Ken held her hair back as she threw up into the toilet. After a few bouts, she just dry-heaved.
Then she sat back on her heels.
She hated those words.
I love you.
Her dad had said them to her mom. Where was he now?
Her mom had told them to her. Where was she now?
Ayato had told them to her, on that one night. He was gone.
She knew how stupid it was, but she couldn't help it. Those words had hurt the most. They had hurt because they were pure betrayal. No one meant it. At least, they never meant it permanently, unconditionally.
Ken refused to say those words. She didn't believe in them.
So when Shuu had texted them to her, not once, but twice...
She'd lost it. Her stomach, that is. And her mind.
She was paranoid, she knew, but she didn't know how to fix herself.
Her phone buzzed and wearily, she picked it up.

***

Shuuflydontbotherme:
Ken? I'm sorry about earlier
Can you plz tell me what's wrong?
Ken?
Jenn?
***Kennn
Autocorrect, whoops
I don't know any girls named Jenn
I swear
Ken?
Are you okay?
Ken?
I'm srsly getting worried
Please respond
Kennn

Kenyouleavemealone:
Sry
Not feeling well

Shuuflydontbotherme:
😱 what's wrong?

Kenyouleavemealone:
Nothing really
Just threw up a few times
I'll be fine

Shuuflydontbotherme:
😱😱😱 IM XOMING OVER!
**COMING
...
WHERE DO YOU LIVE???

Kenyouleavemealone:
Rule #6

Shuuflydontbotherme:
KEN YOU ARE SICK STOP WITH THE RULES AND LET ME HELP TAKE CARE OF YOU

Kenyouleavemealone:
No coming over to my house

Shuuflydontbotherme:
SERIOUSLY?
KEN
KEN
WHO IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF YOU?!

Kenyouleavemealone:
I will take care of myself
Thanks for your concern
But I'm fine

Shuuflydontbotherme:
But what if it gets worse?!?!

Kenyouleavemealone:
Then I'll ask Hide to come over

Shuuflydontbotherme:
Why can't I visit you?

Kenyouleavemealone:
...do you want me meeting your dad?

Shuuflydontbotherme:
Not really

Kenyouleavemealone:
Same goes for me
Well
Not my dad
But you know what I mean
I don't want you meeting them
And she'll only be worse after meeting you
So please follow rule #6

Shuuflydontbotherme:
;-;

Kenyouleavemealone:
You're doing a pretty good job so far
Maybe I'll give you a sticker when I see you next

Shuuflydontbotherme:
A kiss would be better! 😚

Kenyouleavemealone:
Rule #1

Shuuflydontbotherme:
Fjixoskskdoaks rule #1 😑
But
You said when you see me next?
When is that?
How about
Now
Now is good
Let's meet now

Kenyouleavemealone:
...fine
Give me an hour to clean up

Shuuflydontbotherme:
😃😃😃