Asagao After

PBG 3: Running

I decided I had to be smart about my leaving, telling someone would risk word getting back to the school administrators or worse, Mai or Normal Boots. I didn't know what they would do if they found out my plans. They would probably report me to the administrators, or try and talk me out of leaving so I can be the butt of their favorite joke a little longer.

Dread followed me around the whole next day. Class passed silently, and at lunch I made an excuse about needing to do some homework so I could leave the lunch table to go pack. They looked concerned, but I reminded myself that they knew how much of a monster I was and that they were lying with their faces. PBG asked if I had seen his phone. I walked away. He had the nerve to ask about the thing that helped him sever our relationship in the most two-faced, sick-and-twisted way- No. He was no longer my concern.

I managed to stuff my important belongings into my old school backpack; leaving behind my old Asagao uniforms, books, and truck helped. I noticed I had some time left, so I wrote three letters. One was to Mai, telling her that I still appreciated everything she did for me, even though she was being nice to someone she didn't really know and that I was sorry for not telling her how awful I was. The Normal Boots letter was similar, But instead of in the desk, where I left Mai's letter, I left it in my Normal Boots jacket, which I was leaving behind.

Lastly, I wrote to PBG. I stared at it for a little while, then finally found the words.

PBG,

I'm sorry I changed so much in the years we've been apart, and I'm sorry I wasn't honest with you about it. I hate that my mistakes have brought you down, and that you're not used to that negative attention I've brought you. But you don't have to worry about that anymore, I'm leaving. Have fun at Asagao now that I'm gone.

-Hana

P.S. Breaking up over text? Really? Go to hell.

I paused. The last part sounded more like Mai than me, but for some reason it gave me a burst of confidence to do what I needed to do, to make choices for myself for once. And I still loved my friends, even though they didn't love me. Me leaving was about to be the best thing that ever happened to them, right?

###

That evening it was storming. I was biding my time, waiting for it to let up a little, and also waiting for a good time to leave if I was going to make it to the train station right as my train pulled up. Mai was humming to the radio. Then I saw her open the drawer to her desk. She found my note early. I side glance towards my bed. One Normal Boots jacket with two notes poking out. I needed to move now.

"Hana...!" I heard Mai start, but I was already out the door. I was running, backpack on my back, wind through my hair, tears beginning to run down my face. I heard footsteps behind me. "HANA!" I heard Mai shout. I ran down the stairs, out the front door, and into the rain. My legs burned, I was running out of stamina. Mai was a seasoned athlete, I couldn't out run her. I quickly dove behind a tree, crouching in the wet dirt and dirtying my skirt. I watched Mai through the rain. Her hand was raised to her head. No. No. She was calling Normal Boots. I wouldn't be able to outrun all of them. My phone rang. I answered it to prevent Mai from hearing it ring. "Hana?" I heard PBG through the speaker. "Hana are you ok? Mai said-"

"LIKE YOU WOULD CARE!" I shouted as loudly as I dared. I hung up. I glanced back towards the dorm. Mai had moved back inside, frantically looking through the windows in the doors. 9 figures were quickly moving towards her, fighting the wind and rain. Normal Boots. She called all of them?! And... and they all came? They were making their way just inside the dorm, meeting a frantic Mai. 7 of them were still outside. Now 5. 3. I needed to move now. I got up and started sprinting. I saw PBG's face illuminated inside talking to Mai and I faltered. I watched him talk to her, rubbing the back of his head, clearly speaking frantically. I sobbed. He was happier without me.

"THERE!" Paul shouted. Dammit! He turned around before going inside. I started running in the opposite direction. A flurry of voices and footsteps mingled with the sound of the rain. I was so close. I was-

"Hana, please stop." PBG begged, matching my speed and slowly gaining enough ground to move in front of me. Stupid athletes! The dove in front of me and tackled me. The back of my head collided with the cobblestones and roared in pain. With almost no effort at all PBG had pegged me on the hard, moist ground. "Hana!" He shouted, lightning sparking above him and lighting up his pained, wet expression. Rain dripped from his nose and his hair hung limply, framing his face. "Please, why are you doing this?

"You know why." I spat. He looked confused. "Is this about Mimi? Or is it-"

"Why are you playing dumb, PBG?" I screamed, my tears mingling with the rain. "I already know you and everyone else wants me gone so stop pretending and let me leave already!"

He stared at me blankly. Why was he still pretending like nothing happened? "ENOUGH." I shouted above the rain.
I pushed my knees up against him, hitting him in the groin. He moaned in pain and I quickly stood up. My balance... was unstable at best... but I was almost to the gate. Why was I so woozy?

I started running. I was picking up speed when PBG was shouted my name. Faster. A puddle seemed to materialize under me. With my speed and bad balance working together, I slipped. My forehead collided with the metal gate of Asagao Academy. My brain felt like it was popping. Then everything went black.