Chapter Text
—Are you still there? Talk to me, please.
—Sorry, I’m trying to breathe…
—I’m coming over now, okay? Please hold on for me.
Yet another panic attack in the middle of the night, yet another phone call in which the greeting was replaced by a scream for help. “Will this be the time I don’t arrive on time?” She wondered as she took her car keys while wearing a jacket over her pajamas, preparing herself to ignore certain road safety laws
She gets into her car and dashes, Teto’s apartment was around 25 minutes from hers—way too far considering the situation—. Every red light she could ignore, she would. It was her best friend’s life that was on the line.
They had been friends since the first time they spoke between classes. They had an undeniable chemistry, but Gumi believed that falling in love would not be good for either of them—she thought their story would end abruptly. Though Teto made it hard for her not to, their looks, their personality, the way they were with her, and especially how they couldn’t hide the fact they were in love with Gumi. She always thought Teto was dumb, but in a cute way, “Silly, not stupid” was how they described it.
However, Teto had her “quirks”, such as those panic attacks, not showing any sign of life for days and then acting like nothing happened. Her mental health had never been something she could brag about, but she tried her best to get better, and Gumi tried her best to support her in her journey.
Gumi finally reaches the building, parking as best as she can and locking her car before sprinting upstairs to the third floor where Teto’s apartment was. She knocks on the door while catching her breath. Upon hearing the knocking, Teto jumps from her bedroom floor, knowing there was only one person that could be knocking that late. A boxcutter left beside her carpet.
—How are…—Gumi tried to greet her friend, but she was wrapped into a hug before getting anything out. Teto sobbed into her jacket, her hair messied up from crying and sleeping.
—It’s okay. I’m here now, alright?—Gumi says as she wraps her arms around Teto and kisses the top of their head while stroking their hair as to calm them.
—I’m sorry, I didn't even say hi… Thank you for coming, Gumi…
—It’s okay, thank you for calling me. Can I come in?
Gumi comes in and sits on the couch, Teto snuggles up to her, looking up at Gumi with her puffy eyes.
—How are you feeling now?
—Better now that you’re here
—What happened?
—Just… things have been stressful…—Teto looks aside, not wanting to show Gumi her troubles.
—College? You know you can ask me for help with your classes, I know a thing or two about music.
—Not just college, everything in general. I couldn’t go back home for New Years last month because I got sick and my parents are clearly annoyed at me… even though my mom told me to stay here. The guy I wanted… wanted to get a cat from ghosted me… and then posted… pictures saying he kept it... My plants are dying and I… I don’t know why… I haven’t c… come up with… anything for the… essay… I have t… to write… f… for one of… my clas…
As she kept talking she began shaking, her words became broken up by her crying starting yet again. Gumi’s arms were accustomed to Teto’s tears at this point. She held her close and stroked her tangled hair.
—It’s okay, Teto. It’s okay…Look—She grabs Teto’s hand— I don’t have any classes in the morning tomorrow, how about I stay the night and we go to a shelter and try to find a kitten for you? That would solve one of your problems at least, right?
Teto gets their face away from Gumi’s body and looks up at her again. Their face puffier than before, but with a smile that shows her green haired friend that her attempt to help worked.
—Yeah… That would be nice… Thank you, Gumi
—Should we go to sleep then? All that crying must’ve gotten you tired, right?
—Yes, hahah… I’ll go wash my face, you can go to the bedroom meanwhile.
—Of course, I’ll set up my bed— Teto turns back while walking to the bathroom and looks down in the direction of Gumi.
—Actually, could you sleep with me in my bed tonight? I don’t want to be alone…
—Oh, of course Teto, no problem
“Of course” was an understatement, even though she didn’t want to fall in love (or pretend she hadn’t), she wouldn’t act like she didn’t want to have some lovey-dovey experiences with Teto, even if only once or twice.
As Gumi walked into Teto’s room, she noticed the boxcutter on the floor, its blade extended as an omen of what could’ve happened if Gumi took longer to get there. She grabbed it to leave it on Teto’s desk and felt her heart drop from the sight of blood on the blade. She looked at it in horror for a minute, then wiped it with her fingers, left it on the desk and breathed out, pretending nothing happened. If anything, she’d ask Teto in the morning about it.
Teto stares at their arm in the mirror, hoping she’d cleaned the boxcutter or at least hid it before opening the door for Gumi. They’d have to see when entering their room, Gumi was always open about her thoughts on Teto’s self-destructive behaviours and would probably say something to her. That’s what she thought, at least.
She washes her face and cleans her wounds. Then they leave to their room, acting as if they knew for a fact that Gumi hadn’t seen anything. Upon seeing the boxcutter on her desk, her fears left her, obviously she had left it there, oh how smart she was.
—Here I am! Let’s go to sleep, right?— Teto says shutting the door behind them so the cold of the night can’t enter the room.
—Yeah, let’s…—Says Gumi, trying to shake off the image of the boxcutter from her head—. Come here, it’s cold—She opens the covers for Teto and pats the spot beside her while sitting on the bed.
Teto gets into bed. Gumi lays down after she gets in and grabs Teto close to her. She didn’t want to talk about what she saw just then, she only wanted to make Teto feel appreciated for a second, hopefully someday she’d stop doing that to herself. Teto’s heart began racing after feeling Gumi hugging her. They wanted to turn around and look at her, but they knew their face would say a lot. She only managed to grab Gumi’s arms and speak to her.
—Thanks again for coming over, Gumi… you’re a great friend…—
—It’s alright Teto, that’s what we’re for, right? Friends support each other and you know you’re my best friend… Why don’t you turn around? We can talk better like that—She wanted to see Teto’s face with the dim light that entered through the window, she knew it would be cute.
—Um… Sure—They turn around slowly, hoping her bloodflow would go back to normal before Gumi could see her face.
—If you’re hot right now, I can stop hugging you, you know? Your face is too red…
—Oh… I… I don’t mind the warmth, don’t worry, the night’s cold anyway…—She says hugging Gumi back and placing her head near her friend’s chest.
Teto wanted to appreciate this moment without Gumi teasing them like always, it was like she knew about their feelings—but that probably was just them being anxious.
—Goodnight Gumi, Thank you for everything
—Goodnight Teto. Tomorrow will be a better day.