Chapter 2: Riverside

Some time passed since I transferred to the new school. Me and Shinyo kept getting closer and closer. Everything was fine! I wish it would have been like this from the start.

I heard her screaming my name because she was late at our usual meetup spot so we can walk to school together. She tripped and fell.

S: I'm fine! Don't you worry about me, just a scratch!

N: Please let me see...

S: Ugh, fine see it's nothing!

As I saw that would I got eased because it was nothing as she said but I still couldn't relax since that's how I am in general, always worried even though it's nothing serious at times.

N: Y-y- yeah... I can't forget that.

S: Great! Now let's get going before the bell rings or we will be in big trouble!

Energetic as always she grabbed my hand and dragged me. I'm always so happy around her. I don't know what I would do without her. With a smile on her face always, no matter what happens she will smile, today that smile was fake, same as my mom, sometimes same as me.

She wasn't the same as today as every other day, today she seemed a bit off.

S: Yes! Yes, it is nothing to be worried about now! Nikko, after school, let's go to the riverside and take photos there! We are going to have so much fun!

N: Sure, let's do that Shi-chan!

She smiled but deep down inside I felt something was off. I just knew something was off but I didn't feel right to pressure her at this time, especially at school. After all, people who wear masks to hide their sadness can easily be found from other people with the same emotional burden upon their shoulders no matter how big they are.

School passed quickly as it could be, every class passed as it was a normal day, for them at least, but not for Shinyu, and when it's a bad day for Shinyu so it is to me.

As we got out of school, she grabbed my hand, never have I ever felt that somehow her touch was gentle and sad, melancholic yet warm. Shinyu was having a bad time today, but later I can finally ask her.

N: Thank me for what, I haven't done anything special for you...

S: Yes, you did. You changed my life, you've always been here.

N: Of course, we are friends, aren't we? That's what friends are for!

S: Hey, Nikko... Can I tell you something later?

As she said that my heart dropped, I felt like someone stabbed through my heart because I just felt it was going to be bad. I hoped that it was okay.

S: Thanks! Now let's go to the riverside and take some photos!

N: Yeah! Let's go Shi-chan!

Somehow all she needed was me to tell her that she can open up to me, I felt her get better as I told her that she can tell me anything that is troubling her. She let out a smile and I felt reassured with that calming, beautiful smile.

As we arrived there, we climbed down and we lied on the grass and we started talking, we talked so long that I forgot that she wanted to ask me something. As the stars enveloped the sky Shinyu finally told me what has been bothering her.

N: Of course Shinyu, don't be silly! Always here for you no matter what!

S: It's about my grandma, she is in bed as we speak tired lying down, she hasn't moved since morning, that's why I wanted to talk to you about, mom says she will pass soon and she will leave us, I don't want grandma to go. I can't let her go! I DON'T WANT TO FORGET HER.

As she said that she busted up in a million tears crying her heart out, she seemed broken but who wouldn't be, I started crying too, how can I console someone who has problems when I suffer from those too. At that moment I realized why we are such good friends. It's because of what's been going on in our lives at this age, we could understand each other while the others looked and laughed. Well as my older brother says: "Opposites don't attract each other, not with people at least. You will find someone who can understand you, someone with the same problems as we have, someone with the same pain in their chest, someone who wants's to go to bed and never wake up, someone like us. But, even though that they still smile as we do!". I miss him more by the day. As I held her closer and closer to me, she held on tight.

N: I promise. You promise too!

As she wiped her tears off her face, she smiled and said.

N: Uh, huh... You are right. I'm so dumb...

S: You always make me happy Nikko, never forget that.

N: Hey, it's late, but the stars are out and it is so pretty, do you want to watch the stars with me Shi-chan?

S: I thought you would never ask.

We put our heads on the grass, watching the stars right by each other as friends are meant to be. After all, I made a promise, and that promise I mean to keep.