Sweet Burden (19 page)

Obi looked out to the street and didn’t answer her.

“Obi, what about you?”

“I’m leaving,” he replied flatly.

Hitomi felt a little knot form in her stomach. “Where are you going?”

“Not sure yet,” he shrugged.

She stared at his profile. He was acting so cold and distant. She wasn’t sure what had changed in the past few hours. It was only this morning that he had assured her that he wasn’t leaving.

“What happened?” she asked quietly.

He shook his head.

“Why won’t you tell me anything? You won’t tell me anything about yourself. You won’t tell me where you’re going. You won’t tell me who
you are
,” she added frustrated.

“Because you wouldn’t understand.”

“I wouldn’t understand? How do you know? You haven’t even tried!”

“There was no point to try. I wasn’t supposed to be around this long anyway. I am not who you think I am.” His eyes narrowed as he looked at her. “And you’re exactly who I thought you were. A silly little girl.”

Hitomi blinked her eyes holding back her tears. Her lips trembled and she felt a lump in her throat.

“As much as you want to think it Hitomi, I feel nothing towards you. I helped you in a situation, you helped me. That does not bind us in any way. That makes us even. Nothing else.”

His words were like a knife to her chest, but when she looked into his eyes she thought they weren’t true. “You’re a liar. And I don’t know why you are being such a jerk. But right now, I really don’t want to know. I don’t want to understand. You are intentionally trying to hurt me. And you won. It worked.” Tears started trailing down her cheeks. “Your eyes completely give you away. But it doesn’t matter.”

“I feel nothing for you,” Obi said sternly.

“I guess I had you completely wrong.”

“Yes, you did.”

Hitomi took a staggered breath and turned away from him grabbing her bag. “Just go. Get off my porch.” She didn’t look back at him as she hurried into the house slamming the door.

****

Obi lowered his head as she disappeared into the house. He felt like he had been punched in the chest. He only hoped that she would eventually forgive him. He left the house and walked across the street. Stepping up beside a tree trunk, he leaned against it and looked across at her house.

“Did you break her little heart?” Domitori asked moving from behind the tree.

“I hope.” Obsidian turned and gave him a sinister smirk.

“So, you’re taking care of it tomorrow night?”

“It’ll be when she least expects it.” Obi nodded.

“Good. Let’s go have some fun until then.” Domitori nudged him and turned walking through the park. Obi followed him.

I’m sorry Hitomi. Please forgive me.

Hitomi watched Kerry’s car pull into the driveway. She let out a sigh and wiped fresh tears from her face. She glanced down at the bench one last time and then shut the window. The last conversation with Obi was still fresh in her mind. She had played it over and over again in her head. Every time she got to the end it opened a fresh wound in her chest.

There was still a part of her that was clinging to the hope that she would see him again, but every hour that passed stripped a little piece of that hope away. She wasn’t even sure why she wanted to see him again, but she felt empty without him.

She tightened her robe around her and lay down on the bed. Pushing her face into the pillows she could still smell him. She thought about waking up next to him yesterday morning and how everything seemed brighter all day. She wanted to hate him for letting her know that such feelings existed. But she couldn’t.

“Hitomi?” Her mother knocked on the door. “Are you getting ready?”

“Yah.”

“Kerry is here.”

“I know.”

The door opened as Hitomi sat up. Kerry walked in armed with her make-up case and her dress.

“Why are you not ready?” Kerry asked as Regina walked in behind her.

“I was starting to.” She stood up and forced a smile. “I’m just not good at this dressing up stuff.”

“No worries.” Kerry beamed, “That’s why I’m here. Alright lazy, let’s get you ready. I still have to do my make-up and yours. The boys are going to be here in an hour.” She steered Hitomi over to the vanity and made her sit down. “Now, what are we going to do with your hair?”

Hitomi stared into the mirror realizing she had been a fool. Someone like Obi would never have been interested in her. There was nothing special about her.

****

Obi hated himself. He was truly a despicable being.

He had been able to get away from Domitori for a little bit and he returned to check on Hitomi. He watched her, hidden across the street, as she peered out her window. Even across the street he could smell her tears. He hated himself, knowing he had caused those tears. It took all his strength not to go to her and beg for forgiveness.

He knew he had no right to want her. He was not deserving of the kindness she had shown him or the happiness she had made him feel. Forcing him to endure the pain of watching her, he deserved only the anguish and self-loathing that he felt.

“This is so boring,” Domitori said interrupting Obi’s thoughts.

“You can leave any time you want,” Obi mumbled.

“Do you think I want to be on the council’s bad side?” he walked over to the edge of the school’s roof and peered down. “People are starting to arrive.”

Obi moved over next to him and watched the few kids entering the building.

“Do you not see what this human has done to you? You’ve become pathetic.” Domitori sighed. “She caused you to feel. Why would you want that? I’m just glad that you realized what needs to be done. Especially so you can rid yourself of those disgusting mortal behaviors.”

Letting out a sigh, Obi mumbled, “I agree.”

“Then let’s just go find her now and be done with this.”

“No,” he replied quickly. “I’m doing this my way.”

“Okay. But I’m not really sure why you wanted to wait until this event. There are so many people.”

“Because she won’t suspect anything and she won’t be scared.”

“Still considering her feelings?” Dom huffed. “Or are you considering your own?”

“What do you mean by that?” Obi turned to him.

“This attachment you formed to her is rare. If you were alone with her for too long, you might not be able to do your task.”

“I’ve already assured you, I will do what I need to.”

“I truly hope you do…for your own sake.”

Obi’s brow furrowed and he turned back to watching the happy couples holding hands and smiling. Suddenly Hitomi’s scent filled his head. His eyes widened and his lips slightly parted. His eyes darted in every direction below searching for the red dress. He knew she was among the groups of people arriving. Every inch of his body knew it.

His eyes finally settled on her. Hitomi’s slender frame was hugged perfectly by the red satin fabric. Her honey hair rested down her back with half secured in a silver clip. She looked stunning. And happy. He felt the knot in his chest tighten as his gaze traveled to the guy next to her. He couldn’t tolerate seeing someone else next to her and holding her hand.
She was holding his hand.
Obi couldn’t help but think that he should be the one next to her.

Unable to stand the vision, Obi walked away from the edge.

“Where are you going?” Dom raised an eyebrow.

“She can see me. I shouldn’t be watching.” He moved over to the roof entrance door and sat down.

“Oh. So she’s here.” Dom’s eyes lit up with interest as he turned back and peered down.

Obi closed his eyes and rested his head in his hands.

“How much longer are we waiting?”

“Just a little bit. And will you stop talking? It’s annoying.”

Obi heard Domitori let out a huff, but he kept quiet.

****

Bradley kept a tight hold on Hitomi’s hand as they walked into the transformed gymnasium. Any other day she would have protested the hand-holding, but not this evening. She looked around at all the decorations.

“They did a nice job,” she commented.

Everything was decorated in fall colors. The room was illuminated with white Christmas lights and the orange tablecloths cast an orange glow over the entire room. Each table was decorated with tea lights floating in water filled vases. The room was littered with cutout leaves in various colors. The room was busy with people but not overly cramped. On a stage, a DJ played the newest songs and a few people were already dancing.

Hitomi suddenly felt overwhelmed and she wished Obi was next to her.

“Everything alright?” Bradley asked.

“Um hm,” she gave a nod.

“Wow, they decorated it really nice this year,” Kerry commented as she and Shane walked up behind them.

“Let’s go get a table. Preferably by the dance floor,” Shane said and gave Hitomi a nudge. The four of them weaved their way through the people finding a table that suited Shane. The boys left to go get some drinks and talk with the rest of the soccer team.

“So?” Kerry smirked.

“So…what?”

“Seems like you two are getting along well.”

“Huh?” Hitomi’s thoughts turned to Obi.

“You and Bradley.”