For the love of Yuri

A lonley life

Yuuri POV
It’s been two weeks since that Saturday. I now sat alone at lunch. It started off slow. First Victor and Christophe stopped sitting with us. In fact I stopped talking to them altogether. They were seen hanging on each other all around school, but it looked like they really didn’t talk to many others. I felt sad not having the silver haired teen talking to me. It was like him telling me about his parents put up a barrier between us. One I couldn’t break.
Although sad as it was, there was some light to those two weeks. Yuri stopped harassing me. It was the first time since first grade that I didn’t have to look over my shoulder to find the blond. Otabek and him were together all the time. I would see them walking the halls. There were even a few times Yuri had a smile on his face. I was glad he found someone to understand him. He really did need a friend.
Then there was Phichit. He still talked to me. Even came over to my place on Sunday. But it felt like even he was moving on away from me. He had made a new friend. One he seemed to like hanging around school with more than me. Even now the duo were sitting together leaning over Phichit’s phone watching something. Minami was nice the few times I talked to him. Yet he had this glazed look on his when ever I saw him without Phichit. Maybe my best friend really did need to help him out more. It just left me feeling really lonely.
Yuuko didn’t go to our school. She did talk to me at work. We had gotten down a pretty good rhythm in teaching the kids. Even Yakov was impressed with how well we handled them. I smiled thinking about this past Saturday. The night club theme was pretty cool. It was sort of exhausting so I was glad we only had to do it once a month.
My lunch was gone. Watching all my old friends scattered around the cafeteria was nerve racking for me. I didn’t want to be here any longer. I stood to take care of my tray. Shoulders slumped I was a little saddened to not hear Yuri yell out something about a piggy. Oh well, I thought. Life moves on. High-school isn’t forever.
I trudged out of the lunchroom. I guess I could get a head start on the research paper I had due. I walked to the library. Moving among the shelves of books a familiar voice filtered into my brain. I had been zoning out a little.
“I don’t think this is working, Christophe.” I heard Victor say.
“Trust me. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. If he really likes you he will seek you out.” Victor taking relationship advise from the school sex fiend. That was funny. I snorted out a laugh. It must have been a bit loud because they both looked around the shelf and saw me.
“Something funny, Yuuri?” Christophe asked.
“Sorry.” I blushed. “Just you giving relationship advice…” I shook my head.
“You don’t think it wise to ignore the object of your affections?” Victor asked.
“Not at all. I mean if you like someone wouldn’t you want to spend more time with them?” I asked. They looked startled at this. “They probably think you don’t like them if your ignoring them.” Just then I saw the book I was looking for. Reaching out I snagged it.
“Just my opinion.” I said before turning to walk away.
“Yuuri?” Victor called. At the same time I saw the other Yuri and Otabek enter the section we were in. On habit I shrank away, ignoring Victor. I found a desk set near the back of the study area. Sitting down I flipped through the book. It would work for the paper I needed. Deciding on the books I wanted, I headed up to check them out. Victor was in a heated discussion with Christophe. Otabek and Yuri were snickering at them. I picked up my books slipping past them I went off to my next class.
Taking a seat next to the window I placed the first book on my desk. I always arrived early to class. Usually I had Phichit to talk to. He wasn’t in this class. I opened the book, placing a notebook beside it, I began to read. Hearing the chair pull out beside me, I didn’t even look up. Delving deeper into the history paper I ignored everything around me until the bell rang. Closing the book I got ready for the class I was in.
“Interesting book?” looking over I saw that it was Victor who had sat beside me.
“Uh, yeah, I guess. Its for a paper.” I explained. He nodded just as the teacher started class. I glanced over at him. Why was he suddenly talking to me again? I wondered.
After class I packed up my stuff. As I was moving past him, Victor stepped out nearly knocking me over. He caught my wrist so I wouldn’t fall. He didn’t let go. “Yuuri, do you work tonight?” he asked.
“Uh, no.” I said. He smiled. His icy blue eyes dancing with delight.
“Would you be interested in seeing a movie with me?” he asked. I swallowed. There wasn’t anything I would enjoy more, but tonight I actually did have plans.
“I would love to, but I can’t tonight.” I said. “I have to help mom decorate for a party that’s coming in tomorrow.” I explained. He smiled.
“Could you use an extra pair of hands? I’m pretty good at decorating.” His smile was a bit contagious, I found myself giving him a small one back.
“Ah, sure that would be great.” We were in the hall walking toward my next class.
“Hey, Minami and I can help too. If we get it done in time we can soak in the hot springs.” Phichit grinned.  I nodded.
“Yeah sure.”
“Hey, Yuuri you said I could come over any time, Yuri and I can help decorate.” Otabek called out as he passed us. I blinked. What was up with everyone. I hadn’t talked to them in days.
“Yeah, sure that would be great.” I was baffled. Mom would be pleased with all the help. She was a bit frazzled when she demanded Mari and I help her tonight. I said good bye to them all as I went into my next class. None of them were here with me. Leo from the rink was in this class but we hardly knew each other. He waved as I came in. I nodded but headed to a seat near the front. He was with other friends.
“You know him?” I heard someone ask.
“Yeah we work together.” Leo commented.
“He always sits alone. Maybe you should invite him to sit with us?” his friend said. I ducked my head. No please don’t. I pleaded. Leo didn’t answer. A moment later I heard the chairs on either side of me pull out.
“Yuuri this is my friend Guang Hong Ji.” He introduced me to the light brown haired boy with an over enthusiastic grin on his face.
“Hello!” he greeted me.
“Hi.” I said with a weak smile and sad little wave. Class started before I could say anything more. As we left Guang walked beside me.
“Yuuri tomorrow sit with Leo and I. We will save you a seat.” He called as the pair headed down the opposite way I was going. I waved my agreement. He seemed nice. I thought. My spirits lifted as I headed out.
My last class on Thursday was a study hall. I got permission to leave early that day. As I was at my locker packing up, Victor, Christophe, Phichit and Otabek saw me.
“Are you leaving school early?” Victor asked.
“Yeah, I only have study hall, I got special permission to leave early.” I said.
“Yuri, we're leaving early.”  Otabek called out pulling the small angry blond out of the crowd. It was like watching a magician pull a rabbit out of a hat, except this rabbit looked like it would bite.
“Hang on let us get our things.” Quickly they all gathered their stuff. We headed out the front doors. The town was small. You could walk anywhere in it. That was why I never saw the need for a bus ticket. I headed out walking toward home. Honestly the inn was the farthest thing from school, but I enjoyed the walk.
“Mom will be grateful for all the help.” I said to break the awkward silence.
“I’m sure she would.” Christophe injected when no one else spoke up.
“Hey, Yuuri!” Phichit suddenly cried. “Sunday that new live action movie comes out that you wanted to see…” he grinned. I laughed.
“No, you wanted to see it, I just told you I would go with you.” I informed him.
“Do you want to go Sunday?” he asked. Victor chimed in that he wanted to go. Before I could even answer it was agreed that we would go as a group. I smiled down at my feet. I felt better. A part of me still wondered why they had been absent for over a week. I didn’t want to ask because they appeared fine now.
They joked as we walked up to the inn. “Wow, this is where you live?” Victor exclaimed.
“Yeah. My parents own the only working hot springs in the area.” I stated proudly.
“Its beautiful.” He exclaimed. I smiled thanking him. I called out to mom when we walked in. She hurried in looking disheveled.
“Oh, you have company!” She looked defeated.
“Yes, they all came to help decorate!” I explained. This perked her up. She set in ordering us what to do. Laughing we all jumped in to help her.