I'm getting really pissed.
That b*tch of a mother really gave me a warm birthday. If I am still not dead by tomorrow, I should leave her a letter:
To the most precious, treasured, cherished, valued, dearest and beloved Mother,
My words cannot possibly express just how grateful I am for the unforgettable 16th birthday gift of being kicked out of the house—truly a moment that will live in my heart forever. Your impeccable timing and thoughtful gesture really showed me just how much you care about my independence. I'll carry the lessons of that day with me always, especially the part where I realized a bench in the park could double as a bedroom. Thank you for showing me that love is conditional and that birthdays are best celebrated alone.
With all my gratitude,
Your ever-thankful daughter
____
Yeah, how sad that she is cherished and beloved by anyone but me.
Anyways. It's so cold that I can't feel my fingers. Maybe i should stand up and go to somewhere more warm.
Not like there's any place like that near me. But it's much better than to fall asleep in this snowfall.
I don't want to find myself on the morning news next day: 'Today a high-schooler was found dead at ___ in the Kavakaze Park. It seems like she froze to death...'
Yeah, don't think I want that.
Shaking off the snow from my head, I stood up and reached for my bags.
My oh-so-kind mother packed them with my clothes and school notebooks and textbooks while I was at school today.
"...are you kidding me?"
Trying to pick the bags up, they didn't budge. Taking a closer look, I noticed that they somehow froze to the ground.
My day today is filled with sick jokes. How much more unlucky can I get?
"One, two... three! Hya!"
Thud.
Using all my strenght and weight I pulled the bags out of ice, but fell on my butt in the process.
"Oooww..."
It didn't hurt as much as it hurt when I fell on it before. I think it might be because I'm turning into an ice sculpture, so I should properly warm myself if I don't want to die.
Packing my blanket and throwing my schoolbag over my shoulder, I picked the bags up and started slowly walking.
*
After strolling aimlessly around the town for about an hour, I returned to the Kavakaze Park.
This time however, I was on the other side of the river, not that it matters though.
"Haaah..."
Sighing loudly, I pulled myself groggily through the park.
"Oh, what's this...?"
On a bench in front of me, there is seemingly a statue of a person completely covered in snow.
The thing is, I lived in this town for more than half of my entire life and i don't remember there being any statues of people around.
Well, whatever. It was probably installed here a few months ago.
Its midnight. I'm so tired that I might fall asleep while walking. I'm not used to being sleep-deprived at all.
The snowfall stopped about 15 minutes ago, so now is the perfect time to take a rest on a bench.
Walking up to the bench I took out my blanket and threw the bags under the bench.
Before sitting down, I should clear out the snow. Don't want to freeze my butt off.
While I was brushing the snow off the bench, the statue peeked my interest. I thought that I might as well clean the statue, but...
"...What the hell?!"
No wonder I didn't remember there being any statues around! It was a person.
"Hey, hey! Are you even alive?!"
The person looked severely frostbitten and was barely moving. Bringing my ear close to his mouth, although faint, I heard him breathing.
That didn't relieve me though, as I was already in a panic.
"Heeey! Wake up!!"
Shaking him, I finally succeded in waking him up.
"Ughhh... eh...?"
"Why the hell are you sleeping here in this cold?! Do you have a death wish?!"
After taking a look closer, it was a boy around my age. He was completely covered in snow, making him look more like a snowman than a person.
"Ah? What the?"
The boy dazedly looked around "Urghh... shit.", after a few seconds passed and his mind cleared, he finally stood up from the bench.
"Are you okay? What happened? Do you need help? No, you need help."
"Uum, what should I say... thank you? I would've been a goner if not for you waking me up."
Making an awkward smile, he scratched his head with his left hand while speaking with a slight foreign accent.
"Hey, hey! You will still die if you stay like that, go home!"
Flinch.
The boy slightly flinched and his face darkened for a moment, although it returned back to an awkward smile in a second.
"Well... yeah, you're completely right. Just let me make a call... huh."
Still being completely covered in snow, he reached down to his pocket with his right arm, only to stop a second later.
"?"
While I was giving him a questioning look, he raised his right hand and looked at it confusedly. I also took a look at it.
"Ah."
He was clenching his fist the whole time, but upon a closer look, it seems that his fingers froze together in a form of a fist.
"How the hell did this happen???"
Now wearing the same confused look as him, i added: "Did you pour water on your hand before going to sleep or what?"
"...I was holding a pocket warmer."
"Then how in the world did that happen?!"
Looking back at him, he was wearing an exasperated expression.
"Shouldn't you go to a hospital?" I said.
"No, fuck it."
Without any explanation, he turned and walked with irritated steps to the nearest light pole. Still not understanding what he wants to do, I just stood in place.
"What the...!"
Suddenly drawing his fist back, he threw a punch at the pole.
BAM!
I don't think he used a lot of force, but the sound was thunderous. It sounded like as if someone dropped a big list of metal on the floor.
"Haaaa... don't look at me with that expression, it's uncomfortable. I just needed to let some steam off."
The ice one his hand broke down, probably along with some bones,
Blood was dripping from the points of his fingers, but he just turned around and walked back to me as if nothing ever happened.
"...Now you surely need to go to a hospital."
"Meh..., it's okay."
Taking out his smartphone, he checked the time, before focusing his attention to me.
"2 in the morning, huh. If I may ask, why are you this late outside in this cold? Are you not afraid of someone attacking you?"
"I have my circumstances."
"...What a shame. And here I was hoping you want to get attacked... how sad."
Making a sarcastic remark, the boy finally brushed the snow off himself, but for some reasom sat down on the bench again.
"...Why aren't you going home?"
"Look, I have my circumstances and you have yours, okay? Sit down, your blankets are getting colder and colder here."
He pointed next to him.
Although that remark was said in rude words, the boy doesn't seem to be hostile in any way. I guess he just had a bad day.
"...Okay."
Sitting down not far from him, I added. "I have another blanket, although it might be too small for you. Want it?"
"Sure."
Shrugging his shoulders, he smiled gently and patiently waited for me to take it out. Passing the blanket onto him, I took a closer look at him.
Long eyelashes, a small nose and pretty big eyes. His hair is short but lush and paired with feminine face features, it makes him quite a looker.
If his hair was a little longer and he wore make-up, he would easily pass as a girl.
"Hey." I called out to him.
"What's up?"
Opening his eyes, he turned to look at me.
"Why aren't you going home?"
"Didn't I answer already? I have my circumstances and you have yours. Although those things of yours give me enough info."
He pointed at my bags under the bench for a second, before putting his bloodied hand back into his pocket.
"I know. I just want to know what happened to you. I'm curious."
He looked me in the eyes. His iris is dyed green that fades into gray near the pupil. Gazing into his clear eyes, they reminded me off a calm lake.
Quite a poetic way to put it, but that's the first thing that came to my mind. The second one was pudding. Strange, right?
By the way, wasn't there a quote that goes like 'A lake that is too pure where there isn't a fish that lives in it'?
After a few seconds he turned to look at the frozen river.
"It's really not an interesting story you know?"
"You sound like a drama-manga mc right now."
I feel like I could take a photo of his side profile and put it in a manga panel. I bet it would look natural.
"Pftt-, never would've thought the girl who looks like she would be the most popular girl in her school because she's so cute would be a manga lover."
"I am. And liking manga isn't something unique or strange, you'll find many people like that here."
It seems that he's not from japan, although he's speaking japanese fluently.
"Guess so. Is liking novels also common around here?"
...
"...Has someone ever told you that you're too perceptive?"
"Haha... have you ever heard that your expression is really easy to read? By the way, yeah, get that often."
Looks like he's having fun. His irritation is nowhere to be seen. That still doesn't hide the bags under his eyes though.
"So? Why are you here?"
"It's easier to just show. Can you read english?"
"Yeah. I'm not really confident in myself though."
"I'll translate it for you if you won't understand."
He reached under the bench, taking out a business suitcase. Opening it and taking out a folder with many different papers, he started searching for something.
Meanwhile, I took a look at what he has in his suitcase.
An expensive-looking notebook, a pencil case, laptop, first-aid kit, power bank and an envelope.
Now that I think about it, the boy is wearing formal clothes right now. I don't know how he still didn't die in this cold.
He is dressed in a formal business attire, wearing a seemingly tailored suit, a crisp dress shirt and a matching tie. The only thing dirty on him are his shoes.
There is still some snow on his eyelashes and hair, but it only makes him look better.
I don't get it, how is he still looking brand new even after being completely covered in snow for I don't know how long? I'm envious.
"Ah, found it. Here."
Cutting off my train of thought, he handed me a stack documents, clipped together with a paper clip.
"No need to read everything. Everything is clear just by reading the starting few sentences on the first page."
Trying to read the title of the document, I couldn't understand it. I've never seen that word in english.
"What does this say?" I pointed at the word.
"Hmm? Ah, it's 'Family Enstrangement'."
"Family-what?"
"Enstrangement. Basically its a legal declaration that I am no longer allowed to come in contact with my family. Well, in other words, disownement with a few additions."
"..."
Reading the document further, it stated:
Confused, I turned to him and gave him a questioning look.
"Heh. That excuse of a father of mine got fed up with raising me. So what do you think is the next thing he does?"
Halting his explanation, he waited for my answer.
"...I don't know. Why?"
"I don't know either!"
He's trying not to openly show his frustration, but I see him clenching his fists hard. I can even hear him grinding his teeth.
"The only thing I know, is that he told me I'm going to japan with him. He told me he got a business opportunity and that I will be pushed into a political marriage with his clients daughter or something like that."
His expression is extremly dark while he's explaining things to me.
"He said that I'm not to bring any of my belongings and that only things I absolutely need are allowed. And then he made me use MY money to fly to japan by myself."
He continued. "Right before I got on my flight, one of his company's enployees gave me an envelope with a letter in it. With no time to read it, I just threw it in my suitcase."
"The next thing I know, I'm reading the letter already in japan. Do you know how flabbergasted I was? I'm all alone in a country I haven't been to for ages. And to top it all off, I can't return home because I will get into trouble with law for coming into contact with my father!"
He is really good at japanese even though he's from abroad. To speak that fast in complete sentences without any mistakes and pronounciation problems is remarkable.
"Fuuuuu... I'm sorry for lashing out like this. It's been a long day for me and I just can't find what to do now."
Suddenly deeply bowing, he apologized for openly showing his annoyance.
It's really painful to see him like that.
"It's okay, please raise your head, there's nothing to apologize for. I understand what you're feeling right now."
"I'm still very sorry for causing you even more trouble, as you may have already had enough problems yourself."
He still didn't raise his head, staying in a deep bow. Can you stop already? Why do I feel like the bad one here?
"Here." I handed him the 'Family Enstrangement' letter.
After about 5 more seconds he slowly got back up and seeing me holding that stack of documents, he took it with his right hand.
Flinch.
He flinched and furrowed his brows for a moment before hastily putting the document into his folder.
"Hey, your hand..."
"It's nothing serious, really."
"I saw a first-aid kit in your suitcase. Lets at least treat the small cuts from the ice."
"...Right."
He carefully took out the kit and put it on his knees.
Taking out a bandage and an antiseptic solution, he tried to treat his wound himself.
"Let me help. You're only going to make it worse if you use your left hand. You're right handed, aren't you?"
"...If you're not troubled, I'll gladly accept."
He seems to be a pretty serious person, as he is talking respectfully. He shouldn't be so formal though.
"You can talk comfortably with me, I don't mind it."
I decided to make some small-talk while I was disinfecting the wounds on his hand, as the atmosphere was turning a bit awkward for me.
"I'd rather not. I'm the type of person who becomes overly annoying when I become close to someone..."
"If that's what you want." I answered while shrugging my shoulders.
"I might look strange, as I am mixing formal and informal language here and there. Even though I'm half-japanese, I lived most of my life abroad so... yeah."
"Okay. Don't worry about your peculiarities. There are many types of people out there. You know, I have a friend at school that texts her boyfriend almost 24/7."
"Woah. Sucks to be that guy."
Wrapping a bandage around his hand, I continued. "Heh, they're so in love that he doesn't mind it. He actually texts her back every time...—and done." I finished bandaging his hand.
"Oh, thanks..."
"No problem. You should probably still go to a hospital for a small check."
How much power did he put into that punch anyway? His skin was all torn and bloodied. Luckily, it looks like he didn't break anything.
"Your bones seem okay, are they actually made of diamond? ...Can I get some?"
"Haha—, maybe."
Letting out a laugh, he closed his eyes leaned back on the bench.
"...Now that I told you about my situation, may I hear why you're here right now?"
"Curious? What happened to me is not as interesting as your story."
"Well, then what should I say... I'm worried about you?"
"You're worried about someone you've just met?"
"I mean, when a girl my age is going around the park in the middle of the night while wearing the saddest expression I've ever seen anyone make—of course I'll be worried."
Do I actually look so sad? He has it worse than me and I'm the one looking like that?
"Look, it's clear that you were crying right before you met me. Your eyes are red and just as I've already said, your expression is easy to read."
"Ughhh..."
How can an expression be easy to read? It may tell you what emotions the person is feeling, but thoughts?
On another thought, is he a mage? How can he read my thoughts by looking at my expression? Anyways.
"Well if I have to talk about my circumstances... I got kicked out of my house, or should I say family?"
"Well, I suspected that you ran away from home, but kicked out? Is it even allowed? We're minors."
"Don't know, sadly, I'm not a lawyer."
"Mhm. Why though?"
"I won't go into details, It still hurts, but if I had to explain it easier: I wasn't on good terms with my parents and for some reason they decided that my birthday is the day they get rid off me. That's about it. Boring, right?"
"It does sound a bit boring, but it sounds a lot more painful than what happened to me."
"Is it really? You know, when I heard your story, my first thought was 'Someone has it even harsher than me, huh?'."
"Harsher? It's not as bad as when you're getting kicked from the family you've lived your entire life with. My family was more like a business relationship."
"Business relationship...? ...You don't want to know how many questions i have, but I'll leave that for later."
"Why though?
"You ask me why? Look at yourself, you look like you haven't slept in a week."
"...Do I really look like that?
"Yes. Just sleep, we can talk tomorrow."
"Okay, thanks..."
Although he tried to hide it, it was still clearly visible that he is embarrased by the situation.
Now that I think about it, I already saw his name on the document he gave me, but he doesn't know mine.
"We still haven't introduced ourselves. My name is Mori Miyu. Oh and in case you don't know or forgot, in japan we say our surname first, and then the name."
"Oh, my name is... Kota Aki. I'm glad to meet you, Mori-san."
"Likewise. You can just call me Mori. Oh and, goodnight to you, Kota."
"...Yeah, goodnight, Mori-san."
"Mori."
"...Mori."
Making an awkward smile, he buried himself deeper into the blanket I gave him, closed his eyes, and slowly drifted to sleep.
I also closed my eyes, but after a few minutes, I noticed I zoned out.
"...You up?"
Carefully leaning closer to Kota's face, I could only hear his peaceful breath. He was truly tired to fall asleep so fast.
But wow. Can a guy actually have such a cute face? Is he actually a girl? Nevermind that, he's surely pretty popular.
"Ngh...? ...Iss som'n... wron'...?"
Groggily, Kota opened his eyes, but it looks like he was half-asleep, as he even spoke in english.
"Oh, it's nothing."
"...Mmgh, 'kay..."
He reminds me of that cat my friend has. Every time I see him, he's always asleep. Kota has a similar expression to that cat right now.
"Well, time to sleep."
I was also up the whole day wasn't I? What time is it... 2 in the night, huh. It's bad for my health to be up this late.
Before going to sleep, I fixed the blanket on Kota, because it started sliding off of him.
Don't want my new friend to fall ill, do I? Well, not that it will help him or me, as we are already drenched in the first place.
Covering myself with my blanket, I leaned back, closed my eyes and fell asleep.
* * *
"I'm off to school."
The house stayed quiet, even though my parents surely heard me. Closing the door behind me, I started walking to school.
The street is half-deserted even though I'm already pretty close to school, as it's still early in the morning. I'm feeling cold so I quickened my steps.
By the way, today is my birthday. My friends will want to make me celebrate it, but I know my parents will be furious if I won't come home straight after school.
That's pretty sad, but I'm not really bothered. What I am bothered by, is: when I was making my breakfast, my mother came to me (which she rarely does) and told me to come home today as fast as possible.
That kind of stuff only happens when it's something really important. They would always distance themselves from me.
Anything that can be done without me should be done without me—that's what their motto is, probably. No, I'm sure of it.
Whatever, I still have time until then.
"Good morning."
"Morning."
Walking trough the school gate and greeting the cooking class teacher in the hallway, I got to my classroom.
Walking in, I was the first one to arrive, so I put all the chairs into their places.
Seems like the students that were on cleaning duty yesterday were slacking off, as the board was only half-assedly cleaned.
After washing the board, I still had a lot of time left, so I decided to review our stuff for today's math class. ...But got bored halfway and just spent time reading webnovels.
As time passed, the classroom started filling with students.
"Morning, Miyu."
"Good morning, Mori-san."
"Mhm, morning, you two."
The one calling me by my name is Kobayashi Rina, my close friend. Right next to her is Nakamura Yumi, Rina's best friend and my acquaintance.
"By the way, how often should I tell you two call me Miyu, Yumi?"
"...I'm sorry but I still don't feel really comfortable with other people."
"Okay..."
Yumi is in fact an introvert, but the extroverted Rina is always trying to make her befriend others. She's been at it since the start of highschool.
Apparently Yumi wasn't always like that. She became friends with Rina in grade school, but then they went to different middle schools.
After grade school, Rina's family moved to a different town because of her mother's job. During that time her and Yumi rarely saw each other.
At the end of their 3 year of middle school, Rina moved back to our town only to find out that Yumi became a shut-in.
I don't know all the details, but I try to help as much as I can.
"Sooo~, wanna hang out today?"
"No, sorry, I need to get home early today."
I haven't told any of them my birthday yet, because it would be a hassle as Rina is quite a gossip-lover.
I already experienced it in middle school, so I don't want any guys to "try".
"Eehh~? But it's friday, is it really something so important?"
"Don't know. My mom told me it is inportant, but I still don't know what is."
"Huuh..."
Yumi tapped on Rina's shoulder trying to say something.
"...what if! She has a boyfriend and doesn't want anyone to know it..."
"True~!"
"Hey, I heard everything you know?"
Seems like I found out something new about Yumi today. Yumi is a gossip-creator. Noted.
I should never tell her any of my or anyone's secrets.
"Nevermind that, why aren't you cold like that, Rina? The weather forecast on TV said it's -11°C (52°F) today, unusually cold isn't it?"
Rina isn't a gyaru, but does dress up flashy. She usually wears her school blazer open, with a loose tie hanging over her thin blouse.
With her wearing a short skirt and nothing except for ankle socks and platform shoes, it even made me feel cold.
"I don't really feel cold, you know~? I just need to move more and that's it~."
"If you say so."
As we were talking, the bell rang, signaling 5 minutes before homeroom.
"Well then, Yumi, see you later."
"Till' later, Yumi~!"
"...Yeah, bye."
Yumi and us are in different classes so she has to go now. Rina also went back to her place.
The teacher arrived shortly after and the boring homeroom started.
*
"Bye~, Miyu! See you on monday~!"
"Bye!"
Shouting to Rina across the room, I went out of the classroom and quickly headed for the exit.
The road back home wasn't long as I ran half the way, so I arrived only around 25 minutes after the end of my class.
Coming to the door, I noticed a few bags thrown on the ground near the entrance. Carefully avoiding them I approched the the door.
I rang the doorbell and waited. After a few seconds no one came, so I rang it again. The same thing happened, so I took out my keys.
Seems like no one is home. Why did I need to run here then?
Just as that thought passed through my brain, I tried to turn the key in the keylock.
Tick.
...But I couldn't.
"Huh?"
Tick. Tick.
I tried a few times again, but it didn't want to budge.
Looking through my keys, which I had only a few, I confirmed that it was the right one.
I still tried a few times just in case, but it didn't work. So I decided to call my parents.
"Where... where... ah, here."
Browsing through my contacts, I found the contact "Mother" and called her.
After about 10 seconds, she picked up.
[...What?]
"Where are you? Didn't you tell me to come home early today?"
[Oh, about that... yeah, you took too long so I went out.]
"Went out??? Why the hell did I come then? What about the door? It doesn't open."
[The door? Ahh, we changed the lock.]
"..Haaaaa?"
[Oh, yeah, the bags on the ground there, I put your stuff in them. Bye.]
"...eh? W-what do you—!"
Beep—. Beep—. Beep—.
The phone call ended.
What did she just say? They changed the lock on the door? What the fuck?
"Wait, the bags here..."
Quickly turning around and picking the bags up, I found my clothes with a few books and other stuff there.
"What the hell?!"
I called her again.
Beep—. Beep—. Beep—.
She turned my call down.
"..."
I called her the third time.
[The contact you're trying to reach has blocked you.]
"That bitch!"
What do I do... What do I do... Ah!
My father! Yes, I should call my father! That motherfucker may have no brain, but he'll surely have something to say!
Finding his contact in my contacts list, I called him.
5 seconds.
10 seconds.
15 seconds passed.
Beep—. Beep—. Beep—.
He didn't pick up, so I called him again.
5 seconds, 10 seconds...
[...Hello?]
He picked up this time, I'll ask him what the fuck is going on.
"Hey. I just called mo-"
Beep—. Beep—. Beep—.
"-motherfuckers!"
He just...!
"AAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
What the fuck is wrong with them?! I'm their child, and that's how they treat me?!
"Fuuuu... Haaaa... Fuuuuuu... Haaaaaaa..."
I took deep breaths to calm myself. First, I should look at the situation im in.
The door is locked and my parents blocked me. I have some of my stuff with me and in those bags on the ground.
I should wait for when they come home from work tonight.
"...yes! I'll do just that and give them a piece of my word tonight!!!"
*
1 o'clock. No one came home.
Those parents of mine seem to have booked a hotel for today or stayed at their friends places.
Clever pieces of shit.
It's so cold that I can't feel my fingers at all.
I can't stay here. What do I do?
I should go now. I'll be back tomorrow.
I'm gonna be waiting here. ...And I will give them a good beating.
* * *
"Uuuugghhhhh..."
What the hell? Why's it so cold? I'm freezing.
"Oh, right."
I'm on a bench in a park. Cool I guess. Time to move my ass a bit.
Crack.
"ARRGH, SHIT!"
It hurts! It feels like I just broke my spine in two.
Why the hell does it hurt so much to just stand up?!
Well..., it's no wonder after I slept on bench.
"Uhn..."
"...!"
Right. She's also here. The girl I met yesterday.
Her situation seems similar to mine, so I should think about what to do next when she wakes up.
While thinking that, I took a closer look at her.
It was too dark at night yesterday so I didn't really see her features, but...
...wow. She's really good looking now that I see her in the daylight.
Long light-brown beautiful hair, small nose, small lips.
Her face is perfectly proportioned. She has a small stature of around 168 cm.
Looks like she has big eyes too, even though I can't see them as they're closed.
Overall, her looks can be described with two words:
"Overly cute."
Too cute to be true. How can she look so good?
"Uuuhmmf... where...?"
Anyway, I got off the track. First I should wake her up.
Mori-san grogily opened her eyes. She's still half-asleep though.
Seems like I disturbed her sleep with my scream from earlier. My bad.
"Good morning, Mori-san."
"...uh?"
"You'll get sick if you continue to sleep in this cold. Wake up."
Seems like she's still out of it. Well I didn't wan't to do this.
Bringing my hands closer to her face...
Clap!
"E-Eek—!"
I clapped my hands together making a pretty loud noise.
It was enough for her to wake up. It worked, but...
"I'm sorry."
I immediatly apologized. It was an extremely rude thing to do of me.
It's just that I wasn't yet able to get rid of my habits. I used to wake my friend up like this.
"Eh? Uh..."
Still out of it, Miyu blinked a couple of times, before—"Well... hope you'll be okay." I mumbled, rising to my feet. "I should go."
I didn't want her to say anything. Didn't look back either—maybe I'll look cooler that way.
Somewhere in the distance, a train horn echoed through the city. My fingers twitched like they wanted to wave—but I shoved them in my pockets instead.
I hope we meet again, but maybe next time in a bit of better situation.