"Even Stars Need Help to Shine"

As we sat there next to each other, I was happy that Seira felt comfortable sharing this information with me. But I didn't want her to say anything if it was going resurface painful memories for her. Despite that fact, part of me wanted to know more about her. 

"I'm willing to listen Seira, but could we talk more after school? I don't really like talking about things here."

Seira giggled a little and nodded.

"Of course! Thank you so much!"

What followed after that interaction, was the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. As I thought to myself, the more I realized that this smile I want to continue seeing. This beautiful smile that had graced my eyes was enough to make any hardships that I faced today melt away. I had gotten so lost in her smile until the teacher said:

"Okay class break time is over! Get back to your seats and let's start going over the review."

Groans and sighs echoes across the room as students reluctantly returned to their seats. Class that day went on as normal, with the occasional glares from students. But it didn't go further than that. As class let out and students started to leave, the teacher called for me. I looked back at Seira and said:

"I'll catch up with you."

She nods as she leaves the classroom, as she walked into the hallway, students came around her in attempts to talk to her.

"That's going to get old quick..."

I mumbled to myself as Seira started talking to the students around her. As I look back at the teacher I ask:

"What did you need Sensei?"
"Can you take these papers to the teachers' lounge for me Shiro?"
"Alright"

I picked up the large stack of papers and left the classroom. Although the task at hand was simple, knowing my luck I wasn't expecting this to be easy. As I walked through the hallway, some students from my class stop me.

"Well well... what do we have here?"

I sighed and kept walking towards the lounge. This was nothing new to me, I expected this to happen.

"Whoa there! Where are you going in such a hurry?"

I thought to myself, if they couldn't see my weakness, they'd leave me alone and I could continue with my day. But I was so wrong... They knock down the papers in my hand and walk away laughing. These people around me, I hate them so much. I don't want any of them to become friends with Seira. I thought to myself that if she did befriend anyone from our class, they'd corrupt her, and she would stop being kind to me. For the first time since being at this school, I may have actually found a friend. As I knelt down to pick up the dropped papers, Seira was walking down the hallway and saw me.

"Shiro? Is everything okay?"

I look up and smile when I see her, a shining star in the night sky.

"I just tripped and dropped the papers but I'm fine, thank you."

She knelt down to help pick up the papers. After all the papers were collected, she divided the stack in half and picked one half up.

"So where are we taking these papers to?"

She said in a playful tone.

"To the teachers' lounge at the other end of the school"

She nodded as we started to walk to the lounge. The walk there was filled with mostly silence, but it wasn't awkward. I enjoyed the walk to the lounge with her, simply enjoying her presence.

"Do you want to go to the coffee shop down the street after we drop these off?"

She said as she looked up at me.

"Yea sure."

 I had forgotten that we had agreed to meet up after school to talk more so the question had thrown me off. It made me happy though, finally having an opportunity to have a genuine conversation with someone that didn't end with endless insults. After dropping off the papers in the teachers' lounge and a few brief words with some of the teachers, we headed out to the coffee shop. This particular coffee shop didn't get a lot of business since it was an older establishment. Perhaps, this was the reason that she picked it. I didn't mind this whatsoever; I enjoyed the quiet atmosphere and the kind employees. We sat down at a booth towards the back of the building as we waited for our order.

"Shiro... I feel like I can trust you, so I want to share a little bit about my past."

I didn't expect for her to say that she trusts me, but it was a good feeling to know this. I nodded in response.

"I know everyone knows me because due to my social media presence, but I wasn't always like this. I'm not the sociable girl that everyone knows and sees me as."

Hearing this, didn't really surprise me as it was common for popular or famous people to put on a mask outside of their work. But I did wonder what kind of things she was hiding under that mask. Out of respect for her, I simply kept quiet and listened to what she had to say.

"When I was younger, I always wanted to be a famous dancer. I always went to different dance classes and shows to learn more about dancing. Although my parents were very supportive of my dream, everyone else around me wasn't so supportive."

"Seira you should give up!"
"You'll never make it big."
"Why did you even bother showing up to this course Takanashi."

"That's the type of things that people would say to me. Despite that I kept trying my best... I kept going to the classes. Even though I knew my dancing skills were subpar."

The more I listened to Seira, the more I realized the similarities between us.

"The more people insulted my dancing skills, the more I tried harder to please everyone. Soon my parents had noticed how much I was struggling produce sufficient results in my dance classes. Although they never directly said anything to me, I could tell that they were also losing faith in my abilities. One day, when I had gotten home from class, my parents were at the door waiting for me."

"Seira... we know that you've been working hard on your dream to be a dancer. But you're pushing yourself so much and it's making us worried. We don't want you to give up on your dream... but, we think that you should put it to the side for now until you're ready..."

"When my parents told me that, it broke my heart and enraged me... I screamed at them and told them how much I hated them for saying that. They weren't upset at me for saying those things because they knew my emotions were elevated. I had ignored their pleas and advice and kept pushing myself in dance class. Although I began to improve greatly, I felt empty doing it. But I couldn't stop myself because I was finally becoming successful."

I looked at her in a calm demeanor as I continued listening to her story.

"As the years went by, although I had made a name for myself. I was lonely, because all of the people who wanted nothing to do with me back then, suddenly wanted to be around me all the time. At first, I was happy to finally be getting the attention. But as time went by, I started to resent the attention I received... don't get me wrong I love dancing and I enjoy it so much. But I hate everything else that comes with being well known... the people that surround me, don't feel real."

Seira and I came from completely different backgrounds, but I could feel the similarities between the two of us. Both of us felt lonely and isolated, but they were for completely different reasons. For Seira... the star that shined so bright and I, the moon that got out shined. Seira, who had seemed like a robot at first, simply saying what she thought was the right thing finally had begun to show a deeper side of her. A side in which I could relate to and understand.

"Order for Takanashi!"

We heard from the counter and we both got up to get our drinks.

"Thank you for listening to me for a bit Shiro, I appreciate it."
"You're welcome, Seira, I'm glad that you were able to release some of that tension."

As we left the coffee stop, both of us left in a better mood than what we arrived in. Seira, finally got to release the feelings that have been building up for years. And I, who finally had someone to talk to after being lonely for so long. I just hoped that this new feeling of companionship would last. We walked around the town for some time just enjoying the scenery. As it started to get late, I said to Seira:

"Hey, it's getting late, I can walk you home..."

She looked up at me and nodded.

"Thank you! I'd really appreciate that."

As we walked towards her neighborhood and the sun had set, I noticed once more how her brown silky hair glistened in the moonlight. It was a beautiful sight that I never want to forget. Seira looked so innocent and pure as we walked, like an angel from the heavens. We soon arrived at her house, and I helped her inside.

"Thank you Shiro, I had fun today."

She said as she walked into her house and waved at me.

"Goodnight Seira."
"Goodnight."

Today was a good day, I got to experience something that I doubt I'd ever forget. Seira made me feel important and I genuinely enjoyed my time with her today. As I walked home, I forgot about the bad parts of the day as I smiled on my way back home. As I got back home, I was in such a good mood that even Eika's remarks as I walked in had no effect on me. Seira had made me so happy today that I wasn't about to let anyone ruin that for me, especially the likes of Eika. As I headed into my room and closed the door, I sat my things down on my desk and walked to the window. I looked out into the clear night and watched as the moon illuminated the sky once more and, in the distance, I could see one singular star... A star that shined bright than even the moon.