Chapter 23:

I gasped.
''Where did you guys..get that?'' I asked in horror.

''From the book shelf, but it was hidden, Mutsumi-senpai found it.'' Kae said and looked away,

''Senpai..You look so sad here.'' Nishina stated.

Igarashi looked at me in concern.

I forced the tears back when they were blurring my vision.

''Oy, Ayano, what's wrong?'' Nana asked coming closer.

My breathing started to get ragged.

''Ayano-senpai!'' Shinomiya exclaimed.

I couldn't stop the memories from coming back.
After all, I've never forgotten them in the first place.

''Class, we have a new student today.''

I nervously looked at the people inside the classroom and gulped.
''O-Ohayo, My name is Ayano Mikazuki, p-please take care of me.'' I said nervously with a little smile.

But they never did..

The whole class started to snicker and whispers were heard all throughout the classroom.
I looked down in embarrassment.

A girl with mint hair smirked at me.
''Ayano..right?''

I nodded.
''Welcome to Oasis Academy, we'll make your stay memorable.'' She told me with a smirk, the whole group started to snicker. ''I'm Mio.''

''Welcome to the group, Aya-chan.'' They said and gave me a smile, but back then..I didn't see their malicious intent, I was too blind..too naïve.

I thought they were being kind to me..but they actually weren't, I learned that the hard way.

''This...is your room?'' Mio asked.

I nodded.

''Your obsessed with..anime?'' They asked in disgust.

''Y-Yeah, is there any problem?''

Mio smirked shushing them.
''No, No, of course not.'' She said as she took a picture and laughed.

I frowned;
''What's the picture for?''

Mio winked.
''That's a secret, oh., by the way, not to be intrusive, but could I see your diary?''

The group snickered.

I would never forget them.
Alice, Naomi, Yuki, Andred, Ashten,
I trusted them..they were my closest friends.
''Sure.'' I said with a smile.

Tears blurred my vision, I was so blind.

The next day, everything went downhill for me.
Before I knew it, Everyone in school knew my secrets,

They laughed at me, bullied me, apparently in the entire school, I was the only Otaku.

''Mio...I trusted you.'' I told her.

She smirked.
''Heh, big mistake, shortie.'' She said and laughed.

''By the way, I hate your hair, make it longer would ya? maybe you could actually get some real friends then.'' She said as she and the group walked away.

I touched my shoulder length hair.
''But I like my hair this way.''

''You know..sometimes you have to sacrifice the things you love.'' she said with a shrug.

Life was never the same.

They bumped me purposely in the hallways, making my books fall to the ground,
''Woops, sorry nerdy, I couldn't see you there, pretty sure you were invisible.''  Ashten said and snickered.

I heard the whispers as I passed by my many schoolmates, it's like they didn't even try to avoid me hearing it.

Nerd.
Geek.
Useless.
Worthless.
that I should go to hell.
that I don't deserve to be alive.
I'm just a waste of space.

And I believed them.
No..that's past tense.
Even now..I still do.

My eyes slightly lost their light.
Mio and the others earned my trust yet betrayed me.

I glared at the group.
Kae..Nishina..Nana..Igarashi..Shinomiya...Mutsumi.
Who's to say they won't do the same?

That's right...everyone is the same.

Everyone except Tsuki.

''Hey, why are you crying?''

I looked up.
''Haven't you heard?''

She shrugged.
''Eh, who cares about  what they think? I'm Tsuki.'' She said as she extended out her hand.

I glared at it.
''Stay away from me.''

She dropped it.
''Geez, I'm not like them okay? you could trust me.''

My glare didn't disappear from my face.

''Fine, let me introduce myself, I'm Tsukizane Mikazuki, but everyone calls me Tsuki.''

I blinked,
''Mikazuki..?''

She smiled.
''We're cousins, stupid.''

I looked away.
Stupid. another thing to add to the list of many insults.

''Hey geez! don't takei t seriously.''

I shoved her away.
''You're just like the rest.''

''I'm not! I'll prove it!''

And she did.
But she ended up leaving me to be in a coma.
Left me to be alone.
Just like my mother.

Who else would I lose?
My father? my sister?

I should've never opened myself up, in the end they would betray me.
I wouldn't make the same mistake, no, not again.

Mutsumi put a hand on my shoulder.
''Ayano-chan, are you oka--''

I closed my eyes.
''Get out.''

''Senpai?'' Nishina asked confused.

''All of you, get out.''

''Ayano-chan, what's wrong?'' Kae asked getting closer to me.

I pushed her away.
''I said get out!''

''Oy, Ayano! what's gotten into you? you were fine just a few moments ago!'' Nana exclaimed.

I closed my eyes.
''I don't want you here, leave now.'' I said.

''Why? what did we do wrong?'' Shinomiya asked.

I glared.
''The likes of you doesn't need an explanation.'' I hissed.

I get it now, they were just going to make fun of me in the end.
Why else would they try to be friends with me?

All my emotions completely shut down.

''What do you mean?'' Igarashi asked.

''Just leave, the lot of you.''

As I watched them exit my house and take their things, why does it feel like I've made a mistake?

That they're different?

I shook my head.
No, they're all the same.

All of them are.

I sat myself on my bed.
And for the first time after Tsuki's coma, after everything that happened.. I've let it all out.

I cried.

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................TO BE CONTINUED
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