Connected Hearts

Chapter 9

"Girls, it's time to rest. You can't stay up too late" Celeste said
"Yes mother" Himeko said
"Are you sure you all want to sleep in the same room?" Celeste asked
"Yeah. I'll be sleeping with my cousin while Mei sleeps with Himeko. It's fine" Yuzu said
"Okay. If anything happens just come to my room" Celeste said and closed the door
"Are you two comfortable?" Himeko asked
"Yeah we're fine. Shai is already asleep" Yuzu said as she pointed at the girl who easily passed out
"I'll be joining her soon. I'm really tired. Sweet dreams everyone" Himeko said
"Hopefully everyone sleeps well" Yuzu said
"Goodnight" Mei said. Yuzu lied down and stared at the ceiling. She couldn't help but smile softly and closed her eyes
Please let me dream of Mei...
The clock ticked for hours and the girls seemed to be resting peacefully until one of them woke up fast
"Ha!" Mei gasped as she got up breathing heavily. She winced in pain feeling her head throb and looked around. Her eyes caught a glimpse of a light and looked up seeing the bathroom light on
"Huh?" Mei asked and got up. She spotted the two other girls sleeping still and walked towards the bathroom
"Yuzu?" Mei asked and heard a soft cry coming from the other side of the door
"Yuzu, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Mei asked as she tried opening the door but it was locked
"Yuzu, open up" Mei said and heard a click from the doorknob. The door opened revealing the girl who had tear stains and puffy eyes
"M-mei...uhm I-" Yuzu paused as Mei reached out hugging her. Yuzu pressed her lips together, feeling tears building up in her eyes again. She held onto Mei and let out soft whimpers trying to hold back her cries
"What happened?" Mei asked while holding her
"I-I don't...I-I don't know...i-it was dark a-and I-I..." Yuzu paused as she started crying again. Mei hugged her tightly feeling her heart ache hearing her cry
"Relax...I'm here for you" Mei said rubbing her back
"I-I woke up f-feeling really s-scared..." Yuzu said
"Why didn't you wake me up?" Mei asked
"I-I didn't w-want to bother you. I-I thought I could calm down" Yuzu said
"You should've woken me up" Mei said and pulled away to look at Yuzu's face. She held her cheeks and wiped off her tears
"Has this happened before?" Mei asked
"Th-this rarely happens..." Yuzu said
"...you're okay. I'm here" Mei said and Yuzu clinged onto her tightly
"Want to sleep together?" Mei asked
"R-really?" Yuzu asked
"You'll probably be able to sleep easier with me around. I mean I've been able to at least get some rest thanks to you" Mei said and Yuzu's face lit up
"O-okay" Yuzu said
"Come. Let's go to bed" Mei said and grabbed Yuzu's hand. The girls turned the bathroom lights off before going back
"A-ah wait uhm...where are we going to sleep?" Yuzu asked
"Tell your cousin to sleep with Himeko" Mei said
"Will it be okay for her?" Yuzu asked
"I'm sure she won't mind" Mei said
"Okay" Yuzu said and went to wake up Shai. She shook her gently before poking her cheek
"Hey Shai" Yuzu whispered and Shai jumped up startling Yuzu
"What the hell do you want?" Shai asked grabbing her wrist and Yuzu tensed up
"K-keep your voice down. Sorry I woke you up but I need you to do me a favor. Can you sleep with Himeko? I'd like to sleep with Mei" Yuzu whispered
"...were you crying or something?" Shai asked
"I had a nightmare. Now leave and just let me sleep with Mei" Yuzu said
"Okay fine" Shai mumbled and got up on her feet. She groaned softly and rubbed her head
"Thanks" Yuzu said
"Yeah..." Shai said and walked towards the bed to sleep
"Are you sure you want to sleep together?" Yuzu asked
"Yes. Now lie down" Mei said
"Okay" Yuzu said. The two girls got themselves in the futon. Yuzu felt her heart beating like crazy since she wasn't used to being close with Mei
AHHHH!!! WHY THE HELL AM I FREAKING OUT ABOUT THIS!?
"You're shaking. Is something wrong?" Mei asked and held her hand
"A-ah uhm...n-no just uhm...y-you I...I l-like you" Yuzu said and Mei couldn't help but giggle a bit
"I'm not going to bite you or anything like that" Mei said
"I-I just...seriously like you. Being this close to you is really comfortable...and it makes me feel safe" Yuzu said as she hugged her. Mei blushed and stroked her hair softly
"...I think...I understand how you feel. It's a soft warm feeling everytime our eyes meet. When I feel exhausted...I think of you to make myself feel better. Although it's better when I'm face to face with you..." Mei said and Yuzu couldn't help but get flustered. She held onto Mei and hid her face against her chest
"Yuzu" Mei said
"Y-yes Mei?" Yuzu asked
"...your heart is really loud, you know. I don't think I could sleep" Mei said
"S-sorry I can't seem to calm down. Heh I think I love you too much" Yuzu said
"I love you too" Mei whispered softly and Yuzu reached for her hand
"I really can't wait until we graduate. Hopefully time goes by fast so we can get to be together. Maybe even go to the same university" Yuzu said
"That'll only be possible if you study and work hard" Mei said
"I'll make sure to do my best. I have your help and support so I'll most likely be able to do it" Yuzu said
"I hope so...because it would be nice to have you by my side" Mei said and flinched as Yuzu cuddled her
"We could be roommates if we get a dorm together. It'd be nice living together. Oh! I could cook for you too. I know how to make many things. Although I'm not really good at baking and I'm still trying-"
"Yuzu" Mei said
"O-oh uhm yes?" Yuzu asked
"You're being loud" Mei said
"S-sorry. My bad heh" Yuzu said
"Now go back to sleep" Mei said
"Yeah. I'll shut up now" Yuzu said getting comfortable
"...it would be nice" Mei mumbled softly
"Eh?" Yuzu asked
"Goodnight" Mei said
"Uhm goodnight" Yuzu said