“Falling helplessly in love, then having that person break your heart when you’re at your most vulnerable.”

Eiji looked at me with his green eyes. “You don’t want to have that happen to you, man.”

I sighed.

Eiji was trying to talk me out of my crush for Luna again. Ever since I told Eiji that I had feelings for Luna, he had been giving me advice nonstop. I knew that he was trying to cushion the fall, but I couldn’t help but feel slightly annoyed that he didn’t believe in me at all.

“Look, Ryo. I’ve been there myself.” Eiji said. He stretched his hands out trying to emphasise his statement. “And it’s not a pretty place down here.”

“A fall from the third floor hurts as much as a fall from the hundredth.” I quoted, remembering a passage I had read on the internet.

“Who said that?” Eiji asked.

“Paulo Coelho.” I answered.

“Look, whatever.” Eiji waved away my answer. “The point I’m trying to make is that, no matter how we look at it, Luna is simply way out of your league.”

“You don’t know that yet.” I said angrily. “I haven’t even asked her out.”

“Ryo, you wouldn’t know how to build a table if your life depended on it, and now you’re trying to build a rocket ship?” Eiji asked. “Do you see where I’m coming from? I’m not trying to look down on you or anything but you’re going on a suicide mission. This is only going to end up bad for you.”

“Gee, thanks for believing in me Eiji.” I replied sarcastically.

“You’re my best friend, Ryo, that’s why I’m telling you this.” Eiji said. “If you weren’t, I wouldn’t be telling you anything.”

“I think I should at least try.” I shrugged my shoulders. “What’s the worst that can happen?”

Eiji palmed his forehead and shook his head. “Ryo, Luna’s not just any random girl in the school. She’s Luna, the most popular girl in the entire school. She’s number one in the school in sports and in grades. That girl’s got the most perfect face I’ve ever seen in all my years of living on this planet.”

“I don’t think I’ve even seen models that have a better face than her.” Eiji added, lifting his head from his palm. “And believe me, I’ve looked at my fair share of models on the internet.”

“Right…” I said.

I looked away from Eiji, losing interest in the conversation. In my heart, I knew Eiji was right but a part of me wanted to believe the lie. I didn’t want to give up without trying.

We were in the classroom waiting for the day to begin. School had just started so there were still students entering the room every so often. I was waiting for Luna to arrive.

I saw Akane walk in and my heart skipped a beat. This meant that Luna would walk in next.

Luna entered the classroom after Akane and the class stopped their conversation to glance at her. Luna looked perfect as usual. Her dark hair flowed behind her as she walked and her pink lips stuck out enticingly from the rest of her face. Her pale violet eyes scanned the room briefly.

It felt like her eyes stopped at me for a second. The moment ended almost as soon as it began and she looked away, walking to her seat at the front of the class.

She sat down and Akane took up the seat by her side. The rest of the classroom resumed their conversations after Luna sat down.

“Jesus…” Eiji said staring at Luna’s back. “Just look at her. She’s damn perfect.”

“Yeah.” I agreed dreamily. I was also staring at Luna’s back.

“Anyone that perfect is bound to have some skeletons in their closets.” Eiji added. “If you can find out what they are, you might actually have a chance...”

“Come on, Eiji.” I defended Luna. “Don’t say that about her.”

Eiji laughed. “I was just joking, man. Take it easy, will ya?” Eiji punched me lightly on the arm.

By now, most of the class was here, but the teacher was late. I saw Kazuo glancing back at me. Uh oh. Kazuo was the captain of the school’s soccer team, he was also a bully. I tried to avoid his eyes but it was too late. Our eyes had met.

Kazuo leaned to his group and whispered something to them. They smirked and turned to look at me. Kazuo got up from his chair and strolled towards where Eiji and I sat.

“Shit, Ryo. Did you look at Kazuo?” Eiji whispered to me as he saw Kazuo walking over.

“Y-yeah…”

“Dude, you don’t look at Kazuo! That’s asking for trouble!” Eiji hissed.

Kazuo stopped in front of my desk and I looked up at him with a weak smile. He had short blond hair and a well-built figure.

“H-hey Kazuo.” I stuttered. “W-what’s up?”

Kazuo placed a hand on my desk, leaning against the surface. “Yo, what’s your name again?”

“Ryo…” I replied

“Ah, that’s right.” He said looking at the nails on his free hand. “Look, I have a small problem today.”

He looked away from his nails and smiled fakely. “I forgot to bring money for lunch, so I was wondering if I could borrow some money.”

“Come on Kazuo.” Eiji butted into the conversation. “You’ve got heaps of money man.”

Kazuo glared at Eiji. The two didn’t like each other. They were both on the soccer team and Kazuo had asked Eiji to join his group because of his athletic skills but Eiji had refused.

“I wasn’t talking to you, Eiji.” Kazuo said quietly. “Now shut the fuck up.”

Kazuo turned back to me, again with the fake smile. “Anyways, I don't need that much. I just need enough to buy lunch today.” He said.

"How much...?" I asked.

"Oh," He looked upwards as though he was thinking. "Only 50,000 yen."

"W-what?" I was shocked. "I don't have that much money."

"Give me your wallet." Kazuo said.

“N-no…” I stammered.

“I said give me your fucking wallet–”

“Stop that.”

We all turned to the source of the voice and saw pale violet eyes glaring over. Dark hair fell over the sides of her face emphasising a perfect complexion. It was Luna. The whole classroom became silent and everyone was watching.

“L-Luna…” I said.

“Luna?” Kazuo sounded confused. He rose his hand from my desk.

“Don’t pick on other people.” Luna said. “You're making yourself look stupid.”

A brief anger flashed across Kazuo’s face but he smiled.

“We were just playing around.” Kazuo laughed. He placed a hand on my shoulder. “Isn’t that right, buddy?”

I felt him gripping hard.

“Let go off him.” Luna stood up from her seat, pushing the chair backwards and it made an unpleasant noise as it skid on the surface of the ground. There was anger underneath her voice.

“Huh?” Kazuo said.

“I said let go off him.” Luna repeated darkly.

Kazuo released his grip on my shoulder. “Alright…” He said slowly. “No need to get worked up Luna, we’re just playing around.”

Luna stared him down and Kazuo looked around the classroom. Everyone was watching him. He made a tsk-ing noise and returned to his desk quietly with an annoyed face.

Luna watched him go back to his seat before she sat back down and returned to preparing her notes. The whole classroom began talking again.

“What was that?” Eiji breathed out. “Luna just totally saved your ass there.”

“Y-yeah, I don’t know.” The adrenaline was still flowing through my body and my voice was shaky. “Maybe she just doesn’t like people being picked on.”

“Maybe.” Eiji replied then he shook his head. “Anyways, don’t even look over Kazuo’s way again. The last kid that met Kazuo’s eyes ended up drinking urine in the boy’s toilet. It’s fucked up man.”

I nodded my head.