Chapter 40

(Hey guess what time it is. Time for another time skip!)

Summer had just ended and Sayori was finding it harder and harder to get out of bed with each passing day.

She felt it would only burden those around her, so she kept it to herself.

N: Sayo can I come over after school?

Sayori sighed, she really didn't want company right now.

S: Sorry I'm kinda busy today :(

S: Another time?

Sayori groaned, she really didn't like upsetting her friend's, especially Natsuki.

Ugh, she's gonna be so mad at me...

Her phone buzzed, signalling a reply.

N: It's cool

N: Bye

Sayori typed one more goodbye text before setting her phone on the nightstand beside her.

"I do not wanna go to school today..." Sayori whined.

"But Sayori, you have to. It's a Friday." she scolded herself in her best Monika impression.

Sayori giggled at her own antics before sighing again.

Why am I so sad? I didn't even do anything yet.

Sayori groaned loudly at her thoughts, dragging her feet as she stalked around the room to get ready for the day.

She let out a whine, fumbling with her bow.

~~~

"Hey, Sayo!" Natsuki said, coming to walk alongside the girl.

Sayori forced a smile and waved.

"You okay?" Natsuki cocked an eyebrow.

"Yeah. I'm just tired." Sayori lied, she had slept just fine.

"Oh, okay." Natsuki shrugged, ending the conversation as they continued towards the school in silence.

~~~

"Hey, Sayo!" Monika walked towards her lover as she opened the club room door.

"Hey, Moni.." Sayori smiled softly.

"Okay, everyone!" Monika called the attention of the other two in the room, who had each been reading a book.

"So everyone knows how at the beginning of each year the school has a club fair?" Monika asked, receiving three nods.

"Well, this year I thought we could have a book fair to promote ourselves!" Monika clasped her hands, smiling broadly.

"What? The club fair's scheduled for Monday!" Natsuki said, exasperated.

"Yeah, sorry... I forgot you had to sign up to be involved and I just ran into the director this morning..." Monika rubbed her neck sheepishly.

"That's alright, Monika. What do we need to do?" Yuri asked calmly, taking a sip of her herbal grey tea.

"I was hoping Natsuki could bake a batch or two of her famous cupcakes, and Yuri could make a banner and some decorations with how fancy your handwriting is and all." Monika chirped, her eyes glimmering with excitement.

"I dunno... My dad said I can't make cupcakes at home anymore." Natsuki shrugged, glancing at the ground.

"You could come over to my house, if you like..." Yuri suggested, blushing softly.

"R-Really?" Natsuki perked her head up to match Yuri's gaze, blushing a similar shad of red.

"Y-Yeah..." Yuri smiled timidly.

"O-Okay, then. C-Could I stop by tomorrow..?" Natsuki asked slowly.

"S-Sure! Tomorrow's great!" Yuri nodded eagerly.

"Okay!" Natsuki grinned, blushing deeper.

"Yay! Isn't this exciting?" Monika's shining pearls joyfully glanced at Sayori, who broadened her farce grin.

"Yup! I can't wait!" Sayori said, forcing her voice more bubbly than usual.

~~~

N: Could I come over after Yuri's tomorrow?

Sayori gulped.

She didn't want to say no to Natsuki two times in one day, but she was just too socially exhausted.

S: Sorry, I'm going to Moni's all weekend so I won't be here :(

I can't believe I'm lying to my best friend cuz I'm too pathetic to hang out with her...

N: That's cool. See you Monday, then! <3

S: Thanx for understanding, Nat! You da best ;3

N: No prob! Later! ;*

S: Bye! :**

Sayori sighed deeply, tossing the device on her bed as she buried her face in her hands.

I can't do this... I just can't anymore...

Her thoughts wandered to the jump rope in her closet as she instinctively stood and glided towards it.

As she reached for the knob, her phone buzzed, jolting her from her absent daze.

"Hey, Moni." Sayori said, answering it.

"Hey, Sayo! Wanna hang out later? I had some ideas for the book fair." Monika asked.

"Oh, okay." Sayori said.

Can't blow off two people in one day...

"Great! Pick you up in a few minutes!" Monika said with a squeal of happiness.

"Can't wait!" Sayori said, her smile wavering.

Man... I don't know if I can do this... I can't do this.. I can't...

She fixed her hair, applying some make up to hide the purple bags forming beneath her eyes from excessive fatigue.

She smeared a bit of lip gloss on as well, figuring she could use wanting to look nice as an excuse for the eye accessory.

"Sayo~!" Monika sang, knocking on the door.

Sayori quickly walked down the stairs, pulling her happy face on yet again.

How long until this porcelain mask shatters into a million pieces? How much longer do I have before she decides to give up on me? No, I can't be thinking like this... Monika's right outside, and I can't disappoint her.

Sayori threw the door open, jumping into Monika's arms for a hug that lasted a bit longer than usual.

"Uh, Sayo?" Monika said when she hasn't pulled away for a minute.

"Oh sorry..." Sayori giggled nervously, pulling back some.

"Let's go." Monika grabbed Sayori by the hand, tugging her gently over to the car.

~~~

"See you Monday, Sayo!" Monika waved from the driveway.

Sayori smiled as wide as she could, offering a weak wave back.

After Monika rounded the corner, Sayori let her face fall into a sad one.

"I can't..." Sayori whispered shakily, opening and shutting her door after her.

She dragged her feet, shoes still on, up the stairs to her room.

"I can't anymore..." Sayori whimpered, plopping onto her bed.

She shut off her phone, letting it fall to the floor as she buried her face in her pillow.

Maybe I'll be better by the book fair... Maybe I'll actually enjoy it...

~~~

Sayori grumbled sleepily as she sat up in her bed.

She was confused. Just hours ago she had been ecstatic about the club's book fair and now she was dreading the thought of it!

She decided she'd be better off skipping the whole day.

She sighed, burying her face in her hands.

Everything felt heavy and weak. She didn't think she had the strength to walk around and pretend to be happy today.

She couldn't take another day.

She wiped at some tears that had started falling as she willed herself up from her bed.

Her phone rang from her nightstand.

That must be Monika.

She held the phone before pressing the Decline button, setting it in her back pocket.

Today's the day.

She took a deep breath, walking to her closet.

Her phone buzzed again as she quickly dismissed Monika's call.

Monika wouldn't save her today. Not this time.

She opened the closet door, pulling out an old jump rope and a notepad with a bunny pen.

She sat at her desk, starting her note.

To whoever finds this,...

~~~

(The end becomes the beginning. {It's the same as Bittersweet, if you couldn't tell.} This is also the final chapter so sorry if you were looking for a happy ending! Please stay tuned for the next book in the series when it comes out!!!)