Cherry Blossom Abyss

Flashback: Uehara (age 9)

"whatcha doin?"

Vivian looks up at me,dolls in hand and looks away.

"....leave me alone,uehara. You're just going to pull my hair again."

I roll my eyes.

She was still mad over that?

I thought it was cute to see her begging me to stop.

To see that fierce look in her face.

Those stubborn eyes.

It was fun teasing her.

She was such a baby.

I reach out my hand.

"I want the boy doll."

She blinks.

"Will you...play with me if I give him to you?"

I grunt,rolling my eyes.

"Yeah,sure. Just give it."

She hesitates,so I snatch it from her,along with her girl doll.

"U-Uehara!!"

There it is. That cute little whine. I tear their clothes off and mush them together,making kissy noises and she whines more.

"Uehar-hic....w....wAAAAH!!"

she sniffles,wailing out crying and the trees start to shake.

I groan as she wipes her eyes.

God...now I felt bad. I never felt bad about bullying someone.

She was so different and I hated it.

"Don't cry..." I mumble.

She sniffles.

"I-im not crying..."

I sigh and kneel down,giving the girl doll back to her.

She blinks at it,then at me.

"I'll...play with you,okay?" I say softly.

The tears stop and the trees calm down.

She grabs it and we play together.

Hell,if I didn't,I'm sure she'd strike me down with lightening.

I look up at her.

She was smiling.

It...fit her.

That beautiful smile.

I wasn't myself around her.

But I liked this new me,rather than the old me.

She brought out something in me that challenged me. Something I've never experienced.

And all I wanted to do at this moment,was protect her.

As human beings,we thrive for acceptance.

And if we don't get it,we can become bitter or lonely.

But having friends to help you through it....

"Look,uehara!! I made her a house! C'mon!!"

She giggles and I smile softly.

...it was the best feeling in the world.