First Love

Chapter 9

I followed Kei to the train station silently. I wanted to apologize about the night before. However, the fact that we would be home alone for the following few days made me too nervous to speak.

We got into the train, and like every morning it was packed. Kei took my wrist and guided me to the corner, he stood in front of me shielding me from the waves of people getting in and out of the train.

We were too close to each other, our bodies were touching in many places. I almost burnt a hole in Kei's chest because I couldn't move my eyes up to his face. His cologne was mixed with the smell of his shampoo. It was euphoric.

Suddenly, Kei was pushed against me and this time our bodies were glued together. My breath hitched and my face turned scarlet. I could hardly breathe. I slowly looked up, only to find Kei looking straight ahead, not bothered or even aware of my agitation.

We finally got out of the train and I could finally breathe. We walked to the school, still not talking. That was how the whole morning went; Kei ignoring and not talking to me, and I debating what to say but not able to utter a word. It was very frustrating.

At lunch, a boy from another class brought Daisuke and Kei some sandwiches and the three of them sat together to eat.

"Can I join you for lunch?" I tore my eyes from the back of Kei and looked at Yoko. She had the sweetest smile on her face.

"Of course," I smiled back at her and almost gave her a hug, she was saving me from the embarrassment of eating alone. I had been having lunch with Kei for a while now. It was strange not eating with him.

Yoko and I immediately sat in silence. I took a bite of the sandwich I had but I couldn't eat much. Anger started brewing inside of me.

'Why the hell should I be the one to apologize? He didn't even ask me if I was ok with-'

"It is really peaceful today because Minako is not here." Yoko interrupted the trail of my thought.

"Oh yeah, I agree." As I looked around the class for Minako, Kei's phone rang and my eyes jolted back to him. His back was still to me, but I could tell his whole body stiffened when he heard the voice on the other end. He whispered something in Daisuke's ear, and they both ran out of the classroom. I didn't even have time to call Kei's name.

As soon as the last class's bell rang, I picked up my phone and called Kei. Of course, he didn't answer. I was freaking out big time. 'What happened that had him and Daisuke rushing like that?' I called again but no answer. 'damn it' I picked up his schoolbag and went home alone.

I was mad and worried when I got home. Part of me was praying to find Kei at home. But he wasn't, which made my anxiety increase. I called him again and then debated whether I should call Amanda or Mr. Kenji.

"I should wait." I crashed on the couch. 'I just hope he's ok.'

I opened my eyes to the sound of my cellphone. 'Did I fall asleep?' I looked at the wall clock, it was eight o'clock. My eyes widened. I had slept for almost three hours. I picked up my phone to find two missed calls from my mom and one text message from an unknown number. I opened the text and froze. For a good five minutes I was just staring at the screen pushing a button every time the light turned off on it. I didn't blink, I think I didn't even breathe. 'I should have known.'

I finally came to. My teeth were so clenched together, my jaw hurt. My heart also hurt. It was an excruciating pain. I knew it was Minako who sent the message. The bitch wanted to die. I looked at her arms around Kei one last time before throwing the phone against the wall.