‘Is she going to be ok, Doctor?’ She asked still lying in her hospital bed her husband sitting next to her. ‘We’ve done all we can, she seems stable for now but she’s out of our hands.’ The doctor replied clutching his clipboard.
‘When can we she her?’ Her husband asked.
‘Soon, for now she needs to rest. You can see her tomorrow morning, but for now I think you also need rest. Get some sleep, I’ll be around if you need me.’ The doctor smiled and walked out of the room.

Seventeen Years Later.

‘Maya! Wait for me!’ Shouted; a female voice from behind her. She looked back down the city street, her friend, holding a rather large school bag was running after her. ‘Hurry Kiyo, or we’re going to be late!’ Maya shouted back. Kiyo made it to her, she was out of breath but still smiling. She regained her breath and they walked to school together.

The early morning sun bounced off the windows of Kushiro High School. They walked into the locker room, they both talked about the new school term as they changed their shoes. ‘I still don’t get how you don’t have a boyfriend Maya. I mean look at you, your so pretty, if I was you I’d be flaunting my looks… but sadly…’
‘Oh stop it Kiyo. You are just as attractive as me, if not more…’ she stopped mid sentence as she looked up. There was a boy, standing just behind Kiyo. He was tall, he had short-ish black hair and brown eyes. He opened his mouth to say something then, before saying anything, blushed and walked away again. ‘See Maya, point proven. I mean even people like Shiko are after you and he’s like…’ she sighed and dipped into what seemed to be her own little dream world. ‘Earth to Kiyo. Snap out of it!’ She clicked her fingers and Kiyo returned.
‘Sorry… I got lost for a second.’
‘Well we’re almost late. Get your stuff we need to get to class.’

Throughout the next few lessons that same boy, Shiko, continued to glance at her, then we she looked at him, he would turn away and go visibly red. At several points he even tried talking to her, but failed as he was either stopped by his lack of courage or his friend laughing and giggling in the background. Maya and Kiyo were sitting on a bench eating lunch when he failed again and walked away pretending he’d needed to pass on a message he’d suddenly forgotten. ‘That’s the fourth time today…’ Maya muttered as she bit her sandwich. ‘I’m telling you Maya, he likes you. You should date him!’ Kiyo suggested. Maya coughed and spluttered. ‘Do you even know how to date a guy?’ Kiyo asked. Maya paused for thought after she regained herself.
‘… of course, I’m not an idiot!’ she replied defensively.
‘Really? Have you ever kissed a guy?’
‘Yes!’ Maya shouted as if this was absurd.
‘Oh yeah? Who?’ Kiyo asked. ‘Your father doesn’t count.’
‘Well then…’
‘You’ve never kissed a guy? Are you serious?’
‘I’ve never had the time! I mean with school and hospital visits and all I’ve never really found the time or point to having a boyfriend.’
‘You’re not pulling that one on me, you go to the hospital once a week, that’s not a major commitment or anything. Right next time he comes over, ask him out, he obviously doesn’t have the b…’
‘I’m not just going to ask him out! I barely know him!’ Maya shouted. Kiyo put her hand over Maya’s mouth. ‘Keep it down, do you want him to hear you?’ She took her hand away. ‘Didn’t think so. Ok then, when he, eventually, asks you out, do it.’
‘Do what?’
‘Go out with him. I mean you’ve got to, that’s part of what school is for.’ Kiyo smiled. ‘But what if…’ Maya hesitated. ‘What if I mess up?’
‘How would you mess up?’
‘I don’t know, I mean I’ve never… You know…’
‘I’m only talking about dating the guy, maybe kissing him not full blown sex here.’ Kiyo laughed. ‘Well do what you want; I’m just saying, as a friend, it might be a good idea for you to get one.’ She lay back on the bench and began eating her sandwich.