Sora & Fumiko

Chapter Thirty-Seven

I turned away from Anastasia just in time to see Natalie coming my way.

"Fumiko, what are you doing out here?"

"I-, I just went to" I peered over at Anastasia as she stared at Natalie and I, her eyes void and uninterested.

"Anyhow, I came to tell you that Jake looking for you."

At the sound of his name her eyes seemed to brighten up but just for a moment, though that moment was all I needed to see the truth.

Pain, sadness and love.

That brief look in her eyes reminded me of the one I saw in my own. I knew it all too well; the pain of concealing emotions, the sadness of letting go, the warmth of feeling love for someone.

She was in love with Jake.

A thousand things crossed my mind but I couldn't speak a word. Finding out such a big thing felt like a burden and a relief.

"I'm coming" I told Natalie, before turning back to Anastasia. "It'll just take a minute"

"Whatever" She shrugged.

"Anastasia"

"Why didn't you go with her? Didn't she say Jake was waiting for you?" She snapped while turning away from me.

"I know that"

"Then go to him"

"You love him don't you"

Silence rang around us for the longest moment before she turned back to me, her eyes almost glistening with ladened tears.

"Yes, I've always and only wanted and liked him"

I took this brief chance to sit beside her before resting a hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay"

Anastasia surprised me with a hug and just like that I realized she was just like me.

Her heart was breaking from not being with the person she loved and she was hurting because she didn't know how he felt.

I couldn't let this happen because of me.

I knew what I had to do.

I retreated back inside just in time to see Jake searching for me.

"Fumiko where were you? I was beginning to think -"

"Jake, how do you feel about me?"

He blinked back at my question before smiling and wrapping an arm around my waist.

"I think your very pretty and really nice."

I nodded to him and looked deeply into his eyes this time.

"There's something else I need to know."

"What?"

"What do you think about my name?"

"Your name?" He said narrowing his eyes and scratching his head. "It's okay I guess"

"Just okay?"

"Well yeah, Fumiko you have a funny name."

"Funny, not beautiful" I said in an almost whisper, the sound of my voice lost under the loud music.

"Fumiko are you alright?"

"I'm sorry Jake I can't be here"

"What!?" He exclaimed.

"I have to meet someone" I said pulling away from him.