I feel like me again.

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"Ah, so the conventional romance movie trope?
Overused, but still endearing."

Ryuu and Chou merely shook their heads
at the boy's incessant teasing.

From a distance, their silent observer watched—
Makoto.

How do they know each other?
And why are Ryuu and Shouta being so friendly with her?

Her jealousy easily fabricated false misinterpretations of the amethyst-haired girl
who was now stealing the attention of the two boys she'd once had
wrapped around her little finger.

In a quick stride she came up to them.

"Hey Ryuu.
Mind introducing me to your friend?"

She put her arm on Ryuu's shoulder hoping she would get a reaction—
but it didn't faze the boy.

So...he really doesn't see anything in me.

╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳

"Oh, how could I have forgotten?
Makoto-chan, this is Chou,
and as for you...do I have to repeat what I said?
It might not have registered into that thick skull of yours."

The last line was directed to Chou
who was now glaring daggers at Ryuu.

Ryuu was amused by her expression
and decided to laugh it off.

Right in the middle of Ryuu's enjoyment
another sound of a throaty clearing was heard.

"Do I have to remind you that there are others here
beside you two? Geez."

The blonde scoffed at them
and pouted as he crossed his arms.

"Jealous much?
And what's with that expression?
It doesn't suit you."

Chou smirked at Shouta,
unaware of the blush creeping up
his cheeks.

Amidst the laughter and wisecracks Makoto remained silent.

Shouta knew better than to talk to her,
since the girl didn't show any hint of forgiveness
whatsoever.

Ryuu was too engrossed at the moment,
since he finally met his old friend.

And Chou? Well, let's just say that Makoto
couldn't care less about the girl. No—
she did care.
Because Chou was stealing all the attention away from her.

"I-I'm going to the cafeteria..."

The cotton-candy haired girl said in a lonesome manner
and hung her head low as she walked away,
hoping to successfully guilt trip either of the males.

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"What's up with her?"

Shouta asked as he slowly shook his head
dismayed at the girl's behavior.
He had known her for too long to be fooled—
he knew what she was trying to do.

Ah, Mako-chan. Still the attention seeker you always were...

He inwardly sighed and looked up
to see the confused stares of the other two teens.

"Sorry. My mind kinda wandered.
Anyway, Ryuu...I think you should go to Makoto."

Shouta stopped mid-sentence as he hesitated
but continued with his decision.

Ryuu nodded and walked towards the direction
that a certain forlorn girl went.

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"Makoto!"

Ryuu grabbed the girl lightly
making sure not to hurt her.

She paused for a moment
as a triumphant smile crept over
her then forlorn expression,
but quickly went back to her act.

"I-I thought you were talking with Chou-san?"

"I was...
why'd you leave?"

"Like I said, I'm going to the canteen.
Don't worry about me and go back to them,
you and Chou-san need to catch up."

Ryuu didn't notice the girl's pleading undertone
and flashed her a bright smile.

"Okay then. Bye."

He waved and immediately left the girl's side
without looking back which infuriated her more.

She went in an angry stride towards the comfort room
and punched the wall to release her anger.

Her blood was boiling,
she felt she would go insane.

Why? Why can't anyone stay with me?
First my parents leave me because of their jobs.
Then my grandparents die.
I lost Shouta because I was so proud.
And now Ryuu...God...not him too...

She began bawling like a newborn,
as her pained shouts reverberated
in the comfort room.

It took her a moment to compose herself
before she got up and examined herself in the mirror.

The girl's paranoia picked at her every being
as she washed her face.

No, I can't just give up yet.

She purposefully strode out,
her serious expression causing a few students passing to stare
at the once cheerful girl who looked miserable now

I won't lose to you, Chou.