-Yoru-

Morning came. "I have to get ready for school!", I thought. My parents were waiting for me to go downstairs. I could tell that they were excited. As I went down the stairs, they were looking at me with eyes full of pride, because they know how hard I'm working, in order to achieve my dream. We were standing at the doorstep as my mom kissed me on the cheek and my dad patted my shoulder. He had to go on a business trip in some hours, so he went back inside to get his suitcase ready while my mom smiled and waved goodbye. Finally, I got on the bus. Right beside me, I saw a guy that looked like he was in his mid teens. He was dressed casually. His hair was really dark and on the short side. While I was observing him, I noticed that he had a piercing on the right side of his lips and that his eyes were hazel. Once I saw his eyes, I became aware that he was looking at me too, so I turned away. Since we took the same bus and he seemed my age, too, I couldn't help but wonder if he goes to the same school as me; but I was going to find out soon enough anyway.

Ding ding.

The school bell rang. I had to get to class, so I started walking a bit faster. I saw a group of students checking a paper on a notice board and I kept walking on that direction. I almost couldn't find my name on the paper since there are so many students here. As soon as I found my name, I started walking towards the classroom number that was written next to it. I randomly sat on a desk and waited patiently for the teacher to come. While I was waiting, just like everyone else, I looked around the classroom. That's when I began to feel concerned and nervous, since I didn't know anyone. The thought of ending up all alone this year too, began to overwhelm me. I haven't mentioned this, but I never had actual friends. I never became close to anyone and no one seemed to care anyway. That's why I just stayed distant from everyone at school and the only reason a classmate would even talk to me was school- related. That's how I began feeling self conscious and my confidence just dropped bellow zero. What's more, I didn't want my parents to find out about this, therefore I kept quiet. In addition to that, other matters started to bother me as well, since I hit puberty. I still wouldn't talk to anyone about it though. It was at that moment, that signs of depression started showing up.

Before I realized it, I got lost in awful thoughts again. Class had already began but I couldn't pay attention. I thought that I got over it, but it seemed like there were still some demons of my past that kept on haunting me. I was completely fine some moments ago and just like that, I felt like crying. "I wanna go home. No one will notice anyway. What's the point of even being here" , I thought. At that moment I felt like I was going to burst. Everything started to fade and I felt dizzy. My eyes started tearing up and my heart was beating so fast that it was about to pop out of my chest. My body temperature started rising, but my sweat felt cold. I didn't want anyone to notice yet at the same time, I wanted someone to save me. But no one was listening to my silent crying for help. Because no one cared enough. I felt so alone, that I believed it wouldn't even make a difference if I was to disappear. Maybe it would be better if I just disappeared. Maybe it would be better if didn't exist in the first place. At that moment, a horrifying idea occurred in my mind. I thought I wanted to d- Before I finished my thought, I noticed a familiar head tilting close to my face. 

"Are you okay?", he said in a wary voice. Class was already over but I didn't even realize it. God that's too embarrassing. I stood up and said that I'm fine, while I was trying hard to keep my cool. Just when I was about to leave, he smiled sofly and asked if I was new here. I hesitated at first, but I answered. As we were talking, I understood the reason he looked so familiar. He was the guy I saw sitting next to me on the bus. His name was Hiro Nishida.

                                                            ***

Everything happened kind of fast and I still don't know why I went along when he invited me, but I ended up hanging out with him and his friends after school. Of course he would have friends. He seemed popular, funny and he was also good looking on top of that. He had the vibe of a guy that could have whatever he wished for. Maybe that's what made me agree to coming here. I have to admit that I was feeling nervous at first because they all kept asking me things about myself, but they seemed like they just wanted to get to know me. My hopes hadn't gotten up yet though, nor has my guard been let down. I still couldn't feel at ease.

Some time passed and we decided to go our separate ways. I started heading home and I noticed Hiro walking at the same direction as me. We took the bus together and we got off at the same stop too. "So, we live close to each other?". He mouthed those words at the same time that I was thinking them and he smiled gently. We arrived outside of my house and the time to part ways came. 

"I'll go this way. Do you want to meet here tomorrow and go to school together?" he asked me hesitantly, almost trying to look away. Without thinking much, I said yes. He then smiled brightly as he looked at me. His already dazzling hazel eyes were sparkling. This was the most honest and broad smile I've seen in a while. 

"Okay then, see you tomorrow. Let's hang around!", he said. He was still smiling as he waved goodbye. I went inside the house and, as always, I grabbed something to eat and I headed straight to my room since no one was home. Dad had already left for his business trip and mom was working late. I put on some music and started rethinking about everything that happened today, in order to write it down on my diary. The truth is that no matter what I was writing about, one thing kept replaying inside my head. His smile.

That night, I didn't even know why, but I fell asleep thinking about his smile.