Me & Her

Me

He always arrives on time.

His cheeks are never puffing red to show he's been running late. He never waits around – he's always heading somewhere – and he never allows himself to be helped.

He's starting to remind me of an automaton. Even though his heart beats freely, he moves like he's made of steel.

Alyssa has spent most of the day in control, trying her best to focus on the never-ending equations, the conversations. Maybe she was trying to make up for those memories we saw. Or kissing Mr. Dark. I'm not sure which one makes me feel worse.

A lead weigh settles in my stomach, growing heavier every time I peer at him. Through the cracks, I can see him, Dr. Light, walking down that corridor, in the facility, looking at me for a mere fraction of second. One fraction, before moving on. Deciding I wasn't worth saving.

Again, his one-word answer rings out.

"You".

Fumbling for the notes Alyssa has made throughout the day, Emma helps me shove the exercise books inside my bag. Noah hovers by the tree, folding the page corner of a historical novel. Unfolding. Folding again. He hasn't spoken to me much, leaving a small vacuum in an otherwise energised atmosphere.

Miss Kirby's comment about joining a team has had Alyssa holed up in my mind, worrying and obsessing over what she should do. Not what we should. We have a second chance at life, and I refuse to let her waste it on revenge.

"Noah," Emma begins. He jerks forward, nearly falls of his ledge.

"Aren't you going to talk to Alice about..." she trails off, raising her eyebrows. Lowering my own, I zip up my bag.

"Talk to me about what?" I ask.

"Oh, it doesn't matter. It can wait till tomorrow". Emma sighs as if she's a teacher slaving over a troublesome kindergartener. I shrug my shoulders. I don't mind waiting for tomorrow.

Behind me, Light clears his throat, causing Noah to fall from his perch. He straightens up and plonks himself next to Emma. If I didn't know better, I'd say he was almost hiding behind her.

"Are you ready?" Light turns to look at me from over his shoulder. No, not yet. I'm saying goodbye to my friends.

"I'll see you both tomorrow then," I smile. Emma doesn't let me stand without a hug. She smells of fresh roses and cut grass. Noah just offers me a tiny wave. I'm just about to stand when he asks,

"What kind of Doctor is he?" Dodging a sharp elbow from Emma, he scrabbles around in his pockets. I can feel the irritation surging from Light and I revel in it. Bathe in it. He left me. He watched me roll past on a gurney bound for horrors no one should ever have to endure. He did nothing.

"He's the family Doctor," I jump in. "He's very overprotective".

'I can think of a few other choice words,' says Alyssa. Trust her to come out of hiding to just insult Dr. Light.

'Shut up,' I tell her. 'I'm handling this'.

'I can see that'.

"Where were you trained?" Now Emma's asking questions. Which one should I say? Secret facility or Harvard University? This time, Light answers, his voice colder than iced coffee.

"Harvard". Another of his famous one-word replies. He motions for us to leave, the way he slants his head reminding me of Mr. Dark.

I fight the shiver that runs through my bones.

"Any more questions? If not, we shall be going". Emma sits forward, and I will forever love her for the power in her stare.

"Yeah. Do you ever smile?" Noah chokes on his own tongue, while I hide my gasp.