Ready to Fall

Chapter 3 Me out of me

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I won't change my hair. I don't care if you call me a freak

Won't change my attitude. No, I'll never change the way that I speak

There's something you should know

I won't change.

No, I won't let go.

-'Me out of me' by Alexz Johnson-

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Three months and six days before that cold and empty night…

It was a bright weekend in Central Town.

"I'm glad we're doing this," Miki couldn't help blurting out to Sarah as they browse through a rack of clothes.

It has been a while since they had a girl's day out. She supposed it's because Sarah has a boyfriend now.

Not that she was complaining. She's glad that James is there to make her best friend happy.

Sarah smiled at Miki, "Next time let's do this with the other two otaku sisters and Selena."

"That's a deal,"

Miki mused on her used-to-be-stoic friend's smile. That is one of the good things James has done to Sarah.

"So how are you and Daniel?"

"We're okay," she replied casually.

Sarah sighed, "I mean, when are you, guys, going to be an item?"

She blinked at her friend, confused.

"You're lucky I promised not to use my inventions anymore on idiots like you, you know."

And bless James for that! Mika silently praised.

Sarah no longer carries her baka gun around, which relieves all of them, because James made her promise not to use her inventions on anyone unless it is a desperate situation.

She calmed herself and restated the question, "Aren't you two seeing each other?"

"Well," Miki thought about it. "We do see each other almost every night, just like I told you before, under the tree."

In frustration, Sarah hit her own forehead with her open palm.

"What I mean to say is when are you guys going to be a couple?"

"Oh!"

"Finally," Sarah hoorayed. "Well?"

"Daniel and I are just friends," she answered matter-of-factly.

The raven-haired girl felt the urge to smack her friend on the head.

"I thought you like Daniel?"

"When did I say that?"

"You didn't," she shrugged. "But I know you do."

Miki's jaw dropped, and started blushing.

"Why… I…" she stuttered. "How did you come up with that idea?"

"I'm not stupid, Miki," she just said. "It's obvious."

"What?" she's beet red now. "Would you care to elaborate?"

"Do I have to?"

She nodded vigorously.

"Fine," she sighed as she returned the denim jacket she's been studying at the rack.