We sat in the vehicle, a heavy stillness filling the small space.

After a moment Ryuu decided to break the silence, "Hey, I'm really sorry about what happened back there. Shouta is reckless when drinking, but that's no excuse." He looked down at his hands and added after a pause, "Well that ordeal sure sobered me up a bit!"

I looked up to see him chuckle softly, almost sarcastically. His face was still slightly flushed, but he seemed to not be as intoxicated as he had been.

I sat silent and still, not knowing how to respond. Ryuu was too close for comfort and he seemed absolutely oblivious to the fact. 

I jumped slightly when he exclaimed a bit too loudly, "What did you say your name was again? Tamaki?" He looked up at me with an inquisitive look in his eyes.

"Oh, it's Takashi," I replied somewhat softly. Why did my heart suddenly speed up when our eyes met...?  I must be getting sick, I thought to myself.

"Ahh, well I'm Ryuu. It's nice to officially meet you. I'm sorry I wasn't too talkative earlier today! I had a lot on my mind," He explained, for some unknown reason.

He seemed to be quite a bit more outgoing than he was previously. His lack of conversation this morning could have very well been the fact that I had practically bashed his pretty face in with my bike, which would be a reasonable explanation. Alternatively, his outgoing nature right now could be a result of the lingering alcohol. Who knows, I just want to get home and take something for this headache.

"Where do you go to school, Takashi?" Ryuu's bright eyes studied me as he leaned forward and placed his chin in his hand, elbow on his knee. Why do I feel like I'm an insect under a magnifying glass...?

"Uhh… I am not in school. I'm older than I look," I responded, not bothering to elaborate. He really makes me nervous when he looks at me like that.

"How old are you?"

I withheld a sigh, and avoided his gaze, "28."

"WOW, you are old!!" His response made me wince slightly and he laughed, "I'm 22!" He volunteered the information right away.

At that moment, we arrived in front of my apartment building. I let out the air I had been unconsciously holding in and moved to open the door. He was making me soo nervous for some strange reason, I could barely breathe.

I hear movement behind me, "I'll walk you to your door." He didn't ask. It seemed like a nonnegotiable requirement for bringing me here.

He exited the vehicle on my side and brushed past me to scrutinize the area. Knowing that he had a "driver", that alone made me perceive that he was not accustomed to this type of life. I felt a sudden twinge of embarrassment as he observed the outside of my home, yet he said nothing, and his face showed no judgement.

I removed my shabby bike from the spacious trunk, and locked it up like I did every day. I then made my way into the building, Ryuu trailing close behind. We walked up the stairs and turned the corner and stood before my door. I certainly did not want him to see inside my apartment, remembering the state it was in when I left that morning. I turned slightly to face him.

"Is this it?" Ryuu inquired, looking past my shoulder at the door, then back at me.

"Y-yes," I hesitated. Please don't invite yourself in... Please don't invite yourself in...

Ryuu paused for a moment and then spoke up rather too cheerfully, "Well then, I'll see you later, Takashi!" I thought I saw a small flicker of disappointment flash through his beautiful eyes, but I can't be too sure. Maybe my mind was playing tricks on me.

"Thank you for the help today, the ride, I mean." I fumbled for the right words, looking like an idiot.

"Not a problem at all! Hope to see you again!" He responded with a bright smile, turning to take his leave. I saw him make his way down the stairs and out of my sight. What a peculiar individual.

A sudden wave of uneasiness washed over me as I moved to unlock my apartment door. I was hit with an unanticipated need to vomit as a massive shock pierced through the back of my neck. Gasping in pain, I reached up to touch where the ache had originated. I felt nothing there, so I breathed deeply to keep myself from falling over and made my way inside.

I closed the door behind me and fumbled with the lock until I was able to secure it. Gasping slightly, the pain still somewhat coursing through me, I stumbled into my room and collapsed on the bed.

I must be in pain from that punch... This day has been awful, I thought as I fell into a restless unconsciousness. Little did I realize that this was only the beginning of many trials to come.