¨I guess that´s true,¨ mumbles Sayako, ¨Sorry, I was being too eager.¨

¨Hey, don't worry about it, it´s fine,¨ I reassure her. ¨Well, we better get some homework done if I wanna taste that cake.¨ ¨Yeah, I guess we should start.¨

After our homework is done, we head out of the library and start on the road to Saaya´s house. I´ve been to Saaya´s house plenty of times, our parents are good friends with each other. I've probably been to her room about a thousand times, and every time I go inside, it´s like I'm looking into her mind, everything is laid out, like a book display at the book store. I can see what she likes and keep a conversation by asking questions, or, if I´m feeling a little bold, get her a small gift based on something she likes.

¨Hey Mitchie,¨ says Saya. ¨Yeah?¨, I said. ¨Well, I was wondering if after you helped me with the new cake recipe, do you think you could stay for a while? Only if you want to, of course.¨

¨Sure!¨, I reply, a little too loudly. I clear my throat, ¨ahem. I-erh-I mean, yeah sure.¨ I cover my mouth with my hand.

¨Oh my gosh that was so cringy.¨ Saaya giggles at my cringiness.

¨Hey! It´s not funny!¨ I say embarrassed.

¨You´re doing exactly what I do! Now I see why you laugh when I do it!¨ She continues to giggle and I can't help but smile at her smiling face.

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"Come on slowpoke! We have to get to your house in time to bake the cake. I'll race ya!" I start bolting across the pavement. Saaya runs after me yelling, "That's not fair! You're on the track team! Of course, you're going to win!" She stops to catch her breath.

"Wait!-huff-Slow down!-huff-It's not-huff-fair-huff-If I'm-huff-taking a break.-Huff-" Saaya is physically weaker than most people, so she gets tired much quicker. But her mental strength is another story entirely. I run back to her, "Hey you okay?" After she regains her breath she says, "I'm okay, you don't have to worry about me." "We are friends, so technically, yeah, I kinda have to, "I reply.

"Hey, hand me your backpack," I say. "Why?", Saaya tilts her head quizzically in the cute way she does. "So I can hold it for you, idiot," I say while giving her a little tap on the forehead. "I'm not an idiot," Saaya retorts stepping back and covering her forehead. "I'm the number one student at school." "Yeah yeah, I know. But doesn't that get stressful from time to time?" I ask. We're now walking to Saaya's house.

"It's always stressful, and sometimes scary because people always think that I'm stuck up and they say mean things about me and post means things on my locker." I whip my head to look at her in shock. "What!? And you never told me!? Why!?", I yell with a hint of disappointment. "I didn't want you or anyone else to worry about me," Saaya replies sheepishly.

"Wait. Are you saying that I'm the first person you've told? You haven't told April, Haruka, or even your parents?" Saaya shakes her head. I'm slightly happy Saaya chose to tell me first and not anyone else. "You should tell them," I start to say, "No!" Saaya retorts, "No. They can't know. They'll worry. You know they will. "But still," I reason with her, "You can't keep going through this on your own. At least let me help you." Saaya takes a deep breath and sighs. "I guess a little help wouldn't be too bad."