Tainted [ch.1]

    Students poured out of the dilapidated wooden gates as the shrill school bell rang. White shirts, green ties and ribbons, blue skirts and pants soon to be discarded waved their last goodbye to the sun. Smiles adorned the faces of most of the teens hanging together in their cliques. Underneath the shade of a tall tree on the edge of the grounds, two girls sat on a dried birch branch. Above, gaps in the cover of leaves created a star like pattern in the ground below. One of the pair marveled at the anomaly, wondering if some predetermined twist of fate created it or perhaps the tree simply wanted to grow like that...
    “-ki! SHIKI! Are you listening to me?!”
    Shiki snapped to reality and faced her frustrated friend.
    “Oh, Shiki. What am I going to do with you?”
    “Aishii-chan...”
    Aishii took a strand of her light, almost silver hair into her mouth, chewing on the end. That and her bright blue eyes made her seem surreal and unnatural. Like a demon, in fact. It seemed like yesterday when this beautiful demon approached Shiki in the exact same spot they were in now.
    “Shiki!” Aishii exclaimed, those startling eyes shining even brighter. “How about we go to the shopping district today? It's your birthday anyway. Come on. You know you want to. Plus we'll be passing by the red light district...” A small smile lit her face.
Shiki shook her head slightly and disapprovingly, blowing the onyx bangs above her eyes out of her view. Oh my. This was her best friend?
    “Oh Aishii. If you say so...”
The streets congested with people was a horrible sight for any claustrophobic person. Arms entwined, Aishii pulled Shiki along as Aishii pushed past the crowd and escaped into the nearest shop. Inside, the former began to laugh hysterically, falling onto her knees. Young and old stared at her with a judgmental gaze. The man nearest them seemed especially annoyed, his dark eyes set in a stony glare.
    “Aishii. Aishii. Get up.” Shiki whispered, specifically avoiding this man's gaze.
    “Come on. Have some f- *hic* fun once in a while!!!”
    Gripping on the leaf charm against her throat, Shiki replied softly, “Not like this.”
    Aishii giggled, pulling her down to the floor. “Shiki~.”
    “What did you drink at the bar, Aishii?”
    “That orange drink you had.” Insert laugh here. “Well, with a little alcohol.”
    Cue facepalm.
    “Aishii. Come on. We should get home.”
    “Shi- *hiccup* Shiki. When w- *hic* was the last time you went out? Or ha- *hic* had a relationship? You just stay at home all day with your mo- *hiccup* mother.”
    Shiki pursed her lips and pulled Aishii up calmly, but not gently. Frustration clouded her mind and she turned to the audience with tears that couldn't be withdrawn.
    “Please, just ignore what you just saw. I beg you.”
    The pleading tone in her voice was heartwrenching and all but one looked away immediately, chattering loudly about the weather and festivities. All but one watched as the child dragged her friend, as she wiped away the tears, and that a small charm, shaped like a leaf, lay on the floor of the restaurant.