"Hey, Aiko!" I shout to her as I jog across the empty quad,trying to catch up with her.

 She stops walking and turns around for a split second, but that's enough time for me to see that something is definitely wrong.

 I run to catch up with her.

 We walk in silence like we normally do, and I slip an arm around her waist.

She doesn't notice.

 I want to ask her what's wrong. 

I want to tell her everything.

 Yet my father's words ring over and over again in my head telling me that real men don't show emotion. 

I swallow my questions and look ahead ignoring the regret gnawing at my insides.