Until We Break

Childhood Wonders - Chapter 11

Akira POV

I walked home, alone, with my hands in the pockets of the pants I borrowed. Something was off. As I arrived in front of my home, I noticed markings on the grass behind the fence. That's when I opened the gate. When I opened it I was pushed onto the ground by what felt like a huge gust of wind. I looked around for a moment before spotting a note on the gate. I walked up and took it off of the fence so I could see it better.

Akira Kiyoyama

Dad has officially kicked us both out

I've kept your stuff and moved in with Nora

She says it's okay if you stay with us throughout the rest of high-school, so I have attached the address on the back of this note

Whenever you come home and see this, please call me.

Aira Kiyoyama

I couldn't believe it. If the world could crush around me all at once, it had already, but it was growing harder to breathe. All I could imagine was that everything was going to crumble under me and the avalanche that had already broken my limbs was going to dislocate me from the world but somehow I was still alive. I didn't want to live in that pain.

I was taken out of my trance by someone pulling on my shirt. I looked over to see my neighbours son, a small boy, around the age of 6. He was skinny, with tanned skin and brown eyes. His short black hair was slightly straight, and it looked fluffy.  His eyes mirrored his innocence. "Sir? Are you okay?" he asked. I looked down at the boy, noticing his raincoat and the rain that had started. I don't know how long I was standing in front of the monastery, lost in my feelings.

"Yeah... I'm okay kid." I smiled softly, turning towards him. The boys look softened for a moment. And only for that moment. "You're.... Akane, right? He asked, curiosity sprouting in his small but smart mind. I kneeled into a puddle to look at him better, my hair soaking wet. "Akane was my mother... My name is Akira Kiyoyama. What is your name?" I asked, as he showed eager to talk.

"Seth! Seth Amorata!" He smiled happily. Such a small boy. I held my hand out for him to take. "It is nice to meet you, Seth. Where are your parents?" I asked, finally realizing he was alone. He looked confused before pointing to the house across the street to my neighbours house. I looked over and saw his mother, Amy Amorata, watching. When I was 9 my mother died, and she became one of my only parental figures. Maybe that was why she was okay with sending her son out to talk to me.

"You know. When I was 9, and my mother died, she allowed me to come over for tea a few times a week." I smiled softly, looking back at Seth who had a surprisingly cheerful smile on his face. I could tell he was a nice kid. "My mom is awesome! I don't like veggies, but she makes me eat them. That's all I don't like though.' he explained, like a six-year-old would.

"So, Seth. What do you want to be when you grow up?" I asked, standing up with a soft glance. He looked around, thinking for a moment before dancing around with a slight giggle and a big smile. "Kind! I want to be like mom and Dad! My dads a police officer, you know?" He smiled happily. I put a hand on his yellow hood before smiling.

"you'll be a great person. I can already tell, kid." I smiled happily, before sending him off to his house, to which he happily complied. I waved at the woman in the window before walking off to the nearest bus shelter, which luckily wasn't far away. I called my sister.

"Akira! Where have you been for three days!? Are you okay!?"  I heard her yell through the phone as soon as she answered. I took a moment before replying. "Uh... long story Aira... I think it's finally time I meet Nora though... I'm going to be there soon." I explained over the speaker. I heard a sigh before Aira took a moment. "I'm in the car by the bus stop. Blue Volkswagen. I can see you from here, just come on."

that surprised me. I looked around and spotted the car she was talking about. I walked over to it as the driver's side door opened and I hung up the phone. My sister came out of the car, running towards me. The moment she got close enough, she hugged me tightly, her hand on the ball of my back and the other on my head. I could tell she was crying for hours beforehand, as her breathing hitched and her face was red. Her grip was so tight to me that I just wanted to let go and go home, for a cup of my mother's hot chocolate. Like I was a kid again.

"Aki... I'm so sorry..." She muttered, her grip tightening as I tried to come to terms with what was going on. When she let go, she led me to the car and went back into the driver's side, me opening the door to the passenger's side. The care was small, with black upholstery. I sat down in the car, closing the door and locking the seat belt around me.

The drive to the apartment building was silent. It was quiet until we stopped outside of a large building. Where we stopped was close to a girl with bright blue, dyed hair. She was pale, and looked relatively normal, except for her red eyes. She had two nose rings, and a spider bite piercing. She wore a black hoodie, with a grey skirt and leggings. She also wore white platform boots. She was kept dry by a blue umbrella over her head, as the rain continued to pour. As Aira opened the drivers side door and walked out, the girls gaze softened. I got out of the car, stretching my arms as I did so.

Aira walked up to the girl, planting a soft kiss on her cheek before hugging her. That made me come to the conclusion that this was Nora Evergrey, Airas girlfriend. I had heard of her but I hadn't met her before that day. "Thank you again, darling... We are both greatful." Aira smiled softly. Nora nodded before looking over to me. Her gaze made me nervous, so I looked away. "You're Akira right?" She asked, to which I nodded.

Nora led me and Aira to her apartment, Apartment number 309. The space was homey, and spacious. It was a two bedroom. "Well, Welcome.. Akira, go make yourself at home. I'll go get some towels and hot chocolate for you. You are so wet you might get a cold." Nora smiled softly as she locked the door behind her. Aira nodded and went to hep her partner as I looked around and examined the place. The place definitely had a more Cottage-core aesthetic, one that was true throughout most of her home. The couch was green with little mushroom pillows on it, and the rug was made to look like grass. I sat down on the couch, looking at my now semi-shattered phone. Azazel is going to pay for that. I got a call. Norway had put his number in my phone, apparently. I answered, putting it up to my ear.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey, Akira it's Norway. You left before we could make a game plan or I could check you tattoo. Is everything okay?" He asked, the slight muffle from the speak causing me to sigh.

"Norway this isn't the time... a lord going on."

"Oh... do you.. maybe. Want to talk about it?" He asked, softly.

"I'll text you, I guess." I said before hanging up.

"So who's Norway?" I heard Aira speak condescendingly, which made me jump almost immediately. I looked over to her before sighing and putting my phone down on the couch beside me, her handing me a nice warm towel. "He works at the bakery with Rowan... he found me passed out on the streets a few nights ago and he was checking in on me." I explained.

"Wait, that Torie kid? The one who made those monster looking shaped crescent rolls? Second thing, you passed out on the street!?" She asked. I smiled softly and nodded. I was about to tell her what happened when Nora walked up and placed a mug in on the coffee table in front of me. "Now, dear. He needs rest. We can ask questions later." She reasoned, making Aira roll her eyes.

"Yeah yeah I guess. Your not off the hook though, kid." She spoke sarcastically. I picked up the mug full of hot chocolate in front of me and sipped out of it. It reminded me of my mothers. I smiled softly at the memory. "So... your sister tells me that you make music?" Nora brought up. I looked up at her and shook my head out embarrassment. "No, no... it's more of an experiment." I smiled nervously. All of the sudden, a look of intrigued shock washed over her face. I raised an eyebrow before feeling something wag behind me. I looked behind me and... oh well. I demoned out I guess. "Oh shit." I muttered immediately feeling a sense of anxiety and fear about this. I hadn't told Aira yet either.

"...I knew it!" Aira yelled out of excitement. I looked over to her, confused at that statement.

Word count: 1632