1 Comfort Person

I woke up earlier than usual today. It was probably due to the extra sleep I've been receiving. After Mr. Ai left Mrs. Ai hadn't had nightmares and woke up screaming… I'm honestly glad Mr. Ai left, after all it's made Mrs. Ai's life easier to live. A few years after I was adopted Mr. Ai became abusive both sexually and physically, causing Mrs. Ai's nightmares to occur. I was most likely the cause of these abusive actions, after all every story I've heard before I came into their lives has been a nice and joyful one. They were happy and I destroyed that bold happiness. A knock on my bedroom door "Kati wake up and get ready for school," Mrs. Ai's voice. "Alright!" I reply to her words. "I'll drive you today, and I made you and Aoi breakfast." Mrs. Ai sounds tired. I nod to myself as a note of hurrying to not keep her waiting. I change into my beige uniform and begin to walk down the wooden stairs. I see my younger sister Aoi already eating with Mrs. Ai, the both greet me and Mrs. Ai hands me my plate of pancakes and scrambled eggs, gesturing for me to sit and eat. There is no conversation, only the sound of chewing and Aoi humming her newly made tune. I hurry and eat the breakfast given to me and grab my bag not wanting to keep the two girls waiting. All of us get into Mrs. Ai's car, a Mini Cooper. Mrs. Ai drives up to our school taking Aoi first and me last. I slowly walk to the giant double doors of Sian high school, not wanting to start the first semester of my third year in high school. As I walk into the doors and into the lobby of the school I see my best friend, and only friend, Tsubaki. I dash towards him calling his name in a sly way as I normally would. "How's it been Tsubaki? I haven't seen you in weeks." I ask, continuing to walk towards him. He gives me a hug when I come to a halt. "It's been too long Kati." he says, releasing me from his prison of hugs. I nod giving his head a pat while suggesting we walk to class together. He chuckles as I pat his head. "What?" I ask him in a salty tone. "You have to stretch just to reach my head, it's cute" he answers my question with a smirk on his face continuing to walk beside me. I remove my hand out of bitterness. I hate it when he calls my small height cute. "I'll have you know I have grown exactly two inches taller since you last saw me!" I stand up for myself. "Too bad I grew three inches taller shorty," Tsubaki remarks, making me even more bitter than before. When we reach the classroom on the third floor we sit beside each other as we've done every year in high school. Four minutes pass and the teacher walks in following the last of the students. Science this is a new school year we take the time to introduce ourselves, talking about our summer, telling our names, and giving bits of information we'd like to share. When it's my turn to talk about myself I only say, "My name is Kati Haruu." then return to my seat. After me Tsubaki stands to take the stage telling only the things that make him sound cool, "My names Tsubaki Tenji, and I'm friends with Kati so don't mess with him or I'll beat your-" he was cut off my the teacher, sparing me from any more embarrassment from Tsubaki. Tsubaki smiles towards me, telling me he did that on purpose. After classes are over I meet Tsubaki behind the school to hang out with him. The phone rings and she answers saying "I was about to call you Kati. Listen I need you to pick up Aoi from school and don't come home, okay?" I begin to worry. What if Mr. Ai came back? What if he's abusing her again? My lips begin to move and before I realize it I agree with her terms. She hangs up leaving me with no explanation, with worry and fear. When I reach Tsubaki he's already off the phone waving at me and talking. "I have to take a rain check. Mrs. Ai needs me to get Aoi from school and keep her entertained. She doesn't want us coming back yet." I say with an expression that can be described in only one word: Sorrow. I feel a tear run down my face. I'm now trembling with the fear of Mr. Ai returning. Even if it's only a possibility I can't help but be terrified by even the thought of it. "Hey what's wrong? Don't cry Kati." Tsubaki says embracing me in his arms while stroking my hair. I can only stutter out "What if Mr. Ai is back?" My tears fall harder the more I think of him, the memories of his abuse towards Mrs. Ai, the picture of his face, and his words. "Hey why don't we both get your sister and you two stay with me. My parents are on another business trip and won't be home for weeks." Tsubaki's voice is soothing. I nod and dry my tears with the sleeve of my uniform. As we walk to Sian elementary, Tsubaki's arm rests over my shoulder in a calming manner. As we reach the small building filled with young children Tsubaki pulls me into a secluded ally, hugging me saying "Let everything out so your sister doesn't worry." With those words I break, crying and trembling not hiding any of my emotions.