Asagao After

PBG 2: Rumors

A few days went by uneventfully. Kakusu still gave me weird looks every now and then, but she kept her distance. I really did feel bad for her, I know what having a crush is like, especially one that didn't return your feelings. I tried to apologize, but it seemed that every time I made a move Mimi was there, like a dark guardian angel, preventing me from closure. She must have been really hurting, too.

PBG looked normal, but considering what has happened before that doesn't mean anything. We remained casual in our relationship, and for the most part I don't think that many people noticed. Regardless, I was worried. What if he was struggling and didn't want to talk about it? What if me getting bullied brought him down too? Mimi's threat burned in my brain. What was she going to do?

###

It was about a week after my embarrassment and Mai and Jared coming out as a couple. I was laying on my bed, cuddling Mr.Bunny. I couldn't stop panicking about Mimi and Kakusu. The weird looks were getting worse, and it reminded me of my old school a little too much. Mai was working at her desk, scribbling away at something. She always made me feel better, maybe I could talk to her about my stress. I sat up to face her. "Hey Mai -"

A knock on the door interrupted me. Mai smiled at me and got up to get the door. She stopped opening the door when she noticed who was there. "What are you doing here?"

"Kakusu has made a discovery." She said just barely loud enough for me to hear. "Can you come outside?"

"After being rude to my best friend? Not a chance!" Mai sassed as she moved to shut the door.

"Please!" begged Kakusu. "Just a minute of your time is all I need."

Mai froze. She wouldn't. She turned to smile at me. "I'll be right back." Kakusu smirked at me from the door. Mai closed the door, leaving me alone in our room. I didn't like that look on Kakusu's face. What were they talking about? I swung my feet off the bed and let them hit the floor. Wait... Shouldn't I trust Mai more? She wouldn't keep secrets from me right? She would just tell me after Kakusu left... right?

I slowly made my way to the door. I just couldn't take chances. I carefully placed my ear next to the door.

" - for her hair. She told me that. She hasn't done anything that made her deserve what she got at her old school."

"But haven't you ever wondered why she doesn't talk about it more? If she's an innocent victim like she claims, wouldn't she tell all her close friends, not just you when you ask?"

"She hasn't told the other Normal Boots Guys?"

"Not all of them, no."

"She's just being modest! And it was painful for her, it makes sense why she didn't talk about it!"

"Are you sure?"

"O-of course."

"Really?"

Silence. I felt like my insides were compressing. Surely her curiosity wouldn't get the better of her, that she would trust me and-

"What do you know?"

I scrambled back to my bed and hugged my knees to my chest. I didn't need to hear any more. They were outside just long enough for me to get a handle on my emotions. When Mai was back she shrugged it off like it was nothing, not even telling me what they were talking about. First PBG, now Mai?! Why did it feel like my past was pushing everyone I loved?

I sighed as I stared at the flats of Mai's bed. I couldn't take it. I needed a walk, some true alone time might provide some stress relief. I made up an excuse about the library and left hastily. It was almost curfew, and the library was probably closed, but the odds of Mai knowing that were slim.

I made my way out into the cooler night air. I made my way over to the same park bench Mai consoled me on a week ago. Oh how times have changed. It was almost like I time traveled to a year ago, taking my friends with me. A rain drop hit my forehead. I pulled my blazer up around me. I needed to get inside. The lights on upstairs in the arts building caught my attention. Was PB&J in session? I needed to get some shelter from the rain, and while I was in there I could talk to PBG. I'm pretty sure he didn't want to be around me after all the negative attention he was still getting after Mimi called us out at lunch, but if he really cared about me he would be there to listen, right?

I made my way up the stairs towards the radio room. I rounded the corner and felt like a stone had hit my stomach. Mimi was there, typing something into her phone. I tried to get away, but she finished and saw me before I could run. "Well, well, well. What a surprise. Kakusu searched her database for information on you and your old school and wow. She told me everything. What kind of sick person are you?"

I stepped back. "N-no... "

Mimi stepped forward, mirroring my movements with a confidence she knew I didn't have. "Your mother was deathly ill. Your father was becoming more depressed by the day. And what did you do? Nothing. You were too weak to do anything about it, and you knew that, so you focused on school and had the audacity to gloat about your good grades! No wonder everyone hated you!"

I tried to stammer out a reply, that the truth was just people being jealous of my grades, that I just wanted my parents to be proud of me, but my throat was choked. What if she was right and I couldn't even read my own actions correctly?

"And now," Mimi continued, "I've told PBG and Jon. They're disgusted. You'll be lucky if they don't tell everyone on the air." Mimi laughed and sauntered past me. "Do yourself a favor." She whispered. "And leave this school before you ruin anyone else's life you claim to care abut."

She walked past me. I was a statue in the hall. My phone buzzed. A text from PBG.

"We're through. How can I expect you to care for me if you can't even love your family?"

That was it. The nail in the coffin. I collapsed on the floor, tears pouring out of my face like a waterfall. How did this happen so quickly? My demise was almost supernatural. I heard the door click. My head shot up. PBG and Jon. They didn't want to see me, and, and I didn't want to see them. Not like this.

I slid around the corner. I just had to get down the stairs before they notic-

My foot hit something on the floor, sending it clattering down the stairs. Damn. "Hello?" I heard Jon call. I flew down the stairs. "Hey!" PBG shouts echoed down the hall. I kept running. It was raining harder now. I burst outside. If they saw me, or followed me outside, I didn't notice. Or care. By tomorrow night, I would be gone anyway.