The next day at school was pretty boring. The English presentation went well and we received a 98% on it. The three of us were ecstatic and hurried to lunch to tell the others the good news. When we arrived at our table, Riki looked up and smiled at me,

"Y/N! Perfect timing. I actually wanted to ask you about something."

I smiled at Riki as I sat down and unpacked my lunch,

"What's up?"

"Well, first, can you sing?"

I nodded,

"Yeah, I guess. Why?"

"Great! I don't know if you've heard about this, but the school is putting on a musical. It's Beauty and the Beast. I'm in the drama club and I was cast as Beast and the director told me that I could choose who I want Belle to be. Would you be interested in doing this with me?"

I smiled widely,

"That sounds awesome! I'd love to."

His eyes brightened and he smiled happily at me,

"Fantastic! When we get home would you want to rehearse the songs with me?"

I nodded,

"Sure thing!"

We both giggled happily, ignoring the murderous glares Bex and Jackson were throwing at Riki (well, Riki was the one ignoring them. I didn't notice them at the time.). At that moment, Senri and March sat down,

"What're you two so happy about?"

March inquired while taking a bite from his french fry. I smiled and answered,

"Riki's in the school musical and he wants me to be his co-star!"

My excitement seeped through in my tone as I told March, who smiled at me,

"I'm glad to see you happy. But Riki! You can't keep her all to yourself! The rest of us might want some time with Y/N."

"No promises man."

I laughed at how March, Bex, and Jackson pouted,

"Hehe I promise I'll make time for all of you."

Their eyes lit up and they smiled,

"Okay!"

I giggled at their child like excitement and continued eating my lunch. We talked about various things and before we knew it, lunch was over. Senri said nothing during lunch today, which I found odd. I brushed it off as I waved goodbye to everyone as March and I headed to Anatomy. I glanced over at him and he looked upset,

"March? Are you alright?"

He shook his head,

"What's wrong?"

He hesitated momentarily before responding,

"I just... I feel like I've known you the longest but I don't get to spend any time with you. We haven't really gotten a chance to catch up with each other and I honestly feel cheated."

His tone was mildly hostile and accusatory. I frowned,

"I'm sorry you feel that way. If you wanted to talk all you had to do was say so. It's okay."

He sighed,

"Yeah, but Senri doesn't want me around you. He thinks I'm gonna hurt you again."

I sighed,

"I think they're all worried about that. You've got a temper and that isn't good. Everyone gets angry now and then but you shouldn't take it out on someone who just wants to help."

He nodded sadly,

"I know. I really do feel awful. I'm sorry."

"I know you are. If you want to talk, may be all of us can sit down and talk. I'm sure everyone has some questions about me and that way no one can accuse anyone of anything."

He smiled, but it was forced,

"That's a good idea."

Our conversation was abruptly cut off as our teacher began his lecture.

Once Riki and I got home, he led me up to his room and shut the door behind him,

"Thanks so much for agreeing to be Belle. Now I want to see how your voice is so go ahead and sing whatever you want."

I nodded, thinking of a song I could sing. I finally settled on one from the Death Note musical,

You wake me
You take me
Remake me
More than anyone
I'll show you
I know you
I owe you
More than anyone
You rescued me from all my tears
I'll gladly give you half my years

I'd pay any price for finding you
And spend what's left reminding you
My restless life is worth so much more
Because of you worth living for
If I find you maybe love me too
I'll only love you more

I'm here now
It's clear now
You're near now
Please, please don't run away
I feel you
So will you
Reveal you don't wanna run away
I'll read your name and see your face
A kiss away from your embrace

I'll pay any price for finding you
And spend what's left reminding you
My restless life is worth so much more
Because of you worth living for
If I find you maybe love me too
I'll only love you more

My golden temple by the sea
You are my Kamakura tree

I'd pay any price for finding you
And spend what's left reminding you
My restless life is worth so much more
Because of you worth living for
If I find you maybe love me too
I'll only love you more

I'm here now
It's clear now
You're near now

When I finished Riki blinked at me in shock,

"Wow."

"Wow what?"

"Have you preformed in a musical before or something?"

"No but at my old school my friends and I did The Cell Block Tango from Chicago for a talent show. I was the first woman who killed her husband for popping gum."

He laughed slightly,

"That makes sense. But seriously you've got a good voice. I'm excited to sing with you. We each have solos but theres a duet that we'll be doing. It's about how each of them realize that they're seeing the other in a new light."

I nodded,

"Okay. That doesn't sound too bad. It'll be fun!"

He smiled,

"Yeah I'm really excited for it! Do you wanna start now?"

I nodded,

"Yeah!"

We spent hours practicing our different songs. Little did we know, the rest of the house grew increasingly jealous and bitter as each hour passed. They each sat outside the door, listening to make sure we weren't getting too close. At one point, I heard them whispering outside. I wanted to go see what was going on, but Riki wanted to practice our duet one more time. A feeling of unease washed over me and I began to feel as if something was happening on the other side of his door, like he and I were in danger. I asked Riki if he was getting hungry and offered to grab some snacks,

"Yeah I am pretty hungry. I can get them if you want, Y/N."

"No no it's okay I don't mind. I want to stretch my legs a little."

He smiled sweetly,

"Alright I'll keep working."

I slipped outside to find the hallway empty. I mentally sighed in relief as I crept softly down the stairs to grab various snacks for us. So far so good. I went back up the stairs only to find Senri waiting for me on the landing. He was standing so close to the steps I started to fall. Thankfully he caught me, but when I saw the look in his eyes I wished he had let me fall. His eyes were cold and dead as they pierced through me,

"You've been in there a long time. Did you forget about the rest of us? About me?"

I looked at him confused,

"What? What are you talking about?"

He hadn't relinquished his hold on my upper arms as he spoke,

"You think you can come into my life, make me care for you, and then toss me aside for someone else?"

"Senri i-it isn't like that. Let me go."

I was beginning to worry he'd do something rash, but I was more worried what he'd do if I tried to call out for help,

"You've been in there with him for five hours. Don't you think that's affected the rest of us?"

"Why should it? I'm entitled to do what I want in my free time."

Senri leaned in closer to me,

"Not when it means ignoring me all day. I've never felt this way before about anyone. You did this to me, Y/N. You're in my head and I can't get you out. I go crazy when you're not near me."

His grip on my arms tightened and I winced,

"Let me go! You're hurting me!"

I tried to free myself but his grip was too strong,

"You made me like this. Whenever I start to get my head above water it's like you pull me back under until I'm surrounded by you. I can't find my way out anymore, Y/N. I thought I'd be able to hold out longer but I can't. When Naomi hurt you I wanted to lunge at her, to reach into her chest and rip out her heart for even daring to touch you."

My eyes widened in fear as I looked at Senri. His eyes were piercing through my body and his tone, although calm, held a crazed undertone that frightened me. With all my might, I shoved him back and ran down the stairs. I raced out the door and got into my car, speeding off before he could catch me.

I wasn't even sure where I was going. I just kept driving until I was sure I had put enough distance between myself and that house. I saw a park and I decided to stop. I pulled into a parking space and exited my car. The park was beautiful. It had a small playground with swings and slides along with a small gazebo and a lake overlook. I went over to one of the swings and began swinging slowly as I thought to myself,

"What got into him all of a sudden? He's always so reserved. I never would have expected anything like that from him. Now whenever I see him it'll be awkward. I don't want to be alone with him, maybe I can talk with Bex and Riki about it and see what they say. They know Senri better than I do."

I looked out at the sunset on the lake and smiled,

"It's beautiful."

"Yes it is."

I jumped off the swing and spun around to see a young man standing there,

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to frighten you! My name is Ryan. I live near here and I was walking my dog, but he saw a squirrel and ran off."

He dug a picture out of his wallet and handed it to me,

"Have you seen him anywhere?"

I took the picture and looked it at. The dog in the picture looked like a golden retriever puppy. I shook my head,

"No I'm sorry."

He stepped closer to take the picture back,

"Thanks anyway, Y/N."

I gave him a confused look,

"I didn't tell you my name."

He smiled,

"I know."

I was about to leave when I felt a sharp pain in my neck. I dropped my keys and slumped forward as Ryan caught me,

"It's nothing personal. I promise."

Those were the last words I remember before losing consciousness.