I woke up in my bed a few hours after the tournament ended. It turns out after I blacked out I was able to score another point on Keith; however in the end Keith won the match.

Lachelle caught me up to speed. Lachelle told me that her mother wanted to thank me for pulling Keith off of her and fighting him the way I did. Her mom couldn't stick around.

I was currently sitting on Lachelle's bed just looking at Infinity Quest. I was waiting for Lachelle to return. I can hear Maindo talking to Jim and my mom. He keeps saying Schizophrenia. From what I can hear I have a basic understanding of it.

Schizophrenia is characterized by thoughts or experiences that seem out of touch with reality, disorganized speech, or behavior, and decreased participation in daily activities. Difficultly with concentration and memory may also be present.

Schizophrenia symptoms generally starts in the mid to late twenties. It's uncommon for children to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. Early onset schizophrenia occurs before the age of 18.

It sounds scary, but he is basically describing me.

I watched Lachelle walk in with a box of pizza. Her hair was left down exposing her curls. Hey eyes were still discolored however the swelling was non-existing. Though I can smell the pizza, her vanilla fragrance dominated the room.

The smile she had on her face brought my mind to ease.

She took the game out of my hands and replaced it with the pizza box. "So I was right about the personality disorder." Lachelle said as she sat next to me.

"You're not worried?" I asked. "Schizophrenia is a big deal. It's nothing to laugh about."

Lachelle seemed unfazed as she took a slice of pizza out of the box. "You don't see me laughing." Lachelle's tone was harsher than normal. "What does Maindo call you again?" Lachelle asked.

"Kioku." I answered. Truth be told I am scared to be uncooperative.

"What does it mean?" Lachelle asked. 

"Memory." I answered.

Lachelle nodded. "So, you were sent here because you have memory issues. How long have you been hearing voice?"

"As long as I can remember." I admitted. It is difficult to think of a time the voices weren't there.

"So, I fell in love with you after seeing your symptoms. Why should I be worried?" I can see the honesty behind Lachelle eyes. 

"You're in love with me?" I need to make sure I heard that right.

It was funny watching Lachelle blush. "I wouldn't say all that."

"But you did." I laughed out.

"All I am saying is that your mental illness doesn't scare me." Lachelle said trying to wave off her comment. 

"I love you too." I wanted her to know before I forget to tell her. Before I forget about her. I don't want to but now I'm scared I will.

Lachelle just blushed as she smiled at me.

***

The upcoming days I learned that Maindo was a Psychologist. He worked with me the remainder of the camp and gave me the meds I needed.

Lachelle slowed down the karate training and focused more on Yoga. I was against it at first but it was cool seeing how flexible she was. What wasn't cool was how hard Yoga really is. There should be a warning label or something. Lachelle was doing everything she can to keep me stress free.

She even created a character on Infinity Quest so we can play together. She is this magical fairy that has the ability to summon the kraken. I didn't even know that was possible until she got the controller.

Honestly this was the best summer I ever had. I say that because soon camp will end and I will be back at home. Back at school.

***

I was only home for one week but in that time my life fell apart. I would send myself into mini panic attacks by watching videos of people with Schizophrenia. Of course it was the extreme cases but I wanted to know how bad I can be.

So my mom took my phone.

I know my mom thought she was helping but now I had no access to the outside world. I mean I didn't need access in the past but now I wanted access. I wanted to be outside.

I have been so busy with my mom that I barely had time for myself. Doctors and therapist were the only people I really talked to. I am so tired of doctors and therapist. I am so tired of this alarm.

Alarm. Go to your therapist appoint. Alarm. Come home. Alarm. Take your medicine. Alarm. Alarm. Alarm.

Learn the definition. Learn the symptoms. Learn to explain the new me.

It's stupid.

My mom gave me back my phone but it doesn't work the way it used to. Why doesn't it work the way it used to? Why do I feel like I'm missing something? Why does it hurt so badly when I look at my phone?

It was the day before school. I laid in my bed just staring at the ceiling. I don't want to go. I watched as my mom walked into my room. "Alexirea are you okay?" My mom asked.

No. Telling her that isn't going to help thought. "I'm fine." I answered.

"Have you talked to anyone recently?" My mom asked. I know she means the voices. She asks me this question everyday like I am crazy. I am not crazy. 

"Nope." I answered.

I watched as my mom frowned at me. "Alexirea please be honest with me. I already told your school about your newest condition. So try to have a positive outlook." I just nodded at her as I went back to staring at the ceiling. "Alexirea, Jim told me that you haven't been online, or visiting the game shop like you normally do."

I just nodded. "I'll be at school tomorrow." That was all I could really say. I didn't want to play Infinity Quest anymore. I didn't want to do anything anymore. I just want to sleep.

I was awoken to the sound of my alarm. I tried to remember yesterday but it was a blur. Even my vision was a blur.

My alarm went off again. 'Take medicine. Walk to school.' I hate my medicine and I hate school. I also might break my phone if one more alarm goes off.

I threw on this green Maindo shirt. Maindo. He is the main doctor that diagnosed me. He started this bullshit.

I walked slowly to school. I don't know what to expect. Mom said she told everyone about my condition.

As I walked onto the campus I saw a group of girl's staring at me. Lachelle was a part of that group. Now I don't know much about Lachelle but I am smart enough to stay away from her. She doesn't take bullshit, and I am a walking ball of bullshit.

My eyes involuntary glued to her and I don't know why. I felt myself staring at her. For a split second her eyes met mine. Then I walked into a pole.

The impact knocked me onto my back. As I laid there I tried to figure out what the hell I was doing. I watched as our school boxing captained leaned over me. This can't be good. He is a known bully and I don't have the energy to deal with him. I expected him to hit me. I was surprised when he offered his hand to help me up. "Come on Alex."

I allowed him to help me up. He must have read my confused look, "Buster." he said introducing himself.  

I nodded. I guess it's nice to know his name. "I'm Alex, but you already know that."

Buster turned me around. I watched as Lachelle and a girl with black hair approached me. "Just know that she is the reason I'm being nice to you, but once you're all caught up we go back to the way we were."

I nodded at Buster, but damn that does not sound good or me. I don't know who I was more terrified of Lachelle or Buster.

Something is not right. As I watched Lachelle approached me she looked super nervous. I stood there in silence. What did I do?

"It's going to be a little harder this time around." The girl with the black hair mocked. 

"Go away Chloe." Lachelle whispered. I watched as Chloe handed Lachelle a DVD in a case. 

"Bye Alex." Chloe waved before walking away.

"How was your summer, Kioku?" Lachelle asked.

I couldn't help but smile at her. "What's Kioku? I thought I was the only person that had such a weird word stuck in their head. "

"It means memory." Lachelle spoke as she walked towards the office. I figured I would walk with her since I needed to go there. "It's Japanese."

Maybe I can ask about the other weird words in my head. "What does Koi mean?"

"Same language. It means come." Lachelle informed me. "Maindo means mind." Lachelle said as she poked at the letters on my shirt. We stopped in front of the office. "Can I see your phone?" Lachelle asked.

I don't know why but I handed her my phone. She looked at it and let out a light laugh. "What's so funny?" I asked. I can't really remember what is on my phone at this exact moment. I haven't looked at it in a while.

"You put your phone on do not disturb and forgot about it didn't you?" Lachelle asked. She looked annoyed for a second, but it passed. Once she handed me my phone I started receiving text messages and missed call notifications. It caused me to laugh because it triggered a memory. 

"So, I had an issue over the summer where my mental illness caused me to black out and go running off." I said randomly. To my surprise Lachelle looked interested in what I had to say. "Well long story short I stayed out all night in the woods."

I heard the bell ring.

"You should probably go. You'll be late." I informed Lachelle.

I watched Lachelle shake her head no. "I don't care if I'm late. What happened next?"

"I don't remember." I said honestly. Why did my phone going off trigger such a weird memory?

I watch a sad expression fall over Lachelle's face. I had this overwhelming urge to hug her, but I'm low key scared she might hit me. "If you remember could you let me know?" Lachelle asked. Her voice was basically in a whisper. I nodded as I looked away from her. Seeing her sad hurts for some reason.

Lachelle handed me the DVD and a little book. As I grabbed the book I was hit in the face with a gush of wind. The scent of vanilla was carried on it. Why does the word Ikari come to mind? "Ikari." I whispered.

I watched as Lachelle's expression soften. She looked as if all of the words left her body to that word. I don't know what it means. Lachelle turned and walked away without another word. She seems a lot nicer than the rumors I heard. Why is she being nice to me?

I walked into the office. I saw a bunch of lollipops at the counter, so I decided to help myself to one. My mind was wandering on Lachelle. The whole encounter was kind of pleasant. I looked at my phone. Three text messages and a hundred missed calls. All from Lachelle. Wait what? Why? Why is that so familiar to me?

I decided to eat my lollipop. I damn near died in the office as the familiar taste hit my lips. Cherries.

I realized all my senses brought me to that night.

The sound of my phone going off nonstop. The touch of the wind on my face. How the wind carried the smell of vanilla. The taste of cherries. The sight of Lachelle's worried face.

Lachelle. I know how the story ends.

I ran out of the office. I needed to find Lachelle. I need to tell her how the story ends. How all of the stories end.

I caught Lachelle as she was about to walk in a classroom. I quickly grabbed her wrist. I watched as Lachelle turned and tried to punch me in the face. My reflexes kicked in and I blocked the punch with my free forearm. "So hostile." I mocked as I saw the surprised expression on Lachelle's face. 

"Well forgive me for not expecting to be grabbed randomly." Lachelle said with a voice filled with sarcasm. "What do you need?"

"We need to talk." I told her.

Lachelle just smiled. "Do you remember what happened the last time we needed to talk?" Lachelle joked. 

The joke is on her because I do remember. "We made out." I watched as Lachelle's eyes grew wide.

I looked at the little book that was still in my hand. "I kissed you a lot didn't I?" I felt Lachelle switch grips and start to pull me away from the classroom. "Where are we going?"

"The alley." Lachelle answered. 

"Why?" I asked. I'm not going to lie I'm kind of scared. Plus I never ditched class before. 

"Privacy." She answered.

Once we got to the alley I sat next to Lachelle on the ground. She motioned for me for me to look at the book. Inside there were numerous pictures of Lachelle and I. We were at Maindo Camp.

Pictures of us in the row boat. Playing video games. Practicing karate and meditating. Pictures of us fighting in the karate tournament. We fought side by side. "Okay. I have so many questions." I said kind of letting my excitement get the better of me.

"I can answer them." Lachelle informed me. "As long as it takes."

"The rest of our lives?" I was joking when I said it; however Lachelle locked eyes with me and smiled. Her smile made me believe every word that she said after, as she told me my story.

The very same smile that gave me a very special summer.