«8-Fire or fall»

                                    

                                          
«Byakuya Togami»
The next day I walk into school, the cuts on my  hands still raw. I pass a crowd of giggling girls, pointing and laughing excitedly at theirs phones.  I hear a glimpse of their conversation, and stop in my tracks.
"I can't believe Sayaka is going out with Naegi!"
What?
Makoto Naegi. MY Makoto, dating that washed up pop star? I clench my fists, storming into the building and pushing past the crowd. What's the point of trying to be a nice person if nobody cares?
Time skip to after lunchtime
«Makoto Naegi»
Sayaka has had a vice grip on my hand all day, dragging me to classes, snapping selfies between them, taking me into the whirling world of being a celebrity.
"Makky!! Makky can you hold my hair back!" Squeals Sayaka. I cringe at my new nickname, walking over and holding back her beautiful, glossy navy hair. She toes it in a swift bun.
"I just gotta but some makeup on before 5th period! Will you wait for me?" 
"Ok." I mumble, sitting down to ease the guilty twisting in my gut. I miss Byakuya so much...
"Oh hey. Can I sit here?" I ask a pale boy with dark circles ringing his eyes. He looks up anxiously, jumping with fear.
"Y-y-yeah, ok." I feel a pang of pity. 
"What's your name?"
"Uh, I'm Ryota M-Mitarai." He mumbles. 
"Oh. I'm Makoto Naegi." I smile confidently. 
"Oh, thanks. Are-"
"MITARAI! GET OVER HERE!"
Junko storms over. Ryota jumps up nervously.
"MITARAI! GO SAVE ME A SEAT IN CLASS." She screams. Ryota hurries away,  a look of restrained anger in his face. I'm left staring after him. 
"Makky!" I look round. Sayaka sashays over to me, her make up complete. "Let's get to next period boyfriend!"
Boyfriend.
Boyfriend.
Boyfriend.
What the fuck have I done. 
I don't love Sayaka. She's jus a friend. The only person I love is Byakuya, and being without him is like a knife in my chest, twisting round and plunging deeper every minute. I can't do this. Is that so selfish? 
I punch out a message.
👤: I don't care what you say about me. Just don't involve Byakuya.
Will this ruin my life? Yes. Do I care? No, as long as he's safe. 
"Sayaka. I need to say something." She twists round, her baby blue eyes round an worried. 
I can't do this to her. It's like being on the edge of a burning building: die in the flames or plunge to my doom. Do I save Sayaka or Byakuya? 
My phone vibrates in my pocket. A new message. 
Fire or fall.
"Don't worry about it." I grin, lying through my teeth. I can't risk Byakuya's future. Even if every word breaks my heart.
I turn away, and check my phone.

                          
My heart stops.









                          
👤: Don't tell me how to play my own game.
👤: You've made me angry!
👤: You'll pay for this!