I hope that makes up for it. The next chapter isn't so bad with the time jumps, so no worries. Author’s Note: And now, the sucky transition chapter. It basically jumps to the end of the school year, and then skips summer vacation. But that’s okay. Cuz we all want Yukio to hurry up and get to high school anyway. For there, a certain someone awaits. Muhahaha.
By the way, I know it might kind of seem like the story is in Nemi’s point of view, but it won’t remain that way. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
People did eventually find out about Yukio’s gender preference. Most ignored him, keeping their own thoughts on the matter to themselves. Inevitably, there were some who taunted him, bullies with nothing to do but picks fights to cover their own insecurities. There were a few who made an attempt to be considerate, but no one really treated him as anything akin to a friend. No one but Nemi that is. If she ever spotted him in the hallway, she would smile gently, and occasionally make light conversation. Yukio never opened up to her since the day they met though. He seemed a lot more reserved and quiet than before, most likely because of the way he was treated like an outcast. Nemi and Yame basked in the confidence of being eighth graders, the top of the food chain in middle school. Towards the last few weeks of the school year, people began to break out the yearbooks. Yame, being the outgoing kind of girl she was, got tons of signatures from everyone. Nemi received a decent amount as well. One day she saw Yukio coming from the school library and decided to approach him.
“Hi there.” She greeted sweetly. Yukio swerved towards her, acknowledging her with a small smile. “You want to sign my yearbook?” She chirped.
“Uh, sure.” He replied with a hint of surprise as Nemi handed him her yearbook and a pen. He propped it up against a nearby wall and signed his name along with a little note stating ‘Thanks for your kindness. I won’t forget you. I hope we meet again.’ He returned the pen and book back to her and started to walk away.
“Wait! Don’t you want me to sign yours?” The blond called out to him. Yukio reluctantly halted, slowly turning with a sad expression.
“Um…well….” He mumbled while scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
“You do have one, right?”
“Well…yes.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
Yukio couldn’t think of an excuse to not let her sign, so he let out a sigh and took his yearbook out of his backpack to give it to her. Nemi flipped to the back and discovered that no one had signed it.
Oh…I guess that’s why he didn’t want me to see it. She mused as a twinge of sympathy hit her heart.
“Cool, I get to be the first one to sign yours!” She said in feigned excitement. She knew she’d be the only one signing. “I’m sure lucky someone didn’t ask before I did.”
Yukio stared at her with a look of both surprise and relief.
“Turn around.” She told him as she took the cap off of her pen. Despite not knowing Nemi’s reason for wanting him to turn around, he complied. “Could you bend over a little?”
“What? Why?”
“So it’ll be easier for me to write.” She explained ad she placed his yearbook against his back. Yukio sighed and leaned forward slightly. Nemi wrote her name in large lettering and under it jotted ‘You’re a great guy! Have an awesome summer! You deserve it!’ She also took the time to draw a heart with a smiley face.
“Are you done yet? My back’s starting to hurt in this position.”
“Yup.” She said as she closed the book and gave it back to the aqua eyed teen.
“Thanks.” He smiled gratefully as he spoke.
“Anything for a friend.” Nemi replied warmly before leaving him to go to class. One word of Nemi’s had stuck in Yukio’s mind. Friend.
On the last day of school, the students all felt a combination of excitement for summer, but dismay at the fact that they might not ever see some of their friends again.
Kids took lots of pictures, and made the most of the time they had together. Teachers didn’t bother giving out work, and some students brought electronics to entertain themselves. Yame snapped pictures almost anywhere she went, most of them including all of her friends and favorite teachers. She and Nemi also took a couple of goofy photos of each other. Despite their sadness of leaving their middle school behind, Nemi and Yame were very anxious to get to high school together. Nemi only had Yukio in her last class of the day, and she felt bad knowing he wouldn’t have anyone to talk to until the end of the day. Yame wasn’t in Nemi’s last hour. In fact, she had never met Yukio, nor had Nemi spoken a word about him to her.
When the bell to end fifth hour rang, she ran to get to her next class, hoping to be the first one there. She enjoyed having the classroom to herself for a while to relax. She got her wish as she entered an empty classroom and sat in her assigned seat while plugging the earphones of her I-pod into her ears. She just wanted to block out the noisy conversations of her classmates and kick back. Kids slowly filled the room, and Nemi could still hear them slightly, even with her music turned up full blast. She noticed one student lingering by the doorway, snickering mischievously. He stuck his foot out directly in front of the walkway, and an unsuspecting Yukio tripped, crashing to the floor with a loud thump. Half the class burst out laughing and pointed in a taunting way. The kid who tripped him was the worst of them all.
“Take that you fucking homo! Go back to hell, where you came from!” He jeered.
Nemi was infuriated, but felt she could do nothing. She wasn’t the confrontational type, especially with so many people around her. Yukio got back on his feet, staring at the floor in shame. He sat in the back of the room, trying to disappear. The teacher came in and ignored the class, sitting at his desk to read a novel, and leaving the students to do whatever they wanted. Everyone clustered into their individual groups of friends to chat and stuff, but Nemi remained in her seat, not really close to anyone in her sixth hour. Yukio was at the opposite side of the room, and though Nemi wanted to speak with him, she didn’t want to draw any more attention to him by making her way over there. Instead she wrote a note to him that said ‘Meet me in the girls’ bathroom’, figuring no one would be in there since the teachers were letting students do whatever they wanted anyways. She folded the note and wrote her name on the front of it, and then attempted to toss it onto Yukio’s desk, but ended up throwing it too hard and pelted him in the forehead. He was jolted out of his wallowing state, and peered at the note with a raised eyebrow. He quietly opened the message, and looked over at Nemi after reading it. She stood up and asked the teacher if she could use the restroom, Yukio soon following her lead. The blond only had to wait a few moments in the ladies room before a soft knock came to the door and Yukio entered. He waved and forced a smile in greeting.
“How are you?” Nemi asked despite the fact that she already knew the answer.
“Great.” He mumbled while shuffling his feet self-consciously.
“I’m sorry…about what happened.”
“It’s not that big of a deal. Don’t worry about it.” He said softly, sniffling slightly. Nemi stood still for a while, trying to think of something she could say. Her mind came up blank. She saw the misery in Yukio’s eyes, and wrapped her arms around him in an attempt to comfort him, tears welling up in her eyes. Yukio froze.
“I know you don’t want to cry, so I’m going to cry for you, okay?” Nemi’s voice cracked as she spoke. Yukio trembled slightly before putting his arms around her as well. They held each other for a few moments, finding comfort in each other’s arms. Eventually they backed off of each other, Nemi wiping her eyes while Yukio continued to hold his own tears back.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t say something to that guy. I should’ve defended you.” Nemi apologized, her voice only faltering slightly.
“It’s not your fault, or your responsibility. I can take care of myself.” The periwinkle haired teen murmured.
“You shouldn’t have to take care of yourself all the time. Why are people so mean?”
“Because I’m different. I know I don’t fit in here, and I’m okay with that. This is the last day I’ll ever see this place anyways.” His voice held a quality of hurt anger that tugged at Nemi’s heartstrings. She made an effort to change the subject to something cheerier.
“So…what high school are you going to?”
“…McDowell High, I think.”
“That’s the school I’m going to!” Nemi said enthusiastically. Yukio’s eyes brightened with interest.
“Great. Maybe we’ll see each other next year then.” He smiled genuinely at her. Nemi nodded in agreement.
“I guess we’d better get to class before someone notices we’ve been gone a long time.” She suggested. As they started to head back, Yukio spoke again.
“Hey Nemi?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks…For not being like the others.”
“No problem.” She replied warmly, grasping his hand in a friendly manner. She let go once they reached the classroom, a few people staring as they entered together. Nemi felt awkward under their burning gazes. Their eyes portrayed a look of betrayal, as if she were some sort of traitor. When the last bell rang out, students stampeded out of their classes like cattle. Nemi hardly had the chance to wave good bye to Yukio before she was swept away by the mass of people. The last day of middle school was over for them. They were going on to a whole to journey, the high school experience.
Summer seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. Nemi and Yame spent loads of time together, having sleepovers, hanging out, and whatnot. Occasionally Nemi would wonder how Yukio was doing and what he had been up to. She continued to keep him a secret from Yame, not quite sure how she would react.
It’s not that big of a deal…She told herself anytime she felt guilty about not filling Yame in about a part of her life.
When the first day of school came around, Nemi had to force herself to roll out of bed. She hated mornings. But as soon as she got up and functioning, she realized just how anxious she was to finally get to high school. When she got on the bus, she spotted Yame and almost leaped to sit next to her. They eagerly conversed on how much fun they were going to have, and compared their schedules with each other.
“We’re in all the same classes!” Yame cheered gleefully as the two girls gave each other high fives. Once they reached McDowell High, they began to explore, trying to locate their classes before school began. On their journey, they walked nervously by a group of upperclassmen. Suddenly, Nemi heard a familiar voice talking amongst them. She peered over at the gathering of mostly seniors and juniors and spotted Yukio socializing with some of them.
What the- Yukio? Yukio’s a freshman too. How the heck does he know older students? Nemi wondered as she stared at him in awe. Yame noticed Nemi had stopped to gawk at the clutter of people, and poked her in the arm to get her attention. Nemi swished her head sideways to meet Yame’s questioning gaze.
“Uh, you go ahead without me Yame. I’ll catch up. I have to use the bathroom.”
“You don’t want me to go with you?”
“Nah, its number two.”
“Thanks for that mental image.” Yame grimaced before leaving Nemi to herself. The blond approached the group, trying to get to Yukio, but having difficulties since he was located somewhere in the middle of the mass. She crouched down to see if she could get better access, crawling towards him.
“Psst! Yukio!” She whispered, but Yukio didn’t hear her. “Yukio!” She whispered louder. Without warning, someone appeared directly in front of her, blocking her view. Her kneeling position had her face at the person’s waistline, and their close proximity caused a spike on the other’s belt to jab Nemi in the nose.
“Can I help you?” A low, smooth voice emerged from the teen. Nemi squeaked in fear before raising her head to lay eyes on the student. He was tall and had a decent build to his body. His hair was midnight black, short in the back, but somewhat long and slicked forward in the front. His eyes were a silvery grey that reminded one of storm clouds. He wore black jeans with a small chain attached to a couple of his belt loops, a short sleeved black button-up, a dark red tie, and a choker and wristbands that matched his studded belt. He wore a scowl as he leered at the blond. Nemi veered backwards, falling flat on her butt. The intimidating appearance of the mysterious guy made her heart pound faster, and her body stiffen. Yukio finally noticed Nemi and quickly came over to meet with her.
“Hey there Nemi!” He smiled in delight as he greeted her. The punkish looking guy stopped glowering at Nemi when he saw Yukio approach.
“You know this girl?” He growled.
“Yeah, she’s from my old school.” The periwinkle haired teen explained as he helped Nemi get to her feet.
“I thought you said everyone in your middle school were immature, ignorant, jackasses.” The taller teen sneered.
“Everyone but her!” Yukio retorted.
“Sorry to interrupt, but uh, what’s going on?” Nemi asked Yukio, completely unnerved by the cold glare she was receiving from the cynical older teen. Yukio blinked at her in thought before smiling in understanding.
“Oh right. Nemi, this is Haru Hinako. I met him over the summer. Haru, this is Nemi Banshou.” The aqua eyed teen introduced the two to each other. Nemi offered her hand to Haru, but he snorted snidely at the gesture and then looked away. Nemi shook off the negative vibes she got from him to the best of her ability, and engaged in a conversation with Yukio to catch up with one another. Haru seemed annoyed by the whole discussion. When Haru was momentarily distracted by someone else, Nemi took the opportunity to pull Yukio away to a private corner to speak with him alone.
“Is that how you know those older kids? Through Hinako?” She questioned.
“Yeah.” He answered simply.
“What grade is he in?”
“Eleventh. He’s sixteen.”
“Are you guys’ good friends, or something?
“Well I’ve only known him a couple of months….What’s with all the questions?”
“Um…I was actually just curious…..if you told him about…you know.” Nemi mumbled.
“…No. He hasn’t seemed to notice, and I haven’t gotten around to telling him. I’m not sure I will…After what happened with my last friend………”
He’s calls that a friend? I call him freaky. What’s with the poison-laced dagger glare of death all the time? The creep’s a fricken demon! Nemi mused with a deep frown.
“What are you two doing over here?” Haru’s aggravated voice arose nearby, startling Nemi enough to make her jump.
“N-Nothing!” The blond wove her hands in the air defensively and laughed in a jittery manner. The dark haired teen peered over at Yukio, who was currently avoiding eye contact.
“…So, how about the three of us go out for pizza tonight?” Yukio suggested in an attempt to change the subject. “Than you two could get to know each other better.”
“…Who’s paying?” Haru asked monotonously.
“Uh…me… I guess.” Yukio murmured.
“Alright.” Haru agreed indifferently.
“Okay…so meet you two at that pizza place down the street, say around six?” Nemi piped up. Yukio and Haru nodded, and Nemi decided to leave to find Yame. As she was leaving though, she overheard Haru telling Yukio to meet him in the hallway near one of the restroom areas during his free period.
I wonder what that’s about?
As expected, the first day at a new school was a bit nerve-racking for Nemi and Yame. Earlier that day when Nemi was talking with Yukio, she happened to sneak a peak at his schedule and found that he was in her last two classes. She also remembered that his free hour was during his third hour. Curiosity got to Nemi as she wondered what Haru would want to see Yukio for, and she asked to be excused from the classroom when third period began. She paced the hallways of the school; barely anyone was around at all. After a few moments of walking aimlessly, she noticed Yukio and Haru about fifteen feet away near a water fountain. She swiftly hid herself behind a row of lockers, spying on them from afar, though she couldn’t make out anything they were saying.
“Hi Haru.” Yukio greeted the older teen with a smile.
“Hello Yukio.” Haru replied in a mysterious tone.
“So why did you want to meet me here?”
“I needed to talk to you.”
“What about?” The younger asked curiously. Haru glanced at him with hard grey eyes, arms crossed loosely over his chest.
“I know.” He said evenly.
“Know what?” Yukio asked in confusion.
“I know you’re gay.” The raven haired teen’s voice had sternness to it. Yukio’s eyes grew impossibly wide, his breath catching in his chest.
“…Oh……I see……” The periwinkle haired teen averted his eyes away, memories of his old friend flooding back to him. A long silence ensued. “…So now what?” His voice started to grow louder with emotion. “We can’t be friends? Is that what you’re saying?” His face was contorted in frustration, tears welling in his eyes. Haru looked at him expressionlessly.
“I never said anything like that Yukio.” The tone of his voice had not changed, despite the kinder content of his words. Yukio’s face softened, his body losing some of its tense edge. He blinked at Haru with a light of hope in his eyes, urging him to explain what he meant further. “Apparently you’re not as keen as me on that sort of thing.” The elder snickered. “Considering you didn’t pick up on it.”
“Pick up on what?” Yukio tilted his head to the side in puzzlement.
“Wow, you really are dense. Guess your intelligence doesn’t account much for people.” Haru snorted with a roll of his eyes.
“What? What is it?” Yukio asked almost desperately.
“I’m just like you.” The dark haired teen’s eyes glinted with a hint of mischief. Yukio blanched, not sure he was understanding Haru correctly.
“Y-You…you’re…but…”
“Tell me, Yukio. Do you feel the same way I do?” Haru said silkily as he came closer to the younger.
“I-I don’t know how you feel. I’m not even exactly sure what you’re talking about…I’m so confused.”
“Well, rather than me telling you how I feel, allow me to show you.” The elder said in a husky voice before grabbing Yukio’s chin, tilting his face upwards, and capturing his lips in a soft kiss. Yukio almost blacked out. His body went limp as he melted under Haru’s warm lips. Nemi’s eyes bulged out of her head like a cartoon character as she stood witness.
Oh my fricken god! What the hell is going on?! She screamed inwardly.
Haru backed off of the dumbfounded teen after a few seconds, smirking coyly. Yukio couldn’t look at him. Confused would be the understatement of the year for what he was experiencing. He was tingling all over with a mix of excitement and anxiety. He was bright red from embarrassment, the heat in his face feeling akin to that of a fever. Nemi gasped quietly to herself, deciding it was probably a good idea to get back to class. She took another moment to gape at the two teens before inconspicuously slipping away, regretting she had seen what she did.
“What’s the matter kid? You don’t like me?” Haru chuckled with a fake pout.
“N-N-No…I mean, it was j-just so sudden and all…” Yukio stammered and shifted his feet awkwardly. Haru blinked at him thoughtfully before a light bulb almost visibly went off in his head.
“Oh damn. Ho-ly damn. That was your first kiss, wasn’t it?” Haru asked with an amused look on his face. Yukio didn’t answer, merely staring at the floor and scratching the back of his head. “It was! Well lucky me.” Haru cackled almost evilly. “Sweet, innocent, little Yu-yu.” He laughed as he ran his fingers through the smaller teen's periwinkle hair.
“Quit it. I’m not some naïve little kid.” Yukio spat, still trying to register what the hell was going on. Haru slid his hand down to the side of Yukio’s face, turning his head so that their eyes locked.
“Well you won’t be once I’m through with you.” Haru grinned suggestively as he spoke. Yukio didn’t think it was possible to feel more embarrassed than he felt the moment after Haru kissed him. He was wrong. His face was so hot he felt woozy. “You never did answer my question as to whether or not you feel the same way I do.” The raven haired teen’s voice trickled through the younger teen’s mind, ensuing a numbing feeling all the way down his spine. “Well?” Haru was beginning to become impatient. Yukio stared at Haru with his heart racing, and his hands and bottom lip trembling. He felt choked off from any words.
I’ve never felt this way before. Why do I feel like this? Just standing here with him now…I can barely breathe. I must look like a total idiot right now. I can’t think of the logical thing to do…but my heart is telling me…or is it my body? Maybe it doesn’t matter. But what if this opportunity never comes again? I think…I should just…just.....
Yukio’s thought patterns trailed off as he found himself raising his head to meet Haru’s expectant gaze, and then put his hands around the elder’s neck, pushing their lips together once more. Haru looked surprised as first, but it didn’t take long for him to warm up to the idea of kissing. Haru rested his hands on the smaller teen’s thin waist, slowly slipping his tongue into the slightly parted lips of the other. Yukio shivered at the completely new sensation, opening his mouth more so Haru could have better access. It wasn’t long before the kiss morphed into a full-blown make out session. Haru pinned Yukio against the nearest vertical surface, which happened to be a nearby wall. Haru’s tongue dominated Yukio’s, exploring his mouth fully and passionately. Yukio’s small hands made their way downward, unbuckling Haru’s belt and unfastening the button of his pants. Just as it opened, Haru grabbed both of Yukio’s wrists and backed out of the kiss, briefly licking his lips.
“Whoa, slow down tiger. We’re still in school, remember?” The dark haired teen pointed out playfully. Yukio had an expression of horror, completely mortified at his own actions.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry! I’m so stupid… I didn’t mean to, I-I just got caught up in the moment and-”
“Hey, its fine, you don’t have to apologize.” Haru said soothingly. He placed his hand on the back of Yukio’s neck and shifted it upwards to finger the boy's soft locks of hair.
“Besides…they’ll be plenty more moments for us to get caught up in.” He whispered huskily into the younger teen’s ear before giving him one last tongue-touching kiss. He then re-fastened his pants, buckled his belt and left with a quick wink.
Holy hell…Is this really happening? I just lost my first dry and wet kiss in the same five minutes. I can’t even move. How am I going to face Nemi and Haru tonight?! Why? Why did have to happen on my first day of high school? I’m not going to be able to concentrate on anything but…Ugh! I think…I think I need to lie down. Yukio thought to himself before practically collapsing on to the tile floor beneath him. Should I tell Nemi?
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