Love Me Bitterly Loath Me Sweetly

Chapter 16 *Soaked In Rain*

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ORIHIME
11:30 PM

27th May

I sat there on the rooftop in the cold rain, restlessly pouring down on me.My tears soon broke the clouds, which had been unable to withstand the rain's weight on my heart.

I lost my first love and I will probably never love again.

"Orihime, what happened? I've been calling you for awhile. Talk to me." I heard Tatsuki-cha's voice by the door.

How long was I seated here? I immediately wiped tears with the back of my hands and said, "It's nothing."

"What do you mean, nothing?" she exclaimed.

I didn't respond, instead looking at her. She stood at the doorway a bit behind the staircase, under the roof, protected from rain. I noticed that Ishida-san stood with her too. She looked annoyed now and said. "I'll beat the hell out of Ichigo."

Before I could think, my heart defended him. "No. He didn't do anything." I looked up at the roaring dark sky. The pitter patter of the rain hit home, reminding me of him more, and for the first time, it reminded me of the pain I've caused him.

I felt arms around me, and I gave into my crying. "Let's get out of here. You'll catch a cold." It was Tatsuki. Even though I couldn't see her, I felt she pitied me now.

"Tatsuki." Ishida-San called her.

"Wait, Uryu-kun, can't you see? I'm helping Orihime."

I glanced at Ishida-san, standing under an umbrella one step away from us.

Tatsuki is the one to babysit you, all the time.

"I don't need your help." I pulled my arm, and set back on the wet floor.

Tatsuki looked down at me. Her eyes flashed angrily. "Enough, Orihime! We're going home."

"I'm not a child and I can take care of myself." I was pretty sure I sounded convincing enough, but she glared at me. I saw Ishida-san cover her under his blue umbrella. They looked at each other. I felt my eyes brim with more tears, reminding me of my heartbreak earlier, but when Ishida-san spoke, I was shook, but deep down I knew.

"You've got only two choices, Tutsuki; either you choose me or you choose Inoue-san."

The whole school knew about his loyalty to Kurosaki-kun. It was only fair that he wouldn't want his girlfriend to be friends with someone who is not liked by his boss. But, Tatsuki-cha was different. She would never abandon me.

She was staring back and forth between me and him. "You're kidding me right, Uryu-kun?" When he didn't answer, she realized he was serious. "If that's the case, then I choose you, Uryu-kun."

I tried to get up, but almost fell to my knees again at her words. It was God's Marcy that I stood my ground. Then she said, staring at me. "I'm really sorry, Orihime, but I can't do this anymore. You and Ichigo are like cat and mouse, and I don't want to be a plaything in your game. Besides, I've always pitied you and you named it friendship." She looked at Ishida-san, then back at me. "I think it's farewell." They walked towards the door hand in hand. Tatsuki-cha turned around, as if I was not broken enough. "Let's see what you can accomplish without me. Please don't get in the middle of my life. I don't want to hurt Uryu-kun." She scoffed and they left.

She really pitted me all this time, and I called it friendship. I didn't want anyone to pity me, and Tatsuki-cha knew it. I hated that and all this time she was the one.