My exhaustion was taking over all my thoughts. I haven't been sleeping that well anyway...but my mom making me do chores all night is making me even more exhausted. Knowing that I'm going to have to go back to do the smart thing again...makes this even worse.

I couldn't even think anymore. I was just mindlessly wandering the halls. I heard some people say things to me but I was so tired I didn't hear any of it. My head was bobbing and everyone didn't even show in my vision anymore.

It was just me walking down the hallway. All alone with no one around. I could feel my whole body tremble at the thought of being alone.

"Kokichi?" Shuichi was standing near my next classroom or at least what I thought was my next classroom. I could barely look at him without my eyes blurring out. I had to refocus almost every other second. This was to make sure that I could see his face even though it didn't last long. I wasn't even sure if he was really there in front of me.

I felt someone hit my back as I started to fall forward. I didn't even know if it actually happened or if I was just too exhausted that I was passing out.

"You don't look too good," His voice faded out as I felt my vision go dark. I felt him grab my shoulders catching me before I was out.

. . .

I saw myself wake up in my room. But this time it was organized and I noticed something else that was different. Shuichi was asleep next to me. His arms were loosely wrapped around my torso. I jumped a bit at seeing him.

This doesn't look like the Shuichi I know...he looks older.

His hair was slightly longer and his eyes looked more serious. He was definitely taller than he was before and he was also holding me like this was a normal thing we would do.

Wait a minute...

I looked over at the side table and saw a picture of me and him but we were both older. I looked down at my arms and noticed they looked a little different and there were some scars I didn't have before but the ones I knew about were more faded.

Is this the future

Confused and tired I just decided to turn around and snuggle up next to Shuichi. Because Shuichi is still Shuichi and he must love me. He is holding me and he smiled when I moved closer to him. So I think it's safe to assume that we are together.

I let my eyes travel down to my hands and saw that there was a ring on my left ring finger. I looked over at his hand and he had a similar one on his. My face inflamed.

So we get married?

If this is the future that is ahead of me I am not complaining. Being able to live with Shuichi and be able to cuddle him every morning...I absolutely love it. The idea and being able to be in this time even if it is a dream...is more than I could ever ask for.

I moved closer to his chest and let our legs tangle together. He was really warm and the calming aura he brought to me made my eyes slowly close again. His calming breathing and the rising and lowering of his chest let me be able to stay asleep. Like an ongoing lullaby, calming and soothing me all night so I can finally have peace.

Peace
That word sounds so welcoming. I wish I was able to have this peace when I was sleeping...but I'm certain that as of now I should just enjoy this moment, well, this dream. Because I'm sure it's the only chance of peace I'm going to get.

. . .

I felt the soreness and exhaustion kick in when I came back to my senses. I didn't want to open my eyes because I'm sure they would open to see my mom standing over my bed. She would look disappointed because of the way I passed out and made her come and pick me up from school.

I sighed knowing I would have to open my eyes soon...but as of right now I'm going to try and hold onto that peace. The peace of being able to be with Shuichi all the time...being able to tell him what I need and him being there when I'm having a hard night.

"Kokichi," I heard a voice whisper. It didn't sound like my mom and it didn't sound like Shuichi. Am I dead?

"Can you open your eyes for me?" I complied with the voice's wishes and opened my eyes. I was surprised she. I saw Shuichi's mother sitting in a chair next to me. I was in Shuichi's bed and was laying in his room. So does that mean he took me here after I passed out?

"Welcome back Kokichi," She gave me a warm smile and handed me a glass of water. My hands were a little shaky because I just woke up and I'm still exhausted.

"Thank you," The look she gave me told me that she knew I was confused. She sighed and placed her hand on my shoulder as I sat up to take the glass from her.

"I know you must be confused. Shuichi brought you back here after the school called your mom to pick you up and she wasn't answering. I have been watching over you as he went to your last couple of classes." I felt some tears come to my eyes.

They actually care about me. They didn't yell at me for passing out from the lack of sleep...and they are actually taking care of me.

My mother would just yell at me and make me go and do more chores while I was too exhausted to even stand...but I managed and still manage because she does this to me more often than not.

"Thank you," She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me into a hug. I felt myself start to cry as she held me. Why can't people just be as nice and accepting as her...why do I have to go back to my house when they don't give a shit about me?

"Kokichi! I'm glad you woke up! I was starting to worry," Shuichi came in and his mom let me out of her grasp. He threw his bag against the wall and immediately came over to kiss me. The kiss wasn't a super long one but it was nice.

"Thanks for taking care of me," I whispered into his ear smiling adoringly as we met eyes again.

-So, today has been an interesting day...I have been working on getting all the flooring off of the main floor and we just finished the last of it...so tomorrow we are putting the new flooring on...yay..anyway, thank you all so much for reading!!-

-ShuichiOuma010-