Roommates 🫶

9

December 2010

"Hey..Mya~chan.." Sasaki whined.

I looked up from my lego set to see him sprawled on his bedroom floor. We'd usually play outside but it's been way too cold to do that lately so we chose to go in Sasaki's house today. His black hair laid in tangles on his blue carpet. He was wearing a green sweatshirt and gray pants. He was watching me intently with his mysterious gray eyes. He eyed the way I added and removed parts from my creation. I stared at him with a confused expression.

"Why are you different now?" He asked straight up. He peered observantly into my face, trying to search for the answer on his own. "You told me you'd tell me eventually...you haven't told me yet. The suspense is killing me!"

"Oh.." I started and then paused, trying to think of a way to word it for Sasaki. "Well. My father is sick. I don't think he's gonna get better." I stated blankly. I'd tried to detach any emotion to my father's current state as to not break down at just the mere thought of him.

"Oh." Sasaki hesitated, unsure of what to say. "I'm sorry..Mya~chan. D-Do you want a hug?"

I inspected his face for any sign for pity or sympathy. I didn't want him to feel sorry for me. I don't want him to look at me differently.

His eyes were sad but his smile was warm and inviting. He sat up on his knees and held his arms out.

Without really thinking, I scooted closer to him and fell into his arms. I rested my head on his shoulder, I felt his arms go up my back. Before I realized, tears were rapidly falling out of my eyes, and I was full on sobbing on Sasaki.

"It's okay Mya~chan...you can let it all out.." He comforted. "I hope your Dad feels better soon."

I couldn't remember the last time I cried, it felt like so long. I had to be strong. For Mommy. For Daddy. I had to be strong, for them. But now..I'm not so strong. I'm so weak.

I didn't realize how much I'd kept inside me. All the sadness, the grief, the love, the hatred; it all came out of me in that moment.

I clung onto Sasaki tightly, afraid that if I let go, he might leave me too.

December 2022

"Sasaki!" I called out as I opened the front door. I slipped my shoes off and put them next to the shoe rack. "Sasaki!" I called one more time.

I sighed and just assumed he wasn't home. I bundled up in my coat, still adjusting to the sudden change of cold to warm.

I gently set down my school bag on the kitchen counter and pulled out my phone. I searched for any texts or calls from anyone. The time read "11pm".

Finals were next week, so I've been at the library for as much as I can, whenever I can. They close at 10:30, so I had to leave around then, unfortunately.

I thought I was alone until I heard some people mumbling and laughing somewhere.

I looked around the open apartment, severely on edge. It wasn't until I noticed the TV, which was on, that I knew where the sounds were coming from. The TV was turned on to some action show, I couldn't tell what it was, exactly.

I knew I turned off the TV, this morning. I wasn't sure why it was on.

I moved closer to the living room when I saw on the couch, a sleeping Sasaki. He was facing the TV, his arm hanging off the couch. His face was half buried in a pillow and his mouth was slightly parted. I noticed a small drool area where his mouth was.

I grinned at the sight, Sasaki would be so mad if he found out I took a picture of him sleeping like this. Maybe this was what I needed to end his teasing reign and get him back.