The buzz indicating a notification came from my phone, and I looked at it, seeing a new message from Dante. I sighed aloud, swiping the screen and seeing what he sent.

Guard-In-Training-56: Nicole, please answer me. I'm about to board a plane.

I was overcome with panic at this message. No, he couldn't be on his way to Scaleswind. Not to see me. What he was doing would place an impact on his life. It would hurt him more than it would hurt me, because I was a no-good. I was meant to be alone and to live a life away from others.

VonRonsenburger: Don't.

Guard-In-Training-56: Nikkie, let me come visit you.

VonRonsenburger: Why...? I completely embarrassed myself and ruined our friendship.

Guard-In-Training-56: You didn't ruin anything.

I ignored the message and placed my head back on my knees, still curled in my tight ball. My eyes were puffy and dry from the tears I had been crying, both from actually giving in to the urge to place marks on my skin and from realization of who I truly was.

I swore to myself I would never cut again.

The boxes in my room gave me another feeling of emptiness, this time physically. It had been four days since the video chat with Dante, and I spent day and night packing all of my belongings besides my sofa, bed, desk, and computer.

I had barely eaten anything besides a bowl of cereal every day. I wasn't very hungry since the ordeal with the razor, and had lost all of my appetite when the thought of the one I still liked more than a friend but probably ruined my relationship with came to mind.

I decided enough was enough and stood up after several minutes of sitting by my window and walked over with shaky legs to the box holding my clothes. I put on a red sweater dress and walked over to the living room and to the accent window, anxiously watching the direction of the airport. Eventually I caught the sight of a small figure in the distance, slowly descending. I held my breath, finally letting the air blow out when it went out of sight behind the buildings.

I took my phone and started to listen to my music, an album Dante had suggested I listen to a few days after we met over the Internet. Minutes later, I received another alert on my phone. An image of the Scaleswind City Hall came up, and tears began to fill my eyes, the question I wanted to ask hanging in my mind.

Guard-In-Training-56: [Image 021]

Guard-In-Training-56: What is your address?

VonRonsenburger: Why did you come?

Guard-In-Training-56: The sun is setting and I need a place to stay. Nikkie, what is your address?

VonRonsenburger: ...

VonRonsenburger: 1491 Maiden St. #31. Floor 27, room 2702.

I turned off my music and watched the sidewalk. It seemed like time went by too fast when I saw the guy with bright blue hair coming along the sidewalk, checking his phone, then the building, and opening the door on the first floor, supposedly to find the staircase.

I rested against the wall by the door, closing my eyes and imagining his reaction to seeing me in my state. Three knocks came on my door, and fear took over my actions. With a trembling hand, I opened the door.

For a moment, his face matched my own fearful one, then changed to shock.

I muttered my first words directly to him, "You shouldn't have come."