What I'm Not

Chapter 23

Takara slept quietly on his bed. Derrik called later and told me that thirty people were suspended for violence and lying to the public. That put me at ease.

I turned toward Takara. I felt the urge to tell him how I feel about our relationship but fear kept biting me.

"What if he doesn't feel the same?"

"Would he distance himself from me if I told him?"

"We are siblings. It won't work."

But a louder voice spoke up. "He's been with you for years. What makes you think you don't have a chance?"

I sighed. I leaned over him and put my hands beside his head. Could I do it again? I closed my eyes and pressed my lips on his. At first he didn't stir. But then I felt his lips press against mine. His arms wrapped around me gently and we pulled away.

"I-I love you," I confessed.

He nodded. "I love you, too."

----------------------------------------------

Takara locked the front door and we started walking toward the public library.

"I remember when you kissed me," Takara said. "Right before I passed out, I felt your lips touch mine."

I blushed. "I was hoping you wouldn't know about that."

He smiled. "When I first saw you in the janitor's closet all those years ago, I thought of you as a victim, not as a fellow student." He scratched his cheek. "When you found me months later, I saw the beautiful girl you are. As time drew on, I felt more and more attracted to you. I thought it would break our friendship so I tried to distance myself by going to tutoring."

I blushed. "I thought you went to tutoring to do your homework."

"That kept you off my mind enough to keep our friendship."

I reached for his hand and grabbed it. "Is it okay if we're together in public?"

Takara looked at the sky with a smile. "Whatever you're comfortable with. As long as I can be with you, I'll be fine."

I thought this over and kissed his cheek. In turn, he kissed me back.