Neither of you could even remember how you first became friends, it just happened so naturally. The two misfits inevitably became friends, leaning on each other in order to make it through middle school, where constant verbal abuse and cruel rumors were a part of their daily routines. Because let's face it, kids are mean.

However, Niki and you eventually drifted as your family moved house the summer before high-school began. You expected to receive the same cruel treatment in high-school only to find that wasn't the case and you could finally put your past of bullying behind you. Niki stayed there and went to the local highschool and the two of you stayed in touch online but could never meet as you simply lived too far away.

Came your eighteenth birthday and Niki had promised years ago to come see you on the special day, and you sure as hell held him to it. And so you waited patiently for him at the train station, wearing an outfit that you picked out especially for the occasion. You watched as people poured out of the trains, in search of your old friend. You weren't even sure if you'd be able to recognise him...

...however, the second yours met those familiar eyes of his, you didn't even need to double take. He had certainly grown, much taller and bigger than the scrawny kid you knew back then. He didn't even hesitate to pull you into a crushing hug, lifting you off the ground as he buried his face in your shoulder.

The two of you spent hours together, laughing and recalling memories, even laughing at the bad ones, showing just how much the two of you had since moved on...

...or so you thought...

...with the sun setting in the horizon, Niki suggested visiting one of your favourite hangout spots; he was curious about the place your family had moved to, so far away from him. You lead him through a deep woods to a lake. You remembered that he would often go swimming in the summer when you used to live in the same town. He'd swim and you'd sunbathe... He'd always beg you to join him but back then, you didn't feel comfortable enough in your own skin to shed the clothes.

However now was different and so as you both came to a stop before the lake, you pulled your shirt over your head but paused midway through pulling your skirt down as you glanced at Niki, noticing how he was hesitating. It was like the roles were reversed now. He stared at the water, looking like he was contemplating something...

Nudging his shoulder didn't even seem to break him out of his trance and so you teasingly tugged at the hem of his shirt, lifting it up a little.

"Come on..." you said, smiling reassuringly.

...your smile faded as you caught a glimpse of a bruise on his side. He instantly yanked the hem of his shirt back down and his demeanor shifted into something almost defensive.

"Forget it." He snapped, turning to glare at you in such a way that you almost didn't recognise him...