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

Haunted Memories

{Kayano POV}

Things have been a lot different since Jem explained what she's doing for Nagisa and me. Not that I don't appreciate it, but she's put herself in harm's way. Karma only wants me... Revenge on Nagisa, too. But now Jem's made herself a target. In fact, recently, she's come to school with new bruises almost every day. Oh, I wish KoroSensei hadn't dragged her into this...

I stare into the distance, watching the sun set. I'm on the roof of the E Class building, just because it's nice to be here. I come here a lot around this time. I feel safe at this place, and it's nice to watch the fiery colors of the setting sun from somewhere this high up.

I stay there much longer than I should. By the time I stop drifting off in my own thoughts, the stars already shine bright in the sky. I lean my head back to get a better look at them. They're so beautiful... It's almost as if I could reach out and touch them...

"Nice night for stargazing." I jump a little, surprised to hear a voice behind me. I turn to find Jem standing there, smiling up at the sky. "There's no clouds, and there aren't a lot of lights to dim them like there are in the city."

I smile. "Do you come up here a lot, Jem?"

"Yeah," she answers, sitting down next to me. "I have a hard time sleeping most nights... Looking at the stars helps me calm down. I can lose myself like this."

Seeing the stars reflected in her eyes, wide with wonder, I can't help but smile. I return my attention to the sky. "They really are beautiful... They remind me of diamonds. Sometimes, I feel like the stars are just jewels, glittering beautifully, almost close enough to grab." I laugh, a little embarrassed. "Silly, isn't it?" But when I turn to look at Jem, she's trembling.

"J-Jem? Are you okay?" Her head is still pointed upwards, but her gaze is far off, somewhere in a world far away...

"What?" Jem turns and blinks at me, her voice shaky. "Y-yeah, I'm fine. It's just... Jewels... Diamonds... They bring back bad memories for me."

I put my hand on her arm. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No, that's okay," Jem says, putting on a smile. I can tell that it's fake. "It's been good stargazing with you. Gotta go."

"Wait!" I call as she jumps off of the roof. I reach out as though to grab her. "You just got here..." My voice dies off as Jem disappears. My arm slowly lowers once more, as does my head. I stare at my lap. Why wouldn't Jem talk to me? What about jewels is so awful to her? She's hurting... but why?

{Jem POV}

I lean against a tree, panting. That was too close. I close my eyes, listening to the beat of my own heartbeat, the rustle of the leaves, the chirping of the crickets. I have to calm down. I have to think nice thoughts...

"You stupid child! Do you know NOTHING?"

"Enough is NEVER enough, Jemera!"

"More! I need more!"

My vision starts to go red. I gasp, clutching my chest. No, no, no... I can't snap. I can't. I have to calm myself somehow. I take a deep breath, clutching my fists.

"Jewels are everything, Jemera! That's why I named you after them!"

I slump down to the ground, trembling. I... I can't hold the memories back. My head hurts... I'm tired... I need to block out the pain... I... I can't...

The pain overwhelms me, and the world fades to black.

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