He patted Collette’s back softly hoping it will ease her coughing fits. After a bit, Collette was able to catch her breath. She looked at the boy, only to see his anger reeking from his eyes.

“T-Thanks Jun…”

“Collette, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m—ACHOO!”

Jun’s frown plunged even more. Just when she was done coughing, now she’s sneezing her credibility away.

This couldn’t get any worse… Why did Jun have to be here!

The fluffy, brown hair of Jun’s was drenched, his clothes were disheveled, and his face kept getting scarier with each sneeze.

“Collette, I’m sure you always done things your way, but that was worse than reckless.”

Jun squeezed her hand.

“No! It’s not what you think!”

Collette tried to explain herself, but the words were forced back.

What’s going on? My voice won’t come out. I can’t say anything!

“Then what? You fell by accident? Do you seriously think that’s what you did?”

His eyes grew colder as he searched for any clues on her face. Anything that may get her to confess. She didn’t say a word and he couldn’t distinguish the wet streaks on her face. Was it tears or the river water that hung on her cheeks?

He clearly saw it.

Just when Jun was heading home, he spotted Collette on the bridge of the riverbank. Her gaze was undeniably lonely as the burning shades of orange brushed her back. He wondered why the strong-headed girl looked so helpless.

Then at that moment his heart dropped once he saw her climb the edge. Her feet balanced on the barrier and her shoulders drooped.

What the hell!?

Jun sprinted as fast as he could.

“COLLETTE! WAIT!”

With all his might he went to get her away from danger.

This is crazy! This is crazy!

 His hand reached out to her, with just a bit more he could help her.

SPLASH!

“…no way…”

His hand shook as his body froze.

She jumped? Fell? Did I push her? No, I didn’t touch her. I couldn’t even touch her.

Jun hoped she would come up. Hoped it was a bad joke. He searched for her in the dark muddy river. Yet only bubbles pierced the surface. He looked around to ask for help.

Why isn’t anyone here?

Where did they go?

Why Collette, why?

“Shit!”

Jun threw his school bag away and took his sweater off. He ran to the river and launched himself into the freezing water. It was cloudy, blurry; he couldn’t recognize her figure.

Please Collette! Please be safe!

In the murky waters he dove deeper underwater, his sight adjusted as he looked for any semblance of a shadow. Nothing was found, where could she have gone?

I should have noticed sooner. Why didn’t I notice?

Since this morning she wasn’t herself. Her spiteful self was gone, her eyes wandered, and her lips lacked her usual jabs on him.

 His eyes burned, his fingers reddened, his head pounded, as he gritted his teeth.

Hints of her peach-like colored hair started to appear in the light, brown, water floating softly. With each stroke, he got closer to her. He wrapped his arm on her waist and began to pull her up to the surface as the soft glows of the sunlight danced on the surface.

At the bridge, he saw her.

And now at the grassy shore, he sees her.

With a brief silence Collette shook her head away from Jun.

“You won’t understand. Please leave.”

No, I didn’t mean that! Why did I say that?

“Ha! So that’s it. You'll just drive me away.”

He let go of her hand and stood up ready to leave.

“Sometimes you drive me crazy.”

He left. Just like that, Collette was left behind. She really was alone. Collected on her thoughts, all alone, regretting and wishing that she could be more honest.

“I’ll help you attain your biggest desire.”

Those words echoed at the back of her head.

Suddenly a warm cloth covered her head. She looked up to see Jun’s sweater on her.

“J-Jun…”

“…See you at school.” He picked up his bag and left for good.

Jun, her rival. Ever since she met him back in their first year of high school, she could never get over the fact that he could be careless without reason.

“Collette and Jun, meet me here after class.”