As I approached my house, I couldn't help but stop, as I felt a sudden surge of pain as I thought of Fumiko.

"Fumiko"

As I said her name I felt my heart racing. With each hard pound it made, I felt a burning desire to hold her in my arms.

"What's wrong with me." I whispered, trying to stuff those feelings away.

An image of her sleeping on the sofa and hugging a pillow came into my head suddenly, which drew a smile on my face.

As I stepped onto my porch, I turned to look back into the blackened night and I couldn't help but wonder if this was the first hint of love.

***

My eyes fluttered open as I awoke on the couch in the living room of my house, I blinked back as I came to realize where I was and also the fact that Sora was gone.

"Sora" I whispered as I wrapped my arms around a sofa cushion, remembering how he had done with my waist.

"Fumiko your awake." I heard my mother say as she got up from her seat.

"How did I....where did he go?-"

"Sora brought you here"

"Sora.....he was here?"

"Yeah, you fell asleep at his house. Mind telling about that?"

"How do you-"

"He told me." She said coming to sit beside me and placing a hand on my head.

"I've been visiting Sora for the past few weeks. He's really lonely all the time, and I thought it would be nice if I could give him some of my time. He really is a nice person."

"I know he is." She sighed shaking her head, "but you should have at least told us about this instead of letting us worry. I thought something had happened to you when you didn't come home on time."

"I'm sorry"

"I know"

"Can I still go and see him, mom?" I said in fear she wouldn't allow me.

Please mom.

The thought of not being able to see him again brought pain to my chest.

What if I can't look into his eyes anymore or hear his warm laughter nor see his bright smile.............

"Fumiko I think-"

"Please mom, I have to see Sora." I said in a low voice laced with desperation.

My mother scratched the side of her head, and gave me a light smile, "Okay, Fumiko."

"Really!" I said elated as I jumped off the Sofa and stood in front of her.

"Yeah, but you have to come home early. I don't want this to affect your academic work."

"Thanks mom!" I cried as I jumped around and gave her a warm hug. I immediately ran towards my room, lightly bumping into my father.

"What the- Fumiko, slow down!" He said turning to me.

"Moriko, what's with her?" I heard him say to my mother.

"Takeshi, she's just a girl you know."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

***

I sat on my bed with my hands on my knees, slouching. I couldn't get the picture of Fumiko out of my mind.

"Why can't I stop thinking of her?" I whispered quietly, stirring the silence in the room. Then suddenly I felt a soft pain hit me in the chest which made me fall back on my bed. As I clenched my chest, I felt warmth flush over my body and into my face.

I stayed in that position, looking up at the ceiling, unable to move, as I felt my heart racing when I saw an image of Fumiko floating across in my head.

I was that way for the longest of moments, unable to fall asleep. As I clenched onto my chest tighter, feeling my own heartbeat, the way it skyrocketed, I felt a growing desire to hold her. That was when I realised that, I had fallen for her.

I think I have fallen for you Fumiko........

As I came to this realization, I sat up and released the grip I had on my chest.

How could it be that I have fallen for her......?

No I can't, it's not right! Fumiko's just a child, how can I harbour these feelings.....

But have I really.....

No!

I suppose, the reason I feel this way is because I'm alone most of the time. I suppose the thought of her warms my heart because she is so caring.

Yes that must be it!

How could I have thought that I had fallen for Fumiko....

"It's only in my mind." I whispered, my words barely audible to my own ears. Even though I had uttered those words, there was still a hint of doubt in my mind.

***

I awoke to a bright morning, the next day and I decided that I would start it off by ploughing one of my seed beds.

"The cabbages are fine, and so are the tomatoes. Maybe I should start with the carrots...." As I stood outside my house rambling, I heard fast paced footsteps approaching me. As I spun around, I was surprised to see Fumiko as she ran towards me. I outstretched my arms and caught her, pulling her close to me. As soon as I embraced her, my breathing became uneven. The warm feeling of her in my arms was so comforting that my heart drummed so loudly I could hear it ringing in my ears.

"Sora" she whispered so delicately, that I had a sudden burning desire to hold her closer. As I pulled her tighter into my arms, a surge of heat over took my body and my heartbeat skyrocketed. I found it that I couldn't resist the urge to smell her hair, which had a light scent of flowers.

"Fumiko" I said softly back. Then suddenly the mention of her name made my feelings intensify.

Why do I have these feelings?

And why are these feelings so intense?

A sudden soft pain hit my heart as I realized what it was.

I have fallen..... for you

I couldn't deny it anymore...

I had fallen in love with Fumiko.