Chapter 35

Sayori sat down at her desk to write a poem for club, absently chewing the end of her sky blue gel pen.

Maybe I should take Yuri's advice and write some vent poems, too...

Sayori shrugged, taking out a few pieces of paper and first starting with the one she would show to the others.

"Sparkly, shining, wonderful.
A sea of endless curiosity.
Dare to take a dip in its refreshing coolness?
Find it's deeper than imagined.
I could get lost in it forever."

Reading it over, Sayori decided that although it was rather short it would do just fine.

She placed another paper, thinking of things she didn't like to imagine as she drew a shaky breath.

"Drowning.
Suffering.
Gasping for air.
Countless thoughts taint me.
My bottles of joy burst on impact.
Creating a flood of uncertainty.
What are these feelings?
I hope to never truly know.
So I sit.
And think as I wait.
To be swept away.
Never to think again."

Sayori finished, gasping.

She had become so absorbed in her work she actually thought herself to be submerged by something.

She felt a strange twinge in her stomach, lighting her determination as she began a second one.

"A lone cloud.
Pushed forward by a gust of wind.
The cloud is I, the wind is obligation.
Obligation to cater to other's joy.
Never saving any for myself.
Wishing for their happiness,
Only to yearn for them to stay.
No one is happy with me.
Which is why the cloud is alone.
With just the gust of wind.
A mask of a smile,
Few know it's true intentions.
For even a storm cloud starts off appearing happy.
Until it breaks,
Crumbles,
Begins drenching everything in it's path.
I float on."

Sayori was astonished at her own words.

Had she truly written something like this?

It's a lot longer than I thought it'd be...

Sayori shrugged, gathering both poems into her hands and leaving her cute, happy one behind as she stood.

So I just gotta rip it up, huh?

Sayori trotted over to her waste bin in the corner of the room, taking first the shorter one into her hand as she tore it in half.

She felt a rush of exhilaration, tearing those halves in two and so on.

"Ha.. Haha... This is... This is really... Freeing!" Sayori said breathlessly.

She ripped and tore and shredded until it was nothing but pieces to small too continue, watching with a grin as they fluttered into the tub.

Sayori eagerly grabbed the other one from under her arm, hesitating as she read the scary words one final time.

"Sayonara!" Sayori punned with a carefree laugh, mutilating the paper until it met the same fate.

She heaved a heavy breath, feeling a slight weight being lifted from her shoulders as the air left her smiling lips.

Just then she heard a knock on her front door from down below.

"Yo, Sayo!" it was Natsuki, "Open up!"

Sayori swiped her now sweaty hands as she clambered down the stairs, a genuine grin plastered on.

"Took ya long enough." Natsuki joked, stepping inside.

"Yeah, sorry. I was just.. Writing my poem for club!" Sayori said, which was partially true.

"Oh yeah! I forgot! Got some spare paper I can use later?" Natsuki asked, plopping onto the couch and stretching her legs on it.

Sayori nodded with a giggle, it was just like Natsuki to walk in and make any space her own.

"What brings you here, anyway?" Sayori asked, taking a seat beside her on what room was left of the couch.

"I just felt like it, ya know? Didn't have anything better to do and all..." Natsuki shrugged.

Sayori hummed in understanding, sighing as she leaned back against the couch.

I wish Moni was here, too...

"Something up, Sayo?" Natsuki lifted her head a bit to see her friend's sad expression.

"Just thinking..." Sayori turned to her with a slight smile, trying to sway her friend to believe she was okay.

"About Monika?" Natsuki asked knowingly, watching Sayori's smile fall.

"Yeah.. I just..." Sayori grit her teeth, unable to properly explain what she was feeling .

"I get it. It's gonna be okay, Sayo." Natsuki sat up, resting her head against Sayori's shoulder

Sayori sighed again, resting her head atop her friend's.

"I hope you're right..." Sayori said softly.

She glanced over to notice Natsuki had fallen asleep against her and chuckled.

"Looks like you had a rough day. Goodnight, Nat." Sayori kissed her forehead and let out a yawn.

"Might as well get a nap in since I can't move." Sayori reasoned, shifting a bit to snuggle further against the couch.

"Sweet dreams..." Sayori mumbled as sleep overtook her.

~~~

"Dear Mother,

I have decided to respectfully decline your previous offer of redemption."

Monika wrote with a shaky hand, knowing now was the time to be professional rather than personal.

"Although I deeply appreciate the chance you and Father are granting me, it appears that it would only do more harm than good.
Not only for me, but for you as well.
Saying so, I shall refuse any further attempt you may use to persuade me otherwise.
I am humble to have had such successful parents, truly, I am.
But this life is not one I wish to endure.
I'm sure Monty will gladly assist you with running things after your distant retirement.

Best wishes,

Monika"

Monika gulped, placing the letter into a small cream envelope with trembling hands.

Am I really going to defy my parents?

Her thoughts instantly shifted to the reason behind this.

Sayori Easton.

Right. She's worth it. She always will be.

Sealing the letter with a crest of hot, green wax, the family crest, Monika grasped it with both hands.

She gazed down uneasily at the taunting calligraphic "P" as she climbed into her car and drove off.

~~~

Yuri woke with a jolt at the sound of rapid tapping on her door.

Groaning, Yuri begrudgingly stood to answer it.

"Monika? What... Why are you here at two in the morning?" Yuri rubbed an eye as she yawned.

"I'm sorry... I was just... Too worried to sleep and Sayo wasn't answering her phone..." Monika apologized, biting her lip.

"Well, come in, then!" Yuri said worriedly, stepping aside to allow her cousin to enter.

"Thanks.." Monika smiled softly, taking a seat at the edge of the couch.

"What has you so troubled?" Yuri asked, sitting beside her.

"I... I... Wrote my parents a letter. I refused their offer... The one to send me away.." Monika explained quietly, glancing at her lap.

"Oh dear.. Well, Monika... I know we aren't blood relatives, but I hope you know I'm here to support you and that I care." Yuri rubbed Monika's back up and down with a gentle grin.

Monika returned it, nodding as if to say she understood and thanked her for the support.

"You must be exhausted. You should rest a bit. I mean, we have school tomorrow and everything." Yuri reasoned.

"My bed is big enough for two or the couch is yours to use." Yuri suggested as she rose to her feet.

"Thanks. Your bed's super comfy." Monika accepted, joining Yuri as they walked into the bedroom.

"Goodnight, Monika." Yuri yawned, turning to face away from the girl.

"Night, cous." Monika replied, sighing deeply as sleep consumed her.

~~~

(Hey, gays! Sorry it's been a few days since the last update... Depression's an ass... Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and please stay tuned for the next {hopefully soon} update!!)