A Twisted World

Truth

"Kat!" Lexi shouts as she jumps from her chair and frantically waves.

"Lexi!" I yell back as I start to run towards her.

I hope this wig stays on...

I run up to Lexi and I jump. Her arms wrap around me affectionately as she lifts me off the ground.

"I missed you!" She says as she sets me down and jokingly punches me.

"Ah! I'm sorry! It was an emergency, my grandparents needed my help!" I say as I throw my hands up in front of my face defensively.

"Where was your phone?" She asks accusingly.

"No service." I shrug.

Realizing she wasn't going to get much information out of me, Lexi sighs and leans her head back.

"You want coffee?" She asks.

"Sure." I say.

She nods her head and gets up.

I prop my chin onto my fist and I start playing with the bits of paper straw wrappers someone's kid left behind.

I wonder if Tsukiyama is any better... He was still locked inside his bedroom when I left...

Suddenly, my phone vibrates.

Tsukiyama: Your suit will be ready in about three days. You should be able to go to Aogiri the day after, since you're doing so well.

Me: Okay. Are you feeling better? You didn't answer when I said goodbye...

Tsukiyama: Oh... I think I was asleep.

Me: Oh, okay.

He's usually up really early... Something's not right.

"I'm back!" Lexi says happily as she plunks down at the table, causing the paper bits to scatter.

"Lexi, I need to tell you something." I say, nervous of what her reaction might be.

"Hmm?" She asks, more focused on stirring her latte.

"I'm leaving Friday.." I mumble.

"Huh?" She asks, not hearing me.

"I'm leaving Friday.." I repeat, only slightly louder.

"What?!" She shrieks, pushing herself away from the table and standing up. I jump back as our coffees tumble.

"You keep disappearing. You keep leaving me. You keep ignoring me. Why are you doing it again?!" She says as tears form in her eyes.

"Kat, I love you so much. You are my best friend in the world! But what are you hiding from me? Why won't you tell me?! Something's wrong with you, I can see it. I'll always be there for you, I'll keep your secrets with my life! Just trust me okay?" She continues.

I bite my thumb until it begins to bleed to stop myself from crying.

"Follow me and I'll tell you." I whisper.

For once, a wordless Lexi walks with me down a dark alleyway.

"My parents got me a surprise present for doing so well in school; they're sending me to a cool summer camp!" I lie.