Chapter 49: The Silence of the Prince

The car ride home is silent.

Hiroto is a 'star', so his 'agency' sent a van for all of us.

I am in the back. Staring out the window.

Daiki is also in the back. As far away from me as possible. Staring at his lap.

Rika, Toujo, and Hiroto are in the middle.

They are whispering.

"This is a 'disaster'... the 'ratings' will *plummet'..." Hiroto mutters.

"Shut up, Hiroto," Rika hisses.

I pull out my phone.

I open my chat with 'FujiJerk'.

I stare at the last message.

FujiJerk: "I am also in attendance. My family sponsors this venue. Let me know if you require better seating."

That was weeks ago. The night of the concert.

My thumb hovers over the keyboard.

What do I even say?

'Hey. Sorry I believed the idiot who lied about saving my life. Thanks for the mouth-to-mouth. No hard feelings?'

I want to die.

I type.

Me: "Hey."

Lame.

I delete it.

Me: "Are you okay?"

Stupid. Why wouldn'T he be okay? I'M the one who drowned.

I delete it.

Me: "We need to talk."

Too serious. Too 'Bloody Twilight'. He will think I'm mad at him.

I close my phone.

I can't do this.

I am good at 'punching'. I am good at 'yelling'.

I am terrible at 'feelings'. And 'apologies'.

We get back to my house.

I get out of the van.

"Aoi-chan..." Rika starts.

"I'll see you at school," I mutter.

"Twilight... wait."

Daiki.

He's standing by the van.

He looks pathetic.

He is holding his hoodie.

(The one I threw at his face.)

He holds it out to me.

"You... you forgot this."

I stare at the hoodie.

I stare at him.

I say nothing.

I just turn around. I walk into my house.

I slam the door.

I hear the van drive away.

I am alone.

My phone is silent.

Fuji doesn't text.

Of course he doesn't.

I am an idiot.

I am a fool.

And I am... really sad.

This is a new feeling.

I hate it more than swimsuit shopping.