MSC (Rewritten)♡•~

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: Jesse

Two days passed. Christmas time was approaching. And we hadn't heard a word from Beatrice. 

I had seen her brothers around a few times, and they had all said she completely ignored everyone at home. She was in her room most of the time, and despite their parents' efforts, refused to come out unless it was completely necessary.

She didn't even sing anymore.

I spent most of my time at Aki's house, revising and completing coursework, instead of having to be right next to Beatrice and never seeing her, as she lived right next to me.

"It's good you guys are revising," Mr Nakamura looked at Aki and I, sprawled out on Aki's bedroom floor with our books, "But the misery vibes are unbearable. I know year eleven is hard, but damn".

"It's not that". I buried my head in my book, hiding my glum expression, "It's Bea. She's giving us the silent treatment because she wants time to herself. I understand that she needs her own space for a while, but still".

Mr Nakamura looked at us, with a rather amused expression on his face. "I see. You guys have never been separated have you"? We both shook our heads.

"Maybe you should try and clear your minds too," Mr Nakamura suggested, "There are loads of different kids to socialise with at school, while Beatrice is dealing with her situations".

"Not too big on that idea," I muttered.

"She basically drives everyone away with that mouth of her's," Aki explained.

"You make me sound so mean! Mr Nakamura, I swear it's not like that. I'm generally really quiet. Kids at school just get on my nerves sometimes".

"All the time," Aki coughed.

"Go away, Akito". I snapped.

"Yes, yes. The antisocial Queen who doesn't want to get involved in drama, we all know that, Jem," Mr Nakamura laughed,"But next year, you guys won't be together all the time. You're gonna have to know what it's like to be with other people. You'll be going to different colleges right"? Aki and I exchanged miserable glances.

"You will eventually have to go your separate ways," Mr Nakamura continued, "That doesn't mean to say you won't stay good friends. But it's also good to explore your individual selves sometimes. You guys have done practically everything together for the past three years. Aki, you've never made a major decision without considering the effect it might have on the girls''. He leaned against the doorway and folded his arms.

"What are you saying exactly"? Aki raised an eyebrow. "It's good for us to separate"?

"It's good for you to know who you are without the influence of others," Mr Nakamura looked from Aki to me, "After all, you want to be different things in the future, don't you?''

"I guess", Aki replied.

"See..." Mr Nakamura chuckled, "Well, no matter what you do, you're going to have different experiences. Just remember that".

************************

The street was blanketed with snow as I walked home later that day. It was a long walk from Aki's neighbourhood to mine and Mr Nakamura and Aki had offered to take me home, but I decided I wanted some time for myself to think about things. Like what Mr Nakamura had told me.

Explore our individual selves, huh?

Up until three years ago, I couldn't imagine my life without Aki and Beatrice. They weren't just my best friends. We were family. Like the siblings I never had. The sibling Katie couldn't be. And to imagine life without a family was something that was hard to do.