Love Begins with you

Fourth Chapter

We were back at the house in the living room together. I had made Takashi and I some snacks since we didn't really eat that much at the restaurant. Currently, I was curled up on Takashi's side while he munched on a sandwich. I found this to be the most effective way to calm myself after my mother's wrath or my emotional memories. Takashi didn't mind. Instead, he wrapped his arm around me and kept me close. Being sure to keep me calm and not panic. So far, I have yet to go into a full panic attack, but everyone knows it's only a matter of time.

Minutes ticked by slowly, Takashi and I were surrounded in a comfortable silence. There was no sounds outside as the snow fell. The two of us started to doze side by side, slowing entering the dark world of dreams and nightmares. I unconsciously snuggled closer to Takashi, my arm hugging his torso. His arm slightly tightened around me in response. Sleep took over the two of us, drifting us into darkness before the morning would wake us...

*Shiro's dream.*

"Shiro! It's time to come home. Bring your toys inside and wash up for dinner!" A woman with a loving smile called to her seven year old daughter. The child's hair fell into glistening silver waves as she turned with her own smile. "Okay mommy, I'm coming!" The girl dusted off her green skirt, adjusted her yellow top and picked up her toys. She ran into her mother's waiting arms and laughed. "Alright, inside. There's miso soup for dinner."

When the girl walked into the house, everything turned dark. Her mother's voice was no longer caring as the door slammed behind her. "Your grades are dropping again, Shiro. Are you still goofing off instead of studying? You had better bring those grades up soon, else I will keep you in the room again." Little Shiro shivered as she clutched at her torn pants. Time flashed by and an older Shiro entered the dark house.

"Mother...I'm home. Break just started over in Canada and they sent me home." The girl glanced around and noticed a few empty bottles of alcohol. She tiptoed into the living room and peeked in. There on the couch was her mother and father, drunk and angry. "Shiro. How many times have I told you not to come home until break? Leaving school early is going to make us look like bad parents." The father slurred as the mother stood up and stumbled over to her quivering middle school daughter. "She will have to stay in the room until it's time for her to leave again."

Time passed again and a high school student scurried through the halls. She tried her best to stay away from those bullies, but they always find her. Just like her mother. "Hey, silver hair, you're such an eyesore. Why don't you cut your hair off already?" A girl sneered, pointing and laughing down at Shiro. "We could cut it for you, no charge." A boy laughed, pulling out a knife from his pocket. "Come on, stay still now. It's just hair..."

Shiro stood on the edge the building site, observing the going ons of the workers. She had watched them day after day as she walked to her dorm room after school. The girl was skinny, far too skinny. Her hair was choppy and a mess, her violet eyes were surrounded by dark circles. Is it even worth living? She thought, watching the last crew member leave the site. No one is around. No one would even care. Not my parents, fellow students, not even my roommate. She crossed the gate and walked around the construction site, looking for something to help her. Anything...

The silver haired girl made it to the third floor and looked out the gaping window. It wasn't a long fall, but the container of broken bricks and boards would do. She leaned over the edge, chanting to herself of how much no one cared. How insignificant she was to everyone around her. As the bell struck seven, she fell...

I shrieked, flailed and tumbled from the couch. Shivering and crying about what I did. Takashi was startled from his sleep and hurriedly help me back up. "Shiro? Shiro, it's okay. It was a dream, just a dream. It's okay." He held me in his strong arms, stroking my hair to calm my shaking. I shook my head and clutched at his sleeves, tears free falling from my eyes. I tried to close my eyes, to stop the crying. But the moment I did, I saw myself hit the debris covered ground. Blood pouring from my side and head.