Chapter Eight:

Finally we made it to the house and as we came into view of the lake the class was swimming, having fun. Just like I used to when I was younger.

“You want to go swimming?” Ryosuke asked looking at me.

“No,” I sighed sadly, I would love to go swimming.

“Come on,” he whined. “It’ll be lots of fun!”

“Yuri?!” we both turned to look at the commotion in the water.

“Where is he?!”

I could barely see a person floating on the top of the surface of the water. He was slowly starting to sink and I didn’t have time to think. I pulled off my shirt and pants, thank god I was wearing my swimsuit or that would’ve been embarrassing, then I dived into the water towards the floating figure.

When I got to him it was in fact Yuri; his body facing down into the water. I turned him over and grabbed him around the waist and started to paddle to the shore. Man, for a tiny kid it was hard lugging him back to the shore.

“Take him!” I yelled as we got there and the others started to gather around.

Yuto pulled him onto the shore and he started to freak out about him not breathing. I pushed the people out of the way and kneeled next to the small boy’s body. I tilted his head back and did something that no one else would do. Mouth to mouth resuscitation.

I could hear people gasping but my only concern was to get him to start breathing again. If he doesn’t who will give me their cute smiles? Suddenly he coughed and water spewed out of his mouth then he sat up and I started to pat him on the back.

“You okay?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he smiled. “I’m okay. Thank you.”

“Thank God,” I whispered hugging him tightly. “What would I do if I lost you?”

“Did I make you worry Chae Ri?” he asked as I pulled back.

“Of course stupid! Why wouldn’t I be worried?” I exclaimed.

“I’m sorry Chae Ri! You don’t have to cry!” he apologized as he wiped the tears on my face.

I hadn’t realized I was crying. It had been so long since I had been in the water, where God takes away my loved ones.

“Thank God you’re okay,” I whispered into his ear.

“I’m sorry,” he replied.

“We should get him inside,” Sun Mi said as I let go of him.

A few of the students helped Yuri into the house leaving Ryosuke, Yuto, Misaki and me. I felt something brush against my back.

“Is this why you didn’t want to swim?” Misaki asked, his voice coming from next to me.

“What is it?” Yuto asked as if it was a confusing puzzle.

“It’s a burn scar,” Ryosuke said.

“The more important question is how you got it,” I turned around to face the three.

“It was a cooking accident,” I answered. “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, that’s all.”

“And what about this scar?” Ryosuke touched my collar bone and I shivered closing my eyes. “Is that a cooking accident too? Because it sure as hell doesn’t look like one.”

“Will you please stop asking pointless questions,” I snapped and turned away my arms crossed. How was I supposed to tell them where these scars really came from?

“They aren’t pointless,” Yuto said. “We’re worried about your safety.”

“I’m perfectly fine!” I turned and yelled. “I don’t need you to worry about me!”

I turned toward the house and walked toward it and stomped my way to my room. I saw Kenny walking by asking what was wrong but I ignored him and kept going. It may have been childish but what else could I do? I didn’t want them to know what really happened. Who believes in Cinderella stories anyways?

The day had turned to evening and I was still in my room thinking about what I’m going to do. I felt guilty for snapping like that, the boys were only worried about me and I stalked off. I should apologize.

I got up from my bed and walked out of my room. I had no idea where the boys would be so I started to wander around. They had to be somewhere close by right? So I walked out into the garden and saw a familiar figure sitting on the bench. He was staring up at the stars in the sky.

“Hey,” I greeted as Ryosuke looked down at me.

“Hey,” he waved as I sat down next to him.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” I said not looking at him.

“We shouldn’t have pressed any further,” he replied. “It was our fault to begin with; we shouldn’t have expected you to tell us something that you didn’t want to say.”

“You know don’t you?” I asked quietly but I knew he could hear me.

“Yeah,” he sighed. “You should have told us.”

“I’m just happy to get away,” I replied hoping he wouldn’t be angry that I didn’t tell him.

“I’m happy you got away too,” he whispered quietly and I smiled.

“Thank you,” I said.

“You’re welcome,” he chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” I asked looking at him like he was crazy. I mean really who laughs at a touching time like this?

“Nothing,” he smiled at me and my heart fluttered. Lame huh? “Right! Misaki wanted to see you. He’s in his room and told me if you came down to tell you to go see him.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t sound too excited now,” he said sarcastically and I laughed.

“Okay I’ll go now,” I smiled and started to walk away.

“Oh and Chae Ri,” I stopped and turned. “If your stepmom ever lays a finger on you again, I’m here for you.”

“Thanks,” I said. He didn’t know how much that meant to me.

“No problem,” I heard him murmur as I walked into the house.

I was hoping for him to say something more but I guess it’s no use getting my hopes up, or his. I walked into Misaki’s room to find him sitting at the desk doing what looked like homework.

“Misaki,” I said and sat down in one of the armchairs in his room.

“Chae Ri,” he turned to face me. “Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah,” I smiled faintly.

“Good then let’s go out,” he said grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the room and the house.

I didn’t care where he took me; just the fact that he was holding my hand was making me happy.

I looked at him for a few seconds then let my hand slide into his. It was a strange feeling, like an electric current throughout my body. When he let go of my hand there was a tingling sensation left.

I didn’t feel that tingling I had felt earlier with Ryosuke, it was different. Like someone holding my hand, but there were no butterflies in my stomach, no strange feelings, just a warm hand clasped tightly onto mine.

Suddenly we stopped and Misaki turned to look at me. It wasn’t hard to see him because there were light posts all around. I looked down to see the lake and grimaced. I hate the lake.

“Chae Ri,” Misaki said grabbing my attention, I looked up at him. “I… like you.”

There was a silence for a few moments as I was left speechless and Misaki turned away blushing cutely. I didn’t know what to say, I was at a loss for words.

“And…” he started as I tried to fix my composure. “I want you to… uh… be my girl.”

I felt like a bell was going off in my head telling me to say yes and take the chance, but a small part of me was wondering about someone else. The bells won over me and I looked at Misaki with a smile.

“I like you too,” I blushed not knowing how to say this. “And… I would really love to… be your girl.”