Crescent

Chapter 7 - Different

You came to school 3 days later, you were unable to take a bath, or even get out of bed. Everything ached, especially your heart. You felt betrayed, you felt hurt. You thought Laito was just teasing you, was just trying to make friends with you, or even flirting, even flirting would have been fine, but no, he was using you, and it hurts thinking about it. You came to school with disheveled hair and a broken heart. Your buttons were on the wrong holes and your bag left opened, vulnerable as you are. Even so, you are unbroken. Sure, your body feels heavy and your heart dead, but you know it was not your fault. You know that only that would not ruin your whole life, and you're not about to let it. However, what hurts still hurts, whatever has been done is done.
But the body has learnt its lesson. You shy away from touch and once in a while when you face the mirror, you see a monster instead of yourself. You've never fancied yourself, but now it seems you are far less desirable, even for yourself. Yea, you try hard to love yourself but it is hard, not after you've been tainted, not after you've turned into the disgusting thing you are.
It became harder to smile and even harder to laugh. All you felt was anger and sorrow but it wasn't hard to hide, just stick a smile on your face and no one will notice you grinding your jaw together. No one noticed anything wrong with you, except Subaru. How could he not notice after your encounter in the locker area?
What incident you ask?

---

It was first break and you were getting your books ready for next lesson, maths then literature. When you turn around, you're faced with a white haired boy, his nose inches from yours. He banged on the locker door. You could tell that he was angry.
"WHERE WERE YOU TWO DAYS AGO?!"
"..."
"I HAD TO DO THAT DAMN PRESENTATION ALONE-- O-oi... What are you crying about? Idiot. I got us a pretty good score you know?" He said awkwardly, trying to cheer you up a little. His hand reached to touch your cheek but you slapped it away.
He grit his teeth
"STOP!! DONT TOUCH ME!" you scream in midst of tears
His eyes widened, you gasped, in realization of what you just did.
"I- I'm sorry, please... Don't hurt me" you whimpered, shrinking yourself.
"..." He mumbled something inaudible to himself. He clenched his teeth before moving backwards and going away, destroying lockers and door on the way. You sighed in relief.

You met him again afterschool. No, he actually came to you. He cornered you. Gently, with a hint of anger, he asked you, "who did this to you?"
"D- did what?" You stuttered.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. I can smell the difference in you, don't lie to me" his voice raised.
"It was- it- it was Laito" you said, defeated.
"Laito..." He growled, punching the wall beside you. "I SWEAR. I'LL KILL THAT FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT"
You gasped and you asked him to stop, voice wavering with fear. You put your hand on his chest, pushing him away gently. He looked at you wide eyed, "I'll kill him I swear..." He growled. You choked on your breath and started crying. He hit the wall once more before hitting his head to the wall, pretty hard too, he breathed to your neck, his breath hitched and shaky before he pulled you to an embrace. Your first reaction was to push him away, but soon you relaxed under his touch.
He did not say a thing.