Electric Angel

chapter 8

Gakupo didn't talk to me at all throughout the bus ride, despite him saying we needed to talk. It sent my nerves to a jittery state, and it put me in a worried state of mind. Never have I ever seen him act so serious towards anyone, let alone towards me. Reality and imagination mix together as he and I walk off of the bus. I'm trying to think of anything that would make him so stoic, but I draw a blank. Maybe he found out that I tried to fix things with Miku, but he would only know that if Miku said something. If Miku said something....

I'm struck with a terrifying realization. She must've said something about me, and whether it's true or false, I don't know. After my epiphany, walking into school feels like a living hell. I notice ill-intended gazes shot upon me as Gakupo and I walk down the hallway to our homeroom. I gulp.

"You have some serious explaining to do, you know that?" He hisses at me under his breath.

Meekly, I turn my head down to face the floor, "I really don't know what you're talking about...."

He and I walk into class, and we're the first ones. Walking faster than usual, we make our way to our usual seats. Once we're settled in, he lowers his eyebrows. "I get that Miku did some terrible stuff to you, but you really didn't have to do that to her."

I lower my eyebrows as rage starts clawing at me, "I didn't have to do that to her? What have I ever done to her?!"

"I know you've been cheating on her; she came to school crying yesterday because of it!"

My heart sinks at Gakupo, of all people, believing that. "Why are you believing everything she says? She's lying!"

"I wouldn't go accusing you of things if I didn't have proof!"

It feels like words are getting caught in my throat. "Proof?"

"When I was walking past your house yesterday on my way back home, I decided to look over at the window to see if you were feeling okay. I thought, maybe if you were there then I could stop by and say hi, and you were there." Gakupo pauses, seemingly gritting his teeth, "You were in your living room with some girl I've never seen before. You two were taking a nap and hugging... it definitely didn't look friendly to me." He glances away from me, "How long has this been going on?"

"No...." I mumble under my breath. "No, you've got it all wrong. I've never cheated on Miku." If I were in Gakupo's position, I wouldn't believe myself, but I'm hoping he'll give me a chance.

"Gumi, don't lie to me. That girl was playing with your hair while you were sleeping, come on! I'm your best friend, why can't you just tell me the truth?"

"I am telling you the truth! She's not my girlfriend, and we're not in any kind of relationship like that!" It feels like a fib to say that, but that's a thought for a later time.

"Then who is she?!"

I stutter for words. "I... she's...."

"You can't even explain it away." He turns away from me, "I'm really disappointed in you, and I hope you know that."

I bite my tongue to stop myself from breaking in the middle of the classroom. Now everyone thinks I've been cheating on Miku this whole time... and with Rin, out of everyone. After everything Miku put me through, and after all the lies, they're all siding with her. Students start flooding into the classroom in groups, all of them whispering who-knows-what to each other.

If I hadn't called Miku that day, none of this would've happened. If I hadn't gotten so carried away with my emotions, Gakupo wouldn't have seen what he saw. If I hadn't stayed home with Rin that day, everything would've been okay.

If I hadn't made Rin in the first place, then maybe life would've been easier.