This may get a little boring for a few chapters so I apologize in advance :P

Recently, the anime I have been watching have been a little short (Terror In Resonance, Arpeggio Of Blue Steel and Angel Beats!) and it has made me think of a question: Would You Rather Have Short But Good Anime Or Long But Good/Ok Anime? Sometimes, the shorter anime is always better, but you finish it in one day and think 'I WANT MORE' but the long anime can be good with enough anime to keep you happy, but some are repetitive and can drag on too long. I can't think of any bad examples right now though, because anime like Pokemon have gone 800+ episodes and the only repetitive thing I can remember is Ash having a gym leader with him in every series.

You guys know the drill, so enjoy the chapter :)

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(Ash)

As soon as I woke up, all I could think about was school. I rushed around getting my clothes on, being worried about showing up late. Before I got to the door, I remembered I got suspended for two weeks and fell straight into a sitting position. 

"And I got all my stuff ready" I moaned in annoyance, throwing my bag into the corner. I jumped over the sofa and grabbed the remote, switching on the TV. It already felt boring staying at home, making me realize how boring morning TV was compared to school. The back of my mind told me to study but my procrastinating ways always won, so I spent a few hours going through insufferable TV channels, before realizing I should start doing some work. I threw open a random textbook and began to slowly flick through it, absorbing the information by reading. 

"This is too boring..." I continued to mumble to myself, looking around for other sources of entertainment. I walked into the kitchen and grabbed some chips. I grabbed the textbook and ran upstairs, jumping onto my bed. I opened back up to the correct page and opened the chips, eating and reading simultaneously. 

"This would make lessons ten times better, if I could eat at the same time" I thought out of boredom, almost ignoring the textbook. "Four more hours" I sighed, continuing to flick through the pages. Before I knew it, I was fast asleep because when I got up, it was 2pm. 

"Crap, I need to have lunch!" I began to worry, rushing downstairs. I just made up a sandwich with anything I could find and ate it really fast to calm my nerves. 

"Thanks Ash. Your welcome Ash" I unconsciously thanked myself like a weirdo. I looked at myself in the mirror, I hope I am not going insane not being in school. Maybe this is what every punishment is like. It won't be long before school ends, I guess I will wait for Serena and get her to walk home with me. I headed out to the school and saw Kevin waiting at the gate aswell. For his sister, maybe?

The final bell rang and kids began to scatter, running through the gates and onto various buses, into cars and other modes of transport. I turned to see Kevin hugging someone and then they met with a kiss. As soon as she released I knew who it was. I could recognize Sarah from anywhere, being her lifelong friend and ex boyfriend after all. I shook the thought out of my head, but more came in. What was she doing with a freak like him? Was he trying to provoke me or make me jealous? Is Kevin seriously thinking I will react badly? I tried shaking the thoughts out of my head, but it all felt so weird. A voice broke these thoughts, thankfully.

"Ash?" It was Sarah's voice. I let out a sigh and span around, facing her with a smile.

"What is it? Long time no see" I said politely. She gave me a little smile and nervously rubbed her arm.

"Yeah. I just wanted to say sorry on Kevin's behalf, that's all. He is too childish to say it, so I am" She explained in a light tone. It was almost as if she was scared, but what of?

"Right" I said, trying to hide my thoughts and suspicions "Well, it was good to see you" I disregarded the apology completely, I wouldn't care if he offered me money to accept his apology, it would never happen.

"You too, Ash" Sarah gave me a little wave and then left. Sometimes I am too nice. Another voice stopped me from thinking further.

"What are you doing here?" Serena asked me, her face suddenly blocking my view. I wasn't complaining.

"Oh, erm- I was waiting for you" I scratched my nose and laughed nervously. Serena just gave me a smile and grabbed my hand.

"Lets go then!" She shouted, almost pulling my hand off.

"Can-we-slow-down?!" I asked, in between bouncing around on the dodgy path I was being dragged on. Serena slowed down and walked beside me, allowing us to hold hands like normal couples.

"Sorry, I was just messing around. I find it kind of cute that you waited for me" Serena made my cheeks warm up, I gave another nervous laugh and then remembered what I saw. 

"I just saw Kevin with Sarah, like together, as a couple" I tried to explain, but I sounded really stupid.

"Why would he-?" Serena began, but then she smiled again. "Who cares what that loser does, right?"

"Right" I nodded, realizing she didn't care, so I shouldn't care. It had no affect on us whatsoever. "He even tried to apologize, but he used Sarah to do it. She sounded a little scared speaking to me before, so I think Kevin is doing something. I am going to talk to her tomorrow after school and see if something is going on"

"Ok, Ash. Just be careful around her, you know what she has been like before" Serena warned me, but I completely ignored it.

"She has changed. After all, when we was 'taking a break' she refused to go out with me and made me realize that I just needed you" I looked at Serena, who looked a little surprised.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She wondered out loud.

"I didn't  find it important" I explained in the simplest of terms "Besides, it was just friendly advice, it means she has changed so she won't be stupid around me anymore"

"Yeah, that is reassuring I suppose" Serena sounded like she was kind of lying, but I couldn't tell, so I ignored it. We finally made it to my house and I said goodbye to Serena, before parting ways with her and walking inside. I grabbed a quick drink and a snack and then headed out again to Sarah's house. I walked at a fast pace, getting their really quick. I knocked on the door once. 

No answer.

So I tried again, knocking harder and longer.

No answer.

I heard something inside and decided to wait on the doorstep. Kevin walked out after five minutes and headed down the street pretty swiftly. Suspicious thoughts flowed into my head.

"Ash?" Sarah asked, peeking out of the door.

"Hey, peeping Tom. Can I come in?" I asked, standing up from the step. Sarah nodded and then opened the door fully. I walked in behind her and sat down at the table next to her.

"What is it you want?" Her voice still seemed quiet and lifeless, like something was happening.

"That" I said gesturing to her speech.

"What?" She wondered, puzzled by my gesture.

"The way you are speaking. I know you too well Sarah, what's going on?" I instantly became protective, finding it hard to believe her voice had changed this much when it was always the same.

"N-no-nothing, I promise" She tried to smile but it seemed too weak to be true. I could tell she was faking.

"Tell me the truth, Sarah" I looked around her face, making sure to stay supportive. Sarah suddenly broke into tears and buried her head into my shoulder.

"My parents, th-they..they was in a car crash" She suddenly said, making me feel like I was hit by a bus. Her parents...dead? I couldn't believe it myself. They was the nicest people I had ever met in my life and they was in hospital.

"How are their chances?" I asked, supportively putting my arms around Sarah. She held onto my jacket and continued to sob.

"Low. Ex-extremely low" She spoke as if she was breathless, silently whispering.

"Oh god..." I spoke under my breath. I didn't know what to say next. Something about Kevin was what I was planning, but I couldn't think.

"S-sorry Ash" Sarah brought her head up and let go of my jacket, wiping the tears from my eyes. "I shouldn't be telling you my problems"

"No, it's fine, honestly" I gave her a reassuring smile. "You're parents were always so nice, so I find it shocking myself that they have been in an accident. I have known you a long time Sarah, so you know you can tell me anything, anytime?" 

She gave a small nod in reply and then sniffled, wiping away more tears.

"I did come to ask about Kevin too, but I can see you have some things to sort, so you can answer me later, ok?" I got up to leave but Sarah grabbed my wrist.

"Stay, please. Ash" She said quietly, in a whisper. It sounded like she hoped I would stay. I decided to be kind and sat back down. She got up and made up some drinks and we quietly talked for hours, reminiscing the past, specifically stories of her parents. I realized it had been two hours before I decided to leave.

"About Kevin.." Sarah began, but I raised my hand.

"You don't need to give me an answer" I lowered my hand and then opened the door. "I think I may have already figured it out" 

"You have?" Sarah asked, some life coming back to her voice after our talk. 

"He is using you to try and get to me, right?" I asked straight away, hoping it would be a no. If she said yes then that conversation could have been for nothing.

"No" She instantly replied back, with no hint of a lie in her voice. I knew her too well, so she definitely wasn't lying. "He is obviously jealous of you and Serena, but I have always kind of liked Kevin, so how could I say no?"

"Make sure he protects you, Sarah. If he doesn't know about your parents, tell him. It will make it easier for him to understand you and you can take your relationship further"

"Okay Ash, I will" Sarah nodded. I grabbed the door handle and swung the door open. "Ash?" Sarah asked one last time. 

"What is it?" I asked, turning around in response.

"Thanks" Sarah smiled and then threw her hand out in a wave. 

I nodded and returned the smile, not being able to find the words to reply. I slowly closed the door behind me and headed back home.

The first day of my suspension and things were already beginning to unfold left right and centre. I wonder what is happening next and if it will impact my future with Serena. 

#ThePerfectYear