Loved

5.

<next day>

I woke up on a sheetless, blanketless mattress. I look around. There are clothes and paintings all over the floor. I totally passed out in the middle of unpacking, didn't I? I get up off of the bed slowly.

I walk around all of the junk and make my way down the stairs. My dad must have got the couch in last night, seeing as he is slouched down on it, snoring loudly. I chuckle slightly at the sight and make my way to the kitchen. Oh good, the toaster and bread is on the counter. They know me so well.

I pop 2 pieces of bread into the toaster. God I love toast! I go to the fridge and try to find the jam. The fridge isn't even full yet, this sucks. THERES NO JAM! I grab the butter instead. My toast pops up. I grab a paper plate (that's all we have) and put the toast on it. I spread the butter and take a bite of one of my toasts (is that plural??).

I haven't seen Okaasan at all yet. I go to the front window and I observe the neighborhood. Ma's car isn't in the driveway. So that's why I haven't seen her yet!

I go back to my room and explore my boxes. I have one box just full of trophies. What a life I have, huh? I come across one box that is labeled surprise, hon! I found it all when I was in the attic!

I smile. It's definitely Okaasan's handwriting. I wonder what could be in this box. Probably something embarrassing. I take the scissors and slice the tape. I open up the box to reveal a jersey right on top of everything else.

It's a smaller jersey. When I pull it out of the box I see that it's from when I played volleyball in middle school. I set the jersey and explore the box some more. I pull out a small photograph. It's a picture of a smaller me and a few other boys, all wearing the same jersey. I remember this picture being taken. I remember all these boys too. There were a total of 13 boys on the team back then. I was still interested In sports back then. Those were the days when no one judged you by your looks or popularity. Those were the good days.

I glance in the box again and find two more photographs. One was my single picture of holding a volleyball and smiling. The other was of me and another boy on the team. My heart skipped a beat. I couldn't tell who it was just by the picture because his face was faded, but there was a message on the back, and I knew who's hand writing that was. The note read:

Yui-chan
I am moving soon after the season ends. I had so much fun with you, thank you. I love you so much!
~ Ichiru

Ichiru. Ichiru Kirosaki. I remember back then, we always said we would be together forever. But things changed. We got split apart by distance and I got bullied for being with another boy.  So I ended things and convinced everyone, even myself, that I was straight. I am straight. I was just confused. Nevertheless I still smile at the memories. We were set on marrying after high school. Silly, confused children is what we were.

I shake my head and pull out the last item of the box. It was a small wooden box. Engraved on the top was the word Forever. I didn't remember this box. I open it up and find many Post-it notes (which have long lost there stick) with various messages and quotes. All of which had "~ Ichiru" written at the end of each one. There was also a row of pictures (from a photo booth). It was me and Ichiru.  We were smiling in all but one of the four pictures. In the fourth picture, Ichiru was kissing my cheek and my face was as red as a beet. I smile at the pictures and put it inside of my phone case (the phone case is clear, so you can see the pictures from the outside). I read some of the messages and a few didn't fail to make me blush like I know they did all those years ago.

I put everything back into the box and put it under my bed. I start to unpack once more, turning on Bluestone Alley as I start. The playlist of songs goes on, then it starts playing Unchained Melody and I'm reminded of my dream. I can't get that voice out of my head. This time though, I realized that I've heard the voice before. I remember that Unchained Melody was our song. Mine and Ichiru's. he would sing it to me all the time. It was his voice singing in my dream. But... why dream about him now? It's been years and I don't even know where he is nowadays.

The song passes on, as do other songs, and I unpack all of my stuff. I gave everything a certain spot, except for the trophies. I left those in their box and shoved it in the closet. They can be stuck in the closet. That reminds me of myself somehow.

~~~~~~~~~

That is the end of that chapter! Who is this "Ichiru" character? Why was he in Yui's dreams? Does he have some certain significance? ((Also I put up Unchained Melody for those of you who didn't know the song))
Don't worry, my babes, there's
MORE TO COME!