Caught in a web of lies, Mayuri finds herself becoming the victim and suffering at the hands of her peers. She sees the outer world just within her reach in the sky above, but she finds herself trapped in the shrinking confines of her mind where the...
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TW - Mentions of self-harm
It was weekend morning and I was working a shift at my family's bakery. I hummed a little tune as I organized the money in the register. The bell at the front door chimed, signaling that customers had arrived. I looked up and smiled. "Hello! What can I..."
My voice trailed when I scanned the customer, my pupils dilating as my heart rate sped up and I paled. I gulped nervously as my eyes traveled up her chunky sandals, super short jean shorts, and a white flowy tank top. My eyes trailed over the wavy red hair that a pair of sunglasses sat on top of until my eyes inevitably met with her hazel-colored ones. It was Yuna Tachibana. My former best friend...and my ex-girlfriend.
She smirked coyly at me and leaned on the countertop. "Hey, Mayuri," she greeted.
I remember back in the old days when she used to do that to me at work and I would blush like crazy and start stuttering because it was so damn flirty and bold for her to do that while I was working. But, the past is the past, so I swallowed the memory. And continued my work. "Hello, Yuna," I grimly replied.
Maybe she really did need something here but just wanted to mess with me while she was here so I went back to organizing the mine in the register. "What would you like to order?" I asked trying to act professional so I can get her out of here.
"You," she grinned at me.
I quickly glanced away, telling my body not to fall for her words. "Funny joke," I sarcastically laugh.
"I heard you're now attending Ouran Academy, a private school for the elite," She commented. "It's such a shame. I miss you."
"As if," I snorted,
She eyed the silver angel wing earrings I wore. "You're still wearing those earrings I bought for you?" She raised a brow.
"They're nice looking," I shrugged, the earrings jangling along with my movements. "I wear them because they look nice."
She narrowed her eyes at me. "Everyone treating you okay there?" She asked. "No one...bullying you or anything?"
"The school doesn't even know I exist," I commented. Which, was a lie. I was acquainted with my classmates and and I am really good friends with the Host Club. But, I can't tell her that. She's an evil genius. She can turn anything I tell her against me.
"Can I get you something?" I quickly changed the subject.
She snarled, not pleased at the little stunt I pulled as she grabbing my collar, causing me to yelp as she yanked me towards her, making me closer than I ever wanted to be with this girl. She put her mouth next to my ear. "You thought I've forgotten about that...didn't you?" She whispered into my ear. I shivered at how close she was.
But, I played it cool rolled my eyes and tried to shove her off of me, but I failed as she had a iron grip on me. "Seriously?" I groaned. "You're still onto that? That rumor is so old! I bet no one talks about it anymore! Let go of the past, Yuna!
"You think you're done with me?" She glared. "I may be, but you're not. I can tell. You haven't changed even after you left me. You are still the same. You might act all cool and emotionless to fool yourself, but take one look at yourself in the mirror and you can see that you aren't fooling anybody, and you especially aren't fooling me. How long, Mayuri?"
I opened my mouth, telling her enough was enough and to get out, but she interrupted me. "How long until you can't keep that facade up anymore?" She continued. "How long until you snap? How long until you go back to...old habits?"
She pressed her fingers on my scar on my arm and I gasped, immediately giving away my weak spot. She grinned devilishly at me. How did she find it so quickly? After rubbing the scar for a bit she let me go and I jumped back from her, holding my arm close to my chest as she giggle, turning around to leave as she winked at me. "I'm keeping an eye on you, Mayuri," she cooed. "That's what lovers do, correct?"
As she left the bakery, I stood there in cold sweat. Has she...been stalking me? She knows where I live, and it's no secret to her what school I go to...no, no. I shook my head. If she had, she would've done something to me or my house by now. It's just an empty threat. All talk but no action. That's how she rolls.
I took a deep breath, calming myself down. I can't fall for that flirty act of hers. It was clear that her original intent was to flirt her way back into my heart she she had me under her control again and she was pretty upset when it didn't work. Of course it didn't. It would be crazy of me to fall in love with the person who convinced me to end my own life.
But...as much as I hate to admit it, the girl's right. I haven't really moved on. And the earrings I wore were proof of that. But, she's wrong about that too, right? I did move on. I am not a shut-in anymore. I don't cut class. I don't hide in the restrooms. I got a good, if not slightly insane group of friends, I'm part of a club, hell, I even eat now as well.
So...she's wrong. I relaxed. I've completely moved on. She's just messing with me, manipulating me, as usual. I can't believe I almost fell for that again. Once I calmed down, I resumed my job at the bakery so I couldn't finish my shift.
