Chapter 1

Sayori stirred awake from a restless sleep.

The strawberry blonde groaned, slowly blinking her eyes open as she shielded them from the blinding sunlight outside her window.

She froze as she remembered what today was.

First day of high school!

Sayori squealed as she jumped out of bed, hurriedly shrugging on her outfit and schoolbag as she raced down the stairs.

She paused as she noticed a piece of paper taped to the inside of the front door.

"Sayori.
Left town again.
Be back in a few months.
There's $20 on the counter.
Don't waste it.
Mom."

Sayori sighed, dejectedly slipping on her shoes.

I should've known she wouldn't be here for a big moment in my life. Again.

Sayori shook off her mother's disappearance and smiled, determined to make the most of her day.

She bolted from the house, her bag on her shoulder, until she saw her friend in the distance.

"NAAAAATSUUUUUUUUUKIIIIIII!" Sayori ran full speed towards her best friend since toddlers, tackling her in a hug.

"S-Sayori! Lay off, would ya?!" Natsuki, a short pink haired girl, blushed as she shoved her best friend off of her.

"Sorry! I'm just excited! First day of school~!" Sayori sang as she threw both fists into the air with a grin.

Natsuki chuckled and shook her head at her friend's antics.

"Yeah yeah. You're lucky I waited instead of just ditching you." Natsuki playfully nudged her friend's shoulder.

See? I'm just a burden to her... Just like mom...

Sayori shook the thought away as she struggled to keep her smile in place and instead chuckled awkwardly and scratched her neck as a soft blush settled on her cheeks.

~~~

The pair soon made it to school, filing in with the rush of fellow students both returning and just entering Haruka High.

Upon entering Sayori and Natsuki noticed a large majority of the students crowding around and murmuring in a certain corner of the halls.

The two pushed their way through the crowd to lay eyes on Monika Park, the most popular girl in school.

Just a year ahead of her, Sayori remembered the girl from her middle school days as always being surrounded by her peers much like she was now.

Monika was undoubtedly stunning, long brunette hair tied up in a ponytail that was held in a bow, a slim yet curved figure, and enchanting emerald eyes.

Sayori felt her heart flutter at the mere sight of her, her face heating with a fiery red blush.

Monika and Sayori locked eyes for a brief moment as the world around the blonde seemed to come to a halt.

Her chest hammered wildly as she forced her eyes to tear away from the older girl.

What was that?

Sayori escaped the crowd as she clutched a hand to her chest to be still her racing heart.

~~~

"Sayori? Sayori, hey!" Natsuki snapped her fingers in her friends face, though Sayori didn't notice in her daze.

Oh gosh, I can't stop thinking about her!

It seemed every other thought the blonde girl had was of the emerald eyed goddess.

Her long, shiny, coral brown hair, her bright and immeasurable green eyes, the way her hips swayed with each step, and those oh so desirable lips.

Sayori buried her face in her hands at her own thoughts, concealing the flaming blush that flooded her entire face.

Monika, what have you done to me?

Sayori felt utterly helpless, already knowing she was falling for the girl and falling hard.

The bell rung and Sayori and Natsuki began to roam the halls in search of a club.

"What club do you wanna join, Nat?" Sayori asked, thankful for something to get her mind off of her new crush.

"I would say the anime or baking club but I already know there will be way too many people." Natsuki said while rolling her eyes.

"Well I'm in no way physically fit so sports are out of the question." Sayori suggested, to which Natsuki hummed in agreement.

Suddenly Natsuki froze, staring ahead of her as her cheeks ignited into a bright pink hue.

Sayori glanced towards where Natsuki was staring to see Yuri Owens, a girl in her French class.

Sayori nudged her friend with a knowing smirk, suggestively raising her eyebrows as she motioned to the Sophomore with a nod.

Natsuki's eyes widened as she slapped Sayori roughly on the arm.

Yuri appeared to be handing out flyers, though not very well based on the rather large stack still in her hands.

"I'm gonna go say hi~" Sayori said with a wink.

"Sayo, no!" Natsuki whisper screamed as her friend bolted towards the end of the hall.

"Hey, Yuri!" Sayori called, startling the taller girl, who scattered the papers all over the floor.

"Sorry!" Sayori jumped down to help pick up as many papers as she could hold.

She examined one as she picked it from the ground.

"Join the Literature Club!
Read Poems
Discuss Books
Tea Served With Every Meeting!"

Sayori tensed, instantly recognising the handwriting to belong to Monika.

"Monika's starting a club?" Sayori questioned quietly aloud.

"Hm? O-Oh, yes. S-She's-s s-s-starting a c-club." Yuri nodded, clutching a few strands of hair in her fingers.

"Oh." Sayori felt her heart race.

Surely with Yuri advertising the club wouldn't have too many members yet, right? This meant Sayori might have a chance to get close to the popular girl!

"S-Sorry! Bye!" Yuri squeaked with a beet red face, standing abruptly before bolting away.

Sayori glanced behind her to see Natsuki as she dawned a knowing grin.

Sayori glanced back at the paper in her hands, biting her lip in thought.

Well, I do like to write poetry.. And I guess it would give me a reason to be near Monika...

Sayori had made up her mind.

"I'm joining the Literature Club." she stated confidently to her pal.

~~~

Monika sighed in frustration, her fingers already beginning to cramp.

She had been teaching herself piano during her free period since her parents refused to pay for actual classes.

She thought she sounded fairly well on piano, though she couldn't be sure.

Doing things in secret means you have no one to critic your work.

She stood and stretched just as the bell rang and decided to call it a day.

Monika walked towards the room her teacher Mrs. Ayase had offered her to use for her club and opened the door.

Monika was shocked to see a very pretty girl with stunning blue eyes sitting at one of the desks, seemingly in her own little world with her pink headphones in.

Monika walked over and tapped the girl's shoulder.

The girl jumped in her seat, a blush settling her cheeks from what Monika presumed was out of embarrassment for zoning out.

"H-HI!" the beauty squeaked, offering a timid wave as she popped the device from her ears.

"My name is Monika. Welcome to the Literature Club! Were you interested in joining?" Monika asked, silently hoping she would say yes.

"S-Sayori," the girl began softly, holding her hand out to shake, "a-and I'd love to."

Monika took Sayori's hand in her own as her cheeks dusted with a soft pink blush.

Her hand... is so soft...

Monika longed for the touch to last longer but as soon as it began, Sayori had pulled her hand away and pressed her fingertips together anxiously.

"Well that makes you the second member! And vice president!" Monika clasped her hands before her and offered a wide grin.

Sayori giggled and smiled back, causing Monika's heart to implode.

"I-It's great to have you." Monika said quietly as their eyes locked.

Sayori inched forward instinctively, Monika following her action until their faces were close enough to feel the other's breath on their lips.