The Stars in the Sky [Love is a Journey- Book 1]

Karma...?

{Kayano POV}

I still haven't told him. The time hasn't been right! Gosh dang it, emotions, why do you have to be so complicated? It's mid-fall already, and I'm still charading as the "best friend" in the duo.

I know this might be wishful thinking, but I think that Nagisa's seeing me more as a girl recently. He never blushes when he talks to me or asks me favors or anything, but he DID stutter a little when he recited his "she's my best friend" speech to Karma. Maybe that redhead was right; Nagisa seems to have feelings for me after all. They're buried pretty deep, but they're still there.

I gulp as the final bell of the day rings. Maybe this is the time... I stand up, about to say something...

"Hey, Nagisa!" Sugino clasps my crush on the shoulder, over-friendly as usual. "Okajima found a way to get to the train station really fast using parkour. You coming?"

"Heck yeah!" Nagisa laughs. Then he turns his gaze to me. "You coming, Kayano?"

"U-um..." I blink repeatedly. "Karasuma and KoroSensei said that we're not supposed to use parkour outside of class... I think I'll just walk to the station like a normal person."

"Aw, are you sure?" Nagisa puts on a pouty face, then laughs it off. "Come on, Sugino! Race you to the station!" With that, the boy I've fallen so hard for dashes out of the classroom and into the woods. I sigh, thinking of how close I came to confessing. I want to express my love now, but... will there ever be a right time?

"Don't worry, Kayano," someone whispers into my ear. The voice is easily recognizable; he's the one who's been there for me this whole time. "Nagisa will notice eventually. Besides, you're so pretty, I doubt it'll take much for him to fall for you."

At that last bit, I spin around, not believing what I heard. Did Karma just say I was-?

I gasp in surprise. Karma's face is even redder than his hair. His golden eyes are filled with embarrassment as he stares at the ground, not meeting my gaze. Nagisa had NEVER blushed like this, not for me. Not for... anyone. But Karma was.

"B-but, don't you like Okuda?" I stutter, backing away an inch or two.

"I- I don't really know," Karma confesses, not lifting his eyes. "She's so... timid. I don't know. It's just, something about you is so... appealing." He lifts his gaze to meet my own. There's something in his eyes that I don't recognize. It's...

Hunger.

We're alone in this classroom.

And Karma wants me.

I take another step backwards, shivering. No. NO. I don't want Karma! I want Nagisa! But those golden eyes find mine, and I see just how badly Karma wants me. No hunger could form this quickly. Karma must have wanted me starting long ago; he just respected my crush on Nagisa and didn't try anything.

"Kayano..." Karma begs, taking another step towards me, "I've felt this way for so long... I've waited for months... Please... Just... Let me enjoy one kiss..."

"Kiss?" My stomach flutters, and my heart starts thumping uncontrollably. "K-Karma! We can't! I... I don't like you!" And it's true. Sure, he's handsome, more handsome than anyone in the class, but that doesn't make me LOVE him. Nagisa is lovable. Sure, he's a dense idiot, but he's still the one I've fallen for.

"Kayano..." He begs again, getting closer. "Please. Don't make me force this."

With horror, I realize that Karma isn't asking a question. He's going to kiss me whether I want to or not. "K-Karma-" I manage, and then he's on me. He forces me onto the wall, pinning my hands. His lips find mine, and I try to scream, but no one's around to hear.... KoroSensei went to China to get some more Chai Tea, Karasuma has a government job, Bitch-Sensei is going shopping...

I gasp in surprise as Karma's tongue parts my lips. No. NO. This is no longer a kiss; this is a head-on makeout that would make Bitch-Sensei proud. I feel heat rising to my cheeks, and I struggle harder. I don't want this. I don't want this. I don't want this...

Just as I feel as if I'm about to snap and unleash my tentacles, I hear footsteps outside of the classroom door. Surprised, Karma quickly pulls his tongue out of my mouth, looking completely pleasured. I blush as I wipe my mouth with my sleeve, shooting a glare at Karma.

"Well, well," KoroSensei's voice says sadly to the group of kids he's just led back to class, "I'm afraid half of the E Class went parkouring in town and hurt someone by accident. Now you all have to serve time for it. Don't worry, you'll just be helping at a daycare for two weeks..."

But I'm not listening to anything he says. All I can focus on is Karma's triumphant gaze. He's gotten what he wants. Hopefully he doesn't decide he needs more...

On the way out, Karma passes me. I blink in surprise as he whispers, "There are lots of stars in the sky, Kayano. Nagisa may be one of them, but so am I..."

~SOOOOOOO? What did you guys think??? Was this plot twist enough for you??? I figured, what's a fanfic without a love triangle, right? Besides, every story needs an antagonist... And I think you guys just found out who it is. See you all next time!